The sun shone too brightly for her liking. Naya squinted, already annoyed. She hated mornings the light always meant facing more rude people, ones who mocked her, even though none of them could stitch a dress the way she could.
"Wake up, all of you!" the madam's loud voice rang out like a school bell. Groaning, the girls stirred.
Naya washed herself quietly, but even that felt like a battle. The other girls stared at her with narrowed eyes. One of them scoffed, "Wench."
Before she could reply, a rough hand shoved her, and she stumbled straight into a puddle. Dirty water splashed into her mouth. She didn't fight back just sat there with mud on her face, eyes low.
The others laughed. The jealousy in their eyes was thick it could build a castle if it had bricks.
It was her usual morning routine. After washing up, Naya stepped out quietly. A faint bruise still marked her lip from the fall, but before she opened the shop, her pink lips looked untouched, soft and perfect like nothing had happened.
"Welcome. Today you look beautiful, Lady Sofie," Naya greeted with a deep bow.
Lady Sofie smiled, pleased by the flattery, and walked inside. Naya's warm smile made her feel even more welcome.
"I've been invited to a banquet at Lord Ramwell's," Lady Sofie said proudly, her chin raised high as she spoke loud enough for the others to hear.
The women nearby instantly turned their heads, eyes full of envy. They could only go home to complain to their mothers.
Lady Sofie sat gracefully on the cushion, continuing her tale. "Many handsome men will be there... including the son of Duke Ancano. Oh! Elza Lyman he even sent me a letter to remind me to attend."
"Naya, you're definitely coming with me today. You'll enter beside me, so don't worry," Lady Sofie whispered the last part, knowing too well how Naya's boss could be.
After describing her dress in great detail, Lady Sofie left in her carriage.
The rest of the day passed in a flurry of activity until night fell. Lady Sofie sat with her head held high in the carriage, while beside her, Naya sat quietly, gazing out the window, admiring the view like it was her first time.
Soon, the grand estate came into view. Several carriages arrived and departed, dropping off guests in elegant attire. When their own carriage stopped, a gentleman stepped forward to help them out.
Though the two women were very different, tonight Naya glowed more. With borrowed jewelry from Lady Sofie, her look was breathtaking. She wore a handmade caramel-colored dress, its off-shoulder style revealing her soft, freckled collarbone. Her ginger hair flowed freely down her back, and her ears sparkled with crystal earrings that matched the glint in her eyes.
Guests turned to look, their attention caught by her beauty and she would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy it.
Next to her, Lady Sofie felt a strange twist in her chest. How could she have brought Naya along, only for her to steal all the attention?
Still, Sofie folded her hands into soft fists, smiling brightly. Her charm was unmatched, and her smile remained one of the most beautiful in the room even among other beautiful girls.
Inside, the banquet hall was glowing with golden chandeliers and the soft murmur of nobles chatting, laughing, and sharing gossip. Naya and Lady Sofie entered gracefully, and though many tried to hide it, all eyes flicked to them especially to Naya.
Some men tried to approach, bowing slightly, asking for her name or a dance. Naya smiled politely but stepped back behind Sofie, not wanting too much attention or maybe not knowing what to do with it yet.
Lady Sofie, despite her inner envy, kept her composure. "She's with me," she said with a proud smirk, as if showing off a rare jewel.
Then, someone announced loudly, "Duke Ancano's son, Lord Elza Lyman, has arrived!"
A hush fell briefly as a tall, handsome man with sharp features and long dark hair entered. He looked around slowly and his eyes stopped at Naya.
Lady Sofie's smile froze.
No, it wasn't happening. She wore more beautifully than any other girl, and it was obvious or so she thought. Lord Elza Lyman walked toward them, his eyes briefly scanning the crowd before landing on Sofie. He smiled, making all the rage inside her melt away.
"Lord Elza, I'm happy you made it," Sofie said, bowing gracefully. Naya also bowed, though hers was clumsy she almost fell, but Elza caught her in time, chuckling at her.
He caught her gently, his hand firm around her wrist as he steadied her. "Careful," he said with a light laugh, his voice smooth and teasing. "It would be a shame if the star of the night got injured before the dancing even begins."
Naya looked up, startled, her cheeks turning a soft pink. Sofie's smile twitched.
"She's just a little helper," Sofie quickly added with a laugh, stepping forward to reclaim the attention. "I brought her along for fun, but she's not used to such grand events."
Elza didn't even glance at Sofie. His eyes were still on Naya. "A helper with such grace? Interesting…" Naya smiled faintly, lowering her eyes to hide the spark of satisfaction.
The music swelled, filling the room with a gentle rhythm that made everyone sway. Lord Elza extended his hand toward Naya, his eyes warm. "May I have this dance?" he asked. She hesitated for a moment, glancing at Sofie, but the look in his eyes was too kind to refuse.
"Of course, my lord," she whispered. As they moved to the floor, Naya felt light like she belonged. The guests whispered, wondering who the radiant girl in the caramel dress was, dancing with the most desired man of the evening.
Meanwhile, Sofie stood frozen as another man approached her the one who had always tried to speak to her, Lord Ren. "Sofie," he smiled gently, "would you honor me with a dance?" She wanted to refuse, as she always did, but her pride burned watching Naya twirl so elegantly.
"Fine," she muttered, placing her hand in his. As they danced, she forced a smile. He was actually quite graceful, but all she could think about was how the "helper" was dancing with the "prince," and she the noble was stuck with a man she had always ignored.