Page 34 of Mermaid on Heels
Liriya glanced to their left and saw the other guard doing the same. He separated a group of girls, directing two to the right and the others forward. She grabbed Bianca’s hand and stepped inside.
The expansive grand foyer that seemed to stretch into infinity greeted her; its intricately designed marble floors polished like mirrors and reflecting the glow of flickering torches that lined the walls. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, catching light and casting dazzling reflection across the space. At the center of the foyer was a magnificent staircase, its curved banisters gracefully winding upwards, where elegantly dressed men and women ascended—to the ballroom,Liriya assumed.
And where in the sea—no,earth—weretheybeing sent?
Taking another sweep of the golden foyer—one would even think it was made of gold—she turned in the direction they were told to go. A few girls who came after them were already walking towards it, towards the regal doorway that nestled amidst the opulence on the right end of the foyer.
“Come on, let us go.” Liriya tugged at Bianca’s arm and walked towards it.
“Oh goodness, Liriya, I think I know what this is.” Bianca spoke in a hushed tone soaked with astonishment and giddiness as she fell into step with her.
“What?”
“Oh, I’m absolutely certain the king is going to fall in love with one of you, my darlings.”
More like an answer to her question, Liriya heard the voice of an older woman ahead, on the other side of the doorway, along with the excited giggle of a few young girls.
“Oh,please.” Bianca groaned at hearing that and looped her arm through Liriya’s. “It’s Earl Alphonse’ wife; I would recognize her loud, sickening voice anywhere.” She fanned her face with her silk fan and continued, “But, when did mothers start telling fat lies to their daughters?”
“What?” Liriya asked with a tilt of her head as they neared the doorway, genuinely confused.
“Is that woman seriously anticipating one of her donkey-faced triplets to make the king fall inlovewith them?” Bianca laughed, keeping her voice down but throwing her head back.
Liriya found her words funny but, “Do draw me a donkey when we get back home so I can laugh too. Still, I highly doubt your comparison. The last time you drew me amonkey, saying you believe Princess Aeira looks like it… it washardlya human.”
Bianca laughed again before she paused and sighed. “You know, my mother wouldn’t have approved of me speaking like this if she was here, but what can I do? Those three grate on me like sandpaper, so using mean words on them satisfy me at the least.”
“Oh, Bia…” Liriya sighed sympathetically.
They passed through the doorway and saw a female group; an older woman around her forty’s and the certain three girls Liriya would recognize anywhere even with their masks on. The older woman, clad in jewels and an expensive gown, glanced up at the presence of newcomers and took a double take.
The woman stared at Liriya and Bianca, her lips parting. Liriya spied the same astonishment crossing the faces of the triplet sisters.
“This way, ladies.” The guard standing at the grand staircase in the middle of the expansive hall grabbed Liriya’s attention away from them. He gestured towards the stairs.
Bianca held her chin high and walked past them towards the stairs, dragging Liriya with her, thanking the guard and ascending the stairs with prideful but gracious strides. Liriya felt the gazes of the four females burning on the back of their heads and wondered what caught them staring in astonishment.
As an answer, Liriya heard one of the triplets murmur, “Where did they get those gowns from?” Her voice demanded whomever it was aimed towards.
“Mama, I want one like that!” another added.
“I want to know who the seamstress is! Look, it is shimmering with each movement,” said the next.
“Mama, we’re not going to make it!” the first one hissed.
“Hush,” the woman shushed them with a hiss, her tone composed. “Youwillmake us proud; now off you go the three of you. Remember every single thing I said.” Her voice dropped lower. “Romance him, seduce him—”
“Earth to Liriya?” Bianca waved a hand in front of Liriya’s eyes, distracting her from eavesdropping on the conversation of the earl’s family downstairs.
Liriya blinked and composed herself, finding Bianca standing in front of her, head cocked to the side.
“Sorry. You were saying something? I was eavesdropping on the triplets.”
Bianca’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Oh, and what was it?”
“Disgusting.” Liriya scrunched up her nose in disgust. “Can you believe it if I tell you that their mother just encouraged them toseducethe king?”
Bianca’s mouth dropped in horror, too shocked to respond verbally.