CH.6 Butterfly in the net
"It smells awful in here," Anastasia complained. "It makes my stomach twist."
"We're at the fish market," Iris told her. "What did you think it would smell like? Like violets?"
"But when you bake fish, it doesn't smell so bad.".
"Because herbs will cover the smell," Iris replied. "But some people even eat raw fish."
"Ugh!" Anastasia said in disgust. "I've had enough of this smell. It's a cruel wake-up call in the morning. Why did we have to come here so early? I haven't even had breakfast yet."
"Because in the morning the fishermen always bring in a fresh catch," she explained. "And we're already late because you couldn't wake up, Anastasia."
"I didn't ask to be your guardian, Iris. It's a bigger punishment for me than it is for you, and I didn't do anything. You got drunk at the dragon festival and got lost somewhere. Can we finally go home?"
"Not yet," said Iris. "I need to find a replacement for the fish we came here for, and I still need to go to the tailor's for new needles. I broke the last one on your corset."
"Then get moving. My legs hurt already."
They were walking through the fish market. Anastasia looked like she was going to throw up at any moment. She almost screamed when she saw a live octopus. Iris laughed at that.
"What kind of fish is this?" Iris asked about the fish with red-colored scales.
"That's snapper, miss," the salesman replied.
"Does it taste good?"
"Very underrated because of its color, but delicate."
"Two, please."
"As you wish, miss. It will be six silver pieces."
From the fish market, they went to Jack's shop. She left Anastasia waiting outside.
"Is that your stepsister?" Jack asked her, looking out the window.
"I have her as my mandatory supervisor," Iris said, annoyed. "She's unbearable, always complaining."
"Why don't you just leave? There's nothing holding you back anymore," Jack told her.
"It's my parents' house. My home. The place where I grew up and my mother and father were happy. My mother is even buried there. I can't leave that house. I can't leave it to my stepmother."
"You'll have to move on someday, Iris. You can't be stuck in the past forever."
"One day, maybe. One day."
He handed her the needles she had come for. "On the company's behalf. I feel sorry for you," he said.
"Have I sunk that low?" she laughed lightly.
"No. I just want to remind you of your self-respect."
When Iris went outside, she couldn't see Anastasia anywhere. She was gone. Iris looked around the crowded street, but she simply disappeared.
"Anastasia!" she called out to her. "Anastasia!"
"Where the hell did she go? Is she kidding me?"
She mingled with the crowd of people walking through the Sunday market. She found Anastasia at a stall with old jewelry. She admired the beauty of the gems. She tried them on.
"Are you crazy, Anastasia? I've been looking for you for about half an hour." Iris reproached her.
"I was bored waiting for you, so I went for a walk," Anastasia said indifferently, not even looking at her.
"We can leave now," she told her irritably.
"Just a moment."
"You wanted to go home just a moment ago."
"But now I don't want to."
Iris grabbed her hand and pulled her away. "You don't have the money, so I'm taking you home," she said.
"Let me go!" she ordered. "I'll tell Mom you were rude to me."
Iris had almost, just almost, uttered the cursed words when the sound of the troubadours' trumpets drove them from her mind. Everyone's attention focused on them.
"It is made known that every maiden, noble or common, is invited to a royal masquerade ball, where our crown prince will choose his bride."
People held their breath. It was big news and an invitation that no one expected. The ladies squealed with excitement.
"The ball will be held at Our Majesty's Palace on the next full moon. All are most welcome."
Anastasia didn't hesitate for a moment. She immediately ran home, Iris following her.
"What's wrong?" the stepmother asked as they ran into the house. "You're like wild animals."
Anastasia squealed with joy. She was babbling.
Her excitement drowned out any words. She was jumping around.
Iris couldn't get any words out, just as she couldn't catch her breath after having to run all the way after her.
She didn't understand how her stepsister could suddenly have so much energy and not be out of breath at all.
"Iris?" her stepmother turned her harsh attention on her.
She took a deep breath. Once more. She needed to fill her lungs with fresh air.
"Troubadours..." she still couldn't catch her breath.
"What, troubadours?" the stepmother demanded an answer.
She took another deep breath.
"The troubadours have announced that a masquerade ball will be held at the palace, at which the crown prince will choose a bride. All the single ladies of the kingdom are invited."
The stepmother squealed in shock and surprise. Anastasia started squealing and jumping with joy again.
"I will meet a prince. I will meet a prince," she repeated over and over.
Now it seemed as if the stepmother could not catch her breath. "The royal ball?" she stammered. "Everyone is invited?"
"Yes." Iris nodded.
"This is our chance to get to court. You have to make us a new dress. It's supposed to be fancy."
"Yes, madam."
"You will prioritize us over everyone else. I'm sure many will come to you asking for ball dresses. But we come first."
"Of course, madam."
"I want my dress to be pink," said Anastasia.
Like all her clothes, Iris thought.
"And I want them to look like a peacock."
"But peacocks aren't pink." Iris couldn't keep the words from slipping off her tongue.
The stepmother gave her a stern look. "If she wants a pink peacock, you will make it. Do you understand?"
"Yes, madam."
"And you'll also add a little bit of your charm to Anastasia's dress," her stepmother said.
And those words stole her breath away completely. Her charm. Iris' heart skipped a beat. How she knew, Iris didn't understand. Had she known all this time?
"I don't know what kind of charm you're talking about, stepmother," she said, surprised.
"Don't play dumb, Iris. You know really well what I'm talking about.
Did you think I wouldn't notice what miracles you can do?
Dresses that give a woman beauty or a talent for singing.
That's why all the women want dresses from you.
They hope that your magic will touch them and give them what fate has denied them. "
Iris swallowed hard. Apparently, she wasn't as inconspicuous as she always thought. They were just bits of joy she wanted to bring to a gloomy world. She didn't tell anyone about it except Jace.
"I want you to make Anastasia a dress that will make the prince fall in love with her."
"I won't do that." she refused.
"You should take this as an opportunity. If the prince falls in love with Anastasia, you will be rid of us and this house will be yours alone."
"I won't do it anyway," she refused again. "I won't ruin the prince's life just for my own selfish desires."
Stepmother's lips twisted into a sinister smile. Like a predator circling its prey, she took a graceful step toward Iris, two.
"I don't think you'll have a choice, Iris." She leaned dangerously close to her. " You don't want the soldiers to find out you're hiding a rebel with a big bounty on his head, do you?"
Iris clenched her hands into fists, her nails digging into her skin until it bled. Her heart was beating wildly.
"Just because I ignore your antics doesn't mean I don't see them."
"I'll make the dress," she had no choice but to agree. "Exactly as you wish, madam." But even then, she felt sorry for the prince, whom she was about to trap.
"Good girl. That's how it's supposed to be."