As I approach the door of the carriage for my descent, the gentle soothing music reaches my ears, drawing a sense of serenity into my chest.
The palace was much bigger than I had imagined, with its many lights that adorns the castle walls and even lined the gardens into what looked like a starry night sky.
"My lady?" Sir Nigelle said with his hand held out toward me, his face holding a hint of amusement in them that sends my short temper blood broiling with annoyance.
"Get your hand away from me." I sneer, slapping his hand away.
"Hem-hem!" Lady Syn rolls her shoulders back and gestures her eyes toward his hand.
Oh, if only I could hurt her with my eyes I totally would. I glare at her, growling under my breath before sighing in defeat and taking his hand. Even with my gloved hand, as it touches his I can feel a cold chill creep up my arm and neck, making my hair stand on end.
Being lady-like is not me. It's not who I am, and I didn't like it one bit.
"Why do you enjoy torturing me so, my lady?" I say through my fake smile, irritation building up inside me.
"Best behavioooor." She singsongs and pretends to swing an imaginary sword in the air, walking toward the castle.
"Ugh!" I slouch after her, admiring her determination to get me to behave.
"Stop slouching." She scolds in a whisper.
I pause in my step and collect myself. "Best behavior, best behavior." I mumble quietly to myself and take a deep breath. "I got this." I open my eyes and imagine myself to be the most elegant woman ever. I even put on a huge fake smile and walk gallantly – er – not gallantly – elegantly? – yes, elegantly next to Lady Syn.
I roll my shoulders back and gently lift my dress as we walk up the steps.
"Tonight, you are here as a lady, not my personal bodyguard." She says through her teeth, sounding slightly annoyed again. "So don't be so on edge and relax."
"I am relaxed. Can't you see how relaxed I am?"
"No, you are not! You are walking like there is a stick up your butt!" She hisses, full blown annoyed by this point. "Just walk normally."
"Okay." I drop my arms and swing them exuberantly as I strut up the steps.
"Oh my goodness." She covers her face in embarrassment. "Forget I said that. Pretend you are me and walk like me."
"But I was walking like you!"
"No, you were not. I don't walk like that!" She hangs her head in annoyance and fights everything in her power to not strangle me right there. "Just be less – you."
"Fine." I sigh and wave an imaginary white flag over my head. "Come on."
Giant statues of white knights decorate either side of the enormous hall. A few people could be seen here and there, but it was mainly just the maids and servants moving about.
"Why does this castle have to be so big?" My voice reverberates down the long hall. "Hello!" I say, chuckling to myself as I hear the mockery return to my ears.
She shoots me a side eyed glance. "Because, it's the royal castle, of course it has to be big."
"But why? They can't just live in a small house and save the people time and money? So much for serving the kingdom." I chuckle, turning slightly only to catch the glare on Lady Syn's face. "Sorry, my lady." I quickly wipe my smile off my face. "Hem-hem. I'm assuming the ball is at the end of this red carpet?"
"I think so." She sighs. "We should've asked someone for directions."
"It's alright my lady. I'm sure we can find our way around." We followed the red carpet to a pair of giant doors. "See?" I pull the door open and peek in. "Uh – never mind, we're lost. At least we made it to the throne room." I smile at her, but she just looks more irritated. "I'm sorry, my lady." I place a hand on my chest and give her a bow of my head. "I will find out where the ball room is." And march back the way we came.
"Excuse me." I say to a maid passing by. "Could you point us in the direction of the Royal ball?"
"Yes, let me escort you, my lady." She bows politely, leading us in the opposite direction of the red carpet.
"You'd think they'd have people directing you where to go in here." I whisper to Lady Syn.
"They probably did, but we were late." She hisses through her teeth, shooting me a glare like it was my fault.
In my defense, if she hadn't dressed me we would've been on time.
"My apologies, my lady." I capitulated.
She whips her head toward me, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Well, you are behaving quite well right now."
"I thought that was what you wanted, was it not?"
"Yes, just surprising is all." She shrugs and continues to walk.
"I've just managed to work out the kinks."
She smiles in satisfaction, but she doesn't utter another word.
Truth is, I can always pick a bone with her later, but right now – bodyguard me has to come out and play.
"We have arrived." The maid steps aside and bows again as the knights on either side pull the doors open.
Giant candle lit chandeliers line the tall ceiling, drawing light to the packed ballroom that is filled with more people than I can count. Tables and chairs line the walls, where massive open doorways lead to the balcony. And there sitting in the middle of the room, rotating about, were the musicians, sending sweet melodic sounds reverberating through my every nerve ending.
"Have you ever seen anything so spectacular?" Lady Syn's eyes glisten with amazement as she turns and twists to look at every nook and cranny.
Good gods, she looks as if she had died and gone into her many fairytale books.
"Should we look for Lord Ubo and Lady Dee?"
"No, we will find my parents eventually. Look at this!" Obviously still distracted, she runs out to the balcony with the sound of her clacking shoes echoing behind her. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful!" Lanterns light up the city below like starlight. Within those millions of lights, people move about, where merchants ride their horse pulled carriages, and children play in the streets, laughing giddily with not a care in the world. "I could totally live here one day." She sighs, nearly swooning with delight.
"Does that mean you wish to marry the crown prince?" I asked, arching an arrogant brow at her.
"Yes. And don't worry, when I do, I won't leave you behind. You will stay with me."
"No, my lady. You will have far better suited knights to protect you when that happens. You will no longer need me. Besides, I am no knight."
"Then, when I become queen, I will convince the king to knight women too. Then you can be my personal knight." Her smile seems so sincere, like she really wants to lug me around to constantly argue with her on everything.
"As you wish my lady." I reply, but can't hide the sadness in my tone. Oh, how much I would miss her, but I would rather stay at Sewell Castle where I can train and laugh with the knights, not here where I will feel trapped and alone. The King would never approve of a woman training with the knights, let alone becoming one.
"Oh, and don't worry, we will find someone for you too." Her mischievous smile sends a chill down my spine.
"Uh – no thank you my lady. I like to do my own things, as you can already tell."
She sighs, "Oh, I know that all too well." The corner of her mouth rises into a wry grin as she leans closer to whisper, "trouble maker."
"Syn! You've arrived!" A voice calls behind us.
"Mother." She smiles warmly, embracing her mother.
"Lady Dee. Lord Ubo." I say with a nod of my head.
"Was there any trouble on the way here?" Lord Ubo asked. I glance down at the tiny man – tiny and wide like a pumpkin. His fingers scratch at the blue stubble on his chin.
"Just some goblins, but there was nothing we couldn't handle, my lord."
"Good-good."
"Come, we must prepare to meet the crown prince. I will introduce you to everyone." Lady Dee whips around, her red hair nearly whipping me in the face. Where Lady Syn got her purple hair from – I don't know.
Although, red and blue make purple.
I laugh silently at the thought.
"Charli, why don't you find us some seats?" Lady Dee held Lady Syn by the shoulders, ushering her away like herding sheep.
"Yes, my lady."
I do as I'm told and find some seats in the back. They are definitely not the best seats, but I can't help it since all the seats by the dance floor were already taken.
I stand by the table and chairs, waiting patiently as I gaze around, always looking for anyone suspicious. Sometimes it sucks to be a bodyguard because most of the time, I am always on high alert, like a hound searching for game.
"Are the seats not to your liking, my lady?" Two young men approach me, and I quickly note the bright polished armor with the royal emblem engraved into the chest piece.
"Are we in danger?" I ask, glancing at them up and down.
"Excuse me?" The tall man with dark red hair furrows his brows in question.
"Are we in danger?" I repeat. But they just glance at each other, confused. "You're dressed in full armor whilst walking around a ball."
"Oh!" The red hair laughs. "Not at all, no need to worry. Did you not want to have a seat my lady?"
"No, I'm fine standing thank you." I turn my gaze back to the crowd of people and catch Lady Syn's eyes staring back at me. She mouths something unreadable.
What? I mouth back.
"My lady?"
I glance back to the red haired man standing next to me. He is quite handsome if I am honest with myself.
"Oh, I'm fine standing thank you." I say again, since my words clearly fell on deaf ears. Apparently good looking means their brains don't work as well.
I turn my gaze back, but I've lost sight of her.
"Hi! I'm Lady Syn Sewell." She says breathlessly after popping up next to me like a ghost. She's trying to catch her breath as though she had leapt through hurdles to get here. She hates any type of exercise with a passion, so seeing her like this surprises me, seeing as I'm just gaping at her with not a single word coming to mind. Perhaps she had been possessed. "And who might you be?"
"Forgive me, my lady. Sir Renaud Favion." The redhead places his hand on his chest and bows. "This is Sir Uryenne Houdart." The black-haired knight follows suit. Then as if they rehearsed it, all their heads turn to me – in a way it feels like they would suddenly fillet me right then and there.
"Oh! I am–" But before I could move to place my hand on my chest to bow, Lady Syn steps by my side and holds my arm as though my movement would embarrass her.
"This is my friend, Lady Charlix Harlow." I gape and narrow my eyes at the short purple haired girl next to me like she is my arch nemesis. She sneakily swings her fist like it withheld an imaginary sword, compelling me into defeat. I roll my eyes in response and force a smile at the gentlemen.
"Nice to meet you." Although sloppy, I force the best curtsy I can. Who'd think that someone as nimble as I am can barely manage a curtsy.
"Are you both royal knights?" Lady Syn glances back and forth between them, waiting patiently for an answer.
"Yes." Sir Renaud replies, nodding courtly. "In fact, I am the commander."
"Well, nice to meet you Commander Renaud." Lady Syn proceeds to elbow me, nudging me in a silent, Ooo! Commander!
I roll my eyes at her and force on a crooked smile.
"Coming mother!" She says loudly, waving into the middle of the crowd.
"I don't hear–"
"I'll see you later!" She interrupts before I can finish my sentence, and takes off into the crowd.
I press my lips into a thin line and narrow my eyes towards her back.
Torture, torture, torture.
And gave up when it clearly didn't work. I let out a sigh, seeing her disappear into the crowd.
Unfortunately, I held no such powers.
I turn back, startling myself when I realize they were both gazing between the both of us like we are the most awkward creatures they have ever met.
Sir Renaud steps forward, pulling out the chair in front of me. "Please have a seat my lady. I don't want your feet to hurt."
"It will after I kick you." I mumble under my breath as I reluctantly take the offered seat.
"Did you say something, my lady?"
"No." I chuckle nervously as they both join me at the table.
"Where are you from my lady?" He asks, pouring me a goblet of wine. I shoot a glance from him to Sir – Oh I have already forgotten what his name is already.
Sir…Ulick?
Sir Udine?
Sir…Urine?
Either way, Sir Redhead seems to be doing all the talking tonight.
"Ewridia." I reply in the nicest voice I can muster at the moment.
"I've been there a few times. How come I've never seen you?"
Probably because I wasn't dressed like some buffoon.
"Uh – I don't know." I say sheepishly, swishing the wine around in the goblet, watching the swirl of the red liquid go round and round.
"Where in Ewridia? I would like to come visit you sometime."
And I have no idea why, but panic takes off in my veins. "Uh – uh – what was that Lady Syn? I'm on my way!" I lie and quickly stand, nearly knocking the chair over. "My apologies." I curtsy, somewhat sloppily, and leave the ballroom.
"Phew." I sigh as soon as the doors close behind me. "Ugh. I hate this so much!" I scream quietly to myself. "Sir Renaud" I scoff mockingly. "More like Sir Talks-A-Lot!" I mumble quietly to myself and amble down the dingy corridor.
Maybe if I just hide over here until the ball is over, I won't have to put up with anymore shenanigans.
"– must die only after the royal wed–"
I dodge the dagger whistling through the air, wincing when the stone split right by my ear.