The Scoundrel's Daughters

Flower bouquet

Dina

I took another deep breath and fixed my tiara. I forced a smile on my face and sighed. Both mom and Fin worked extremely hard on creating the "Winter Wonderland" theme for my debutante ball for my seventeenth birthday... Honestly, I felt bad about getting older. Soon I'll be an adult and those things the other ladies usually chat about, getting a fiance, getting married and have kids, are honestly giving me goosebumps. I want to travel, I want to find what I'm good at and become someone as an individual, not just Duke Rankin's older daughter. My dress was truly otherworldly, light blue material, which sparkled with ever step I took. Mom choose a dress which was a bit revealing and bolder than my usual choices, but I liked it. I took another glance at the mirror and than my eyes wandered to the paintings in my room. The first one was Mommy and Daddy when they married, the second was of mommy and daddy with me, and then a painting with Mom, Daddy, Tanya, and Fin. I smiled and blew a kiss to the painting of my mommy. Now that I was getting older I realized how hard Mom worked all these years to keep Mommy alive for us and she was also telling stories about her for Tanya, to the point that she started calling my mommy her mom. Daddy was so happy with mom, and I knew he finally got his "They lived happily ever after". The door opened and I shook my head thinking that someone came to pick me up, but the little hazel eyes my gaze met opened wide just like Tanya's petit mouth.

- Wow Sissy! You look like an Ice fairy! - she said and walked to me with awe. Tanya turned seven this year and she was turning more and more beautiful. Now she actually looked adorable, with her similar blue dress to mine, but less sparkly and with long sleeves decorated with snowflakes. Her hair was up in a bun just like mine and mom put many tiny flowers into it.

- Tanya! Where is mom? - I asked and she immediately started looking around. I put my hands on my waist.

- Did you leave without telling her where you were heading again? - I asked and Tanya batted her long black eyelashes at me.

- Is Sissy angry with me? - I blushed and didn't know if it was her natural charm or she somehow unlocked her powers, but I got enchanted. I shook my head and sighed, holding her hand.

- Let's go to the party Tanya! - she giggled but as soon as we stepped out of my room she got lifted up by magic.

- Caught you! I told you Tatyana, if you ever wander away I'll turn you into a flower and you'll sit in my office all day long! - Tanya looked at me and her eyes filled with tears. I saw her begging for rescue.

- Mom! Today is my debutant ball, can't you just let it go for this once? - Mom looked into my eyes and rolled hers.

- Ever since I gave her birth you are conspiring against me. - she released Tanya and she held my skirt.

- Sorry mommy... I won't do it again.

- Oh, you will, I know you better than believe this lie. But I've warned you young lady! Dina my angel, you look absolutely gorgeous! There might be a few engagement offers tonight! - she said happily but as soon as mom checked my fake smile she pinched my cheeks and said.

- Sweety, you are free to do whatever you want with your life. If you want to get married you'll, if you not, that's also fine by me. I only want you to be happy! - she kissed my forehead and I hugged her.

- I love you so much mom! - she caressed my hair and smiled sweetly.

- Me too my angel! Let's go, dad and Fin are waiting for us. - we headed towards the ballroom and when my eyes found Fin, my heart skipped a beat. I saw him daily, but tonight he looked absolutely dashing. With his silver suit and nicely groomed pitch black hair. His dark eyes looked at me like a predator looks at its prey, but he smiled sweetly at the same time, creating a dangerously handsome atmosphere. Dad was standing next to him and smiled at us proudly.

- Here comes my little witch, my angel and my fairy! - he said and Tanya ran to them to give them a hug. Dad walked to me and smiled.

- If your mother would see this... You look like her more and more every day. - his eyes filled with tears and mom gave him a handkerchief. Dad reached for my hand and we locked arms. Fin escorted mom and Tanya. I took a look at my happy and perfect family.

- Are you kiddos ready? - Mom asked and we answered in unison.

- Yes! - Daddy grinned and said.

- Show time Rankins! - the heavy doors opened revealing the perfect winter scenery. There were huge snowflake hanging from the ceiling, the curtains were changed into different shades of blue and purple. I looked around amazed and in the corner of my eyes I saw mom and Fin fistbump. After Daddy's speech and the toast for my birthday everyone mingled to the ladies and lords of their ages as we should. I saw in mom's eyes from time to time how tired she was getting. Fin handled the situation pretty well and Tanya played with the other kids. I stopped to look at them for a while and remembered how we played with Fin.

- Dina! - I heard a familiar voice and Anna threw herself into my arms.

- Happy birthday Dina! You look fabulous! - I was glad to see a friendly face.

- Thanks Anna! You are gorgeous as well! - she giggled and showed me her hand. There was a ring on her finger and she whispered.

- It's not official yet, but Maurice asked for my hand in marriage! - I hugged Anna and squeaked a bit with her. She was madly in love with Lord Maurice for years now and finally he noticed her as well. After a year of courting he decided to go against the rules and asked for Anna's hand before asking for her parent's approval.

- He said even if my father won't allow it, he is going to marry me anyway! - I laughed imagining my obedient friend escaping with Maurice and ride away in the sunset.

- Oh Lady Rankin, what a splendid party. - her voice sounded like an angry teacher scratching the whiteboard with her nails. Anna's expression hardened as she saw her too.

- Lady Rosalind, thank you for coming. - I said with a respectful bow. She giggled.

- Yeah, that's my gift for you, Lady Rankin, my presence. - "Wow... How delightful I am! Can you give me another one and f**k off?!" - I thought and focused on my facial expression to remain soft and serene like mom taught me.

- You're pretty full of yourself for being a New Rich Viscount's daughter. - I said and the other ladies around us started to gossip.

- Lady Rosalind is the flower of High Society! You really don't need to be rude because you are jealous of her! - Lady Miranda said, she was one of Rosalind's followers. Despite of the theme of the ball, Rosalind wore a red dress full of flowers and her friends came in colorful dresses as well. I've tried to hold back and smile but my inner mom slipped.

- I'd never be jealous of someone who despite her age and status, cannot comprehend a simple invitation. You probably inhaled too much of pesticides, Rose of High Society, so you couldn't understand the dress code. But I'm not the kind of person who will hold you accountable for that. - Anna's jaw dropped and I was about to walk away when Lady Miranda laughed.

- Enjoy your ball Lady Rankin, because soon you'll be replaced by the Duchess's real daughter. - I froze in place. I felt angry beyond words and wanted to slap that birch so badly... Daddy's words were repeating in my mind which didn't help at all "You can't tarnish our reputation, do whatever you want my angel!" - I turned around to argue but saw Tanya standing between the ladies and us.

- Tanya? - I asked, but she didn't look at me. Her usually cute voice sounded freaky when she said.

- You better behave yourselves before you truly become flowers in my sister's garden and be left to her mercy.

- If I were Dina, I wouldn't water so ugly flowers. - I heard Fin's words from behind the ladies. They gasped and started saying sweet words to him, but Fin walked to me and bowes deeply.

- May I have your first dance milady? - he loomed at me and winked. I thanked him the offer and walked away hand in hand.

- Tanya, don't bother yourself. - I said and she smiled at me sweetly.

- Such a shame! I wanted to give you a nice bouquet Sissy! - I giggled seeing the ladies angry and confused, somehow frightened faces.

- Thanks Tanya, but I don't need such smelly flowers! - she chuckled and ran back to play. Fin lead me to the dance floor and we danced to the happy beat of the song the band played.

- You did well Dina. - he said and I blushed. He grew a lot and now I had to tilt my head to look into his eyes.

- I don't think so, if it wasn't for Tanya and your help, I would have slapped that birch! - Fin laughed.

- You don't have to swear like that anymore. Tanya learned way worse curses from Rene and Victor already.-I shrugged.

- It's an old habit, those die hard!

- I suppose that's why you are standing on my feet! That explains everything! - I blushed when I noticed that I was indeed standing on his feet like when we were dancing as kids.

- Sorry! - I was about to step down, but with a confident movement Fin grabbed my waist and pulled me back on his feet. He leaned close to my ear and whispered.

- Let's just keep it this way, at least for moments like this, we can stop time. - I blushed when I looked into his deep black eyes.

- So much flattery when you can literally stop time! - Fin chuckled and shrugged.

- Have mercy! I'm trying to be charming and romantic here! - I giggled and he blushed.

- You are very handsome and romantic, like a knight in shining armor. - I said without thinking and Fin blushed even more.