CHAPTER 162: OLDEST FORM OF FLATTERY...

"You need to see Jenna, she wore this very beautiful dress that Lois brought to her," Olivia announced to anyone and everyone that cared to listen, standing beside the carriage. The girl swung her body from one side to another, using the step handle as a clutch.

She jumped down, making a dramatic circle with her hand to show the other maidens the size of Jenna’s dress.

"It flows behind her like a pearl fountain... Jenna is really going to make a beautiful bride today," the young girl bragged.

One of the maidens smirked, "Is that so? Are you saying her dress will look better than this one?" The girl stepped forward to show her dress, which was a two-piece that revealed the ring around her navel.

Olivia gulped, her eyes twitching when she saw the dress, but she refused to give up. She cleared her throat in a mock cough, "That is what you really wish to wear?" She pointed around and began laughing, encouraging other maidens to laugh with her and some did.

"I heard from Nana that the men will only take women decently and elegantly dressed, but preference will be given to those with dull colors. It says that women with very sharp colors want to attract just anyone." She took a step closer to the young woman whose eyes were now shaking.

"Do you want to be seen as a courtesan or a wife?"

The young woman covered her mouth, her eyes wide with fear. "I have never serviced any other man!"

Olivia twitched her lips, taking a step back to her position. "That wasn’t what I asked but... if you want to have a chance after Jenna leaves with her beloved, then go in and wear something better."

"I..." The young woman looked around, seeing other people’s judging eyes. She used her palm to hide her stomach before running back inside the house to change.

Olivia’s words seemed to have gotten to the other women; some walked back inside to change their dresses to fit whatever taste the men would like.

"Whew, I almost lost that one," Olivia grabbed her chest, wiping an invisible sweat as though she had fought a huge battle. "I’m sorry, ladies, but Jenna needs to be the only woman looking perfect today... it’s her day, and Lois’s effort can’t be—"

"Olivia!"

Hearing Jenna’s voice, the young girl clapped her hands together, "Yes, the prettiest Jenna... are you ready to—WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?!!"

Jenna held her hand over her ears and winced; she almost recoiled in the corner but remembered she was a decade older than this little storm approaching her.

"Where is your dress? What is this?" Olivia tugged Jenna’s sleeves, staring at the trouser and boots in disgust. "I know you look beautiful no matter what you wear but..." she sucked in a deep breath.

"I didn’t conquer a kingdom of other women for you to step out looking like... a bandit?" Olivia tilted her head, unsure of what to classify Jenna’s look.

Jenna sucked her teeth, flicking the girl’s forehead playfully. "You little turtle, there is nothing wrong with wearing something comfortable. It’s better than the dress."

"Comfortable is great but please, Jenna... go back and wear the dress. With this dress, if your man sees you at the end of the line, he’d turn back and willingly accept defeat," the girl cried, tugging Jenna’s hand.

Jenna couldn’t help but laugh; denying the girl was funny without trying would be a crime. She had forgotten how angry she was earlier in those few seconds with Olivia. Scanning the place, she settled her eyes on a worried Olivia’s face.

"I don’t see Lois."

Olivia nodded, "She left earlier with Nana. We are to take the other carriage... but not to worry, there is always time for you to wear a dress. It’s better to be late and beautiful than to be early looking like this."

Jenna was no longer listening; her mind trailed to Lois and whatever she was scheming. She had dressed up and left earlier— was the reason still genuine? Jenna thought to herself. Why would a woman do all of these? To be friends?

No, Jenna shook her head. Lois was above that; she was okay being alone and didn’t have to seek out others for friendship. She did just fine on her own. In all honesty, she was the type others wished to be friends with because she seemed to know more than her peers confident, beautiful, and from a noble home. It wasn’t friendship.

"....I know.... most times on big celebrations like this one, we get scared, and the pressure makes us want to ruin everything and sleep," Olivia continued, analyzing the situation more to herself. When she raised her face, she stared at Jenna.

"Do you feel anger inside of you? With the woman flow, I heard an unseen anger and wish to kill follows... but think about your beloved and what you want him to see."

Jenna’s lips curled at the girl’s words, but she didn’t smile; instead, she ruffled her hair. If it was friendship, then young Olivia had better thoughts than Lois.

"Thank you, little turtle, for your immense care, but we are leaving..." When she noticed the soft voice of argument, she flicked Olivia’s forehead again.

"Isn’t it better to be dressed in rags but in the arms of my beloved than in silk, watching him be with another?"

Jenna’s words worked because Olivia dragged her to their waiting carriage, jumping in first and holding the short curtain for Jenna.

"I am only letting it happen for today, but your wedding—"

With a small laugh, Jenna interrupted, "I will wear what even no queen has ever seen." She crossed her fingers to promise.

Olivia hummed, folding her arms on her chest to still show anger, but she didn’t bring it up again for the rest of the ride.

Jenna, on the other side, tapped her fingers gently on her lap. She couldn’t wait to see Lois; it was the girl’s actions that would determine how she was going to act, and Jenna hoped the young woman meant no harm but deep down, she knew it wasn’t going to be the case.

Their carriage finally arrived just in time for when the event would begin; a crowd trooped in to get settled and wait for the grand finale. Jenna was quick to sight Lois because the young woman stood behind others with a box trapped under her arm and her eyes searching for something ahead.

Jenna closed the distance between them. As she got closer, she saw the entire dress on Lois. It was really the same as hers—the design and length. Everything except the color difference. As if sensing someone was watching, Lois turned.

At first, when she saw Jenna, she smiled, but when her eyes fell on Jenna’s clothes, the smile seeped, though she tried to look unfazed.

"Lois, we are sorry, Jenna’s dress got rip—you’re wearing Jenna’s dress?" Olivia, who was going to make excuses for Jenna so as not to hurt Lois’s feelings, paused. She touched the dress to be sure, then took a step back.

"It’s the same..." the young woman murmured, her face red with shame.

Jenna and Lois stared at each other unblinkingly; Jenna’s eyes hardened, but Lois moved her head to the side, mirth dancing in her eyes.

Olivia stood between the women, feeling an overwhelming pressure from both of them like a little drop of ice, and they would be ripping each other’s hair.

"Haha... I guess you two have the same taste when it comes to dresses... who could have known that you two would pick..." Realizing what she was saying, Olivia rubbed her neck and stopped.

Lois was the first to drop her eyes. "You didn’t like the dress I sent across? That’s sad, really, I took all day to—"

"To look like me?" Jenna interrupted, her voice laced with disdain. "When did it start...?"

Lois scoffed, pushing her box to the other hand. "Did what start?"

"The urge to be me," Jenna asked bluntly.

Olivia gulped audibly; she could tell that these two women had invisible blades against each other’s necks, and from what she saw, Jenna was willing to draw blood first and ask for reasons later.

"Um... maybe we can go ahead and—"

"Not now, Olivia," Jenna snapped without moving her gaze from the girl.

Olivia swallowed; she squeezed her palms tightly, hoping that the women would settle things quickly so it wouldn’t get too serious.

Lois exhaled softly; the twitch in her eyes showed she had felt insulted by Jenna’s words, but she tried to keep a smile handy. "Didn’t know you’d be offended... I mean, isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery? I was only trying to be pretty too... as a friend."

"We are not friends," Jenna retorted calmly, her eyes dropping on the box the young woman held. "And flattery? How convenient..." Jenna chuckled softly.

"Flattery only works when it’s wanted. Keep that..." Jenna pointed at her dress and face, "and the desperate notion behind it, away from me." Her tone had a final warning that left room for no reply. With that, Jenna walked away.

Olivia moved back and forth, unsure of who to stick with. She made up her mind, "I’ll be back, Lois," she ran after Jenna.

Once they had left, Lois turned around with a lopsided smile, "You have to be a fool to make me your enemy, Jenna," she mouthed, watching as Jenna got lost in the crowd.