CARMELITA SAT IN A velvet-covered chair. She watched her reflection in the mirrors in front of her as the servants fixed her hair and makeup for the Winter Solstice Ball. The mirrors sat in a wooden drawer. The wooden frames had carvings of lions just like those in the royal emblem. She was excited about the announcement. All she could think about last night was Sebastián’s reaction after they were officially engaged.
The entire room was buzzing with chatter as Natalia asked her questions while the servants giggled. “Mel, why do you keep on smiling? Did he profess his love already?"
Carmelita watched Natalia intently through the mirror. She couldn’t turn around, or the servants would need to adjust her hair again. They were already in the middle of clipping the braided hair around her h
