Once upon a deception

The first prince 1

Grand duke Malachi was at the gates of the great palace to welcome Clarisse as she highlighted the King's carriage. Once Clarisse stepped down, it became uncomfortable clear that she had become the diamond of the court. The many noble girls who had just arrived themselves and others who tarried the stable path on their way to the palace had their eyes on her; their red lips were pout with jealousy and their eyes darted amongst themselves with questions they would only utter in secret. Clarisse caught the looks they sent down her way and for a long moment, she was sure they had seen through her disguise.

"Don't worry Clarisse," The Grand duke assured. "They are just scouting competition and it is a pretty big deal to be in the presence of the Grand duke."

Clarisse looked back at the dispersing crowd. The Duke was right. Though the women who wore similar masks like her looked as though they were in control, It was obvious that they were uncertain. Uncertain of her. Though they would never admit it.

"I see, "Clarisse said, mustering all she had mastered from sister Mathilde to greet the Duke.

He took her by the hand and led her into the castle. It helped to feel that she was not the only one in the public eye. The Grand duke did not seem to mind the public gossip and questioning eyes. It was like they were not even there to begin with.

"You do have to be careful of the Ladies," The Duke continued as they approached the seemingly empty hallways that demarcated the outside from the true within of where the ball was taking place. Clarisse could make out the alluring sound of classical music playing in the distance as she listened to the wise words of the Duke. "They see beautiful smart women as threats and considering you will be spending time alone with the Princes of Wohar. Every eligible bachelorette will be looking for your downfall. Play your part well and keep your distance."

All the parts of his warning should have stick to her head but Clarisse could only make out the mention of the Duke calling her smart and tagging her as beautiful. It almost made her cheeks redden.

"I...will keep that in mind your...grace." Clarisse stammered.

They closed into the entrance of the ball. Clarisse could sense the magic and the reverie of music. It made her itch to be inside already. Her legs forgot the teachings of Sister Mathilde and in an unladylike fashion, she was rushing in. It could have been a catastrophe if the Grand duke did not latch on to her.

"Easy," He smiled, his demeanor was the epitome of the perfect gentleman.

"I'm sorry," Clarisse managed, stepping back to meet his pace and continuing on as he needed her to. Head high and in total control.

Clarisse let out a solemn gasp the moment they were inside. It was beautiful, it was elegant, and it beat everything she had ever thought the palace would look like. The ceilings were so high that Clarisse was sure giants could fit in without worry. She remained in awe as to how the ceilings were powder-white despite the fact that it would be difficult for any maid to go up to clean them. Opulence. Yes, Opulence was the only word Clarisse could use to describe the perfection. There were soft chairs and chaises carved in the elaborate style scattered across the room. Clarisse looked down at her feet to admire the thick carpet she was stepping upon. It was an intricate red with threads of gold woven into its side to make it all the more spectacular and when Clarisse looked at the bare ground, she almost shrieked. Her wide-eyed reflection stared back. It had been so sudden, Clarisse got the hibbyjibbies. The floors were polished, black, and marbled. They rivaled any hand mirror Clarisse had ever come in contact with.

This palace was everything. Perhaps even more. If the King had all of this. What could he have possibly wanted to gain with the destruction of her people? Somehow the beauty and enthralling nature of the palace only seemed to amplify Clarisse's anger towards the royal family.

It took a rather obnoxious comment to snap Clarisse back to reality.

"By the great god, she looks like a w***e!"

Clarisse tilted in the direction of the voice. She saw a group of young women of perhaps her age, in dresses that had probably taken someone weeks of work to produce. Not that Clarisse was an exception herself. One of them, resplendent in a clear gossamer blue gown that showed skin and her perfect figure was the foul-mouthed fellow who had taken an immediate dislike to her as she continued to call Clarisse all sort of unsavory names without even making effort to disguise who she was speaking about.

"Unbelievable," Clarisse whispered to the Grand duke. "She calls me a w***e just because I have been opportune to live in the castle. I am not the one lusting after a Prince who would probably never look my way twice. Not to mention her shameful dress."

Clarisse had already spilled her fair share of passionate hate for the haughty stranger when one of the blue-dressed noble peers said, "Why is she with your father though?"

Clarisse choked on her words. She looked back at the rude lady. That was the Grand Duke's daughter? Clarisse had not even been aware he had a house of his own. She almost felt guilty for consenting to those terrible daydreams she had with the Grand duke. Clarisse was red as a beet looking up to meet the Grand Duke's face. He had a smile on that only seemed to deceive Clarisse the more that he could not be married. Her thoughts were selfish and perverted but Clarisse wished he was not a married one. She wanted him. She wanted the good man who wished to end the tyrannical rule of his king at the expense of his title and family. She respected Malachi.

'"I apologize, your grace, I would have kept my tongue in place if I knew who she was."

"Forget it, Clarisse," He said, "I am very certain she had it coming."

The carpet stopped right in front of an elevated point. Clarisse had kept her attention on the floor and the Grand duke the whole time that she did not realize someone of importance was sitting on the throne of the elevated point. She only became aware of how disrespectful she had been when the Grand duke nudged her. Clarisse looked before her and felt an unbearable chill make its way from her spine downwards. Sitting on the throne and bored as hell was one of the men who brought hell upon her and her people. Clarisse's fright was not out of fear but out of her inability to put an end to the bastard. Malachi had already gotten custody of a dagger. It was a pity. For Clarisse, this was the perfect time to drive the sharp slick metal straight into his heart.

"She seems quiet Malachi." The king said, bored. " Is she mute? I am sure the war must have been tough on her."

That hit a nerve!