Prologue
A gentle summer breeze ruffled the tussled blonde curls of the fidgety girl in the second row as she stamped her feet, earning a harsh reprimand from her mother. Stilling only for a moment, she glared at the raven haired flower girl, who merely smirked at her sister's annoyance.
Bella always got more attention.
Narcissa looked around inquisitively, wondering how she could prove she was the smarter one, the cuter one. She let her eyes drift back to Bella, who was standing so innocently, in her little pink and white dress…. And then it hit her.
After the ceremony, a smaller, private one was to be held, just for the members of the actual wedding. It was tradition that the candles carried during the actual wedding were to be lit right afterwards, symbolizing the lighting of passion and the kindling of a new branch on the pureblooded trees. Narcissa, of course, hadn't the slightest idea what passion or even real romance was, but she did understand that to show up without the said candle was disastrous, an ill omen for the new couple.
Yes, the idea was formulated in Narcissa's small mind, that should she get a hold of Bella's candle, her older sister would be in a lot of trouble. And Narcissa would find deep amusement in watching Bella suffer.
Narcissa waited until the procession filed out to start the execution. With a look of utmost innocence, she crept to where her dark haired sister was busy fixing a slight wrinkle in her otherwise immaculate dress, and snatched the candle from right under her sister's nose. Careful not to alert Bella to her presence, Narcissa slid stealthily out of the room.
She was rewarded momentarily by an outraged cry, and she ducked into the crowded reception room, and behind a table, holding all sorts of foods for the guests. She hid her laugh with a small hand, listening to her sister's angry wails.
"Your candle's out." A light voice stated, making Narcissa jump. She turned to frown at the presence that intruded on her solitude.
The pale, blonde boy was only a little taller than her, and was observing her with rather enticing gray eyes. "You might want to deal with that," He continued lazily, "and rather quickly. The wedding party's already meeting."
Narcissa opened her mouth to protest, but shook her head, sending her curls bouncing. "It's not mine." She stated defiantly, as though daring him to tattle on her. "It's my sister's."
"Is that so?" He said softly, measuring up the small girl in front of him. She couldn't have been more than a year younger than him, two at most. "And what, pray tell, are you doing with your sister's candle?"
Narcissa looked away, her face flushing slightly. "Bella always gets all the attention." She whined, unable to keep her indignation out of her voice. "Everyone's always saying she's prettier than me, she's smarter…. But she isn't!" She protested loudly. The boy merely weathered her complaints with little expression. "I'll show her!" The little girl swore.
"So you took her candle." He said softly. "To make her pay for the attention she's receiving? To get her into trouble?" He asked.
"Yes."
He gave her the hint of a smile, leaning down and taking the candle from her. "Your sister is lovely, she deserves the attention." As Narcissa opened her mouth to protest, he placed a finger against her lips. "Hush." He met her angry gaze and smiled even more widely. "But I think that one day, little one, you will be even more beautiful than she."
He removed his hand and, candle in hand, left, going to return the frantic Bella her candle.
Narcissa stared in wonder, reveling in the compliment.
A/N: Review! More soon.