~~NARRATOR'S POV~~
Bella smiled upon hearing the king's request. She wore the mask to conceal her identity, but the king's impatience to see her face kindled her desire to extend their playful game of hide and seek.
"I'd love to remove my mask, but I doubt that every single person here is trustworthy enough to discover my identity. Aren't I right, Prince Harrington?" She turned to face him, a sinister smirk playing on her lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Why all this discussion? We invited her, and we're supposed to make her feel at home after her long journey, right, father?" Harrington turned toward his father, wearing a disingenuous smile that earned him a nod.
"With that said and done, let's head over to the dining room," the king replied, but Bella showed no signs of yielding easily.
"Before we proceed, I'd like the king to make the announcement as promised. Seeing as we have almost all the important figures in your country."
