I rose from my bed the very minute sunlight had streamed into my chambers from behind the curtains, having barely slept a wink the night before out of pure excitement.

The day had finally come, and I would soon be leaving for the Royal Palace in a carriage separate from my twin's.

Just as every morning, I ring for Delphine and wait, seated on the edge of my bed. She comes only a few minutes later, an elated grin taking over her features. She would be traveling to the palace with me, as I had chosen to keep her as my ladies maid in place of one provided by the palace.

Though she serves as my ladies maid now, Delphine and I had grown up together- when my mother left France to marry my father, she brought with her Ottaline, her own ladies maid, and later, mother to my sweet friend.

"This is the day dress you will be wearing to arrive at the Palace, although as soon as we get there we will have to begin preparations for the debut Ball this evening! My lady, you are going to look heavenly in your gown." She rushes out, her words audibly delighted. She lays out a dress the shade of lilac, with little white flowers embroidered into the bodice. I run my hands over the tulle of the skirts, admiring the Parisian handiwork. It is one of a few pieces I had commissioned from some of my mother's favorite habits in the beautiful city she had lived in as a girl.

"I haven't felt this close to my mother in a long time." I look up to Delphine, blinking away the few tears that had formed in my eyes as my mind wandered to the memory of her radiant smile. She grabs both of my hands and holds my gaze.

"She would've been so excited for this day. She is so proud of you, Adalie, I know it." She smiles, then the both of us sit in comfortable silence for a moment, before she breaks away. "Now, you must get dressed! We haven't got much time. We need to begin your preparations as soon as possible." She orders, straightening. I heave a sigh, finally standing up from my comfortable bed.

I let Delphine powder my face and put on minimal rouge, knowing everything that I have done now would be undone again within a couple of hours. I gaze into the mirror as she unsets and gently brushes through my long, wavy jet black tresses. Then, I stand and let her help me into my corset, my day dress, and finally, my matching slippers.

"I'll call the footmen and have them fetch your things. The carriage should be here waiting by now!" She grins, quickly leaving my chambers.

I run to my window, and sure enough, my brother's carriage sits before the entrance to the townhome, ready to depart.

"You're leaving already?" A small voice calls from the doorway, and I turn to see my 8 year old sister, Alice, standing there, watching me with her big, pale green eyes.

"It is custom that I arrive early, but I was hoping not to leave without one of your splendid hugs." I smile sadly, kneeling down and opening my arms in a hopeful fashion. Her little face lights up immediately and she runs to me, throwing her arms around my neck tightly the moment she reaches me.

"I'm going to miss you so much, sissy." She sniffles into my shoulder, and I pull away to see tears formed in her eyes.

"I'll be back before you know it, Allie. I love you." I gently wipe away her tears with my thumb, kissing her on the forehead before standing at my full height once again.

"I love you, Addie." She mumbles quietly, and I carefully watch her, putting my hand on her shoulder as she leans against my leg, clutching my skirts for comfort.

And then, Delphine reappears, footmen in tow.

"Time to go!"

-

"Lady Adalie Blackmore of Somerset!" A page announces as I stroll through the glorious doors of the Royal Palace. No one is waiting for me there save for the page as well as a maid, but I am too preoccupied to care.

I struggle to keep my jaw from dropping in an un-ladylike fashion at the splendor of the entryway. Checkered black and white tiles make up the floor, and it shines as if not a soul had ever stepped foot there. A glittering chandelier hangs from the ceiling, over a pair of spectacular marble staircases that lead to the next floor level. Brightly colored flowers decorate everything as far as the eye can see- a Season custom.

My wealthy family owns many beautiful homes, but they are nothing in comparison to this.

"Your rooms are right this way, my lady." The maid interrupts my stupor, and I fall into step behind her, grinning, while Delphine as well as the footmen who had taken my things from my carriage upon my arrival follow closely.

I admire everything my gaze lands on in silence as we are walking, still struggling to grasp that this will be my home for the next few months- or, until I am able to find a suitable husband.

My, I've barely spoken to any boys outside of my brothers, or the few that belonged to my parent's guests- who stayed for only days, at most- and now I am expected to find one to marry!

The very thought is terrifying... but much less so than the prospect of a life where I live as a spinster, trapped under my father's thumb, until he takes his final dying breath.

"This is the Debutante's Wing, my lady. Next to your own chambers will be those of Lady Katherine-Anne Arnold, and, at your request, Lady Christine Egerton." The maid announces as she stops in front of a door identical to the circle of doors around it.

"Thank you." I nod, dismissing her. As she leaves, Delphine takes her place, turning the handle to the door and holding it open for me.

I enter the room and take it all in. We are currently standing in what looks to be a common room. A fireplace, loveseat, and other comfortable chairs are to one side, and a small, nicely decorated mahogany dining table with four matching chairs around it is to the other side. Velvety blue curtains are pulled open so that the two large windows let sunlight pour in on the soft, imperial patterned rugs. Finally, there are two doors that likely lead to bedrooms for me, as well as my ladies in waiting on the left.

Just as I had begun thinking of my ladies in waiting, I hear a soft knock on the door behind me.

I eagerly open it, to reveal none other than my two closest friends from finishing school.

"Adalie!" Jasmine calls, throwing her arms around me immediately. I laugh, as I lock eyes with Lucille, who is standing just behind her.

"I simply cannot believe it is already time for you to debut as a debutante!" Lucille exclaims, squeezing me the very second that Jasmine releases me.

"And the two of you are here, of course, as I promised you in finishing school!" I reply, wriggling from my friend's grasp.

"Adalie, we promise, as your ladies in waiting, we will find you the best damned man this Season can offer. You deserve it!" Says Lucille.

"Yes, even if your heart is set on the prince, we will do everything in our power to find you the perfect husband." Jasmine adds with a cheeky grin, to which I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

"Jasmine, you know I am not an Elite. Therefore, the prince could never be for me!" I point out. "All joking aside, I am delighted to see you both, after so many months." I admit, smiling shyly.

"We are happy to be here with you, Addie." Lucille squeezes my shoulder.

"Now, let's get ready for a ball!"

-