Chapter 1 is quite crappy but I had to cram so much in. Chapter 2 is much better so please read on. All or any comments would be much greatfully recived, flame if you want and any advice will be taken.

Estella peeled open her eyes. The morning sun was raising slowly over the city, she could see this from the small space between her curtains. She groaned as she pulled herself out of bed, her black hair that was set like a spider web across her pillow followed as her body rose vertically. She sat rubbing her eyes, her covers wrapped messily around her waist, before stretching her arms. She had so much to do today, not to mention the party at Lord Willson’s country mansion somewhere in Conidoor. She glanced around her room, everything was as should be, clothes were set out and food placed on her desk for her waking up. She slowly dragged herself out of her bed and towards the clothes. Today was going to be a bright and beautiful day.

‘Lucy. Stop pulling at the lace girl. You’ll ruin the dress” Eliza squawked as she scrubbed away at the dirty dishes, the warm water burning at her skin as she cleaned them. Eliza was middle aged; her once pretty looks were withered by years of hard work in her younger years. Now, as she was arched over the soapy water in Estella’s kitchen, she was regaining her pretty looks and even wore an expensive satin gown, something she’d never done in her youth. She’d been under the employment of Estella’s father (the duke of Winter’s mead) since Estella’s birth acting as her governess, at the same time her daughter: Lucy was born. Estella’s family bought a large house in a private estate on the outskirts of the capital city of Bankmeeh for Estella. There Estella was raised along with Eliza’s daughter Lucy.

‘But mother, it itches like hell...’ Lucy said irritably, standing in the door frame of the kitchen, pulling at the lace on the blue dress. Eliza sighed inwardly as she scrubbed the dishes, not letting Lucy see her comment bothered her. Lucy pouted, as she started pulling at the lace trim around the collar.

‘Lucy stop it. You’ll ruin your new dress’ Eliza said exhaustedly. Drying her hands, she turned to face her only child. Lucy continued to pout and crossed her arms. Eliza smiled faintly before pleading with her daughter.

‘Look, Lady Estella will be down the now and off you’ll go. Don’t you want to look nice? Especially since your meeting some of the most important girls in the city?’ Eliza said before picking up a broom to start sweeping the floor. Lucy continued to pout, her long black hair framing her un-amused face. Lucy stood in a floor length formal dress, but it wasn’t as loose or as dark as her normal fashionable dresses, it was blue and uncomfortable not mention it was her mothers.

‘I don’t see why it matters what I wear. We’re the upper class, the best of the best, so why do I have to look like a complete idiot? Estella doesn’t have to dress up.’ Lucy stated, pressing her back against the door frame. Eliza shook her head as she swept. ‘It’s true. She doesn’t ‘Lucy said plainly as she started to pull at the lace again, making her mother sigh loudly.

‘Sometimes you think you’re the bloody Lady of the house’ Eliza said with a chuckle, resting the broom on a counter and giving her daughter a warm hug. Lucy returned the affection, behind them the familiar sound of Estella’s heels tapping the stairs as she almost floated down. Lucy turned and looked at her friend; they had been practically raised together.

Estella was taller than her by an inch or so without heels. Her long black hair was swept up messily in a bun, while long strands dangled down her milk white neck. Her black eyes flickered from one thing to another looking for something, as her long legs took small ladylike steps towards Lucy and her mother. Estella was curvy admittedly but this was due mainly to her love of corsets.

‘Ready to go Lucy?’ Estella chirruped from just beyond the kitchen doorway. Lucy turned and gave Estella a “Murder-Me” look, making Estella giggle clutching her ribs as Lucy’s expression soften.

‘Sure Estella, Mother I don’t know when I’ll be back-‘Lucy started before Estella carelessly butted in.

‘-Remember the ball, Lucy? In Conidoor? Tonight? ‘Estella said twiddling with her bracelet. Lucy sighed, but smiled sweetly at her mother. Eliza smiled also; she remembered what it was like to be young and adventurous. Eliza looked between the two girls as she made her mind up. Bankmeeh was infamous for its gritty and seedy underbelly; two well bred young girls were easy prey and should have an adult with them. However they needed to see the world as it was and to have some experience of it.

‘Be careful. I mean it, Estella don’t do anything crazy and Lucy don’t you let Estella do anything crazy. I will be attending the party with some friends so don’t think you can act like some Cobbler’s market ...ladies...understand?’ Eliza said with a firm and harsh tone. The two girls both nodded and walked as elegantly but as fast as they could out the door. They were in heaps of giggles as they fell into the waiting carriage.

*~---~*

Estella sat resting her head on her hand gazing out the window intently while on the opposite side Lucy gazed forward into the vacant seat besides Estella. The red fabric of the seat changed from bright scarlet to dark crimson as they passed through small woodland surrounding the estate, the gaps between the trees caused an uneven source of shadows and light. The smooth road lend out of the small woodland and onto plain grassland along with the occasional farm. The grasslands stopped at the city walls, the tall buildings and grand Monstret cathedral loomed over the wall menacingly, blocking the sun from view.

The city it’s self would a mixture of beautiful architecture besides abject poverty, Tenements and pretty town house co-existed in an odd fashion. Small dark closes ran, like veins pumping blood through the city towards its dark heart; the Anandep river. Fountains and statutes dotted the city, many vandalized, behind the beauty of the city lay pools of vice and sin. From the infamous brothels in Cobbler’s market to the assassin school to the condemned Monstret cathedral/ prison, the city was alive with sin.

The carriage wobbled and bumped on top of the city’s cobbles, making Estella bite down on her tongue causing her to swear (one of her worst habits), Lucy laughed but not cruelly because of the faces Estella was pulling. They were to meet two people opposite the grim cathedral, in a small pretty cafe. They pulled up in front of the imposing cathedral and hopped out.

‘Wow it’s still so beautiful’ Estella breathed look up at the huge building, its dark spiralling towers heading up into the heavens. Lucy sighed and took a hold of Estella’s arm dragging her away, if she had left Estella they would be there all day.

‘Come on’ Lucy said pulling Estella towards the opposite street. In contrast the cafe was bright and spring timey, coloured richly in pastel colours. Customers of the cafe were mostly in their early twenties and of the better classes, dressed finely and walking about like proud peacocks. Estella skipped over to a table in inside the cafe and besides the window where two similar aged girls , while Lucy walked slowly over.

The first girl that sat to the right of the newly seated Estella was lady Cassandra Lillyworth. Cassandra was the daughter of the Duke of Conidoor , a region to the north east and therefore would inherit the region once he and his wife were dead. Cassandra was a pretty young garden flower, it wasn’t a rare beauty but it still was admirable in its own simple and natural way. She nodded her head at Lucy as she sat down, which was an incredible feat considering the highly stylized blonde hair, it was a mix between Marie Antoinette and Elvira making it as impressive as the cathedrals towers. To Estella’s left and now lucy’s right was Molly Catatrix. Molly was a short petite girl was deep set eyes that missed nothing. She had wiry brown hair that complemented her olive skin and dark eyes, also she chose to wear dark colours which made her mildly attractive but emphasized all the good points of her figure. Molly was the daughter of Oswald Catatrix a famous politician making her just as wealthy as Lucy, but twice as ambitious as the rest of girls put together.

‘Lady Estella how nice it is to see you’ Molly said with a charming smile. Estella smiled brightly and nodded her acknowledgements to both of the girls.

‘Lady Cassandra, Miss Molly. How are you two today?’ Estella said glancing briefly in Molly’s direction but rather asking Cassandra the question. Molly flared with pride, smiling like the cat that got the cream; she clearly had something worth telling. Cassandra shrugged at the question.

‘Oh just the usual, not very much other than studying’ Cassandra said quietly. Estella and Molly laughed before Estella stopped giving Lucy a pitying look, she wouldn’t know what they were on about. Molly smirked while leaning forwards, showing of her cleavage to her full advantage over her dark brown dress.

‘I got a new servant today ‘she said triumphantly as if it was something that could be mildly entertaining. Estella looked unfazed as did Cassandra; Lucy just looked in confusion at the small girl. Molly sat back up glancing out the window then back to the group of girls. ‘His name is James, James Collectors’ she said looking at Lucy directly. To Lucy this name meant nothing, she nor anyone else had heard of him. Cassandra, while patting her hair back into place spoke up.

‘What was he before he became one of yours then?’ Cassandra said, pinning the long locks back up. Molly shrugged looking back out the window onto the slightly busy street.

‘A black smith I think, still I won’t know. I’ve been away all winter; I only arrived back at the end of April. I’ve been preparing for court ‘Molly said turning back with a small smile. Molly due to her connections had been called to be a lady in waiting for the newly appointed queen and was to join the royal court once her majesty was back from the countryside.

Cassandra merely looked away. Her family were supporting the new royals but she herself couldn’t care less. Molly’s family were against the king but were by blood related to the queen, they hoped his majesty would depart soon to let a Catatrix rule the kingdom.

‘ think of your marriage prospects Molly’ Estella scoffed, ‘Every man will want you, Especial with the queen being one of your kinsmen’. Molly gave her an unpleasant smile, a sort of silent warning to tread no further. As if looking for an excuse to leave Molly glanced at a clock. She pulled an expression of disbelieve.

‘Look at that it’s one o’ clock already! I really should be going what with lord Wilsons and all...’ she said fakely but pleasantly, shaking each of the girls hands as she stood up and briskly walked out of the cafe. Cassandra sighed, before standing up to go as well. Before she left she turned to Estella.

‘I almost forgot , Estella look what I found...’ she said pulling out an object wrapped up in a fabric tissue from her white lace stomacher. Estella and Lucy stood and gathered around to see the small object lying in her hands. Slowly and carefully she unravelled it to reveal a rusted but still beautiful gold locket.

‘Open it ‘Lucy found herself say as she stared at it. Cassandra gave her a weak smile.

‘I tried but it’s sealed shut, I may break it if I try too much’ Cassandra confessed before wrapping it up again. ‘So what do you think Estella?’. Estella glance once more at it before answering.

‘I don’t know. Maybe it’s a sign?’ Estella offered momentarily appeasing Cassandra’s questioning mind. ‘...Whatever the case we have to go. Bye Cassandra’ Estella said giving her friend a hug. Lucy stood baffled by all this and had no idea what any of it meant. The girls parted and Estella and Lucy headed towards the clothing distract.

‘What was the whole “sign” thing about?’ Lucy asked as Estella raked through the many dresses in a high classed store. Estella sighed impatiently as she searched for “the Dress”, she glanced towards Lucy hoping she would be more helpful.

‘She keeps on finding objects and they normally mean something. Like she found a toy boat in her bed and the next day two of her servants join the navy. That sort of stuff’ Estella said while looking in between all the frills and lace in a mad dash. Lucy gave her a funny look indicating that she thought she was mental but let her carry on, Lucy had found her dress five shops ago and despite Lucy’s pleading that all the dresses that Estella had tried on looked great on her , they still were looking. After another hour Lucy and Estella had found the dress, and decided to get something to eat before heading back home to get ready for the party. They decided to return to the cafe and get something there knowing their coachman would be in the area waiting for them.

‘Estella?’ Lucy asked over a plate of mouth watering foods, Estella glanced up from her glass of water. Lucy continued. ‘What’s Lord Wilson like?’ , Estella pondered for a moment before answering.

‘He’s alright; I haven’t properly spoken to him though. Don’t worry we probably won’t see him tonight at all; apparently he has very important guests. Although we’ll get to see midnight’ Estella smiled brightly. Lucy was puzzled by this. Midnight was one of her and Estella’s poorer friends, most likely the poorest, so why would she be at a Lord’s house? Estella could see what she was thinking. ‘Lord Wilson is her uncle’.

‘Really?’ Lucy said slightly stunned by this. Estella nodded unfazed but then look up mischievously.

‘And she has a claim to the throne apparently’ Estella said smirking naughtily; Lucy gasped taking a swig of her wine.

‘Then we better stay her friend then!’ Lucy said collecting her things and getting ready to leave the grim city of Bankmeeh to dress for Lord Wilson.

*~---~*

‘Is this Lord Wilson’s? Oh my, it’s so big...’ Cassandra said breaking off into a giggle, putting one hand on her hair to make sure it wasn’t falling down. Molly joined the laugh remarking on Lord Wilson’s “big bush” in the gardens as the carriage drew up in front of the front door. Estella and Lucy had shared a carriage with both girls to arrive at the party, meaning all four were crammed into a carriage.

There were at least fifteen carriages outside the front doors, dropping off Politicians, Actors, explorers, lords or anyone of importance. The girls carriage pulled up and foot men’s hand were extended to them. First Molly and her petite frame hopped out, then Cassandra glided out, Estella hopped out and then Lucy stepped out. The mansion was a tall vast building, but was deceiving; it was twice as small inside. The light from inside brushed against the night sky, making a slight fog. The sound of mirth and humour came from inside and the gardens along with the mumbles of the servants. The girls walked up the steps, all pulling up their expensive gowns to expose their ankles.

‘Ready?’ Estella asked as they reached the door, they all nodded before Estella knocked on the heavy door. A few cold minutes pasted before a drunken servant opened the door, but not before almost slamming it in their faces.

‘Yeeeeeees?’He slurred as he slung to the door knocker for support, his brown greasy hair falling over his grinning face. Molly sighed clearly not impressed by the servant, and started to tap her fan against her hip impatiently. Estella giggled behind her gloved hand getting a swift glance from Molly, while both Cassandra and Lucy looked at each other. The servant just stood making odd noises before Cassandra stepped forward.

‘We’re here for the party?’ Cassandra asked genteelly, but backed away when he pulled his head up to look at her. He had the warmest brown eyes she’d ever seen. They looked at each other, him with sudden adoration and her with questioning. Molly coughed, bring them back into the real world. The servant mumbled his apologise then let them in. Cassandra walked in the corridor first, walking slowly so her tall blonde Marie Antoinette hair-do didn’t fall down but not before giving the drunken servant a grateful smile. He bowed down before her with surprising grace.

‘M’lady’ He said with a cheeky grin on his baby face as she walked past. Molly strutted afterwards like a cat on heat, swirling her black dress and not given the servant the time of day but glancing back at Lucy to follow suit and ignore him. Lucy bite her lip, despite the servants questionable behaviour, there was something...almost charming about him. Estella hurriedly skipped past to catch up with Molly and Cassandra before Lucy was left in the corridor with the servant. She waited and watched him. He was one of the most entertaining men she’d ever seen, and she couldn’t help a smile when he looked at her. He turned to look at her, holding up an ornament into the light.

‘Not joining yer mates?’ he said without looking at her. Lucy gasped slightly, she couldn’t belief this man was talking to her. She recovered quickly.

‘I am but in my own time’ she said with a triumphant smirk before walking past him. He let her carry on before she reached the ballroom door before turning towards her.

‘Hey! What’s your name? ‘He yelled, polishing the ornament with his formal coat’s sleeve. Lucy felt her cheeks burn under the sheer embarrassment and enjoyment of the present situation.

‘It’s Lucy. Lucy Purpleplix, and yours?’ she said pulling the door slightly open but turning to look at him. He was average high and weight, with a brown beard developing on his baby face.

‘It’s Benny’ He answered before she closed the door.

The ballroom was alive as beautiful ladies were twirled about by handsome men. Everything seemed pure and beautiful to Lucy as she made her way around the room. She felt giddy and faint, her heart beat fast, she felt like she walked in a daze, the image of Benny’s face danced around her head. She had never felt so strongly over a stranger. She looked over the dance hall absent mindedly , Molly was already being twirled around, her black dress flying gracefully around the room like a bat in the night . Lucy turned to look at Cassandra and Estella their pretty laughing faces morphed into beautiful sultry masks. She sat down on a chair to gain control over her spinning head.

‘What’s up with your friend Estella?’ Cassandra pointed out amidst the crowd. Estella turned to look at the day dreaming Lucy and shrugged. A youthful and well dress man came up to Cassandra. His handsome face was covered by a sliver mask.

‘Care for a dance pretty lady?’ He asked bowing before her. Cassandra bush but gracefully accepted, grinning madly to Estella as she walked onto the dance floor. Estella stood and watch them before deciding to go check up on Lucy. She couldn’t have walked more than four steps before she was shoved out of the way by someone. She fell backwards but never lost her footing.

‘Hey!’ she yelled irritated by the stranger’s lack of manners. The Stanger turned to face her. He was a tall thin boy not much older than her, with a thin face and dark hair, clad in the finest crimson fabric. But it was his eyes that got her, those eyes stared soothing at her, as if he was looking into her soul. He was arguably the most handsome man she’d ever seen. He peered at her cautiously.

‘Yes?’ he answered as if he had nothing better to do than pick fights with girls. She broke out of his spell to continue her fight.

‘You can’t push people around like that’ she stated whinely before looking to check up on Lucy while this ...man...held her up. He looked at her, sizing her up before he started to circle her.

‘I can do what I like...’ he said walking slowly around her, her eyes never leaving him for a second as she turned to face him. ‘...Whatever I like’ he said leaning face to her face, moving a stray lock of hair from her face. She thought he was going to kiss her yet she could pull away. Just as he was about to she pulled away and walked quickly into the crowd. She had to get away from him; he was an ass but a hot one. He tried to follow her through the crowd but he lost her much to his displeasure, he turned and returned to where he was heading in the first kneeled down besides Lucy’s chair, her dark Purple satin dress surrounding her like a shadow as she kneeled down.

‘What’s up Lucy?’ Estella asked fearful something bad had happened to her. Lucy looked at her friend tearfully, making Estella’s heart stop. Something bad must have happened.

‘I think I’m in Love’ said Lucy.

*~---~*

‘Who is that girl? The one on the floor?’ The Stanger asked his older brother, who just so happened to be the king. King Edward Sat with the prettiest girls at his side, flirting with all of them, He was handsome arguably the most handsome man in the room and could easily have any woman he wanted. The king paid no attention to his youngest brother and instead dived into a kiss with a fair beauty.

‘What do you want Richard? The second oldest of the brothers, Louise, Asked in between sips of wine. Richard turned from looking at Estella to his brother. Louis was a vain man always obsessing over fashions making him easily the most fashionable man in the room.

‘There, see. Can you see her? The girl on the floor, who is she?’ Richard asked glancing from one to the other. Louis glanced over his wine glass to look at Estella, Lucy and now Cassandra. Louis scoffed to himself.

‘That’s the duke of Winter’s mead daughter; The Lady Estella Yorkthird. Pretty little thing but her friend is much better’ He said taking another sip of the wine. Richard looked on at her, biting his lip as if making a difficult decision. Louis looked at his baby brother curiously.

‘Why?’ Louis asked, Richard turned from him and towards the kind swiftly. Louis let him go as long as he had wine he was content. Richard stood besides his oldest brother’s right ear; the other was totally useless after an accident.

‘Edward, see that girl on the ground?’ Richard started innocently enough. Edward nodded.

‘What of her?’ Richard sign pointing her out to him.

‘See her friend? The blonde one?’ The king nodded vigorously. ‘Isn’t she pretty? I thought maybe the one could use some pretty girls like them, for ladies in waiting?’. The king sat pondering this thought, but as Richard knew well, the king loved pretty girls.

‘Send letters out to their parents. I want them in my court by the week’s end’ the king commanded. Richard bowed to his older brother before disappearing.

*~---~*

‘Oh isn’t it wonderful to be in love? I’ve read about it so much’ Cassandra cooed to Lucy. Lucy and Cassandra were both incredibly lovey-dovey while Estella was still shaken from her encounter and sceptical. Lucy nodded giggled out of mere giddiness setting Cassandra off. Estella sighed looking towards the garden, the bright lanterns lighting up the dark spring sky were calling on her. Estella pondered going out or staying with the swooning girls, spotting Midnight and her family Estella made her escape as Cassandra and Lucy giggled away.

The garden was lit brightly making it look like some fairy kingdom, must likely due to the fairy powered lanterns. The high walls of the hedge maze were as green as ever; behind them was a dark blanket under which no one knew what would happen. Midnight was a thin slightly pretty girl wearing a ragged revealing dress; her hair still neatly tied into a French plate with the ribbons shaking in the light wind, Besides Midnight was her family. Midnight’s father was a skinny, tall man who, even in the fine clothes he wore tonight, still looked like a tramp besides him was his short, plump wife Hippolita. As history would remember, Hippolita was once a very beautiful girl from a wealthy family. She fell in love and ran away, thirty years later she lived in near poverty, and her only income was from her work as a nurse maid to the queen.

Their eldest daughter Coco was also a plump, dull looking girl eyeing up the food on the buffet table constantly while their youngest Anne Jean crawled along the floor at their feet. Midnight gracefully wondered about eyeing the food and looking enviously at the other guest dresses.

‘Midnight!’ Estella exclaimed as she quickly walked down the stone staircase from the ballroom. Midnight grinned waving madly to her friend before hugging her.

‘Hello Mr and Mrs Astenbrook ‘Estella said breathlessly as Midnight let go of her. Midnight greeted her friend by bombarding her with questions, How’s the party? Where did you get your dress? How are you?. Estella answered them all before in turn asking Midnight a question.

‘Who is that man in the red?’ she said pointing towards Richard from their spot by the buffet table, Midnight struggled to see but then shrugged, she had no idea. Estella thanked her friend anyways until Hippolita stepped in.

‘That man in the red?’ Hippolita asked to clarify; Estella nodded dismissively before turning back into conversation with Midnight. Hippolita gasped dramatically to draw attention to herself, (something her daughter had inherited) it certainly worked as Midnight and Estella turned to look at her again. ‘That’s the king’s brother!’ Hippolita gasped ‘How could you not know?’Estella was taken aback but it was hardly surprising considering his brattish attitude. Midnight’s face fell into disbelief.

‘The king is here? And so is Richard? Does that mean Louis is here?!? The Duke Louis??!’ Midnight giggled in a hysterically frenzy, Hippolita nodded and tried to restrain the excited Midnight by inviting her to eat. Soon the whole family were gorging leaving Estella on her own again.

*~---~*

Estella wondered around the outskirts of the hedge maze away from the garden party, gently humming to herself. The night provided a strange comfort to Estella, she always felt better when she was clothed the darkness’ shadow. She turned a corner in the maze. A few feet in front of her was a dead end coated in thorny red roses. The strong scent of the newly born roses drew her closer to them.

‘You seem drawn to the colour red my lady’

Estella hastily turned around, catching her dress against some of the thorns. Richard stood smugly before her, while she curtsied before him. Richard tossed back his head lightly, smirking. ‘Raise little snow flake’ Estella stood up quickly not taking her eyes off the floor. Richard slowly walked towards her before she pulled away. The grin slowly faded from his handsome face. She looked up at him, her wide black eyes looking up at him in a mixture of fear and awe.

‘What is your name little snow flake?’ He asked her genteelly. Estella continued to look up at him.

‘Lady Estella Yorkthird of Winter’s Mead, my lord’ she said curtsying again, her milky skin hidden under her dark hair. Richard nodded approvingly and leaned closer to her. Estella could feel his warm breath on her face, she could feel the soft fabric against her chest, she looked into those eyes, those deep pools, those cold staring eyes.

‘Well isn’t that funny? A snowflake from Winter’s Mead?’ Richard asked quietly pulling away. Estella relaxed enough to breathe, as he got away from her. ‘So tell me my lady, why are you here?’ Estella smiled sweetly.

‘Because I want to be, I am free and un-betrothed also it would be rude not to’ she said confidently, Richard laughed.

‘You? Rude? Never, apart from barging into strangers’ Richard said focusing his eyes on her, awaiting an answer or a confession. Estella laughed this time before looking at him in return.

‘That’s just a pleasure reserved for you’ she said poisonously from her smiling mouth. Richard laughed but looked as though he wanted to kill her on the spot.

‘I hope it continues to be’ He said smiling. Estella smiled, but secretly wanted to slap him.

‘Estella? Estella?’

She could hear someone calling her name, most likely Lucy from above the towering hedges. She looked up into those eyes but quickly looked away.

‘I must go....’ she finally breathed, pushing herself away from Richard and hurriedly marching away, but not before bowing.

*~---~*

‘Ready to go?’ Lucy asked pleasantly looking at Estella as she walked up to her after ten minutes of calling her name. Estella nodded warily and started to walk away with Cassandra and Lucy. Cassandra and Lucy wandered along talking about the blessings of love while Estella’s head was in a spin. They said their goodbyes to Midnight and told her to thank her uncle for the party. After a short search they found Molly talking to a group of men and dragged her out with them, returning back into their carriage.

The dark night grew darker as they travelled along the lone strips of road in between the countryside. Molly fell quickly asleep, her small head resting against the window. Estella stared out into the countryside thinking about Richard, his arrogance and his charm. Lucy and Cassandra chatted happily until both fell asleep leaving Estella alone to her thoughts. As the wheels of the carriage turned driving them further into the darkness, they all fell into a deep sleep. The four girls rested their heads as their futures were sealed, not longer were they children, they were to be at court. Cassandra woke up and as did Lucy.

‘Can’t sleep?’ Lucy asked the yawing Cassandra. Cassandra shook her head, not caring about her failing hair. ‘Neither can I’.

‘I don’t think Molly’s snoring helps either’ Cassandra said not mustering enough energy to laugh along with Lucy. Cassandra watched Lucy for a moment before diving into a question.

‘Why do you say you love that servant? The drunken one?’ Cassandra asked plainly. Lucy looked at the unconscious Estella and Molly before looking back at Cassandra.

‘I just do...I think it’s love anyway...I just haven’t felt this way about a guy before...’ Lucy said smiling apologetically for the lack of an answer, Cassandra thought about what she said before going back to sleep. Lucy followed suit happily, because she would dream about the servant boy.