"You must marry the Prince,"
The conversation between me and the Mistress didn't take long. The Mistress is known to be extremely straightforward with her intentions. After saying her one condition, she asked me to leave for the party without letting me say anything about it.
I could've easily taken the necklace out of her hands. In that way, I can run away and be free from everything including coming to the party we are just about to arrive at the moment.
But I didn't. Despite Martha's hourly lecture, she's been good to me. She made sure I lived in comfort for those 48 years. And I don't know what's going to happen to every worker in this manor if they let me escape.
The mistress will surely put her anger on everyone in this Manor.
But what she was asking me is not easy. It never will be. I have no knowledge of how to seduce a man and nor have I ever experienced such encounters with a man. I've lived within the maid's quarter being the youngest in the group together with old people.
When I got out of the forest or even when I lived in our village, I was too young to be doing such things. And now, I regret not being able to know so much about that aspect of life.
I looked outside the carriage I am in. A huge palace was standing near. And in a few moments, I will be face-to-face with the Prince.
The prince no one really cares about.
I wonder if each one of those ladies that will be coming to the ball is running for his wealth.
If that is the case, I would feel sorry for him for not being able to marry someone who is chasing him and not his money.
But that's the concept of being royalty. They may be able to choose who to marry, but they are not able to see their intentions. As they are often a victim of being taken advantage of.
I guess everyone has their own weakness.
I couldn't believe that I would also be coming to the palace for the same reason as any other girl.
"We're minutes away, Miss." someone from outside spoke to me.
I took a deep breath and looked down at my fidgeting hands. I must've forgotten that there'd be fewer chances for me to be able to be chosen to become his consort.
What worries me the most about myself right now is when I keep being reminded by myself that I can speak.
I've been out for hours now and I keep forcing myself to never think about talking in front of the Prince. It's the last thing I wish to do. I cannot let myself become too desperate to the point that I'd reveal everything when I can never be sure if I'd be able to win him by talking.
My fear of being caught as an Elvian is bigger than my fear of dying. I would rather die without the stone than be used to heal people.
I guess I just have to accept the fact that I will never be able to take the stone back to me and die.
"We have arrived,"
When I stepped out of the carriage, a huge entrance welcomed my eyes. This place is even bigger than the Mistress' Manor. If I am not mistaken, this doesn't belong to any other royals but the Prince. If he owns a property this huge, I wonder how much money he could have in his possession.
Well, this is the man the Mistress has been going crazy about. I expect nothing less.
I stepped on the marble floor and continued walking towards the ballroom. Golden decorations were hanging on the beige and almost white interior of the palace. Multiple tables are set up on the sides so that the prepared foods are covered by a huge crowd of people.
I never expected to see such a crowd at today's event. All these beautiful ladies must be after the same thing. Wealth.
The ladies come in many different looks, and dresses but all looked the same. Beautiful.
Some radiate wealth and power. Some are standing simply on the side of the room as the aristocrats find themselves at the center.
When I came in, I didn't know what to do or where to go. As the mistress' entree, I definitely belong to the aristocrats. But I know that I belong to those who stood far behind the wealth and power of the ladies in the center.
It took me time to decide if I should act like an aristocrat or stay beside the wall.
And I chose neither of them. Instead of staying in the corner or in the middle, I saw a small balcony in one corner of the room. It is so high from the ground that no one dared to climb up with their dashing heels.
I took long strides to avoid everyone and to get to where I wanted to be. Climbing up the stairs, I felt my knees wobble in fear as I look at the sight of the people growing smaller and the ground getting bigger. But halfway to my destination, I didn't want to come back so I continued climbing.
I finally got there. The balcony has the perfect seat for me to see the whole crowd of people.
I took deep breaths of victory and was just about to take a seat when I heard voices from the back of the balcony.
My eyes went straight to where the voice was coming from. It seems like another way to get to the balcony I am in. The back is draped with red heavy curtains that unabled me to see what was going on at the back or who was at the back.
"Do they take me lightly?" A voice of a man thundered across the room and resonated for me to hear. "Look at what they did to my palace, Anton! They ruined my place with their filthy smell!"
My place?
"I knew I shouldn't have agreed with this ball in the first place,"
"But your majesty, no one expected this crowd of people to come,"
Your Highness?
"And what are we supposed to do about this now? What are you going to do with the filth they are going to leave in my place?"
"What filth do you mean, your majesty? Well, we'll clean it up!" the other man seemed to be panicked while the other seems angry.
"You're never going to be able to clean their mess, Anton."
"What do you mean, your highness?"
Panic struck me when I realized their voice are growing closer.
"Their smell, the dirt from their hands touching my furniture, the touch of their shoes on my floor, everything! Especially the sound of their chattering voices."
In one large swoop, the curtain was brought to the side revealing a door at the back where stood a tall man dressed in a black robe. His hair was long and black, his eyes were red as red as the red of crystallized blood.
I stood there looking at the halo sucking me deep into the depths of his eyes.
Fascinating.
"What is this woman doing here?" he asked, angry as ever.