"My lady, please wake up." Rose gently said.
"Rose? What is it?" I yawned.
"Today is your societal debut! We must get you ready." She said.
"Oh right. That is today, isn't it?" I said to myself.
Since today was a special day, the maids outdid themselves when dressing me. My dress and makeup were heavy it felt as though if I slightly moved in anyway it would all break apart.
"You look absolutely beautiful my lady." Rose admired.
"You are going to meet several well known nobles today so I hope you don't embarrass the family." Alicia added.
"Well I don't really expect too much," Liza sighed. "Just don't talk to much and avoid people like you usually do. That will be better for everyone."
Alicia glared at her and then shooed both her and Rose away.
"Don't mind that girl too much, she's like that to everyone." She said.
"Don't worry, I don't." I said.
"Well that's good. Now then, the king requests your presence in his study so you best be on your way." She said.
I wonder what reason the king has to see me. We haven't spoken since that family meeting months ago.
"Your majesty? You asked to see me?" I said peering through the door.
"Come in." He said sternly.
I walked in and stood in front of his desk were he was doing paperwork.
"Today is your debut, everyone will be focusing on you." He said without looking up.
"I am aware of that sir." I replied.
"Yes, well do your best not to make a fool of us." He said.
The fact that people keep telling me to be careful on behalf of the royal families reputation started to irritate me.
"Also, you don't happen to know where Persephone ran off to during such an important time do you?" He asked looking up for the first time.
His cold black eyes seemed to already know the answer to that question. Like he was testing to seem if I would lie or not.
"I'm sorry sir, but I do not. I am not on close terms with anyone here so I was t even aware that she was gone." I lied.
He silently stared at me for a while before saying, "I see" and continued with his work.
Exiting his office I ran into the crown prince, usually he doesn't even glance in my direction but this time he paused before walking by.
"You, you helped my sister didn't you." He asked.
I didn't reply.
"She's a fool for falling for some no name farmer from the countryside. I'm ashamed by the fact that she was a member of the royal family." He said.
That's harsh. Especially to say about your sibling, I thought.
"But, she is my sister. So I am thankful that you helped her." He sighed before continuing down the hall.
I guess he might not be such a bad guy after all.
Arriving at the castle that night were noble families from all across the kingdom, as well as notable families from outside of the kingdom. The queen definitely pulled out all the stops for my debut party, but during all the commotion I saw her all but one time. During my entrance when she and the king introduced me as their niece and an official member of the royal family. The queen made a point to announce that my mother was her sister, a princess from Enia whom they have relations with. Naturally people wanted to ask questions, but I was told not to engage in any questions about my past or how I got there as it would only cause trouble down the line.
After trying to socialize for the majority of the party I was worn out and needed a break from everything so I found myself on the terrace. Carried by the cool breeze I could hear whispers from down below me.
"I heard that princess Persephone is currently missing, so to hide that information they decided to hold this big party as a way to distract the public." A woman said.
"No no the princess couldn't have been gone for too long, the party was decided before she disappeared." Another woman interrupted.
"But it does seem interesting that they announced this new girl as a member of the royal family without much detail as to where she came from. It could be a way to distract us from something else they have going on behind closed doors." The first lady said.
"I agree, ever since the king married the queen something has been off. We could be over thinking it though." The second lady said, as they walked away.
"Something strange going on in the castle?" I asked myself.
Little by little, over the course of the next few years it all started to make sense.