Chapter 57

"Do you actually like the prince?" Crystals voice broke the long silence only interrupted by the sound of the carriage wheels rolling against gravel.

"Yes" I answered without a second to spare her a glance.

"That isn't true, is it?" Her voice wasn't argumentative, just stating a fact. I smiled at her wryly.

"It's best to say I do. There's no point making enemies of the monarchy" I replied, shooting her what I hoped was a comforting smile.

"I suppose… but will you be okay?"

I reached for my pockets patting the small beads I felt beneath the fabric. Counting all ten of them carefully, checking they hadn't suddenly disappeared.

"I'll be fine".

I didn't know if it was the true as much as her. Would I be fine? From what I gathered I really won't be fine at all.

No.

The carriage stopped before the castle. I didn't gawk for once. I just stepped out and made my way to the large stairs that lead to the door.

Each footstep weighing harsher on me.

I was walking towards my death.

"Lady Hart, Lady Colter" I lifted my head to see the familiar ginger hair of what I now know is the princes aid. "Please follow me".

"Thank you for coming here to guide us" Crystal politely told him while I silently trudged along, following him through the doors to the place I would like to label my personal hell.

Crystal elbowed me to grab my attention and I realised the ginger was looking at me.

"You seem unwell Lady Colter?" He asked.

"I'm fine. Apologies for worrying you" I wasn't sure why I woke up feeling like a lost soul in a corpse of a body today, but that was the perfect description. I hadn't bothered attending Lady Willows party after speaking with father. My mind was such a scramble I hadn't even checked in on the store.

There was so much more going on yet I couldn't make sense of any of it.

"The prince would be worried to see you in such a state" he said the words as if they would be a mood changer for me and in a way they were, just not how he might have expected.

"I'm… honoured" I replied meekly, "where are we heading?"

"To the ballroom. It should've been made in clear in your letter?" He frowned and Crystal threw me a look.

Ah yes… the letter I didn't bother reading.

"Right. Of course" I smiled trying to reassure him but instead he threw my dress a one over and then turned back.

I hadn't dressed to impress at all. The dress I wore was simple and could be considered elegant, but among the ladies I should appear like a wallflower. How I hoped to, but would it even do me any good?

We entered the ballroom and for once the prince awaited us. Before him a few of the ladies stood, conversing mostly with each other while he sat atop a throne bought in for him.

Our eyes met instantly and I could have sworn his lit up. I hated the way my stomach felt in response to his attention.

"Lady Colter and Lady Hart!" Came the booming voice of the announcer.

I hated how everyone turned to us. No. To me.

We curtsied before the prince. My eyes still drawn to him. He looked majestic and perfect.

"Thank you for joining me this morning. I apologise for the inconvenience of a welcome ball, but I thought it was only right to celebrate. I hope you enjoyed my grandmothers gifts" I couldn't help notice how talkative he was, but at the mention of the gift I flinched.

Right after I had returned from my meeting with father, I had been left a parcel sent by the dowager. In it was a beautiful dress woven by my own seamstress, but that wasn't what caught my attention. When I lifted the dress a knife clattered to the floor. It had been folded in the dress.

I thought it was a threat originally.

Until I told Crystal and she relievedly told me the same had happened to her.

Was it a warning?

I knew the tasks upcoming would be difficult, but would we really need a knife?

"We truly appreciated the gift" I replied, realising that Crystal looked ashen.

"I'm glad to hear that" he let out an amused chuckle, "please enjoy yourselves ".

We rose, but my eyes were glued to him. He stared back, gaze flicking up and down me as if in a trance, but I didn't notice because I was doing the same. Until I caught myself and joined the ladies.