Laora went over her checklist again, handing it off to her friend. "So, we have flowers, the tent, seating and tables, orders to the kitchen for the food and tea. The invitations are out, so now it's just collecting the mismatched tea sets."
Rovena nodded, looking over the list herself. "Don't forget the musicians from the Arts Academy."
As they circled the open white tent, they considered the other details. "Of course. Hm, what do you think about the seating arrangement? Do you think it'll spark enough conversation?"
With a smirk, her friend said, "Laora, darling, you do know who's on the guest list, don't you? There will be enough drama between all these girls to keep them talking for hours. Speaking of, have you heard yet from Sabrina whether she's coming? That will be a juicy conversation."
She grinned. "Of course. She said she wouldn't miss..." Trailing off, she stared in shock towards the front of the school. A woman was talking to the guards, having just driven up in an expensive and battered car.
"What? Who is that?" Rovena asked.
Lowering her voice, she answered tensely, "My pariah aunt. I don't have much family, but she certainly gets into enough trouble to make up for the lack of people. She threw everything away on wild adventures that ruined the family fortune."
"The sort you're ashamed to call family?" Rovena whispered.
She didn't answer for a moment, realizing there was no avoiding talking to her. "All I can say is that I refuse to be like my mother and her crazy relatives who refuse to live up to their status."
The woman walked towards them, and Laora put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Please excuse me." Rovena nodded and stepped away towards the gardens, and the girl's aunt approached her.
"Laora, I'm so glad I found you," the woman said, smoke billowing from her red lips.
"Aunt Alexandra. What are you doing here?" she asked nervously.
Taking another drag, she let out a ring of smoke towards the open tent. "I'm here to warn you about Drake."
A shiver went through Laora, and she couldn't tell if her cheeks were flushed or pale. "Drake? What about him?"
"He's coming for you," she cautioned. "If he doesn't get his money, he'll take you as 'payment'."
She rubbed her arms, as if trying to get rid of a chill. "No, he can't do that. I'll get the next payment when I compete at the dressage show. Just like always."
Alexandra shook her head. "He's done playing with us. Our family owes too much, and he knows we'll never pay it all off. You have to strike some kind of deal with him if you don't want to be his bride."
Laora watched as she blew out another puff of smoke, and looked down. "I'll do what I can."
The woman nodded and turned to go. As she left, her niece shouted, "Stay out of trouble." She just smirked.