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    Amber’s POV


    I stood in bedroom of the house I was renting, staring in the full length mirror near the foot of the bed. Anna was sitting on it, while Alice ran around, excitedly pointing out spots of the gown I was wearing.


    “There’s so much glitter, Mom! You sparkle!”


    “Too much, maybe?” I asked, still uncertain about all of this.


    Noah and Anna had almost worked as a tag team to keepmitted to this event, but as it drew closer and closer, I became more


    and more unsure.


    This kind of thing… an event as fancy as this…


    It wasn’t my usual kind of scene. In fact, I typically avoided things like this.


    “It’s not too much,” Anna said. “Everyone is going to be dressed extravagantly. You are going to fit right in.”


    Looking in the mirror, I swished therge skirt of my dress back and forth, almost like I was ringing a bell.


    “I don’t feel like myself,” I said.


    “You look like a princess,” Alice said.


    “You look like a Luna,” Anna added.


    I gave her a t look.


    She shrugged. “I’m just being honest.”


    Standing, Anna came and stood beside me at the mirror.


    “You look great,” she said. “You are certain to stun Julian… er, I mean, everyone.”


    She gave me a knowing smile, even as I shook my head.


    Anna, and Alice, helped me with my hair and makeup, and then I walked out into the living room. Roman had agreed to babysit


    tonight and was waiting for me there.


    “Are you sure you don’t want me toe with you?” he asked, as he had nearly three times a day since I received the invitation


    from Beta.


    “I’m sure,” I said. “I’m not nning on staying very long.”


    “Okay,” he said, though as with all the times before, didn’t seem very happy about it.


    “Well?” Anna asked, “You didn’tment on her dress.”


    12:40 PM Tue 26 Aug


    4979


    Roman nced down at my gown with a quick flick of his eyes. “You look fine,” he said gruffly. He could be kind, so I wasn’t sure why he was so irritated tonight. Perhaps he truly was feeling left out.


    But… no. Typically those kinds of things didn’t bother Roman.


    Maybe something else happened today. I would remember to ask him about itter.


    “I think you should wear something else,” Roman said then, surprising me.


    “There’s nothing wrong with it,” Anna said bluntly. She kept smiling though, especially when Alice looked between her and


    Roman with some worry on her face.


    She wasn’t used to Roman acting like this either.


    “Are you feeling alright, Roman?” I asked. Maybe he had a headache or something. If that was so, I could possibly find someone


    else to watch Alice tonight. Anna maybe?


    “I’m feeling fine,” he said gruffly. “I just think this entire affair is unnecessary.”


    “Only because you didn’t get invited,” Anna said under her breath.


    “Anna,” I scolded lightly.


    She looked away, but did not apologize.


    Roman ignored her totally. His gaze fully on me, he said, “If I asked you not to go… Would you stay here with me?”


    “She has to go,” Alice said. “Cindere always goes to the ball…”


    “This isn’t a fairy tale,” Roman said. His voice softened when speaking to Alice, which helped me feel a bit better.


    He was likely just nervous for me, knowing I would be out of my usual element tonight. But I was the type of person who could adapt, even in situations like these.


    “I’m not staying for very long,” I told him. “But I can’t miss it. The event is mostly in my honor, and I won’t abandon Noah who is expecting me. Please understand…”


    He pressed his lips hard together, but still gave a curt nod.


    “Return home soon,” he said. “I will worry.”


    “I will,” I said. Then I leaned down and hugged Alice. “Be good for Roman, okay, Alice?”


    12:40 PM Tue 26 Aug