The next afternoon, Elva and I watched from the window as the second garden party was held down

below.

Because of the delay, the girls had been given another chance to remake their food items that moming This seemed a bit unfair, since their appetizers would be much fresher than those from the day before.

which had been made and then placed into storage.

I couldn’t and wouldn’t complain though. The girls had been denied their chance yesterday, and this was

the fairest way of making that up to them.

The Queen herself seemed much better, standing upright and majestic as ever. Linda’s undercooked,

spoiled eggs likely only made her sick for a few hours. I’d never been able to tell she’d been sick at all,

looking at her now.

“Their dresses are so pretty, Mommy.” Elva said. She seemed particularly taken with Olivia’s pink ruffles. Blonde and beautiful, Olivia looked great in everything.

hated to be so self–centered, but seeing Olivia look so

me that no matter how I dressed, I would always be common underneath. Such thoughts never really bothered me before. But sitting here, looking at how flawlessly Olivia

not belong here. No one

You’re frowning.” Elva poked

to her palm. She was an observant little girl, I had to remember to school my emotions around her.

had to be. Even if we didn’t belong here, I couldn’t let Elva think so. For her, I would bury my inferiority under a wave of

okay.” I told her. “See?” I forced a

me. But then, eventually, she nodded and looked back

despite Susie trying her best not to look

+15 BONUS

glanced up at us, a tiny smile on his lips. He didn’t look long enough for

shush Elva. “She’s in the middle of something important. We can say hi to her later.”

is so pretty,” Elva said.

in a crimson cocktail

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