Page 67 of Queen’s Gambit

“You look so beautiful,” Frida said, and I smiled at her as she finished pinning my hair into place. “This ice-blue color makes you look like a queen. You’ll command all the attention in the room.”

“I don’t want to be a parade pony, Frida. I want to work in fashion or the arts. I want to marry Eddie and have a family.” My long earrings jingled as I shook my head. “But, maybe for just one night, I can act like a princess.” I smirked, making Frida laugh.

“I wish that for you, too, and Eddie is quite the prince.”

She was right. I would never find anyone else who made my heart sing and my soul feel alive like Eddie. He was the best man I’d ever met, a true gentleman who wasn’t threatened by me or my spirit.

“You look stunning, too, Frida,” I said, turning in her direction. The rich red wine color of her dress matched her dark hair beautifully.

“Thank you. Are you ready to face the crowd of people you don’t know, who are thrilled to be at your birthday?”

Sighing, I nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”

Frida took my arm and smiled.

“Smile, you’re turning eighteen. It’s an important day, and you only get to do it once.”

“You’re only two years older than me, yet you manage to sound….”

“Like I’m an old fart?”

Giggling, I blushed.

“Something like that. Come on, maybe we can find someone for you to marry.”

“Oh, I don’t think anyone in this crowd will want a handmaiden.”

“You never know,” I said, hooking my arm with hers. “True love doesn’t see station, only what is in the heart.”

“Very true,” Frida said.

Guards surrounded us as we stepped out of my room, laughing. We walked the long hallways of the second floor, protected like rare jewels by a wall of black suits. I could already hear the murmur of people talking and the rise and fall of music.

As we rounded the final corner, my heart began to pound wildly in my chest. Glancing over the railing, I spotted Eddie immediately. He was standing with the sons of the other Dons and Marcus, and when he glanced up at me, everything was right in the world. The butterflies in my stomach soared as he gave me a subtle wink, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.

It was hard to believe that we’d met so long ago and were finally here. We loved each other so fiercely that it didn’t even feel real. It was like magic or a fairytale. My father had always been as cold and stern as they came, while Eddie was a breath of fresh air. He was so full of life. I was as addicted to that as I was to him.

We came to a stop in front of the massive doors that led to my parent’s rooms and waited. Frida patted my arm before she slipped away to join the rest of the party. Clapping ensued when the doors opened, and my father stepped out like a king. He gave me a curt nod as I walked toward him, and the moment I reached his side, he tapped on his glass with a spoon.

“Everyone, can I have your attention,” he said, his voice booming.

“Thank you for joining us this evening. As you are all aware, we are here to celebrate my beautiful daughter on her eighteenth birthday.”

My father raised his glass to the short cheer. He looked at me, and I could see something close to love in his eyes. It was rare, but it warmed my heart to see it now.

“You make me very proud, Yulianna. It seems like only yesterday when you were born, and now, here you are, a woman grown and soon to have a family of your own.”

And there it was. I wondered how long it would take for him to say it. My duty was to become a wife and continue the bloodline. What would he do if I couldn’t have children? Would he disown me, or maybe just blame me like it was my fault?

“Please raise a glass in honor and hope for health and prosperity for many years to come.”

The crowd toasted to my future as I smiled curtly and nodded to the guests. The music began to play while the guests mingled. Some filed into the ballroom where a feast waited while others chose to dance. Before my father could disappear, I touched his arm.

“Father, may I speak to you?”

Acting as the dutiful daughter who wanted nothing more than to make her father proud, I followed him into a small room nearby. I did want to make him proud, just not his way.

“Come, sit,” he said.