Her fire and His Shadow

THE BEGINNING

The smile she wore in the mirror looked genuine. It was genuine–it just had to be. Today was the her step-mother always reminded her of. “I'll be most glad when a man takes you away from this house.” The whole house could attest to the malicious joy that filled the atmosphere.

She sighed deeply, carefully studying her reflection for the umpteenth time, practicing the same smile her step–sister had taught her just last night.

“Johan will writhe in disgust if he sees you smiling like that tomorrow.” Ophelia vomited, squeezing her face in anger.

Aurora rolled her eyes, but her neck was bent. “We had been together for three years. He knows this is how I smile.” she looked in a mirror, sucking in air to see what exactly was suddenly wrong with her smile.

Ophelia chuckled with a mocking sneer. “And you think he likes it?”

She frowned. “He has never complained.”

“Because you are the daughter of an Elite!” her hushed voice was sharp. “ And he is nothing but a poor farmer–”

“Ophelia…”

But she waved her hand dismissively. “Which will in return make you poor–Tomorrow you will become his wife, he will have every authority over you.”

Her jaw ticked in silent anger, but she realized there was no need to respond. She was going to leave this house tomorrow…finally. “I think my smile is fine.”

“No. It is not.” she walked closer to Aurora and paused behind her. “You look like a scared goat. I will teach you how to smile like a princess.”

Snapping back from her thoughts, her hand unconsciously ran through her long red hair. The paid hairdresser had done a beautiful job on her hair. She could hardly believe that her hair could feel this soft and smooth.

The golden petit crown that sat comfortably in the middle of her head contrasted well with the dark shade of red hair she had. She looked like a princess, but inside…she felt nothing.

Victoria had threatened to dye her hair, claiming her future husband might detest the color (which was already true) Johan detested her hair. She sighed tirelessly, remembering how she had to hold her ground yesterday. Finally and for the first time, she won the war.

A gentle smile crossed her lips when her palm rested on the white gown that draped over her body. It glued on her figure, the shape of her hips curved under the feel of the dress. It was embroidered with red and white beads that formed a V-shape on her waist.

She walked aimlessly around the brightly lit room with it, not taking her eyes off the mirror. It swayed softly with every step she took, emphasizing her small back and long legs. She was grateful the gown reached her ankle.

The door swung open, causing her to pause and turn.

“I wonder why you are still admiring yourself.” It was laced with mockery. “Especially when we all know he won't notice you.”

“Johan loves me,” she replied. “You are fully aware of that.”

The dark-haired woman strolled to the bed, ignoring her as she sat down comfortably. “He loves you because he needs a helping hand on his farm, and babies running round his little cottage.” Disgust was written on her face. “It is a pity you will be reduced to that, Aurora.”

Aurora rolled her eyes. She was already used to her sister's hidden insults. “Why are you here, Ophelia?”

She snorted, placing a wrapped cloth bundle on the stool closest to her. “Dad told me to bring that to you.”

One of her eyebrows curved. “Why you?” she asked. “What about the maids?”

“Don't be too forgetful. Your poor future husband might not like that,” enunciating every word. “For the maids, they have become engaged with one chore or the other because of your wedding."

With a silent nod, she stepped closer to the stool and opened the bundle. It was the most beautiful set of silver high heels. The beads on the toe cover glistened gently; Aurora could swear she heard them sing.

“Of course,” her sister muttered with a snicker. “Father always saw to your needs, didn't he?”

“As he saw to yours too. You have more beautiful sets of shoes than me,” Aurora reminded her, getting tired of her elder sister's sided talks.

A short dramatic laughter flew from her mouth, while she placed her palm on her chest. “Is that jealousy I hear, Aurora?” chucking in between. “I thought you were the “content sister” between us. So it has all been fake.”

“You know that is not what I meant–”

“Oh please.” Ophelia dismissed her speech with the wave of her hand. “It is high time you stop pretending.”

Tears gathered in her eyes, but she batted them back. She will leave the house soon, very soon, and Ophelia will be in her past. Her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror again, not knowing whether to keep practicing her smile.

“Wearing your late mother's gown is a waste of time and emotion,” Ophelia taunted, looking at the gown will hate visible in her eyes. “It is not beautiful, Aurora.”

“You didn't say anything yesterday when I tried it on.” she replied, frowning slightly.

“Because Mum agreed to you wearing it. She didn't just want to waste any money on you since Johan is poor,” she shrugged. “There's no need trying to get a poor man's approval.”

She sighed, and inspected the white dress again. “So this gown… is it not beautiful?

“Manageable is what it is,” Ophelia said with a nod. “But I guess it would have to do with your upcoming husband.”

“You know…” Aurora began, staring down at her sister. “Johan isn't as poor as you make it seem. He farms and sells his produce at the–”

“I understand,” her sister disrupted her, locking her fingers with Aurora’s. “You will say anything right now because he will marry you today to give him offspring.”

But Aurora shook her head vehemently. “That is not why he's marrying me. He loves–”

“I know that too. He loves you enough, he wants you to join him in his suffering.” she squeezed her hands gently and released them. “You know you can just run away.”

“Ophelia!” she screamed harshly in shock. “You know what will become of me if I do that.”

That caused her sister to stand up in her light green flowing gown that exposed most of her back, leaving parts of her cleavage open.

“I knew you wouldn't take my advice,” arranging her dress. “What did I expect? You have never been a smart girl.”

“I am sorry,” she muttered, with her head bent. She hated how weak she was to her sister. Ophelia just gave her two years of age, but it has been normally misunderstood that she was far younger than her sister. “I–I just can't run away. It won't be fair to Johan.”

A snort escaped from her lips. “Then I will be seeing you in the hall.” with that she opened the door and left the room.

Aurora released a long sigh as she slumped on the bed, but there was little time to consider Ophelia's advice. A maid's voice called from the other side of the door. “Lady Aurora, Johan Rylan–your betrothed has arrived.”