Chapter Text
Dearest Gentle Reader, the start of the season is upon us, and many are excited to see the new faces making their entrances into society. The opening ball tonight marks the beginning of a debutante's life. Everyone's dream is to find a match; love, or convenience to cement the rest of their lives. Yes, there are great expectations for this season, dear reader, and I hope you are along for the ride.
Trinity Santos did not want to debut this season.
Or ever! in fact.
She's been the only child in this house for so incredibly long, minus the addition of her dear friend Samira a few years ago, after her mother had left. but she's still dreading it. Samira and her would be debuting at the same time which was a relief, but her parents find this joyous because “she'll actually have a chance this season."
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Trinity sits on the couch at her bay window, contemplating. Today was her last day of freedom before the pressures of society weighed in. She groans.
She could barely focus on her book without the dread dripping down her back.
Samira strolls in.
“Trin, you’ve been nose deep in your books all day, what is going on with you?”
Trinity groans. “You can’t possibly want to be married Samira!” She exclaims. “I dread the thought that someone is going to try courting me at tomorrow night's ball.”
Samira rolls her eyes with a smile. “I think you’ll be alright.” She says softly and sits on the floor next to the couch. “I hope my future partner is kind,” She says dreamily, “Who puts others before themselves, and is gentle.”
Trinity rolls her eyes. “Maybe Mother will let me become a spinster if I can keep potential matches away for as long as possible.” She says with a tight expression.
“Don’t say such things!” Samira says with a shocked grin. “What I think is that you need someone that challenges you, someone who doesn’t cower when you say such horrible things!” She teases and snatches her book from her.
“Hey!” Trinity says.
“All you do is read these horrors,” Samira says with a grimace. “Does your mother know about your secret dream of running away to be a medic in a war?” She smirks.
“Oh my word Samira we were children.” She says, burying her face in her hands.
“Just speaking on it, you need someone that matches you.”
Trinity grabs her book back and rolls her eyes.
“Seems like only yesterday we were all young girls, dreaming about our futures in castles, hopefully married to future lords and ladies.” Samira says while looking out the window towards the gardens.
Trinity remembers something and says, “Did you hear our old playmate Victoria is debuting two years early?
Samira nods. “I suppose some people aren’t that lucky," she says.” “Her mother is the closest thing to the Queen, so I guess there’s no running from that fate.” She sighs.
Trinity looks out the window and sees her friend Dennis Whitaker, the son of the Baron who lives next door approaching the house.
She smirks. “I’ll be back, I have someone to bother.” She giggles and runs out the door and down the stairs.
_________
“Huckleberry Finn!” Trinity teases as she walks out the door. “Good afternoon to you too, Trinity.” Dennis sighs.
“You look sad, what could possibly have altered your mood this fast since I saw you last week?”
Dennis groans.
“You wouldn’t get it,” he says. “Tomorrow is the first ball, the first time I see-“
Ah, Trinity thinks.
“The first time you see your prince, Lord Robinavitch after all this time?” Trinity teases.
Dennis groans. "Trinity..." He sighs, and puts his hand on his face as they walk around the grounds.
“He’s forgotten all about me, I’ll bet.” He states before and kicking a rock.
“Well, you didn’t exactly have a conversation when you saw him last, you just fell into the lake and he happened to be the only man around with enough medical knowledge to wake you up.”
He groans. "That was mortifying! I didn't even say anything, I just passed out."
Trinity laughs, "Well I hope he notices you at the ball tonight." she says with a sly grin walking alongside him.
"Do you have anyone you hope to impress tonight?" Dennis asks as they get to the garden.
Trinity immediately shakes her head. "I would rather die than get married." She says as they sit on a bench. "It's Samira's biggest dream, and luckily Mother and Father seem to be focusing more on her and less on me.” She says.
"I would like to see someone attempt to sway you tomorrow night." Dennis says with a smirk. Trinity smiles tightly, before hopping on the small stone wall.
"I'd like to see them try!" She yells.
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Trinity's maid had her up at 7:00 am to get dressed.
She pleaded with her mother to let her skip this season but she held her ground. Her mother had said that she would find a good match, and if not, her and the Viscount would find one for her.
Can you at least try and be like Samira? Her mom had said.
Trinity trudges toward the carriage where Samira was waiting already.
"Not. a. word." She grumbles.
"Look on the bright side," Samira says. "You only have to present yourself to the queen once." Trinity rolls her eyes. "I bet you'll enjoy it, you'll love the attention if you're picked as a diamond." Samira smiles. "That does sound nice." She sighs dreamily.
The carriage makes its way to the castle, and Trinity gets antsy by the second. Her parents decided to meet them there, to take care of some business, as they'd put it.
The Queen's castle was larger than she'd remembered. She used to play in the gardens with Samira, Victoria, and Melissa when their parents were invited to these things. Unfortunately she wasn't a child anymore, and those days were long behind her.
The entryway opens to a grand room, where many of the other young ladies were waiting for their turn. She looks around the room for anyone she may actually know, and sees Victoria against the wall.
She smirks and nudges Samira. "Should we say hello?"
Samira looks over. "Trin, be kind, she probably doesn't want to go through with this as much as you."
Trinity rolls her eyes and loops her arm through Samira's and heads over to where Victoria is standing.
"I'm sure you'll be quite thecatch this season." Trinity says to get Victoria's attention.
Javadi sighs. "Don't remind me." She groans. "It's already bad enough my mother has me debuting early, she's already lining up potential suitors by the number. By tomorrow, there will be a line of gentleman callers begging for my hand I’ll bet."
Trinity smirks.
"Well you didn't ask to be born a princess, this is likely the nice way of saying; Please give me an heir."
Javadi grumbles then straightens up. "I apologize we haven't been able to meet since mother sent me to finishing school."
Samira pats her shoulder. "It's alright, we'll have plenty of opportunities to promenade for suitors this season."
Javadi scoffs. "Not you too, Mira."
Trinity is about to interject when there is announcement that they will start the procession of ladies.
Trinity finally realizes how terrified she is for this as Samira drags her off after wishing Javadi luck.
______
Trinity and Samira stand together in front of the two large doors waiting.
They were both in matching blue empire waist gowns, with the family crest beautifully embroidered on their gloves.
Trinity grabs her hand.
"I'm not ready to grow up Mira," She whispers.
Samira smiles. "It was always inevitable, Trin." She whispers back. Holding her hand tighter, she whispers,
"You'll always have me right beside you."
The doors open and they both walk slowly towards the Queen sitting regally at the end of the hall.
Trinity remembers what her Mother has drilled into her head over time, and she keeps her head up and pretends to at least look like she knows what she's doing.
She looks at the people looking at them as she walks, and catches Dennis's eye as he gives her a thumbs up and mouths You got this.
Trinity lets a smile show, and when they finally get to the end, they both bow to the Queen who somehow, looks even more bored than Trinity feels.
Trinity and Samira walk off, and Trinity finally sighs with relief when they're out of sight.
________
That evening, they prepare for the first ball of the season.
Trinity groans. "I just have to make it through tonight."
Samira smiles. "Don't say that. I'm sure you'll have fun in your own Trinity way."
Trinity rolls her eyes as her maid braids her hair back into a bun.
"I wish Mother would let me wear it out," she sighs. "She's been a lot more Mother than usual."
Samira smirks as her maid puts her hair in a long braid with flowers. "At least promise me you'll try to have some fun tonight." she says softly.
Trinity looks at her, sighs, and nods.
"I'll do my best." she says with a mock salute and a tight smile.
_______
The first ball of the season was being held in the Queen's grand ballroom, where food was lined on ornate tables across the walls, and hyacinths in pots around the room. The garden doors were open, providing access to the Queen's lavish hedge mazes. They had various sculptures of swans positioned around the grounds, with an open courtyard for somehow more space to dance. There were also fireworks scheduled to go off in a few hours, which will surely provide a memorable end to the evening.
Trinity's feet were already killing her.
Dennis had danced with her already, and a particularly eager suitor her mother chose would not leave her alone.
Samira was already swept up by a man named Lord Abbot, who she remembered was friends with Huckleberry Finn's new fancy, Lord Robinavich.
She looks happy.
Trinity thinks as she watches her talk to him. She didn't want to spoil her fun, Mira's been dreaming of going to a ball since they were little.
"Lady Trinity, it's been a while."
Trinity turns around and is greeted by her old friend, Melissa King. They go way back, but they lost touch after Mel's family moved a bit farther for some better options.
Trinity smiles and bows slightly. "Well, it's nice to see at least one familiar face tonight." She says. "Are you looking for any prospects tonight?" she asks.
Mel shakes her head. "No, I've long stopped thinking about that." She says. “Since I'm her chaperone, I want to make sure she does well."
Trinity nods. She knew Mel didn't like talking about what happened to her parents, since the title of Marchioness passed down to her which left her in charge of the family. Trinity hoped she'd at least find some happiness for herself. "What about you?" Mel asks, "Anything you're looking for this season?"
Trinity grumbles. "Everyone keeps asking me that, but I just want to get through tonight without any whispers of a match."
Mel’s eyes light up. "With your mother watching you like a hawk?" She smiles. "I wish you luck."
There is an announcement that fireworks would start in about an hour, and that guests are encouraged to go outside to dance and witness them.
Trinity is about to follow when she sees the man who has wanted to dance with her all night immediately try and speak with her.
She tenses up.
"Mel, I'll see you later I hope?" she bows quickly and shuffles off.
A few steps in and she runs straight into someone.
She lays eyes on the prettiest woman she's ever seen.
"I apologize," the woman says. "I hope you're not injured?"
Trinity is at a loss for words.
"Y-yes!" Trinity stutters out. "I'm quite alright, thank you." She bows quickly. She turns her head and still sees the man trying to approach her.
"Tell me your name." She says abruptly.
"My name?" The woman says in shock.
"You mean to tell me you don't know who I am?" She says with a smirk.
Trinity tilts her head. "Am I supposed to?" She says, squinting her eyes slightly.
The woman looks impressed, with a smile on her face. "You're probably the first to."
Samira walks up to her with Abbot in tow.
"I see you've met Duchess Garcia." she says. Trinity looks back at the woman.
"D-Duchess Garcia?" she says in shock. The duchess smiles and gives her a bow.
"At your service, my lady." she says with a smirk.
Trinity nods, still in shock.
"I suppose we should head out for dancing and fireworks?" Samira says looking at Trinity.
Trinity nods. "I think I'll sit the dancing out, thank you."
Samira looks at her annoyed.
"Lord, Trinity can you at least try?" she says under her breath before looping her arm through Lord Abbot's and leaving.
She turns her head and sees the woma- the Duchess, has already left.
Trinity groans and heads outside.
The man approaches her again.
"Lady Santos I must please ask you for a dance before the night is over."
Trinity looks at him. "It's quite alright," She says quickly.
"I would be sloppy from all the dancing I've been doing all night."
She heads towards the hedge maze hopefully to avoid him.
"Lady Santos, wait!" She hears the man yell behind her.
She starts walking faster.
Maybe she could find Samira if she wasn't distracted.
Maybe Mel would be able to hel-
The man grabs her by the arm.
"Let me go!" She yells trying to pull back.
"Just one dance, girl!" the man says spitefully grabbing her tighter.
She can smell the rotten stench of alcohol on his lips.
She realizes she's alone, in the Queen's hedge maze, with a strange man who's probably going to defile her if she can't get away in the next few seconds.
"I'll teach you to listen, girl." The man says, pulling his fist back to hit her.
Trinity closes her eyes, prepping herself before the man is suddenly pulled back and punched by- The Duchess?!
The man falls, immediately being knocked unconscious.
"I heard some yelling and I thought-" The Duchess says concerned.
Trinity looks at her.
"I suppose I should be thanking you?" Trinity says out of breath.
The Duchess looks up. "That would be nice" she says with a smirk.
She looks down at the man. "He won't be awake for a while." The Duchess says, smiling.
"You're alright then?" the Duchess says finally looking at Trinity.
Trinity nods.
The Duchess looks at her thoughtfully for a second.
"You are, Lady Trinity Santos, daughter of the Viscount, aren't you?"
Trinity nods.
"And it is your first season out, is it not?" Trinity nods, again.
The Duchess smirks. "I inherited this title from my mother, and of course I am now being forced to marry in hopes of producing an heir."
"And I assume you don't seek to marry this season?" Trinity asks. The Duchess nods.
"This title dies with me." She says confidently."Considering it payback for my wretched father."
Trinity sighs. "You are lucky, you know."
The Duchess gives her a look.
"Your title provides you with all these opportunities, so much so that you can simply say you do not wish to marry and it is so."
"My mother says that if I am not married by the end of the season, she will marry me off some elderly man on death's doorstep." Trinity continues.
The Duchess's eyes go wide. "That seems like quite the conundrum." She says surprised.
Trinity hears the first round of fireworks and looks up.
Was it that late already?
"I should probably find my friend before the fireworks end." She says starting to walk away.
"Wait." the Duchess says.
"I may have an answer to our issue."
Dearest Gentle Reader,
"We could pretend to form an attachment."
If you were not in attendance at last nights ball, you missed quite the spectacle.
"With you on my arm, the world will finally believe I have found my other half, my duchess."
It appears Lady Trinity Santos has captured the eyes of the elusive Duchess Yolanda Garcia.
"Your parents will leave you alone, and I will be considered unavailable."
"You must know how desirable you'll be to them if they see a duchess is interested."
"And you believe this plan will work?"
The Duchess smiles.
"Provided you do not wish to marry me, and I do not wish to marry you, whatever do we have to lose?"
As the fireworks continue, Yolanda and Trinity walk into the gardens arm in arm. All eyes are on them, as the backdrop of night sky surrounds them. Trinity sees Samira's face in absolute shock, along with Dennis on sharing her look.
They join the dance floor, as if they've done this thousands of times.
"Look at me." Yolanda whispers, looking down at Trinity.
"Closer."
Trinity is inches away from her face.
"Now if I'm right," Yolanda smirks. "We should look madly in love."
Trinity smiles as they start dancing, perfectly in sync with the rest of the couples. Yolanda flawlessly lifts her, giving Trinity perfect view of the fireworks.
"Everyone's staring." Trinity says.
"Good." Yolanda says quietly. "That means its working."
Sparklers erupt near them as Yolanda dips Trinity, perfectly in tune with the other dancers.
I hope you will all trust me to tell the story faithfully,
Yours truly,
Lady J.
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