The carriage stopped near the back gate of Abiona Thatcher's mansion as few guests had arrived at the main entrance. Prudence hadn't dressed enough for the occasion, so they entered from behind the estate where there won't be eyes looking down at her. She would hate for that to happen when the people had come here to meet the new governor.
Her eyes looked at the towering structure. "did you renovate the place?" The last time Prudence was here, the mansion looked a little bland than what it was right now.
They now changed the grey colour it had to off white, with the designs lining the window and decoration enveloping the one-story mansion was shaded golden. Plants were adorning the small balconies, which extended from the bedrooms on the top floor. The girls walked through the cobblestone path now paved beside the swimming pool leading to the gigantic back door.
"Yes, doesn't it look beautiful?" Abiona said, "My parents turned it into a castle, come you should see the changes my mother did with the interior"
When the girls approached the door, it opened without having to be knocked on by the butler of the Thatcher family. He was old yet he stood firmly and bowed, addressing Abiona, "milady, your mother has been expecting your presence in her room." His eyes then turned to her friend and a faint smile rested on his face, "Lady Prudence, it has been a long time."
Prudence returned the smile. "It has been a long time indeed. Have you been doing well?"
The butler gently bowed at her question, "I have been well milady, Thank you for your concern" he extended his hand showing towards the stairs, "Mrs Thatcher is waiting for you upstairs"
Abiona handed the sweet dish that Prudence's mother had given to the butler. "Aunt Elizabeth sends her wishes, please serve it to Papa first" The butler nodded and left for the kitchen.
Prudence smiled at him, and both the girls hurried up the stairs. The main hall was visible from where they stood right now, as the upper floor had a balcony that overlooked the venue, which was shining with candles and polished floor reflecting the chandelier. In this centre of the mansion, where the ballroom was, they combined the upper floor with the ground floor using sturdy pillars.
The first floor here only had a balcony that overlooked the ballroom floor and then it led to the rest of the upper floor, where the rooms were hidden from the ballroom.
The girls walked through the overlooking balcony, finally entering the east side of the mansion. Abiona dragged Prudence with her, finally standing in front of her room.
Abiona's mother, upon seeing Prudence, beamed up. "Prudence darling!" She rushed to the girl and embraced her, "We miss you, dear. Stay for at least a week now that you are here" Mrs Thatcher let go of prudence to pull her cheek and the girl could do nothing but wince.
Abiona's mother was always this lively and loving. Prudence could say nothing. If she would, then the older lady would twist her words to make her stay here. Prudence had been caught up in her web before and did not want it to happen again. "I would stay back for the night, Aunt Mary. Unfortunately, I would have to return tomorrow as some of the stable staff workers are unavailable"
"Oh, don't you worry about that. I will send someone there to work in your stead," Mrs Thatcher planted a kiss on Prudence's cheek, "You are like my daughter Prudence, stay here for some time"
Prudence felt like she was going to be dragged again. Abiona's mother was very smart with buttering someone the right way into getting her what she wanted. She wished to spend some time with Prudence when they had not met properly in the last few months.
Prudence chuckled a little, "Even I wish to spend more time here Aunt Mary, but Daisy needs attention and you know how she throws tantrums when I am not around."
Mrs Thatcher had met the mare which Prudence had bought for herself. Daisy was a mustang, isolated from the wild, and was only comfortable around Prudence. This was a great excuse the girl had used against Abiona's mother. And in reality, the horse did not let anyone else feed or clean her.
Mrs Thatchers had a pity expression. "I hope the mare comes around soon. I want to see you running around the house like like when you were kids"
"Mama, we are grown-ups now," Abiona retorted childishly, which had her mother laugh.
"A child never grows up for their parents," said Mrs Thatcher. Abiona rolled her eyes on hearing the statement which she had heard at least a million times now and went back to picking out a dress from the wardrobe. Seeing this, her mother left the girls to get ready. "Get your best dress out. I want some suitors asking for you girls tomorrow. And don't take too long dear" She caressed Prudence's face and went out, closing the door behind her.
Search for suitors was heavily weighing on Abiona right now, as she had come of the right age. With her father hitting the limelight, it would taint his reputation to have an unmarried daughter not even receive requests.
Prudence had no such obligations, but even she was of the right age now. It was only fair for Mrs Thatcher to give her a push as well. Everyone in her life wanted her to get married while she was always deflecting the subject. There was a rich brat who used to come with his younger sister on the horse farm, where Prudence worked. He had taken a liking to her, but the man looked too much pampered in her eyes.
"How is this?" Abiona brought Prudence's thoughts back to reality. She held up a soft pink silk dress. "I don't have a red gown or I would have made you wear that. Your hair would have suited perfectly with it"
Prudence walked ahead and saw the dress. It was light and soothing to the eyes. She wouldn't wear red even if offered. That colour was very suggestive, and it was the last thing she wanted.
"I like this," Prudence said, as she took in the dress's simplicity. It had a triangular deep neck but a white lace covered the open section till the neck. The sleeves were gigot with gentle puffs around the shoulder and the rest of the hand thin enough to compliment the wearer's slender arms. Most of the dresses required bottom enhancers with the back fabric of the skirt being long, but not this one. It tapered at the waist from where the pleated a-line skirt held the fabric flared with all the layers inside.
"You will look lovely in this," said Abiona, "let me help you with the corset"
Prudence, who was now holding the dress, backed a little. "No, the last time you helped me with a corset, I was standing at the death's door. I will help you with yours, though. Let me wear this quickly"
Abiona pleaded with her hazel eyes, but Prudence would not let her help with the corset. She left Abiona to find herself a dress and got changed behind the wooden divider. It didn't take her long to change and when she came out, Abiona was in her petticoat, trying to tighten the corset.
"Let me help you, Abi," Prudence walked easily, with her dress not dragging behind her. Abiona had worn bottom enhancers, but the dress Prudence wore did not need them. "Hold your breath," she said as she fastened Abiona's corset.
Abiona was holding onto the bedpost and wondered whether she should warn Prudence about the dangerous people who would attend the dining today.
"Prudence," she called, and stopped to think once again. She could protect her friend just like every other event, but would today's party give her that time? After all, she would have to go around a lot and greet people that were acquaintances of her father. Prudence hated to be social, and so would choose not to tag along with her.
After tightening the corset perfectly, Prudence asked, "Yes Abi?" Abiona gave a doubtful look and Prudence furrowed her brows, "Is something bothering you?"
Abiona thought a second more before finally saying, "I wanted to warn you, Prudence. There will be many people attending today and I might not stay by your side"
Prudence waited for her to continue, but when Abiona hesitated, she just held her hand. "Abi, don't worry, I understand. I will take care to not attract a lot of attention." She thought Abiona was only concerned about how people might recognise from the horse farm and come to talk about it with her. But better than all of that, she knew it was a big day for Abiona's father. She wouldn't hold her friend back for such petty things.
"No," Abiona said, this time wanting to tell the proper truth from which she had kept her friend safe. "There are going to be bad people, Prudence... The members of the gangs would be attending. Gangs that are involved in organised crimes, and some of them are humans, so it would be hard to distinguish. Please be careful with offending anyone"
A smile broke on Prudence's delicate lips, which matched the colour of her dress. "Thank you for caring Abiona, I will be careful to overlook if someone disrespects today."
Abiona nodded her head, still knowing if something were to happen, her friend might not hold back. Prudence was a kind soul who was very protective of her people. The place where she grew up had taught her to stand against disrespect towards her people, so it was sometimes hard for her not to offend the other person. But she was well aware of how heavy a loss it might bring to her small family to aggravate someone with dangerous powers.
Abiona went to get her dress when Prudence asked, "Abi, what did you mean with they are hard to distinguish? What is there to distinguish between humans?"