1. Do I Need To Go?

"Mother, what is the meaning of this?" Elizabeth stares at the beautiful deep lilac evening gown her mother just presented to her. "It's for you, dear. You're going to a ball tonight!" her mother responds with a devious glint in her eye. When Agnes White made up her mind about something, there would be no persuading her otherwise. 

"Why wasn't I informed about this before? This is quite sudden!" Elizabeth exclaims, jumping up from her bed. Agnes looks at her with contempt, "Calm down, you ungrateful thing. This ball will have the country's most eligible bachelor present, and rumor is he'll be choosing a wife!" Elizabeth looks at her mother in surprise, "An arranged marriage? is that not a bit medieval, mother?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing! Of all the devious things her mother has put her through in the past, this is by far the lowest!

"Not at all. This will benefit our family well," Agnes responds, "The Whites and Dereons are two of the country's most esteemed families. This union is fated to be. It's all up to you tonight, you need to land August Dereon." Elizabeth looks at her mother in disbelief.

"Bu-" 

"Come now, get dressed. The make-up artist and hairstylist will be here in 10 minutes." and with that, Agnes leaves the room.

Elizabeth could not believe what just happened! "Mother, this is your lowest blow." she whispers and walks towards the evening gown, " Land August Dereon? No one even knows what he looks like!" She says, exasperated. Taking the evening gown in her hands, she sighs with resignation and starts getting undressed.