"You look stunning, my lady!" Genevieve said in a sing-song voice as she stepped back from doing my hair and looking at me through the giant vanity mirror.I looked at myself, and while I have never been one to be vain, I admit that I do look beautiful tonight, all thanks to my ladies-in-waiting, and I tell them that."Oh, such nonsense, my lady. You're already beautiful as you are. The guards and the staff have been talking about it, you know, how the Prince–" she was saying in a sort of conspiratorial tone."Shush, Genevieve. We do not speak to my lady about rumors," Agatha interjected, giving her a very stern look. "Talk about what?" I chuckled. Genevieve is very talented with doing hair and makeup, but she does tend to have that airiness to her."Nothing, my lady. Just palace gossip," Agatha said, eyeing Genevieve carefully, who was trying not to laugh and blushing so hard. She looked at Maia, who ducked her head, trying hard not to laugh.I will definitely have to ask them about
The dinner was heavenly.We had a five-course meal, which I thought was a little excessive, but as soon as the food was laid in front of me, I realized I was hungry.There was lobster bisque and French onion soup, and mushroom risotto, among other things. I tried to pay attention to the names as respect to the chef, but most of what I had, I have only seen on TV, so their names were lost in the night.But I made sure to thank the chef every time. If he worked outside the palace, he would definitely have great and utter success.I'm not one to shy away from eating, even with new people around me. But when the second course came, I saw Caelum looking at me, a faint smile on his face, and I grew extremely anxious."Do I have food on my face? Or am I using these utensils wrong?" I asked him.He seemed to be in a reverie, and I broke it when I spoke to him."Oh, nothing. Sorry, I was staring," he picked at his food and ate slowly. It was my turn to look at him, and he caved under my gaze an
The Mansion, as expected, is a massive maze of different rooms. It has 12 bedrooms, 20 toilets, and 10 baths. It has a movie room, a game room, a library, three living areas and sitting rooms, and even a gym, among other random rooms.It has everything you need in a place, and when I asked if the palace is the same, I was greeted with a, "You're silly, my lady. The palace is perhaps 3 times as big as this place."My mouth hung open. The hows and whys unanswered in my head.By the time we stopped the tour, I felt like the breakfast of tiny sandwiches I had was gone, and I felt my stomach churn a bit.I went back to my room, took a shower, and had the ladies prep me for the rest of the day, which I had for myself. But when I asked Maia if I could wear my track pants and a t-shirt, she looked offended."My lady! I know you came from the same background as we had, but you're marrying into the royal family soon enough!" She scolded me as I sat in the dressing room with a bathrobe, waiting
"Are you okay?" Caelum asked me as soon as we were far away from the outhouse."Yes, I'm fine. Mostly," I exhaled. We sat under a massive oak tree that sat in another courtyard the palace had. "The King is kind of intimidating." He smiled without humor. "Intimidating is a good word to describe him. Don't worry, I don't think he hates you."It's my turn to laugh. "No, he doesn't. Just…indifferent.""Is that bad?" He asked."I'm not sure. But I guess it's better in some way. I get to be a shadow he ignores," I shrugged. "But your mother is…warm. If you know what I mean.""I do know what you mean. She's a mother before she is a Queen. I think my brothers and I all agree that she's our favorite parent," he said, smiling. "Don't tell my father that."I smiled. "You're like your mother." I told him.He looked at me, pleasantly surprised. "Really? Most people will say I take after my father. I mean, out of all three of us, I look more like his side of the family." He said, noting his father
I didn't think the lessons with Madam Roserta would be exhausting, but they were. But as the engagement drew near, even her tiring lessons and the soft mattress can't keep me from waking up in the middle of the night.Four days before the engagement day, I woke up from a nightmare I can't even remember. I was sweating even with the AC blasting, and my heart was hammering in my chest. I stood up to take a glass of water from the fridge–because of course, every room in the palace has to have a fridge.I check my phone. It's just a little over one in the morning and I groaned. Genevieve will have her work cut out for her trying to cover the dark circles forming under my eyes.I wash my face to refresh and just change my night clothes entirely as they are wet from the sweat. But everything made it hard to go back to sleep, so I took my phone, wrapped myself in the silk robe in the dressing room, and went out.The palace is eerie at night. It's such a big, empty place without the servants
"Do you know about the Valeria Autumn Feast?" Caelum asked. He's still peeking through the telescope as I sit on the sofa, reading the book I brought along with me.We're in the Astronomy Tower, as I began calling it. To be quite honest, I'm extra sleepy and tired today, with both of us practically staying awake until five that morning, talking and laughing, and when the sun was about to rise, he walked me to my bed, with some of the staff on early morning duties obviously looking at us with surprise, especially when they see me in only my night robe.I slept another two hours before Agatha and the ladies woke me up. And as I predicted, Genevieve was not excited about my eye bags and scolded me like her little sister, saying I shouldn't be staying up late if I don't want to break out and feel tired during my engagement party.Caelum didn't show up for tea and dinner, but he had sent me another note earlier, saying to come by the Tower any time I wish.And so I did. I've really just b
I was begging Kida to return, asking him why he took me, but not the Prince, and that we can still come back and take Caelum with us.But he took no heed. He ordered another royal guard I haven't seen before to drive faster, taking the longer route to the palace. Another guard in the passenger seat was on his comms, requesting for back up and running them through what happened.I can't understand most of what he was saying, but a few words captured my interest: "The Discord found us.""What's the Discord? What's happening? Why can't we go back to Caelum?" I cried. I didn't really care if I was hysterical or I looked crazy. I need to know what's happening, else I might actually go crazy. My heart is pounding in my chest in equal horror and anger."My lady, it's best we return to the palace," Kida said, trying to placate me. But it only fueled my anger.I've practically been mobbed and people around me were hurt. I don't care if I'm the target or not. The issue is people are charging at
I felt Caelum stiffen, surprised by the sudden show of affection. To be honest, I was also surprised by my own actions, but all I can think about at this moment is that he is safe.But before I could pull away, I felt his good arm wrap around me, squeezing me and pushing me more into him, and I just let him, inhaling his sweet and woody perfume."Are you okay? Does anything hurt?" He whispered into my ear, and I shook my head.After another second, I finally pulled away, feeling the intensity of people's stares. As I pulled away, I saw the Queen on the side, giggling happily, while the King huffed, looking quite annoyed.I'll deal with him later. As of now, I need to ensure Caelum is safe."I'm okay," I gave him a look over. Beside a small cut on the lip and a limp arm, I couldn't see any other injuries and I sighed in relief. "Is your arm okay?""It's nothing. Probably just a sprain," he said, wincing a bit as I tried to hold it."Head to the infirmary, the both of you," the Queen ap