The Courtesan

Chapter 28

The golden carriage came to a stop in front of the crowd and more maids sprinkling flowers danced in front of the carriage.

As someone who worked in the industry, I could see their tiredness from their strained smile.

“Pardon me my lady. I have less than a few minutes to tell you what I am about to say so please pay attention.”

The voice was not familiar but from his next words, I could tell who he was.

“My master told me you know nothing about the royal family and wants me to tell you who is who. She says if possible, you should avoid Lady Isla.”

“I thought she was her only supporter?”

“Lady Isla is the reason why my master is where she is right now.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain that later. When Queen Moriah was younger, she was married off to the then General Mival. He had a sweetheart then, who he was supposedly in love with. He got her pregnant and brought her in as a concubine. She’s Lady Vanessa. They always hated each other. Lady Vanessa’s son, King Mival’s first child, is Prince Kron. A few years later, Queen Moriah gives birth to twin girls. One died a little while after being born and the other one disappeared a few days after. Disheartened by that, she could never give birth again. However, it slowly got worse after that. She find out about King’s Mival’s plan to take over the throne and try to gain more information. She finds out that the daughter that was supposedly kidn*pped was used as a transaction to secure the support of the King of Perimas.”

“... Noelle.”

“You know her?”

“She used to be one of the courtesans at the house.” Her first and only patron had been the Prince - now King - of Perimas and she had met him on the night of her debut.

“She most likely wasn’t aware. King Mival then married Lady Java to restore peace between the Mountain Tribe and Casella. They also promised his cooperation to win the battle against the old king. His wives and concubines are all political marriages. Lady Anya is from Perimas and Lady Ralia is from Uramuth. Lady Isla, however, was acquainted with the King far before he became a general. She befriended Queen Moriah and became a spy for the King. It was only after Queen Moriah was taken to the cold palace did she confess she was the one that stole her children.”

I was too mind blown to say anything.

“But she has the support of the Horps Duchy. They are not known for such sneaky behavior.”

“Queen Moriah is from the Horps Duchy. They still think them to be friends. My master wants you to take the child and flee to them.”

“Why? Why does your master want me to leave?”

“King Mival is planning to go to war with Uramuth.”

“That’s insane! Uramuth is as powerful, if not more powerful than Casella.”

“Were you listening? King Mival’s wives are all from political marriages. He has the support of many and they would provide him the resources he needs to start and win this war. The only thing stopping him from outright declaring a war is the absence of the King’s seal.”

“The King’s seal?”

“It was lost during the m******e of the old royal family.”

“Oh…”

King Mival was planning a war. Not just any war, a war on the biggest kingdom in the continent. It seemed like a short sighed decision but with the planning he had done over the years, he could have a high chance of winning. But the effect of the war on Casella and the continent as a whole…...it was too horrifying to imagine.

“I will return after the ball for your decision. I bid you farewell for now, Miss Greycastle.”

Like a fickle wind, he was gone the same way he arrived. When I came to, a particular set of grey eyes were fixated on me.

“Y-Your highness.” I bowed in greeting.

“Miss Greycastle, your eyes were fixed on me so I wondered if there was something you had for me.”

I didn’t realize I was staring at him while I was being talked to.

“I just had something on my mind. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, your highness.”

“... Never mind. I hope my brother isn’t giving you too much trouble?”

“No. He has been most wonderful.”

He didn’t look like he believed me. It didn’t matter because there was nothing he could do about it. He said nothing more, turning his back without even greeting his supposed brother and entering the palace.

“Prince Miyon?”

He was shaking when his brother left. I assumed he was crying and was ready to console him until I saw the huge smile on his face.

“Ellie, look!”

His index fingers wiggled excessively in the direction of an animal being carried on a velvet carpet. It was a ginger cat, lazily lying on the carpet.

“I don’t know who owns it but I don’t think you should touch it.”

“But… but…”

“I’m sorry your highness. We should go back now.”

“Aww.”

He didn’t argue with me, staring at the cat longingly. Meanwhile, nearby, the Queen was chiitering excitedly with King Mival.

“I brought a gift for you, my Queen.”

“Your majesty, you didn’t have to…”

She sounded genuinely excited. How was a Queen more of a w***e than I was? Even Amelia wasn’t like that.

The servants carrying the cat brought it closer. She gasped, reaching for it. The following sequence of events almost cost me my head. The cat hissed and growled at her, jumping off the carpet.

“Pftt…” I immediately covered my mouth.

“Who was that?!” The angered queen yelled, looking around. Another laugh rang out, one that wasn’t mine.

“Even a mere animal can sense a witch when it sees one.”

“I don’t want to hear that from an aberration such as yourself, Lady Java.”

“Forgive me, your majesty but the only aberration here is the fact that you thought wearing that gown and that neck piece would somehow be a good combination.”

“Ha?! Don’t tell me you think those garish headpieces are somehow attractive? Just the smell can put horses to eternal sleep!”

“At least I have culture. What do you have except a lack of senses?”

“Ladies, ladies, please calm down. There’s no way to behave in such a manner. His majesty just returned from a long journey. We have to entertain him and make him feel at home, don’t we?” A different lady, dressed in a plum coat said with a wide smile. She stood apart from the other wives, looking gentle and amiable.

If I was right, then she was…

“Lady Ralia is right, your majesty.”

Apparently, I was wrong.

“Thank you for supporting me, Lady Isla.”

Lady Isla stood closer to the king, smiling like all was right with the world. Looking at the situation, only Queen Kierra and Lady Java outright displayed their hostility for each other. While Lady Ralia looked amiable, Lady Isla’s face was a bit too sharp. I could finally identify Lady Anya, who blended too much into the crowd.

They soon disappeared into the palace, dispersing the crowd. I could finally tug the prince into the palace but when I looked down for him, he wasn’t there. I panicked, looking for him. He left small footprints in the snow that led back into our quarters. I followed them and found him chasing around a ginger tail.

“Your highness, that’s dangerous.”

Of course he ignored me, continuing to run around and play with the cat. I sighed, leaving him alone since we were in the premises of our quarters. I just followed them closely.

The next few days, the palace was a bustle of activities. All the maids, except me, were recruited to make the palace sparkle in preparation for the ball. The decorations were over the top and no doubt expensive, and they covered every part of the palace. Every part as in they extended to our quarters. Of course they just dumped it in front of me and asked me to do it. I was more than familiar with decorating even in most difficult places so it was an easy task for me.

Just… the cat took to the prince and kept fiddling with the decorations. It also ate up a majority of our meals and from the looks of it, no one noticed where it was.

The ball was in two days time and the guests were slowly arriving. Many delegates arrived in the capital and involuntarily, my eyes searched for a particular flag. Even after reminding myself he probably didn’t care about me anymore, I couldn’t stop the impulse to find him.

And finally, I found it. A green flag with a white unicorn drawn in it, surrounded by white stars; the royal emblem of Zerramond. Just when I thought he wasn’t there, a tall black haired man stepped out of the carriage with a bored expression. Behind him, a blonde woman in a green dress stepped out, linking her arm around him.

My heart sunk. Of course he had forgotten about me and moved on. He was a prince… and I was presumed to be dead. I knew all this but it was still disappointing. I forced my face away from the window, dragging my suddenly lethargic body to my bed.

The next day, there was a knock on the door. I was still dressing but I yelled for them to hold on. Apparently, it went unheard because the person opened the door and entered anyway. I snatched the nearest piece of clothing and covered my body.

“Miss Greycastle, are you there- oh….”

“Your highness! Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Yes. I came to drop this.”

He held up a golden three piece suit that was in child size.

“It’s for Miyon. He has to attend the ball. You too.”

Well, would you look at that? Dreams do come true. Bad dreams.

“I’m afraid I don’t have anything good to wear, your highness.”

“I anticipated you would say that so I got you something.”

He clapped and two maids I hadn’t seen before entered the room carrying a long grey dress and a small jewelry box. It was a cloth for noblewomen.

“I don’t think I can accept this, your highness.”

“It’s something befitting the ball. It’s a must to attend Miss Greycastle. I don’t believe you have any better excuse.”

I don’t want to see my ex-husband!

“No objections, your highness.”

“Good. I’ll see you at the ball.”

His eyes raked my body once more, lingering on my bust, before he left. Prince Kron could be insufferable if he wanted to be. Scarily, there was the possibility Duke Erik would be at the ball. Along with my ex-husband, the ball was going to be anything but fun. Just the thought of the approaching awkwardness made my skin crawl.

I got fully dressed and went to procure breakfast for both of us, as usual, this time preparing to appeal to the kitchen staff to feed the cat when I ran into someone unexpected.

“Mistress?”

The slender woman’s steady gait faltered as she turned to look at me. I could be my imagination but she looked more tired than when I last saw her. It was only a little over two months ago.

“Elayne… I thought I told you I’m not your master anymore.”

“I’m sorry. It was involuntary. I never expected to see you here.”

“It’s not like I wanted to be here as well.”

“Have you been well?”

“Everyday has been the same. What about you? Finally realized the cruelty of the the present?”

“It has not been favorable but the gods have been merciful.”

“Gods, your pretentiousness is still insufferable.”

“My mask is a perfect replica of yours, Lady Andrella.”

Her gaze was penetrating for a brief moment. She moved her eyes away, her hands reaching for her purse, probably reaching for her pipe. She seemed to remember something and cursed softly. I guessed one couldn’t smoke in the palace.

“Where are you headed?”

“I’m going to get food for me and the Prince. I better be on my way. His highness is probably hungry.”

She didn’t reply. I nodded and passed. When I was almost out of sight, she called me back.

“Elayne, be careful.”

“Yes mistress.”

She frowned when I used that word in contrast to the wide grin I had on. She shook her head, walking towards the initial destination. I continued on to the kitchen and got the dirtiest of looks when I asked for extra food for the cat. They only gave an extra portion on our foods, shooing my from the kitchen. This time, it was understandable since the kitchen was so buddy from the ball preparations.

Many foreign dignitaries were around, the nobles would most likely be there and even influential people like Lady Andrella were invited. There was no doubt the ball was going to be impactful and if anything went wrong, bloody.

If anything went awry, I was already mapping out my escape route. I also hoped in the confusion, my chance to get my direct revenge on King Mival would come.