I walked across the market, knowing perfectly well that everyone was looking at me. They were not just looking; they were staring deep into my soul. I was like a piece of meat in a den full of wolves. It was dreadfully difficult to drag my feet, as they were clammy now due to all the eyes that were scanning deeply and gossiping about me. I knew it well!
I was declared the diamond of the season. A heavy title, a heavy price. Being the diamond of this season was rather a big thing. Every mama's eyes were upon me. The bachelor eyes of these mamas' aristocratic sons were all now marking my path. I knew that every tongue was gossiping about me. Every shop, every house, everywhere, there were only talks–gossip about me.
I was everywhere. I was in the newspapers, in the society papers, and on everyone's tongue and in everyone's eyes. I knew it because I saw–I saw all of this in my dream, and it came true.
I sometimes have dreams. Dreams that are not ordinary. These special dreams show me the future. Everything I see comes true. Every beautiful dream, every nightmare, every wicked thing I see comes true. I am now sick of these dreams. I cannot react to normal occasions like a normal person, as I have witnessed these occasions before with the full strength of my emotions. My reactions are not always quite adequate at that particular moment. Sometimes my reactions are more complex, and sometimes so slight that anyone barely notices.
I had my first future-dream about six years ago, when I was fourteen. My first future-dream was so wicked, so intense, so unpleasant that I didn't sleep for days and developed insomnia. I still remember it. In my first future-dream, I saw my father, Lord Felixer, being crushed by a carriage. This dream haunted me for a period before it actually came to pass, but I didn't know how to react. I never imagined that this nightmare would one day come true–but dreams like that continued afterwards.
Not even my mother and my sister know about this. Simply because, what would people think about me? Would they think that I am a freak?
I saw myself being declared the diamond of the season in my dream a week ago. Moreover, I knew that this would happen–I knew that this would happen to me eventually. I saw my name written in the newspapers, in the society papers–I heard my name in every house. I heard my name on everyone's tongue. I saw every mother and her daughters gossiping and chatting about me. I saw myself presented before the Queen of England. All of that came true, as I became the diamond of this season.
"Aureline, what are you thinking about?" My mother's charming voice came to save me from my thoughts. They were now standing at the front of our house. My mother's blonde hair matched perfectly with my little sister's hair. Her high-raised bun was so perfectly done. My mother brushed at the white silk dress that was a bit dusty from the market earlier.
"My little morning mist, you have been declared the diamond of this season. Isn't that marvelous?" Her eyes were wide, as both her hands were now resting on my shoulders. I was never like them–even my red hair that looked more on the brownish side matched my father, not them. I raised my head to meet her gaze. Her eyes were deep blue like my sister's.
"Mama! I do not like other people looking at me as if I am a creature from another dimension. I am not enjoying the fact that I am the diamond." I told her. I told my mother the truth. Her gaze and her smile softened like a wet feather getting instantly dry from a sudden breeze into a softer form.
"I understand you, Aureline. However, this is an enormous opportunity for you to select a loving husband and start your own family. This is just for this social season. When the next diamond is appointed, everyone's eyes will automatically turn to her, and you will live happily ever after." She patted my shoulder at least three times after this. I knew that the phrase live happily ever after is not true. Anything can happen–just as it happened with my father.
"But—" She did not let me finish and simply dragged me inside by my arm. "Come inside, Aureline. Everything will be all right. There is nothing to worry about." I was still unsure when the butler closed the door behind us.
∙∞°
I think Mother is right! I thought as I sat in front of my dressing table to untangle my hair with my brush. Calmness and peace washed over me as I changed my clothes into a comfortable silk-loose robe and walked towards my bookshelf. Books were the only way for me to find relief.
I woke the next day, lying on the blue-velvet sofa where I had sat to read the book, from a knock at my door. I opened the door to see Mary, a brunette housemaid who worked in our house.
"Lady Felixer is awaiting your presence downstairs, my Lady." She turned away as she told me. I rubbed my eyes to dispel the sleepy feeling before following her. As I descended the stairs, my curiosity grew higher and higher until I saw Mother and my little sister, Helena, who was at least three years younger than I, sitting elegantly in our drawing room.
"Ah, there you are, Aureline!" My mother said as she turned towards me.
"What is it, Mother?" I asked her, raising my right eyebrow.
"This morning, we have received an invitation!" She smiled as she stood up and walked towards me.
"An invitation? From whom?" I asked her with the same expression as before. I knew that this invitation would only make her happy, not me.
"We have received an invitation to a ball from Lady Estella Cruncher. She is holding the first ball of this season. Isn't that marvellous?" She was excited, so excited. But why?
Lady Estella Cruncher was my mother's childhood friend. She had annoyed me since my childhood. She always tried to pair me with all three of her sons, and now that I am the diamond of the season, I do not know what will happen to me.
"When is this ball taking place?" I asked her as we both sat down on the sofa.
"Mary! Can you bring tea and some biscuits, please?" This was more of an order to Mary. She simply nodded and went away.
"This ball is tomorrow night. Isn't that marvellous?" She said with complete happiness.
"Then we have very little time for our preparation, don't we, Mama?" Helena said as she looked towards both of us.
"Yes, darling! We have little time. That is why I have decided that we are going to the dressmaker right now!" She said as she turned back towards me.
"But Mother, you have already bought twelve new gowns for me. I can wear something from amongst them." I told her as I opened my eyes wide.
"No, Aureline! The dress for this ball has to be special, just like the special sons of Lady Cruncher." She glared at me as I rolled my eyes. I was now unsure about attending this ball, as Mother mentioned the three lords. I detested each one of them. They were handsome, they were good-looking, but I haven't liked them since my childhood. The main reason was that they had broken many of the dolls that I loved. I know this isn't a reason to detest them, but I am just a girl.