A preview - Renalia's Prologue (Patreon)

The evening air was unusually warm for that time of year. The last chill of winter was no where to be seen. Renalia stood beside her father, smoothing over the pastel blue fabric of her dress with gloved hands. The gloves were a terrible idea. They made her hands sweaty in the heat. Her father had insisted, though. It was the proper dress for a debutante ball such as this. She scowled at the memory. It was always a lecture with him. 

“Stop that,” her father scolded. “This is your debutante ball. The last thing you should be doing is scowling like an old sea dog.” 

“Do sea dogs have to wear gloves that turn their arms into cooked sausages?” Renalia hissed back, bringing up her fan to hide her scowl. She wasn’t about to smile, but she’d at least hide her face to get her father to stop making a fuss. 

Her father shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the collar of his shirt. “It wasn’t supposed to be this hot.” 

“Does that mean I can take off the gloves?” Renalia asked, knowing an opportunity when she saw one. 

Her father eyed her, a glint of amusement sparkling behind the distrust. “Can I actually stop you?”

Renalia smirked, already pulling off her gloves. “I’m afraid not, father.”