The Carriage

It was 5:00 in the afternoon. The sun started to set in the horizons but Asthenosthene and Noelle still did not return to their homes. Instead, they were wearing fancy suits and dresses to attend the King's Ball.

Asty had her eyes closed as Mrs. Pickinns arranged her bright, persimmon-colored hair. She neatly placed a few stands of hair in front of her left shoulder. She then carefully reached for the basket. A basket that contained little, fully-bloomed chrysanthemums.

She conscientiously tucked the little flowers into her hair.

When she was finished, Mrs. Pickinns asked Asthenosthene to open her eyes.

"There. There, look at yourself."

Asthenosthene opened her eyes and found her reflection in a clear mirror. She was wearing a beige, laced dress with ribbons accompanying her neck and arms. The dress went all the way down to her legs.

And for the very first time, she wore polished sandals which she did not know what was made of.

She was simple but presentable.

"Rosellia's favorite flower worn by the sun." Mrs. Pickinns mumbled to herself in delight. Asthenosthene was beautiful.

Asty observed herself in the mirror. Her eyes still couldn't believe that she was wearing clothes that she could never afford and shoes that she could never wear. But here they were, wrapping gently on her small feet.

A scarlet blush formed from her cheek as she realizes that the beautiful woman standing before her, was her.

"Is... this me?"

"You do not have mirrors in the mountains?" Mrs. Pickinns asked.

"I only tried to look at the water for my reflection, Mrs. Pickinns."

"You look wonderful. Rosellia would be pleased."

The tailor did not lie. Asty looked absolutely amazing. With her hair neatly tied and her skin scrubbed, she no longer looked as roguish as she had before.

Mrs. Pickinns did not truly expect Asty's beauty to rise. At first, seeing her feed the sheep and in a few cases, take on the wolves which devoured half of the flock; she had truly believed that Asty had no hoped of being a woman.

Moreover, she would accept jobs which were much suited for males than the females. It was probably the reason why Asty had been rejected by most of the males in their village. 

“Oh how the tables have turned,” Mrs. Pickinns thought. “They never thought you could be this beautiful.”

Asty continued to gaze upon herself at the mirror. Suddenly she remembers the purpose of why he had worn these dresses. She had to deliver a message to the Duke. 

The thought almost escaped Asty's mind. "That's right. I need to deliver Lady Rosellia's message. How could I forget that even at a single minute?”

“Do not stress yourself. I am certain we will find the Duke. Just take it easy, it not like Rosellia would hit you if you failed to do so.”

“But she would be disappointed.” her eyes lowered. “I don’t want that.”

“Nobody does.” Mrs. Pickinns smiled at her.

Mrs. Pickinns, placed her palms on Asty's exposed shoulders and looked at the mirror with her. "Your looks are average, but if you come to me, I make you even comparable to the late Queen."

Asty chuckled. "Indeed, you are amazing Mrs. Pickinns. Would you come to the Ball with us?"

"Of course," she said with a matter of fact. "Children like you shouldn't be left alone in the Palace, especially that the King had invited the Counts and Countesses. I wouldn't care less about the other Nobles. But those Counts..."

"What about them, Mrs. Pickinns?"

"I hope the King did not invite all of them."

"Are the Counts and Countesses really to be feared?"

For the first time, Asty saw Mrs. Pickinns' brows frown into a sad expression. Her eyes became gentle and soft. "Every Night Hallow is to be feared. They have the means to kill and get away with them. They are always hungry. And they always watch us every night. Not to secure us, but to feed themselves by looking at our vulnerable bodies."

Asthenosthene recalled the few times she had woken up in the middle of the night for unusual scratches. There were times when she peeked from below the sheets into her window.

Oh, how her heart raced when they open the window with their hands and creep on the small spot they opened, only to watch her sleep.

No matter how hard your nails were fastened into the hardwood. No matter how you closed your windows. They would watch. Silently. With a grin on their faces. But they would not touch you. They wouldn't.

They would just watch you as you dream. Some would attack the cattle. But none would speak with them.

The only known Night Hallows who could speak were the Counts and Countesses. The immortals who lurk at the night, for luxury, for pleasure.

"Maybe I can speak with a Count," Asty spoke.

"Oh, even the King feels intimidated speaking with a Count."

"I see..."

"Very well, to the carriage now."

Mrs. Pickinns assisted the young girl into the carriage. Waiting beside it, stood Noelle in his dashing, prince-like formal attire. His hair was fixed and smothered with oils, a few strands falling above his forehead. He smelled fragrant from afar.

He gazed at Asty as she exits along with Mrs. Pickinns. He then called out to her in a cheerful voice. "Asty!"

Asty looked at Noelle and grinned. "Noelle, you look dashing with that attire."

"You think I can charm maybe a few Nobles with this?"

"Maybe?" Asty chuckled.

“Asthenosthene?” a soft motherly voice chimed in.

“Mother?”

The woman hurriedly walked towards her and cupped her face. With a worried face she spoke: “You have to return early? Do you understand?”

Asty nodded. “I will. I promise.” 

Her mother glances over to Mrs. Pickinns' direction. Noelle could feel the sudden tension arise between the two. Two overprotective mothers who only wanted the best for their children.

“Madame Athena.” Mrs. Pickinns started.

“Lorna.” Athena, Asty's mother called out. “It has been a while.” 

“Indeed. I apologize for bringing Asty along. I will hold responsibility and watch over her.”

“Please do not let her off your sight.”

“I know and I won’t.”

Somehow, Noelle could feel something different between Asty's mom and the strict tailor. It was like, they both knew something that was off the chart.

“Perhaps… we should leave now?” Noelle chimed in, breaking the tension. 

“Of course.” Mrs. Pickinns agreed. “We will return shortly, Athena. Do not fret.”

The woman nodded and looked at her daughter. “You look beautiful. But regardless of it, you must behave yourself, okay?” 

“Mother. Of course. That was uncalled for, I am already an adult.” Asty shyly replied.

Athena pinched her daughter's cheek. “You have grown so much now.”

Asty smiled at her. Athena gave her a hug and smiled in response.

The navigator of the carriage opened the door. Mrs. Pickinns was the first to get in. The other two followed her inside and sat beside each other.

They were about to go to the Ball.