Chapter 2
I woke up, my body drenched in a slight sheen of sweat, to the gentle knocking on the door. "Princess, it's time to wake up." Even with my eyes open, weariness clung to me, as if I had emerged from an eternal slumber. I muttered a silent prayer, hoping my legs would cooperate as I pushed myself up.
The door creaked open, revealing a curious maid. "Princess, this is the first time I've seen you rise unaided. Is everything well?" My heart quickened. Despite Angel's assurances, the uncertainties of this new world weighed on me.
Spying a dress awkwardly concealed behind the maid, I seized it as my first clue. "I am quite alright. What attire awaits me today?" My knowledge of Princess Amelia was a threadbare canvas, and blending in demanded caution. Unveiling the truth hinged on navigating these interactions.
"It is in your favorite shade of pink— cerise," which sparked the revelation that cerise was nothing more than a more muted, sophisticated cousin to Barbie pink. Learning something new every day, it seemed.
"Ah, you shouldn't have. This is very kind of you." My fingers traced the fabric's texture.
"Ah, but I should. Today is the ball. Embassies and royalty will grace our presence. Perhaps a suitor awaits. You are of that age, miss, if it's not too bold of me to say."
"It is quite bold."
"Something is off about you, princess." It seemed as though I had picked the wrong dialogue option. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to calm my anxieties. The maid guided me to a grand mirror in the opulent room, swiftly removing the blanket I had been draped in. The cold air attacked my bare skin and made me miss my blanket almost immediately, "We must get you dressed." As I inspected my reflection, the earlier sleep-induced glow lingered on my skin, and my hair maintained a gentle frizz. I—or rather, she—looked beautiful, even in the just-woken state. A welcomed change.
The room, grand and expansive, boasted high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers, tapestries depicting grandeur, and large windows draped in rich, velvet curtains. Polished marble floors reflected the regal furnishings in deep red and gold. The mirror, framed in ornate gold, reflected a princess both familiar and foreign.
As the maid tended to my appearance, her lingering suspicions remained. The anticipation of a royal ball and the realization that I must navigate the complexities of Amelia Delavue's life sent shivers down my spine. The life of luxury, however, was something I could definitely get used to. The gentle strokes of her brushing felt comforting, almost enough to coax me into lowering my guard.
Once she finished, I leaped to my feet to inspect her work.
"Princess," she protested, but I paid her no mind. In the enchanting reflection of my fairy tale-esque mirror, I twirled slightly, letting the pink fabric catch the soft light streaming in from the window. The maid followed closely, attempting final adjustments with her sewing needle.
"Ow," a sudden ache shot through my leg from the pricking of a needle.
"It seems you should have remained still until I was done." The familiarity between me and the maid spoke volumes. We had a closer relationship than most, a fact I needed to explore further. The ruse would crumble if I didn't uncover more about her. Frowning, I questioned my swift trust in Angel's words. Deception demanded such effort. Was this to be my life? I brushed off such thoughts, focusing on more immediate concerns—like my lack of dancing skills and the looming ball. It seems as though I had allowed myself to be swept away by the joy of being a pretty princess. I wondered if I would be okay.
Gazing down at my maid, who was now sewing the last needle into my dress, I tried to distract myself. The maid stood up, taking a step back for one last inspection. She gave me a nod of approval and began to pack everything away. One final look in the mirror revealed my heart to myself. This was an outfit accessorized with a mix of nerves and growing curiosity.
"You look absolutely breathtaking, Your Highness."
"Thank you," I replied, offering a polite smile. The reflection in the mirror staring back at me was an image of regality and grace, yet I couldn't quite shake the feeling that the facade was delicate, ready to crumble under the weight of unfamiliarity with this world.
The maid packed up her sewing tools and gestured towards the door leading to the hallway. "Shall we?" Taking a deep breath, I nodded. I clung to her arm as tight as I could for comfort. We walked to the ornate ballroom doors when she suddenly loosened her arm.
"What?"
"You know I can't go with you." … I did know that, but I held her arm until the last possible moment like a stubborn child. She was comforting—the doors were the opposite. Two guards were posted on either side of the beautiful doors. I closed my eyes very tightly, and before I knew it, the doors were swung open.
I opened my eyes to a spectacle of twinkling chandeliers, polished marble floors, and a melody of string instruments. To my immediate left was a squire holding a scroll and directly in front of me was a marble staircase.
"Princess Amelia of House Delavue." The room fell silent for a moment as the attendees all turned their gazes onto mine. Whispers of awe rippled through the crowd as they beheld their beloved princess. My face turned beet red in embarrassment almost matching my pink dress. I had never felt like I was in a foreign world more than at this very moment. The alien splendor of golden embroidered marble pillars and gorgeous art pieces dancing on the walls. The smell of flowers oozing through every corner of the room. I most certainly did not belong here.
I walked down the stairs praying with every step that I wouldn't go tumbling down the stairs. Once my walk began the orchestra resumed its enchanting melody. To my dismay the stairs went on forever, but I did eventually reach the bottom, believe it or not. The second I reached the bottom, a hand extended itself towards me, and my brain snapped back in place. Thoughts rushed through my head at a million miles per second. This was the end. My lack of dance skills would be found out if I accepted.This could be the end of my whole charade, and I don't think that Angel lady would be too pleased.
"Princess, may I have this dance?" I froze up. Perhaps even denying a dance would be enough to give myself away. Without looking at the person who had propositioned me I decided to accept it.
I had seen some movies with balls in them so I crutched on this knowledge. I curtsied to accept his offer and muttered my response, "Yes."
"Pardon?" I had to regain my composure. My hands were melting into his hand, and this gave me some ease. I raised my eyes to match his and put on my best Amelia impression.
"Certainly, kind sir. I would be delighted." His smile lit up the room, and he led me onto the dance floor.
Gone were my anxieties about being unable to dance. I hardly needed to know anything with him guiding me. We twirled and glided across the dance floor, and my curiosity got the better of me.
Attempting to mask my anxiety, I spoke some more, "You're quite skilled at this, kind sir. Have you been practicing?"
He softly chuckled in response, and my heart skipped a beat. "One could say that years of guarding the royal family have granted me some grace in my movements. But I must confess, considering dancing with a princess? This is my first."
A smile began to play on my lips. "Well, I hope I'm not too much of a burden on your dancing skills."
His gaze softened and he replied, "Not at all, Your Highness. It's a pleasure."
As we twirled and glided across the ballroom, I felt connected to this man from another world. Wanting to know more about the man beneath his fancy embroideries, I decided to inquire about his past.
"How is your family faring?"
He nodded, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "It is a difficult time for many, but we must endure."
I sensed that there was more to this world than I could ever hope to comprehend in one dance, but I needed to gain all the information I possibly could. I continued, "If you ever wish to share more about them, I'm here to listen. It must be challenging to carry such burdens."
"Thank you, princess; it seems that your kindness matches the stories I've heard about you."
As the dance continued, I felt the tension of two strangers meeting for the first time fade. From what little I knew of music, I sensed that the song was about to end. I did not know if I was allowed another dance. Especially given his status. I was a princess, so I feared this was our last interaction. I needed to remember that this dance was merely a reward for his valor and duty. Nothing more. Without warning I felt a sharp pain in my legs and tripped. In one fell swoop, my dance partner caught me in his arms. Someone just tripped me. I knew that much.
"Kind sir, what just happened?" With a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, he grinned and replied, "My apologies, Your Highness. It seems I've stumbled, but fear not, for I would never let any harm befall you."
I chuckled and performed an end-of-dance curtsy. He met my curtsy with a bow. "Well, you certainly know how to make a dance memorable." I felt like someone was standing right behind me.
"Shall we, Amelia?" No formalities made my hair stand on my ends. His voice was smooth and confident. His presence was somehow even more magnetic than the boy I met before. Not allowing me another moment to say goodbye to the mysterious king's guard, I was skillfully led back to the dance floor.
Before he could completely vanished into the crowd, I shouted to him, "Wait, I realize I never asked your name."
He looked up and I saw a smile form across his face, "Jace. My name is Jace." He bowed and before I knew it he disappeared. I turned my focus to the man in front of me and studied him. He had raven black hair and sapphire-colored eyes. Was everyone here attractive beyond belief? His presence towered over me so much that I had to look directly up to even remotely match his gaze.
He was amazing at guiding me just as Jace was. The floor was an ice-skating rink with him as a partner. Wait, things were quiet. Not just quiet. Silent. The ice from the floor seemed to have crept its way into our banter. Why wasn't he speaking? Did people normally not speak during dances? His lips pursed.
"Princess."
A chill ran down my spine due to the venom in his voice, but I forced myself to maintain my composure. "Yes?" I replied, attempting to be sweet to mask the growing tension.
He frowned and I sensed a sudden shift in the atmosphere. The music seemed to slow and I was growing more nervous by the second.
"Who are you?" His words hung in the air like a dagger, cutting instantly through my facade.
That was a dangerous question. I felt a prick of unease from a needle of suspicion. My mind raced to form a response but before I could utter a word, I felt a sharp object against my back.
I gasped, the breath catching in my throat. The hidden blade he had reminded me of its presence by pushing into my back even more. Then with a lethal level of calmness he said the words I was most scared of him saying. "I know you aren't Princess Amelia. If you don't do exactly what I say, I'll tell everyone what you are."
…