Chapter 4

It was a sunny day today. Yesterday's storm was mostly forgotten as Astrid looked in the mirror and frowned. The dress she had on was... to say the least, rather plain-looking and a godawful shade of green.

"What did you call this color again Atali?" Astrid asked as she turned slightly. Her hair hadn't been done yet so it fell in waves over her back.

"Pale sage green, ma'am," Atali answered professionally. She was the complete opposite of Patricia, which Astrid liked a lot. In the past few years Atali had often voiced her discontent to the other servants at how Astrid had been treated, this got her into some trouble but not enough to get fired. While everyone agreed with her they kept their mouths shut because they feared being replaced. Astrid didn't blame them for that, how could she. They needed to make a living as they each had families that relied on them outside the manor. The staff would work in shifts and only the butler stayed here full time. "Might I just say it's a horrid color for your complexion. It doesn't match your eyes at all."

"That was the point when Esmeralda picked out my wardrobe as I was growing up," Astrid sighed. She hadn't had a chance to go shopping for herself yet. Not with the tea party being the day after she dropped the proverbial bomb on the rest of her family. "This will have to make do for now,"

Atali grimaced but nodded still. "Let me do your hair," She then offered while picking up the brush.

As Astrid sat there while her hair was being done she thought of something. "Atali you have an older sister right? Didn't you say she attended the Academy of Economics?"

"My sister Minden, yes." Atali nodded while picking up a pin. "She graduated two years ago though she has a hard time finding work," The maid relayed. "She is either mocked and ridiculed at the places she applied for or, there was the time when the interviewer chased her out of the establishment." There was a sigh from Atali as Astrid looked startled. She hadn't thought it was that bad. "She's used to it ma'am." Atali said upon seeing Astrid's startled look. "When she first entered the Academy the professors even barred her entrance to the classroom."

"But she graduated, right?!" Astrid then asked.

"That she did," Atali had a proud look on her face now. "She bit one of the professors is what she did. Told him straight up that if they took her money they damn well better let her attend."

Astrid couldn't help it. She doubled over laughing and it took nearly a minute for her to stop. Atali too had a smile on her face but then she said seriously "Minden has been at it for two years now. She's currently working a stall in the market just to make ends meat. Last time I saw her she said she might just find a husband if no one was going to hire her."

"Well, I might be in the market for an assistant," Astrid declared. "There's no way I can let my father keep managing the books once I'm of age. And there is no way he'd let go of his power so easily. It's likely he will try to foist his choice of staff on me so he can monitor me from the shadows."

"Do you think the Master would do such a thing?" Atali asked with a frown.

"Oh, I know he will." Astrid looked in the mirror as her hair was put in a braided bun. "He's been clinging to my mother's fortune even before I was born. The Hofferson mines produce some of this kingdom's most prized gemstones and ores. My mother knew what she was doing when she led those excavation teams. Do you really think that man is going to just give all of this up?"

Atali looked like she wanted to say something. Astrid guessed that the maid didn't want to think badly about her father as the man had hired her when she was but a street urchin. She had been grateful for the job and had worked hard to show her loyalty.

Astrid proceeded to put the finishing touches on her outfit, some light rouge and a light rose lip coloring most of the Noble ladies wore as well as a pair of diamond teardrop earrings. Luckily Astrid had managed to save the jewelry her mother wore. These earrings were one of her favorites. They were elegant and went with just about everything. "There we go. This should be satisfactory to attend an afternoon tea party." She said and then frowned. It seems Rosalinda hadn't gone through with sending her that necklace. Now Astrid was quite curious of what the girl could be plotting.

"The carriage should be waiting outside miss," Atali then stated. "And I shall relay to my sister about a possible job opportunity."

"Could you also ask the butler to meet with me tonight?" Astrid asked as she headed out of the room. "There are some details I wish to discuss with him."

"Very well miss," Atali said while hiding a smile.

As Astrid walked to the foyer she could hear the annoying screech of her step-sister. And as she was descending the stairs she could see Rosalinda, dressed in a beige lace gown with red flowers embroidered on it to match her hair, screaming to the poor coachman. The sleeves of Rosalinda's dress were made in the angel cut with lace while Astrid was stuck with the generic long cuff cut. All of it just went to show who was more favored in the family since lace was particularly expensive.

"Why are you screaming in such an undignified manner?" Astrid asked as she stood in the foyer and glared at her sister.

When Rosalinda opened her mouth however Astrid stated while holding up a hand "You know what, I don't care. We'll be late if you continue." Her sister seethed with rage as Astrid turned to apologize to the man that she had insulted.

The carriage ride between the step-sisters consisted mostly of awkward silence. Astrid was fine with the silence, it gave her time to get her thoughts in order, but it seemed Rosalinda wanted to talk judging by her fidgeting. "Out with it," Astrid said as she tried to hide her exasperation though it must have shown through as Rosalinda glared briefly. Yet even that wasn't enough to deter the girl.

"Don't you find it odd?" Rosalinda asked, clearly willing to gossip with Astrid even though they most probably hated each other. Astrid kept her mind focussed however, as it wouldn't surprise her if Rosalinda tried to feed her wrong information.

"What is so odd about it?" Astrid asked in return. "Lady Deranged is holding a tea party in the salon on her estate. Women hold tea parties all the time."

"But this is Lady Deranged we are talking about. She hasn't appeared at social events a lot, ever since her questionable birth origins were reveal-" Rosalinda shut up mid-sentence when Astrid gave her a steely glare.

"Never. Utter. A. Word. About. That. Again!" She punctuated, causing Rosalinda to lean back in shock. She had clearly not expected this reaction. Astrid wasn't done however as she held up a finger, hesitating slightly before saying "Never bring that up in polite society. I swear if you do I will end you before Lady Deranged has a chance. Thor-forbid Earl Deranged hears you!"

"But..." Rosalinda tried to argue but Astrid hissed at her with the sentence "Think for a moment will you!"

"You can't tell me what to do! My mother will hear of this!" Rosalinda exclaimed angrily now.

"And what will she say when you manage to piss off Society's former flower? Lady Deranged is still a powerful figure in society even with the rumors circulating. She still has connections to ruin you! For Thor's sake, her brother is the Commander of the Royal Navy and a trusted retainer of the King." Astrid didn't need to say anymore as realization hit Rosalinda. Astrid thought 'She claims to be the Crown Prince's future fiance yet she was going to possibly disrespect the Royal family's closest confidant?! Thor help us all,'

Rosalinda kept her mouth shut for the duration of the carriage ride and when they reached their destination she looked visibly hesitant. Astrid merely rolled her eyes at her sister as the coachman extended a hand to her. She didn't know why Rosalinda was so nervous, maybe it was because she finally realized just who she would be offending if she uttered those shameful words or it might be because she hadn't attended such a high profile tea party before. Before coming of age ladies would usually attend 'informal' tea parties to get accustomed to the setting and atmosphere. It may not look it but a 'formal' tea party was like walking into a lioness' den. While the immaturity of a young lady could be excused in the informal setting it would be seen as shameful in a formal one. Meaning, Rosalinda wouldn't get away with tormenting Astrid as she did at previous parties.

Astrid smirked as Rosalinda stepped out of the carriage, the coachman reluctantly offering her a hand.

Astrid supposed she felt somewhat obligated to inform her sister to stay close and mind her manners. While she hated her mother and her, she was still willing to help the girl as she was considered family. Astrid, who in the last year had attended several formal tea parties as was customary of ladies coming of age, knew more of what to expect. Since Rosalinda's 16th birthday was now formally a year away she would be attending these as well and this one would be her first.

The butler guided both Astrid and Rosalinda to the Salon where the tea party was being held and subsequently announced them as "Lady Hofferson and Lady Anderson." Eyes turned to them and some started whispering when they looked Rosalinda's way.

"What...?!" Rosalinda asked while gripping the hem of her gown angrily. Astrid noticed her looking at the piercing gazes that didn't shamelessly turn away from her figure.

"Lady Astrid I'm so glad you could make it!" A voice welcomed them. Astrid looked in the direction and saw Lady Deranged approaching with open arms. The black-haired woman was wearing a haute-couture blood red gown with a light red underskirt just peeking out from under for effect. Her black hair was done up into an intricate bun with a red rose inserted.

"Lady Heather it is so good to see you again, thank you for inviting us," Astrid smiled as she was actually good friends with Heather, a Lady her age.

Her father, while treating her poorly, couldn't stop her from attending social events as her absence would just raise rumors. He would rather have his daughter seen as a plain girl, attending social events, rather than to have her seen as a mysterious woman for being absent. Notoriety wasn't what he was going for. Astrid at least was happy to have been able to attend these events. That was how she had met Heather at one. The two were genuinely happy to see each other. The moment was ruined however when Rosalinda fake coughed to get their attention. "Heather this is my sister," Astrid introduced, stressing the word sister quite a lot to emphasize a point.

"Lady Anderson, I'm so glad you could attend. I believe this is your first formal High tea?" Heather greeted cordially.

"I am happy to attend Lady Deranged," Rosalinda gave a small curtsy and for once Astrid breathed a sigh of relief. At least her step-sister knew etiquette. What Astrid didn't notice was that Rosalinda had flinched upon being addressed as Lady Anderson.

Lady Heather didn't spare Rosalinda any more mind except for the cordial greeting and instead linked her and Astrid's arms together. "There are some people I want you to meet,"

Astrid was guided to a table that had a three-tier tray ladened with scones, macaroons, miniature fruit tarts, chocolate-covered acorns and finger sandwiches with the crust cut off. There were similar tables set up around the salon with several ladies sitting at them while others were standing and mingling about. The servants made rounds frequently with hot tea pots but that wasn't the most important thing. The most important one was who was seated at the table Astrid was guided to. "May I introduce Lady Thornston of Berk, Lady Camicazi of the Bog Merchant Company and Lady Griselda,"

Her eyes widened briefly and realized what this was about. She quickly hid her emotions and greeted each one of the women cordially. One was a blonde with her long locks braided into pigtails that flowed down her back. She seemed quite cheerful and happily greeted Astrid back. Lady Camicazi was a bit more reserved. Her cool gaze swept over Astrid as if she were analysing something but she too returned the cordial greeting. Lady Griselda had a bit more hostile gaze towards Astrid though she didn't understand why. It then occurred to her that Lady Griselda was looking at Rosalinda who seemed to have followed behind them. Astrid had thought the girl would go mingle but it seemed her curiosity had led her to follow and Astrid berated herself for not having noticed. As she turned to her step-sister momentarily she noticed that Rosalinda in turn was gaping at Lady Griselda. Without a filter Rosalinda muttered to the black-haired lady "So you are the Arkas Ghost,"

Things shuddered and screeched to a halt in Astrid's brain mere seconds after this was uttered. The only thought Astrid had was 'ROSALINDA YOU DAMN GIRL! YOU BOLLIXED IT ALL UP! *&^%$#@@#$%^&'. The darkening expression on Lady Griselda's face nor those of the other ladies at the table were friendly now and even Heather was gaping at the sheer audacity of Rosalinda. Anyone in polite society knew never to bring up that name. It was like a slur to Lady Griselda. Luckily no one at the other tables had overheard them and Astrid quickly clasped her hands in front of her dress and gave a deep curtsy.

"I apologize for this girl and take full responsibility. Please forgive her lacking etiquette," Astrid said as she tried to salvage the situation. Rosalinda didn't even know who she had offended and was just gaping at Astrid's sudden bow.

It was Lady Camicazi that spoke first on the subject however. "Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong," She said and then looked towards Lady Griselda and asked "Are you really alright with this?"

"Lady Camicazi is right," Lady Griselda, her thunderous gaze still centered upon Rosalinda, said. "I won't accept your apology because you did nothing wrong. The person who should be apologizing is staring at this whole thing like a gaping carnival monkey."

"I... I said nothing wrong!" Rosalinda defended. "I simply called you by the moniker you were known by!" By now they had attracted a crowd and Astrid groaned. The sooner her Coming of Age came the sooner she could distance herself from...... THIS.

Lady Griselda was holding in her rage a lot as Astrid could see her subtly biting her lip. This could not end well and not end well, and not end well it did. The contents of Lady Griselda's cup went flying and hit Rosalinda's face causing gasps to go around the other ladies that were present. Luckily it seemed that the tea had been lukewarm as Rosalinda, instead of screaming at the burns, shouted "How dare you?!" At this point Astrid just wanted to dig a hole and climb in it.

'Things couldn't get worse,' Astrid thought and she was again proven wrong when the butler came in and announced "Presenting his Highness Crown Prince Grimmel Ghastly!" Oh how the universe loved to prove her wrong.

AN: Hmmm, yes I know all of you thought Hiccup would be the Crown Prince but that would have been to cliche. This spices things up a bit, don't you think?