The Countess cleared her throat. ‘Charles, my son.’
Ivy paused in her feasting, sensing that something was about to happen.
‘I had hoped that you would be by my side tonight and escort me into the ball?’ The Countess spoke slowly but with a hopeful look on her face. ‘Like you used to do?’
Please say yes, Ivy wished. Please!
Ivy remembered what he’d said in the car before they’d arrived at the house. He was only here for his daughters – but maybe spending time here had convinced him to forgive his parents?
Mr Vega hesitated. ‘I regret to say that I am not feeling entirely myself today and so do not think I will be able to attend. I apologise.’
‘Of course,’ said the Countess, her voice catching in her throat. ‘I hope you feel . . . better . . . soon.’
Ivy didn’t know what to say and the rest of breakfast passed in almost silence. Half an hour later, she leaned back in her chair and rubbed her full belly.
‘Now you look like a werewolf who ate a full moon.’ Olivia said, laughing.
‘Mmm.’ Ivy smiled. ‘Bliss.’
‘Come along, now, my darlings,’ the Countess said, getting to her feet. ‘There are a few things to do before the ball tonight.’
Ivy pulled herself out of her chair, gripping the edge of the table.
‘Should I get you a crane?’ Olivia teased.
‘How about one of those motorised scooters?’ Ivy replied, trudging after her grandmother into the parlour. Piles of silky red and black ribbons waited for them on each of the polished oak side tables.
‘You girls can sit there.’ The Countess pointed to a sofa behind one of the tables with ribbon. ‘And the gentlemen can share that pile to help me wrap the party gifts.’
Mr Vega followed the Count towards two armchairs and sat down, dutifully.
The Count poked at the ribbon. ‘Perhaps I’ll leave the pretty bows to you girls,’ he said, before settling into a chair and pulling a book out of his jacket. He was soon hidden behind its pages, chuckling at whatever he was reading.
‘Mmm, sitting,’ Ivy said to Olivia, plopping down heavily.
‘I’ll get Tessa to bring in the presents.’ The Countess called down the hall.
‘Presents?’ Olivia asked, looking the most excited Ivy had seen her since they’d arrived. The Countess had come back into the room.
‘Last year, we gave everyone a portable music player pre-filled with love songs,’ the Countess said.
Ivy and Olivia shared a look. Wow, Ivy thought. They take Valentine’s really seriously in Transylvania.
‘And this year . . .’ the Countess paused until Tessa appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray of small silver boxes. ‘We’re giving everyone a visit from my favourite feng shui expert in honour of you two and your father. It’s a gift to help everyone find harmony in their home.’
‘That’s amazing,’ said Olivia and Ivy thought so, too.
She snuck a glance at her father. He was neatly sorting the ribbons into tidy rolls, lined up on the table. He didn’t seem to have heard a word the countess had said.
‘Yes,’ his mother repeated, gazing at Mr Vega. ‘A harmonious home is so important for a family.’ Ivy could see her dad’s cheeks colouring, even as he twirled another piece of ribbon around his finger.
Come on, Dad, she thought. Can’t you just put your differences aside and come to the ball?
Ivy went over to help Tessa set the tray down on the table. Together, they placed a few stacks of boxes next to each pile of ribbons. She noticed that Tessa’s face was pale and she had dark circles beneath her eyes, as though she hadn’t been sleeping.
‘Are you OK?’ Ivy whispered.
Tessa nodded quickly, not making eye contact. ‘I’m fine,’ she said. Ivy wasn’t so sure. Her friend looked . . . unhappy.
‘I want us to tie one red and one black ribbon around each box,’ the Countess declared.
Olivia picked up one of the little boxes and Ivy saw her look inside. There was a tiny scroll that unravelled to reveal a stunning calligraphy message. ‘These are beautiful,’ Olivia said. Party planning was one of her particular skills, and now Ivy had a good idea where she inherited it from.
‘Don’t tell anyone what’s inside,’ the Countess said. ‘It’s my big surprise of the evening.’
‘We promise,’ Ivy replied. She picked up one red and one black ribbon, but before she could ask how her grandmother wanted it to look, Horatio stepped into the doorway.
‘Her Majesty the Queen and the Crown Prince Alexander,’ he said and stepped aside.
The Queen swept into the room, wearing a beige dress with tiny hook and eye buttons of matching fabric running down one side and a little matching hat. Prince Alex was wearing a white knitted sweater with dark jeans and was carrying a suit bag over his shoulder.
Tessa kept her eyes on the ground and slipped out of the door behind them.
Ivy quickly dropped the ribbon and stood up to curtsy. She was a split second before Olivia.
Finally getting the hang of it, she thought.
The Queen nodded to everyone and air-kissed the Countess.
Prince Alex bowed formally. ‘Countess Lazar,’ he said, ‘would you mind if I got ready for the ball here? There’s little point going all the way back to the palace only to return again this evening.’
The Queen’s brow creased in a slight frown, Ivy noticed, but she didn’t protest.
‘Of course, that’s fine.’ The Countess motioned for Horatio to take the garment bag. ‘Horatio will prepare the third-floor guest suite for you.’