how she knew I’d be awake but grateful for the food as I was famished. A bowl of hot steaming porridge with freshly cut
apples and honey, was delightfully sweet and perfect to get the day started. My nerves weren’t barking at my door. Yet, I knew
it wouldn’t be too long until they arrived.
“Oh, good! You’re awake!”
April startled me as she appeared suddenly in the room, along with Vanessa and Morgana, all three dressed in beautiful
lilac and pale pink chiffon dresses. Each with their own twist. Morgana had her blonde hair curled and it seemed longer, as if
it had grown overnight.
Vanessa’s, however, seemed the complete opposite, her long brown hair up in a beautiful up-do and decorated with small
diamonds. April wore her strawberry blond in a fishtail plait, running down between her shoulder and collarbone.
Even though they were all sisters, they didn’t all appear the same, there were some similarities but nothing that stuck out.
Not like my siblings and I, where we shared most of the same things in looks.
“How was your night?”
Morgana plonked herself beside me, her eyes lighting up with glee as she stared at me. It was almost like she was peering
deep within my soul. April collected the candle which still sat in its candlestick and smiled as she saw some of the dried wax
down the side of it. Whereas Vanessa stood near the balcony doorway. If only she knew what we’d been up to there.
“It was eventful.” I shovelled another spoonful into my mouth, hoping it would change the subject, but Morgana pressed on
further.
“Well, there is definitely something different about you. You seem lighter.”
“It smells like sex in here,” Vanessa said suddenly.
My cheeks ran red. Did it smell? Oh no! Perhaps we should have left the door open all night. Seeing my face of
embarrassment, April coughed to cover up a laugh, and the room fell silent for a few seconds.
“Sorry, that was a bit forward. Sometimes my mouth runs away before my mind can catch up,” she admitted and I was
grateful for her honesty.
“Consummating before marriage. Very naughty.” Morgana winked at me, trying to clear the tension with humour. I just
buried my awkwardness further down, hoping not to answer any more questions.
“We…we did the marriage rites.”
It’s all I could say as I no longer wanted my breakfast, unable to stomach anymore spoonfuls. With some more awkward
silence, April dropped herself down in the smaller chair with her hands on her lap, as if she were waiting for something.
“I am pleased you have relaxed a bit around his majesty,” April spoke in a more elegant tone.
Her two sisters rolled their eyes in response, and I awkwardly drank more of my tea, the nerves starting.