She still looks good

It had been four days at the castle already. Jameson was back to his normal routine, working with his father for daily King roles. It was really tiring and boring for him, no one really wanted to do these things, listening to other people advise them all day and letting them choose. He really didn't know why, but as his role he was supposed to do it. He was going to take over one day anyway.

It was this day, when it suddenly became dark and cold, and raining pretty heavily when his life almost flipped upside down. He was in his study, reading over papers when he overheard a conversation of some maids.

"Did you see that poor girl they brought it? She was really pretty, but she was covered in mud and rain, shame she'll probably die soon."

"Really? I heard she smiled and was winking at all sorts of people. She had the prettiest blue eyes, I think I might have just fallen for her too." There was more chatter after that, but the Prince didn't think of that anymore. Quickly running up to the maids, he looked at them with surprise. Arilin the Shadowfox was right on his heels, his tail wagging slightly. This was exciting for both of them.

"Where are they holding the girl? Did she have black hair? Tanned skin and muscles?" He said, getting caught up in his own mind that Arilin had to almost bite him to get him to stop thinking about that. He cleared his throat and looked at the maids. They both looked at each other and then looked at the Prince.

"Sir… they brought her to the throne room with everyone there, she was in chains." One of them said quietly. Before they could blink, the Prince was running down the hall to the throne room. This was a public execution. That made him move his feet faster.

As soon as the door to the throne room opened, a gathering of people were there. Almost immediately people bowed to him. The blonde haired girl Adaline ran up to him, bowing and showing her fake smile.

"Prince! You're here! I didn't expect you here. Come stand with me." She cooed, but his eyes were on the girl. She was still standing, holding her own as it looked like the tow guards on each side of her were trying to force her to kneel. Cattaleya's head turned around, looking the Prince in the eyes and gave him a dangerous smile. His heart fluttered slightly, something dangerous but alluring was about that smile. Adaline noticed him staring at the girl and pulled him to stand next to his father on the throne, holding his arm and standing next to him.

Adaline hated that girl. She had the looks, the natural looks. She got almost all the men to stare at her like the Prince did. It made her blood boil, usually she only got those looks. She even had a small mockingjay on her shoulder. Could she be more pathetic? At least she had her Fruugar, a frog-like beast with power and kicks. Her eyes stood out against her perfectly tanned skin, bright blue eyes that lit up the room even if it was full of candles, how? How she wanted to rip those eyes out of her head. What made her more disgusting is that she was wearing pants,no respectable women wore pants. Mud was all over her, and was soaking wet. How gross was she, and she still captured the room.

King James looked at his son, then back at the girl. He was upset, angry, and more importantly, afraid. How much did she know exactly? He was sitting on the throne, looking down at everyone, her most importantly.

"Cattaleya, what is your last name?" He asked. Jameson finally exhaled, it just started. He didn't know he was holding his breath.

"No last name, I grew up on the streets, so I have no family to call back on." She responded calmly. This was the first time the room heard her speak. She had a soft voice, a perfect voice most though.

The King could only believe her for now, frowning and looking at the mockingjay on her shoulder. "So, homeless and orphaned, how did you get to the Ball? And with a dress?"

She glanced around the room, looking back at the King when he spoke again. Taking that as a sign of disrespect towards him, the guards kicked the back of her knees at the same time. She barely flinched, glancing at them dangerously before slowing kneeling down. It shocked the whole room.

"Well, I said I was orphaned, not homeless. I got a job and got a small home. I rented the dress for the night. It's not that complicated." She shrugged.

"What do you do you work as then?"

"Woodcutter, sometimes in the forge if they need me. Brings in good money." The rooms took a collective gasp. A woman could do a man's job? That was unheard of for them. The Prince seemed unreadable now, she worked? Hard labor? He felt like he was being cheated out of something. Adaline just smiled at the girl.

"So, Cattaleya-" The King paused to think, "Woodcutter, do you know why you're here?" He sat forward, taking more interest. He wanted to see the look on her face clearly. That face, with her wet hair still sticking to the side and some mud on it.

Without hesitation she answered his question like it was normal, "Well, by everyone here and the guard calling me a traitor to you, probably a public execution."