"Ladies, we have quite a few events to be preparing for." Sylvia's voice drowned on. But my eyes were staring out the window at the falling snow. The snow had been falling fast painting the beautiful plants white. "The royal family and there elite have been invited to France the winter solstice ball" She scans our faces. A smile is spread wide across Kriss' face. "Frances winter solstice balls always have a theme. This year the theme is 'Enchanted'. You will be talking with your maid on what fairy tale you want to dress as." A pleased smile spread across Sylvia's face "We will be staying there a week before hand and leave the day after solstice." her eyes scan the room. "Any questions, before we move on."

Celeste's hand shot up. Her long dark hair shifted with her body. Her long vicious red nails glimmered in the incoming sunlight. "Are we going to learn about French etiquette? So we don't like offend them or anything when we're in their country."

Sylvia nodded, "Yes, among other key things you Ladies should know before leaving in a few weeks."

"Are we going to speak some French?" Kriss' voice had a snotty tone to it. Her eyes glance over towards me there usual cloudy blue look fierce outlined with dark charcoal liner and pale gold shadow.

Sylvia gave her a smile. "Yes, well except for Lady America she's already fluent in in French." Sylvia paused, "Lady America would you mind saying something to show Celeste, Kriss, and Elise how it should sound.

I nodded before continuing. Red heads rule."règle des rousses," Sylvia laughed giving me a big pleased smile.

"And that is how the French accent should sound. Shall we start with a few key phrases?" Sylvia chirped perky as ever.

I drowned out her voice with memories, the good ones. "America, me and Ken are gonna teach you to ride your bike. I had giggled, a bubbly little kid laugh. In that moment I had been picturing Kenna as a shiny tall Ken doll with floppy blonde curls. Kenna had guided the bike across the pavement. It had been recently repainted by dad from my request. He had splurged on a can of electric blue spray paint. I remember whining about it being pink. He had shaken his head no until a boat load of his painting sold. He had used his acrylic paint to write America Singer in red white and blue. I had fallen and gotten back up more than a dozen times, but each time I fell Kenna would help me up and Kota would get the fallen bike. When I finally could steadily petal without falling or anyone else holding on Kota and Kenna had bright smiles and pride in their eyes.

Sylvia's voice brought me from my daze back to reality. "France may be great allies. How you present Illea will reflect on yourself. No mistakes. Ladies, you must understand that if you mess anything up you may break the understanding we have with France." She let that sink in for a few seconds. But that made butterflies swarm my stomach, I usually screw things up.

Sylvia passed out some notes on key phrases we should have memorized before we go to France

vive France -long live France

votre Majesté- your majesty

bonjour, mon nom est dame_- hello, my name is lady _

au revoir- goodbye

bonsoir- good evening

bonjour- good morning/hello

They were simple enough. "Ladies you might want to study these and have them down before we leave. The French, we'll it just depends on who is speaking to you. Some have very broken English and some have very good English. I'll have a new list for you girls in a few days." she scanned the room smiling. "You girls have the rest of the day off."

Celeste, Kriss, and Elise all went into the woman's room. But i didn't want to be there right now. Right now I just wanted to roam the gardens or lie on my bed and get some rest.

As I walked down the hall towards my quarters I overheard voices. "Luce don't be scared, I'll never do anything that would hurt you, and if someone did well they would have their life to pay. Shh no more tears Mary and Anne will be back with the dresses and cleaning supplies." Through the crack I saw aspen big strong arms wrapped around Lucy, his guard stuff splayed out across my bed. They looked cute together. "I love you Luce," I knew I should walk away, leave go to the woman's room but I couldn't pull myself away. "I love you too. C'mon Lady America will be back any minute now."

I had started down the hall for the woman's room, walking with a quickened pace. The tile clacked beneath my heels. I slowed my pace when I saw Mary and Anne coming down the hall with a cleaning cart and bags of dresses. Then I saw a few thin gleaming envelops on the cart.

They saw me and curtsied. I laughed, "didn't I tell you to stop doing that?" I asked incredulously.

Mary glanced at Anne in mock confusion. "I don't remember her saying anything of the subject, do you Anne." Anne gave me a sly smile before answering. "I believe she never said one word about any of that."

I KNOW I KNOW its been such a long time since I've updated. We'll I had to re-write like a bagilian times. I have like ten docs names Eyes open chapter 3 im trying to to pace the story to fast.i do that sometime when I write so yeah. I would like to thank kassoug4 sparklysparkle and Bluetardis00914 for the lovely reviews and I fixed her birthday and kotas name.

I might not update for a while ive got a stack of books a mile high I need to read.