A normal morning
I won’t start with “Once upon a time” because this isn’t a fairy tale—well, it’s my story. I was born into a simple family, with a farmer father and a housewife mother. We aren’t a noble family, but we are a happy one.
Me and my five sisters—yes, I know, five sisters! It’s a little too much, but what can I say? Let’s just blame winter and bourbon.
So, as I was saying, we live in England. As you probably already know, our Queen Victoria loves parties, dogs, and weird things.
Every summer, the rich and noble girls prepare themselves for the debutante balls, hoping to find their match.
As for me, I’ve never had the chance to attend one of them. But this year, I’ll do my best to go—and you’ll see.
I don’t remember if I told you, dear reader, about my friend Sofie. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. And I know—no, I believe—she will find the best match.
This year will be her first debutante ball, and she’ll need some assistance.
If you think I’m too arrogant to be her maid, then you’re wrong. We all have to start from scratch.
So here I am. Wish me luck!
Oh! I forgot to tell you—my name is Entoinette. Don’t even ask me why. But first, I need a plan to convince my mother.
I know that as a maid, no one will notice me—not even the carriage driver. But I have a plan.
You’ll get to know it later. For now, I have to deal with my mother.
Entoinette:
Mother, where are you? Mother! Mother!!!
Mother:
Entoinette, you’re so loud! I’m right here. What do you want?
Entoinette:
Mother, I was just looking for you… to help you.
Mother:
Help? As if you’ve ever helped me without me yelling at you to get your lazy self up and come to me. So what do you want? I’m in a hurry. I need to get some eggs and make breakfast before your father wakes up. So spit it out—what do you want?
Entoinette:
I want to go help Sofie get ready for her ball. I’ll go with her as an assistant. And don’t call it a maid or servant—I’ll just be there with her.
(She whispers: “If her mother agrees, which is another problem… but I’ll deal with that later.”)
Mother:
Well, well, well. When I asked you last year to work at the Valisy house, you told me, “I’m an educated girl.”
Even though you barely read books! Being educated means learning more and more, but
anyway, that’s not the point right now.
You said no, even when we had nothing—no money, no food. But you didn’t care. And now you want to go? Well, good for you.
But no. You will not go.
I’m your mother. I know what you’re up to. And you’re not going anywhere near that ball. That’s my final word.
Entoinette:
Mother, but—
(Her mother interrupts her)
Mother:
My final word. Now go and wake up your lazy sisters. We need to get to work. (Mocking) If you can, Your Highness.
Well, I had no doubt she’d say no.
So now, we move to Plan B: sneaking out without her knowing. It’s easy—but I’ll need help from Lusy, our eldest sister.
She’s married with twins. If I tell her I’ll help with her newborns, she’ll agree. Then my mother will agree.
And once that happens—I’ll sneak over to Sofie’s house. It’s a good plan, don’t you think?
