Why Does She Look Familiar?

"YOU NEVER brought anyone inside your sleeping quarters before. When you needed a woman, you go outside the castle and inform the brothel ahead of time. You never dallied with a lady or a princess. Especially not when they are guests of the royal family," Kayden Hunt said the moment he got back.

Rhys arched his brow but didn't move from his lazy sitting position in the settee. He looked at his personal royal guard and his only friend. "I didn't bring her here. She entered my room without permission."

The royal guard frowned. "That's impossible. Since you were formally announced as the crown prince, no one can see your sleeping quarters without your permission. Not even me or royal advisor Lennox."

As if to agree to the man's statement, the door behind him closed on its own and something shifted in the air. They both know that his sleeping quarters will become invisible to everyone, unless Rhys allowed them.

"I saw that you danced with her in the royal ball too. Do you personally know that lady, Your Highness?" Kayden continued his questions.

"I danced with a lot of women in the royal ball, Kayden. She was not the only lady I danced with," Rhys answered nonchalantly.

The royal guard narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. Rhys didn't like the way he was holding back. He arched his brows. "You can talk to me normally, Kayden. It's just the two of us here."

The royal guard stared at him for a few seconds before he relaxed and sighed. "I know that you danced with other guests too but that was all because royal advisor Lennox told you to. That lady though, you approached her on your own. Don't tell me otherwise. I might not be in the dance floor but I was guarding and observing you from the shadows. I saw that the royal advisor was surprised when you approached that lady and asked her to dance."

Rhys fell quiet for a minute. "Lady Temari."

"What?" Kayden asked in a confused tone.

"She is not 'that lady'. She is Lady Temari of Winterfield."

The royal guard frowned at him. "When have you been particular about a lady's name? You don't even pay attention when the royal advisors introduce you to princesses."

Rhys wondered about that too. He turned to watch the fire in the candle as he remembered the moment Lady Temari bumped into him in that dark hallway. He didn't know her name that time but he heard it when the butler announced her arrival in the ballroom. He was just right behind her when it happened.

Rhys was not the type to remember names and faces, unless they are important people for their kingdom. Yet, he remembered her face and name. The ballroom was huge and there are too many people in attendance that he was personally comfortable with. Despite that, his eyes always went to Lady Temari.

He danced with the women Lennox told him to dance with and all along he was aware where Lady Temari was standing. He noticed that she was not dancing. Nor was she talking to anyone but her lady's maid. He should not care but her presence was like a fishbone stuck on his throat. He was uncomfortable and so he decided to do something about it.

Rhys danced with Lady Temari because he wanted to know something. "Why does she look familiar?" he whispered with his eyes still on the fire of the candle.

"She does," Kayden agreed. "But I am also sure that we haven't seen her before, Rhys. Your royal advisors only allow the most elite families to enter the castle and get the chance to be in your vicinity. She was not one of them."

"I know." That was what Rhys figured out while he was dancing with her. She looked and feel familiar but he was sure she never attended a royal ball before. She probably never attended any party in Clearbury too if he will take into consideration her clumsy dancing skill. Those parties are the possible places where he can actually see people that are not from the castle.

"Instead of familiar, I say she's suspicious," Kayden commented.

That got Rhys's attention. He looked at his royal guard. "You think so, too?"

The man nodded grimly. "She doesn't act like the typical lady. Even during the royal ball, while everyone else is trying to get attention, she was trying to make herself invisible. She didn't know that it only makes her more noticeable. I don't think she is just here for the event, Rhys. We need to investigate her."

Rhys thought about that for a minute then shook his head. "You already have many things to think about during this event, Kayden. Investigating a guest will just add to your responsibilities. I know you barely get sleep lately."

"Whereas you don't get any sleep most of the time, Your Highness."

Rhys sighed and moved to make himself more comfortable in the settee. He was almost lying on it. "Ruling a country needs sacrifices and sleep is one of them."

"And soon, your freedom," Kayden commented.

Rhys looked at his best friend. Their eyes met. "I never had freedom since I was born, Kayden."

"You know what I mean."

"I know."

Kayden is talking about the event that is taking place in the castle. As the crown prince, it is his responsibility to choose a woman worthy to be Mowsland's queen. At least, that is what the people of their country will believe.

In truth, the selection of the future queen will not be based on the crown prince's decision. It is a month-long deliberation that will be made by the elders and the chosen high-ranking aristocrats and officials from all over Mowsland. The crown prince will just announce the name of whoever they pick to be worthy of being the queen.

His impending marriage is just a part of a bigger picture. According to the royal family rituals, only after marrying can the crown prince officially ascend as the king of Mowsland.

Just like all his ancestors, being a king means Rhys will have to stay inside the castle until the end of his life. Sneaking out will never be an option because his guards will be stronger; a combination of soldiers and royal mages. And because his responsibilities will be even heavier, he will be monitored more closely.

"Are you sure about this, Rhys?" Kayden asked in a lower tone.

Their eyes met and he suddenly knew what the royal guard was talking about. "I am."

Kayden nodded. Then he stood straighter and went back to their original discussion. "If you don't want me to investigate Lady Temari, I will do as you want."

Rhys nodded then remembered something the lady mentioned earlier. "I want you to look into something else." The crown prince explained what Lady Temari told him about the cloaked stranger.

Kayden tensed when he heard about it. "I will look into it." The royal guard bowed deeply then went out of the room.

Rhys remained seated in the settee for a long moment before he blew the candle and went to bed. He didn't sleep though. His mind was busy with deep thoughts and complicated plans.