Unseen

Chapter 3

As soon as I walk in the grand doors, maids swarm me. “Your highness, Prince William has requested that you freshen up and then meet him in the library.”

I take one breath to compose myself before I fall into my roll. “Alright.” I take off towards my room, three of the many maids following me. Lily, Ruth, and Becca. Those are their names. My maids. I don’t say anything to them as they trail me, even as my hand slides across the dagger hidden in the bodice of my dress. I nearly hold my breath as I reach the last doorway in the hall and push it open.

All of my thoughts drain away as I step inside. This room is me. Not my sister. Me. The pastel shades of green and blue, pink and purple all melt together. I never dared show this side of me in Paixvannoi. But here, it almost seems like they were waiting for me. It sends chills up my back. I force myself to keep walking, past the enormous four poster bed with a pastel blue canopy, to the balcony. I breathe in the warm spring air and smile. It’s warm here. Not cold. Not icy.

I turn back around to find one maid looking at me while the other unpack my new dresses and hand them up. “What?”

“Nothing, ma’am. It’s just good to have you home.”

Home. This was not my home. No matter how much it felt like it. I force myself to smile. “It’s good to be home.” She smiles at me and I turn again, this time heading for the bathroom. My eyes catch on the door that leads to the Prince’s rooms and my stomach flips at the thought of him being so close while I sleep.

But I continue into the bathroom, studying the large bath with a nod. I turn to the water basin and splash some water on my face, grateful that I didn’t have makeup on quite yet.

My mind whirls and throbs with a light headache from the new place, the new smells and sights. And my new role. The cold water helps sharpen my senses again.

My maid hands me a towel and I thank her quietly, drying my face and then letting her put light makeup on. The woman in the mirror stares back with eyes of grey and wicked lips. I smile at myself before I head towards the door. My maids say nothing as I leave, slowly walking down the staircase and to the library.

My eyes widen as I take it in. I’ve never been allowed in a library. The only books that I have ever read were smuggled to me by Philip. I look around, searching for the Prince but when I find it empty I select a book from the shelf and settle myself in the window seat, bringing my legs up on the seat as well and bending them to use them as a table for the book.

It’s easy to fall into the words. Every once in a while, I look around me for the Prince, but then the book engulfs me. It’s about war. It talks about blood and death in a way that I understand and relate to, showing me exactly how I feel. Each fight was beautiful and craved until it was over and the guilt took hold.

I nearly jump out of my skin when a tall man with golden blond hair clears his throat from the bookshelf that he was leaning against. I slam the book shut in my haste as I stand and curtsy to him. “You don’t have to do that, Elizabeth. How was your trip?”

I straighten, unable to move from my spot. “Lovely. But it’s nice to be…home.”

He walks closer and I almost can’t stop the gasp that rises inside me as I meet his blue green eyes. This is the boy from the alley. He’s the prince. He could recognize me.

But then again, I look just like Elizabeth. So maybe I will be dismissed. “It’s good to have you back. Now we can plan the ball for you.”

I swallow and he steps forward, studying my face closer. “Are you alright?”

I have to look up at him and I’m not used to looking up at anyone. Alex and I are nearly the same height, but the Prince stands way taller than me, his arms and chest thick with muscle. “I’m alright. Just tired. It was a long trip. And you surprised me.”

He nods, his eyes studying my face for a moment. “Would you have breakfast with me tomorrow?”

I suck in a breath and nod. “I’d love to.”

He nods, his blue green eyes still searching my face. “What were you reading?”

I look down at the book that I'd forgotten in my hands. “The midnight assassin.”

His eyes light up in an unfamiliar way and his lips twitch. “Interesting choice.” I don’t respond and he steps back. “If you need anything, I’ll have a maid come keep watch over you. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.”

Once again, his eyes flash and I feel like he knows something I don’t. But I nod, smiling at him and he turns, leaving me be. I don’t move until the doors shut and only then do I slowly walk back to my window perch, curling my knees into my chest and looking out the window. It isn’t long before a maid comes in with a tray of sweets and I can’t help my smile as she sets them down next to me. That was thoughtful.

I pick up a pastry, biting into it and nearly moaning. It wasn’t very often that I got my hands on sweets. I’d have to watch myself so I wasn’t eating too many. I continue to look out the window until one of my maids, Becca, comes looking for me. “My lady, the queen is ill tonight so dinner will be in your room if that is alright?”

“That’s fine. I’ll be up in a moment.”

She nods, heading back upstairs. I slowly stand, stretching and picking up the book that fascinated me so. I take my time heading upstairs, studying my new home as I walk. It is elegant. And beautiful.

I come around a corner and pause as I see the Prince walking towards me. He doesn’t notice me until he’s almost right by me. “Oh, Elizabeth, I’m going to send the butler your way to help you plan for the ball. Is that alright?”

I nod and he bows quickly before hurrying downstairs. I follow him with my gaze until he’s out of sight and then I head to my room, staring at his door as I pass. Can I really get close enough to him to get him to trust me? Will I be able to get his people to trust me? I open my door and my maids smile, swarming around me until I finish my dinner.

There’s a knock on my door and Beca answers it. “Ma’am, it’s the butler.”

“Let him in.”

He steps inside and lays out folders on the table. “Your Highness, the Prince said that I could go over the plans with you.”

“That’s fine.”

He opens the binder and I spend the next hour going over everything with him.

I’m very grateful that Philip made me do this during training. After an hour, we are finished and my maids draw me up a bath. I wave them away when they try to help me undress and lock myself in the bathroom so they stop pestering me. I peel my clothes off slowly and sink into the warm water, sighing in content.

It is nice here. I’m more free here. But I have to watch my every word. I wash my hair slowly, enjoying the sweet smell of the scented soaps. I step out once I’m finished and wrap myself in a robe before I leave the bathroom. My maids have my bed ready and Ruth brushes my hair, braiding it back for sleep.

I send them away once I’m ready for bed and pick up my book again, settling in to read.

*********************

I wake up when Lily opens up the curtains, spilling light into my room. I groan, pulling the covers up over my head. “No. I’m not ready to get up.”

Lily and Ruth giggle. “Come on, Ma’am. The Prince wants to eat with you.”

I moan, rolling over in bed and they pull back the covers. “You’re going to be late if you don’t get up.”

I force myself to sit up and blink in the light. “Fine. This had better be a good breakfast.”

They laugh again and help me dress in a light green day dress. Ruth pulls my hair up in a bun and curls some pieces around my face, dabbing on some makeup before they send me on my way. I walk down to the library slowly, yawning and still trying to wake up.

The door is open and the Prince waits for me, going through some papers. I study him for a moment before I step inside and he looks up. “Elizabeth. Good morning.”

I smile and he stands, pulling my chair out for me and I sit, letting out a long breath. “Good morning.”

He sits across from me, pushing dishes towards me. “Go ahead and eat. Jonathan was impressed with your choices for the ball.”

“Jonathan?”

“The butler.”

I nod, slowly dishing some mixed fruit into my plate. “I’m happy I impressed someone.”

I feel the Prince straighten but I focus on my food, picking up a chocolate pastry. “What do you mean?”

I look up at him, meeting his blue green eyes for a moment. “Nothing.”

He narrows his eyes, studying me. “Are you looking forward to the party?”

I dip my chin slightly. “Yes. I am.”

He nods, his eyes lingering on me a moment longer before he picks up his paper again and starts to read. I quietly eat for a moment, studying him between bites. “Is there more that I need to do to help?”

His eyes flick back to me. “I was going to ask you to work with my Mother today. She is going to be working with the maids for the guest room preparation and then she will show you what else she does. If you’re up for that.”

I nod, taking a bite of the pastry. “I would be willing to do that. Is your mother feeling better?”

His brow furrows. “Not really. That is why I wanted you to help her. Just to keep an eye on her. She has been having headaches that make her pass out and it would make me feel a lot better if you were with her.”

My heart races but I nod. “Of course.”

He leans forward, placing his hand attop mine and his touch makes me freeze. His hands aren’t smooth. They're rough like mine. From dealing with weapons. “Thank you.”

I nod and squeeze his hand back. “Of course.”

We don’t really say much through the rest of breakfast until he stands. “I have to go to a meeting. I’ll see you at lunch if that’s alright?”

I nod, standing as well. “Where should I go?”

“Mother is waiting in the guest rooms.”

I nod, taking a breath as he steps forward, kissing my cheek before he leaves me alone in the library. I take a moment to steady myself before I step out into the hall and head for the guest rooms.

The Queen is tall and beautiful, her long blond hair falling in ringlets down her back. She smiles kindly at me when I step into the guest room that she’s working on. “Ahh, Elizabeth. William told me he would ask you to come. I’m happy you did.”

“Me too. How can I help?”

“I need to pick colors. Lords and Ladies are coming from all over Uthronien to congratulate you and William on your wedding. William didn’t want to make it too big for your first ball, so only about half the rooms are going to be in use.”

Oh. Well, that’s still a lot of people but a twinge of gratitude sparks in my chest. He thought about me. He knew I would be planning this and he didn’t want it to be too much. “Well, we could always do a mix of neutral colors. That way no one gets a room with a color they hate.”

The Queen smiles at me. “That is exactly what I was thinking.”

So we specify exactly what colors to use and by lunch, we have everything figured out. Queen Deeria squeezes my hand before she retires to her room and I meet William in the garden for lunch. The warm sun feels wonderful on my skin and he smiles a little as he sees me, standing and I take a deep breath as I sink into my chair across from him.

He sits down and a maid carefully sets two plates of salad and a steaming plate of fish in front of us as well as a platter of fruit and vegetables. I thank her quietly and then I look up at William. “How was your meeting?”

“Boring. I hope you had more fun than I did.”

I laugh softly. “I love your mother. She is so sweet.”

He smiles too. “She is. I’m lucky to have her. And she loves you too. You are all she talks about, Elizabeth.”

I look down at my food, my cheeks heating slightly. After a moment, I hear him shuffle through some papers and I take the moment to study him. His blond hair glows in the sunlight and since he took his suit coat off in the heat, I can see his muscular arms, the way his shirt fits across his chest.

He isn’t just some prince who sits around doing paperwork all day. He moves. He’s active and if his hands give anything away, he works with weapons often.

A threat. A problem. He will have to trust me completely if I have a chance of killing him. Because if he has a moment's notice, I’ll be the one who is dead.

I take a breath as I take a bite of the salmon and groan at the wonderful taste. William glances up at me with a smile, pushing the plate of fish closer to me. “Eat as much as you want.”

“Do you not like it?”

He winces. “I’m not fond of fish, but I know you like it, so I had it ordered.”

“Thank you.”

He nods, looking back down at his paper. I study him for a moment before I put another bite in my mouth. “How long before our guests start arriving?”

“Tomorrow. Some of them are starting to arrive tomorrow.”

I take a breath. “I’m scared. I don’t know how to entertain guests.”

He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “You are going to do fine, Elizabeth. I’ll be there with you to help. I won’t leave your side.”

I nod slowly. “Thank you, William.”

He smiles at me for a moment before he looks back down at his paper.

*********************

The guests arrive throughout the day and my face hurts from smiling by the time night falls and William and I excuse ourselves. I slump against the wall and William laughs, gently taking my hand. “You did amazing.”

“I don’t know how you grew up with this and are still sane.”

He laughs again. “I got very good at sneaking around when I was younger. I’ve never enjoyed parties. No one knows how to dance anymore.”

I sigh. “I feel the same way.”

We walk up the stairs together, his hand still in mine. He walks me to my door and pauses after he opens it. “Goodnight, Elizabeth.”

“Good night.”

I walk into my room and quietly close the door behind me. His smile lingers in my mind. I push away from my door and find a dress hanging from the closet. “A gift from the Lady Corra, my Lady,” Lily says. She smiles at me. “I hear you had a good time with the Prince ma’am.”

“I did. I enjoyed today. But I’m ready for bed. It was a long day.”

Lily nods, smiling and draws me a bath.

*********************

A week goes by and suddenly the ball is here. I run around all day, making preparations that I don’t even care about until two hours before it starts. The Prince is nowhere to be seen and I honestly don’t blame him. This is the part I am going to struggle with.

My maids quickly help me bathe and then set to work on me. They put me in a red gown and put so much makeup on that my face feels heavy. I let them do it, trying not to wince as they pull my hair up.

But as I stand in front of the mirror, I see how beautiful they made me and it stuns me into silence. “Oh…”

My maids beam at each other and Lily steps forward, smoothing out the petticoats. “The Prince’s favorite color, Ma’am.”

I barely hear her. My tan skin has been smoothed, my gray eyes bright and I don’t recognize myself in the mirror. The woman standing in front of me is royalty. I can’t help but smile, my lips parting to show my bright white teeth. “This is perfect.”

There’s a knock on the door leading into the Prince’s room and I turn as it opens. “Elizabeth, I-”

He cuts off mid sentence, his green blue eyes taking me in. The stunned expression on his face melts as he meets my eyes. “You are so beautiful.”

My stomach lurches, butterflies suddenly pounding there. “Thank you.”

I barely notice my maids excuse themselves. But then Prince William steps forward, taking my hand in his. It still surprises me that his hands are rough even though I’ve touched them every day for a few a week.

He smiles at me, his eyes bright and… excited. “Since we are the hosts, we get the first dance to ourselves. The first dance starts in an hour.”

I smile at him, forcing my insides to be steady. Steel. “Are you telling me that it’s time to go?”

He smiles too. “Something like that, Princess.”

“Well, Prince, I do believe I'm ready.”

He offers me his arm and I take it, letting him lead me out of my room and down to the ball room that I’ve been stressing over the last two days. The Prince nods in approval as we walk inside. “This is amazing, Elizabeth.”

I shake my head slowly. “I can’t believe it turned out alright.”

Most of the servants notice us now and they all quickly curtsy before continuing with last minute preparations. The Prince leads us to our seats at the high table where we will be if we’re not dancing or mingling. He holds my chair out for me and I sit, grateful to get off my feet. The slippers I wear have far less support than the boots I’m used to.

William sits next to me, resting his hand atop mine on the table. “This is wonderful, Elizabeth.”

“Thank you. You can’t give me all the credit though. The maids and butlers were the best help I could ask for.”

The servants working around us all beam at the complement and he squeezes my hand. “They love you, you know. All the staff.”

I glance at him, meeting his blue-green eyes. “Really?”

He nods, glancing around us. “I’ve heard many of them talking very kindly of you.”

I smile, and he squeezes my hand again as a servant approaches us. “You’re Highnesses, the guests are ready.”

I glance around quickly, making sure that there’s no reason anyone would think I was anyone other than Elizabeth and when I look up I find the Prince’s eyes on me. “We’re ready. Let them in.”

*********************

I can’t believe how many people there are as the Prince leads me down to the dance floor. But it’s even harder to believe how quiet the crowd is as he leads me to the center of the circle of people.

The Prince turns towards me, placing one hand on my hip and taking my hand in the other. The music starts and he sweeps me away.

We are extremely well matched partners. Both of us light on our feet. But I’m surprised at how smoothly he moves. I’m aware that I can move precisely, in complete control of my body’s every motion after years of training and punishment for failure.

And the Prince is just as good as me. I look up into his eyes and I can see the joy in them, the excitement as we both find a dance partner equal to us in skill.

The quiet murmurs around the room tell me that I’m not the only one to notice our grace. As we get deeper into the song, I let the mask I’ve been wearing loosen a bit and let myself go, following William perfectly with each move. We move faster and faster, able to keep up easily and I love it. I love the freedom that comes from dancing.

When the music finally fades and I curtsy and William bows, the room bursts into applause and more couples rush onto the dance floor. William looks at me, his eyes twinkling. “Shall we?”

I nod, taking up position again and letting the motions take over again.

William and I dance through most of the dances. We don’t talk much, but we don’t have to. Our motions say everything for us. As the clock strikes midnight, we leave and everyone bows. As soon as we’re out of the ball room I sag and William wraps his arm around me. “I didn’t know you were such a beautiful dancer.”

I smile. “Well, you didn’t tell me you were either.”

He chuckles, opening my room door for me and I turn to face him, making sure my mask is back in place. He scans my face and something like disappointment flashes in his eyes before he kisses my hand and retreats to his room.

I stand there for a moment, confused as I stare at his door. What did I do? Or what didn’t I do?”

I shake my head and slowly walk into my room.