“Are you wearing that?” Eric asked. Seren looked at the bright red dress with little white bows and a sprig of holly clipped to their breast.

“What’s wrong with it?” Seren asked, “I thought a ball was the time to wear nice dresses?” Eric fussed with his suit jacket, looking at the clock every few seconds.

“Did you brush your teeth?” Eric asked, adjusting his glasses.

“Yup.” Seren showed off their uneven teeth complete with a few unusually sharp incisors.

“Good. What did Mrs. Houper do to your hair?” Eric asked, directing Seren to twirl around.

“I put it up,” Mrs. Houper called as she gathered her things. “Stop fussing over them, they look distinguished.”

“Distinguished isn’t enough,” Eric said. Still fussing. “Have a good night, Mrs. Houper.” He called over his shoulder.

“Good luck you two.” She called as she left.

“You don’t have to be scared,” Seren said reassuringly.

“I’m not,” He retorted shortly.

“You’re acting like it,” Seren pointed out. They slid around on the hardwood floor in their tights. Pretending they were ice-skating. “I know how to behave, so you don’t have to be afraid ‘cause of me.”

“I’m not afraid,” Eric said again more forcefully. The curtains tied down over the windows whipped and snapped as if laughing at him. He looked at the clock again as Seren began humming.

“I’m not afraid either,” Seren said idly.

“Good.” Eric said unthinkingly. He counted minutes under his breath. “Are you ready?” Seren stopped humming and sliding. They looked at the ground and played with their fingers.

“I’m not scared,” they said. “But I am kinda.” they paused “maybe a little nervous.”

“Good, that’s healthy.” Eric said, “be nervous, be anxious, but don’t let it take over your better judgment.”

“How do I do that?” Seren asked.

“By ignoring it.” Eric held out his hand and Seren took it.

“It’s hard to ignore.” Seren said quietly. “It makes it hard to breathe.”

“It’ll go away eventually. Just ignore it.”

“Okay…” Seren put on their shoes, still feeling the pounding going into their head and making them tired.

“All right, let’s go.” Eric sighed and held out his hand for Seren. They stood up and wiggled their feet around in their shoes then took Eric’s hand.

“Are you warm enough?” He asked, Seren nodded and they left. Eric turned and locked the door behind them.

Seren looked up at the cloudy night sky. There wasn’t a single star to be seen. Not even any flakes of snow pretending to be stars. Eric placed the keys back in his pocket and took Seren’s hand again.

Their blood pounded in their head as they walked down the steps and down the walk. They avoided looking at the mansion next door, but they couldn’t avoid looking at the golden carriage painted with the Summer crest. It flew the kingdom’s flag and the horses were white with golden reins and decorations.

“Stand tall and keep your face neutral.” Eric whispered, Seren looked around and saw the young couple glaring and sneering at them from the Summer manor’s porch. Seren focused on neutralizing their expression. Eric opened the gate and ushered Seren through.

“You’re early.” Nicole snapped.

“Did you think your commute was longer?” Bernard sneered. Seren said nothing, and Eric took their shoulder and directed them up the walk to the manor. It loomed over them and threatened to crush them.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

They wanted to run, but they couldn’t escape Eric’s hand on them. Pushing them onward. They went up the steps onto the porch.

“What on earth are you wearing?” Nicole gaped. “You look like a bloated tomato! How anyone could have let you leave the house like that is astounding.” Seren resisted the urge to look down at their dress.

“Mother and Father are in, but I doubt they’re waiting for you.” Bernard sighed. Checking his watch.

Eric knocked on the door and a well dressed butler opened the door.

“Ah, the Lord is waiting for you.” The butler said and stepped aside for them to enter the house. Seren and Eric stepped inside and Eric immediately straightened his coat and then his glasses. Then turning to Seren and messing with them.

“Eric! And little Serenity!” Lady Summers said grandly coming down the grand staircase. “You look darling!” Seren beamed. The Lady Summers was dressed in a lovely golden gown all dressed in white fur and golden chains.

“Hi auntie.” Eric said sheepishly. Seren waved ecstatically. Lady Summers strut up to Seren and bent down to brush at their face.

“That dress is so beautiful! Bright and fiery! Like a phoenix, that’s the official bird of the Summers family.” The Lady Summers winked. Seren smiled proudly.

“Wonderful punctuality Eric, as usual.” The Lord Summers called from the top of the stairs. Dressed in a black suit with embroidered golden flames and golden chains, equally decorated with white warm fur. “Take note, little Winters. Success is very dependent on punctuality.”

“Right,” Seren said equally seriously.

“Their last name is hyphenated now. It’s Asche-Winters.” Eric said, standing up tall.

“Oh, good!” The Lord said descending the stairs and coming to his wife’s side.

“We have enough time for a little snack, don’t we?” Lady Summers asked, smiling at Seren.

“Wish we did, dear.” Lord Summers said. “But the other nobles will be lining up and we don’t want to spend hours waiting in line.”

“I’ve already eaten. It’s alright.” Seren said.

“Good to hear!” Lord Summer chuckled. “Glad to know Eric’s taking good care of you.” Eric frowned and looked away embarrassed.

“Sir? The carriage is heated and ready.” The driver poked his head into the front door. “We are ready to depart when you are.”

“Good, shall we?” Lord Summers gestured. Seren nodded and took Eric’s hand, surprising him a little. The two stepped to the side and let the Summer Lord and Lady walk in front of them. Seren swung their hand, forcing Eric to swing his as well.

“Remember your manners.” Eric whispered as they left the house. Seren stopped swinging their hand. Slightly because they were trying to remember if that was something to do with manners but mostly because Nicole and Bernard were still on the porch glaring at them.

“Will you two be okay watching the house for us?” Lord Summers called.

“Of course, dad!” Benard called, staring hard at the back of Eric’s head. It clearly wasn’t doing anything.

“We’re so happy do to it!” Nicole called sickly sweet. But still keeping her true thoughts to herself. The driver and footman opened the double doors of the carriage for the Lord and Lady to step in. Seren had never seen a carriage with two doors, much less been inside of one. Eric stopped and ushered them in which Seren hopped in without a second thought.

Inside the carriage, the air was warm and the cold melted off Seren instantly. Leather seats were set opposite of each other and Seren took a seat by the window on the side that the Summer patriarch and his wife were absent from. Eric took the other window seat and the doors shut with a click.

“Are you comfortable?” Lady Summers asked Seren. They wiggled in their seat a bit.

“Yeah! I’m comfortable” they concluded. Eric let out a small sigh of relief. With a little gently rocking, the carriage started and Seren felt their heart leap up as they were on their way.

“Uncle, Auntie” Eric started solemnly. “Why didn’t you invite Nicole and Bernard like you always do?”

“Oh well…” Lady Summers shifted awkwardly brushing invisible dirt off her skirt. She looked at her husband for help.

“Serenity of course,” Lord Summers said, gesturing to Seren. They smiled and blushed slightly.

“Yes! Serenity is absolutely a treasure,” Lady Summers agreed hastily. “And you’ve always been so isolated, and yet here’s this little ray of winter sunshine that’s gotten through your icy heart and we can’t help being just as in love with them.” Seren hid their face bashfully.

“Mhm.” Eric said, not believing a word of it. “And none of Nicole and Bernard’s children were as deserving?”

“We trust you to have Seren civilized for tonight.” Lord Summers said. “As much as we love all our grandchildren, some of them are a bit-”

“Wild?” Lady Summers offered.

“Yes, indeed. A bit wild.” Her husband agreed.

“Mhm.” Eric said, still not believing a word of it. “Are you just inviting us so that Nicole and Bernard sweat and behave better before giving them reins of the Summer’s family?”

“Of course not,” Lady Summers said indignantly. “We love Bernard and his wife. But sometimes it’s nice to show off our other family members. We love all our children. And grandchildren. And nieces and nephews and so on.” Eric shook his head, he looked at Seren who kicked their legs, still blushing.

“If you say so.” He said finally.

“Thank you,” Lord Summers said, sharing a knowing look that went over Seren’s head. They looked out the window and saw all the darkening houses and buildings pass them by. Other carriages traveled through the streets all congregating and lining up toward the large gates through the steam works and toward the palace.