The Crown’s Obsession

Chapter 4 - Worry

"What do you think about this?" Beth asked, picking up the gowns which she had chosen. The elder Harris' daughter picked up the dress in her hand and placed it at the front so that Madeline could decide if it was good enough to be worn at the grand ball.

Madeline moved forward and looked at the gowns that had been chosen and asked, "What about the red one?" compared to the other dresses, the red one stood out the most. Made of silk and lace with embroidered stonework, she waited as Beth picked up the dress and turned to look at the mirror.

"I guess it doesn't look bad on me," Beth turned back and forth. She turned to look at Mr. Heathcliff, who had been waiting on the two girls. "How much is this one?" she asked him with her expressive green eyes.

"That would cost a whole silver coin," Mr. Heathcliff wasn't sure if they could afford a whole silver for a single piece of the gown as there was also Madeline who was yet to choose her gown. Even Madeline wondered if they could afford it but her sister, Beth, surprised her by saying,

"I will take it. Maddie, why don't you choose one for yourself?" asked Beth.

"Mr. Heathcliff, could you excuse us for a moment," Madeline requested the man who gave her a nod and left the sisters in the backroom. The younger girl asked, "Do you have a coin of silver? We still need to get clothes for mother and father."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I saved some money from what I received," answered Beth who was still looking at the gown that she held in her hand, " It is not a small gathering. People from different parts of the towns and villages are going to be there. I would like to see our family dressed well. I wouldn't rob my sister and my family from the joy of going to the castle. Is that what you think?" Beth looked sad with the thought.

"Of course not! It is just that a coin of silver is too much for us to give for a single gown. I know you aren't like that," said Madeline with a small frown, "If you say that you have saved enough, then it should be fine."

"You worry for no reason," Beth placed the gown down and started to look for other gowns that were not from the same rack which she had picked for herself, "We are visiting the castle, therefore, we cannot afford to look like we came from the village."

"I don't think there's anything wrong in the village," Madeline said, searching the gowns herself.

"Nobody said anything is wrong with the village," Beth laughed, "Before I was on my way home, I heard Mr. Craigs that he received an invitation to the ball too. So you can tell what kind of people will be there. There are going to be eligible men, you should find one there," advised Beth to her little sister who didn't know how life worked.

"I think I am fine here," Madeline laughed as her sister Beth had plans to marry a man from the ball.

Beth, who was looking for a gown for Madeline, stopped and came to stand next to her sister, "Truly, you don't plan to find a man like Mr. Heathcliff. He is a nice man, but as your sister, I would want you to marry someone much better than him. Imagine both you and I married someone who is sound in wealth. It would benefit not only us but also our parents."

Madeline didn't respond. It was rude to speak about Mr. Heathcliff when they were in his shop. He had been generous to lend them the clothes first, "I think I am much more suitable for the life here. I have you. I am sure when you get betrothed to the man you want, you will help us."

"That I will," Beth replied with a grin, "I hear the king is very handsome and is single."

"Aren't there gossips about him bedding many women?" Madeline asked her sister, going back to look at the gowns.

"They are just rumours. It isn't like any of the villagers have ever seen him. The King doesn't invite everyone to see him. People are jealous and will spew any nonsense," Beth said, taking the red gown she had picked for herself, "and who knows, if the King takes an interest in me, there wouldn't be anything to worry. I guess red is the right choice," Madeline saw her sister Beth grin widely.

"Red suits you. You will stand out once you wear it, you stand out without it too," Madeline smiled at her sister.

"Look at you being my personal cheerer. Let's find you a gown so that we don't impose on the man further."

Beth instead of looking at the gowns that were fabricated in silk, moved to the other side looking at different materials, "I think I found one," said the elder girl and pulled out a beige coloured gown.

Compared to the striking red gown that Beth had picked for herself, she had picked a paler gown for Madeline. It wasn't silk but made of different fabrics. Not having a chance to open and look at the dress properly because of the crowd that stood waiting outside the tailor shop, the girls quickly picked up gowns and clothes for their parents. Paying Mr. Heathcliff with silver and bronze coins, they left thanking the man.

After the time of dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Harris had retired to their room. Mr. Harris gave a thought regarding the invitation that had been sent to them.

Mr. Harris said, "It is said that the castle is not safe. People get lost and disappear, never to be seen again. You have heard rumours about the King. Somewhere, I don't feel right to go and attend the Hallow there."

"It would be rude to refuse an invitation that has come from the castle, you and I both know that. It is only a ball, what can go wrong. There will be masks covering our faces," Mrs. Harris tried to ease her husband's worried lines that had formed on his face, "Also, the girls have reached their peak point of age, meeting other men out of this village would do them good," she said while fluffing the pillow and getting the blanket on the bed which had been washed and dried today.

Her husband's frown only deepened further, "You don't plan to marry them with somebody there, do you? We know nothing about the people who will be attending there. Beth is a child, still young."

"Beth is a grown woman and knows what she wants. She would be helping our family with our current situation. There's no harm with that," said Mrs. Harris, keeping the best interest of her family in her mind. It wasn't that Mrs. Harris was greedy but she was only looking for the best for her family, to have a better life.

"And what about Madeline?" asked Mr. Harris knowing how tender the girl was compared to his older daughter who was bold.

Mrs. Harris sat next to her husband and said, "You and I both know Madeline wishes for a simple life. While Beth, you know Beth. The girl dreams about mansion, servants and jewels. If she finds a decent suitor, it might make way for Madeline too," once Beth would get engaged, there would be better prospects for Madeline, thought Mrs. Harris to herself, "Madeline is mature enough to handle herself too. Have some faith that they will be alright."

"It is not that I don't..."

A parent was not supposed to show a difference in emotions when it came to their children. Mr. Harris couldn't stop but worry about Madeline who was the opposite of Beth. She was gentle and too kind. Madeline fell paler by looks in front of her beautiful and attractive sister, but that didn't mean she wasn't pretty to look at.

The girls were often seen together, and when a man passed by, it was often Beth who caught their attention. And just because he was more concerned about Madeline, it didn't mean he loved his elder daughter any less than the younger one.

After some thought, he finally said,

"I will ask Mr. Miller if he can lend his carriage for the day."