I Don't Need Luck!

He watched her leave, she walked into the gardens gracefully_a cheerful smile decorated her lips. He was beyond surprised to see her in the Palace. A rush of regret flooded within him, the frightened look on her face when they met earlier became distinct in his mind.

He groaned!.

It was indeed the wrong time and place to run into her. He hated the fright look she bore, it ached a part of him and he pondered why! But strangely, she reminded him of a frightened adorable kitten, He wasn't a fanatic for adorable things but the look on her face made it difficult for him not to be enthralled by it.

He couldn't stop the smile that etched his features anytime he sees or thinks of her. She was strange and different but that allured him more.

Suddenly, he remembered the reason for her visit. His demeanor grew sinister. The Queen was hosting a tea party!.

What was she planning?. The thought of his mother, enraged him. He looked towards the garden_his gaze rested on her. Her happy mein faded fleetingly, it was apparent that she didn't want to be there, to be a part of the chattering hyenas. She was like a red rose in the field of sunflowers, its beauty couldn't be hidden in the field even with the thousands that enclosed it, it was unfaded and illuminated more than the rest. He fought within himself not to carry her out of there.

He exhaled, if the Queen's intentions were on Rosalind, he will do anything within his power to keep her safe.

"Your Majesty, I…" Lady Adeline paused.

The Crown Prince walked past her, ignoring her presence. She felt as invisible as air as he walked further away.

She turned around, her eyes were fixed on him. This was not the first time he ignored her. It was annoying to think that he didn't seem to notice her and it was all because he was already infatuated with someone else. It angered her for some reason.

She was always liked and admired by everyone. Not a day goes by that she doesn't capture the hearts of everyone that gazed upon her beauty but here he was, unfazed by her and it made her blood boil.

He should be madly infatuated with her but he wasn't. Her hands clenched her dress as she watched him. Her face twisted with anger. He will be hers and she will make sure of it.

* * * *

"Oh look! The dummy has finally arrived!" An irritating voice said to the hearing of everyone. The ladies around her giggled in delight.

I exhaled, tired of her dirty antics. I quickened my steps and approached her. It was bad enough that I had to be in the Palace but the worse thing was to endure her annoying voice.

"Don't you ever get tired of using the same antics over and over again?" I asked, the shocked looks I received brightened my day. "You know, I thought that you would finally act mature but I have to admit I am disappointed that you are still the same Eleonora!" I said, my eyes gleamed as I watched the horrified look on her face.

"How dare you?" She seethed. The ladies beside her drew back, afraid that she would explode.

"What! I am right aren't I? Your coming of age is in a few months isn't it Eleonora? And here you are still displaying your sickening childish ways!" I said, surging with a new found confidence.

The murmurs and chatters became louder, I could sense the distraught look on her face as she looked around. She probably wasn't expecting me to clap back at her but to her dismay I am not the original Rosalind that would cower at her presence, I am Emilia Jones and I will not be trampled upon by an over spoiled brat!.

"What do you think that you are doing?" She asked, her veins popped in her head as she stared at me, enraged.

"I am just saying that instead of you wasting your time on gorgeous me!" I said, smiling wickedly at her "You should invest it in something more important like I don't know…" I paused, thinking for the right sentence to use for her "... Fixing, your terrible disgusting attitude!".

Some of the ladies giggled at my words while others murmured among themselves.

"You feel high and mighty now because the Crown Prince noticed you at the ball!" She said in a mocking tone, perhaps thinking that I would be fazed by her words.

I chuckled loudly to her dismay " At least someone powerful noticed me but what about you Eleonora, did you catch anyone's attention at the ball?" I asked, deriding her. "Perhaps you caught rats and insects instead!" I taunted.

Her eyes twitched, irritated by my retorts whilst the laughter around us grew louder.

I inched closer to her, surprisingly she walked backwards. In a split second, I observed the fear in her eyes.

"Now you know how it feels to be at the receiving end of it all." I whispered "This is just the beginning!" I said, my tone was dark and eery.

She looked terrified for a moment as I backed off.

"Her Majesty has arrived!" Someone announced.

Hearing that, I turned around to see the Queen approaching us, smiling warmly at her guests.

Our eyes met for a split second, she began making her way towards me which bewildered everyone present.

"Lady Rosalind, I am so glad that you honored my invitation!" She said, amicably.

"The honor is mine, Your Highness!" I said with a curtsey.

"How are you enjoying the party?" She asked.

I kept quiet for a moment, thinking of a nice thing to say "The party is amazing, nothing like I have ever experienced!" I replied, slowly.

"I am glad that you are enjoying yourself!" She said, staring awkwardly at me. I suddenly felt subconscious.

"I heard that the Crown Prince led you to the gardens, You two are awfully close!"

The moment she said that I noticed how everyone stared at me, mumbling and whispering to themselves.

"There is nothing going on between the Crown Prince and I!" I said, frantically. Hoping that she would believe me.

"So, you are not attracted to him?" She inquired.

The mumbling grew louder and the stares were intense.

"I. . .uh. . . I am not Your Majesty. What happened in the ball was just a misunderstanding!" I stated.

She shot me a strange look, not saying a word. I felt like a criminal being interrogated for her crimes.

"What if he is attracted to you?" She asked suddenly.

My face whitened at the question. Blood drained from my face.

"That is not possible Your Highness, he can never be attracted to me not even in a million years!" I said, the pitch in my voice was louder than ever. The chattering around me grew with great intensity.

"Hmm! I will take your word for it!" Saying that she left, attending to her other guests.

I let out a breath that I was holding, it felt strange to be asked questions about him especially when there can never be any romantic tension between us.

"Are you alright?" Someone asked.

I turned to see Adeline, she looked concerned as she approached me.

"Yeah I am, I am just shocked by her questions that's all!" I explained.

"It is okay!" She said with a half shrug "As long as you spoke the truth!".

I was baffled by her last statement, it felt like she didn't believe me.

"I spoke the truth!" I said firmly.

"I know and I believe you!" She replied casually, I was grateful that atleast someone did "And I think The Queen believes you too!" She added.

I sighed "I hope she does!".

* * * * *

"Did you finally talk to her?" He asked, walking out of the terrace into the room. Rays of the moonlight seeped through the curtains, illuminating the dark room.

She placed the tea cup on the saucer, memories of her tea party rushed in.

"I don't like her!" She said simply.

"Why?" He asked, seating on the cushion across from her.

"She has no feelings for him. She is not even attracted to him and she looks like someone that cannot easily be manipulated!" She replied in an infuriating tone.

"So, you are giving up?" He frained.

"No! To control Cedric, I need to manipulate the woman he loves and in this case, the lady he is attracted to doesn't fit the most important thing in my list!" She explained.

"What are you going to do now?" He inquired.

"We need to find someone else, someone more beautiful. A lady that I can control and make her do our bidding, she needs to have the same goal as ours and she has to be able to seduce the Crown Prince!" She explained, her face brightened with the guile thought.

"You know, it will not be easy!" He pointed out "The Crown Prince is already wary of you!".

"I know, but this is the greatest chance we have since our other plans keep on flopping!" She said, angrily.

"I wish you good luck!" He said simply.

"I don't need luck!".