Beyond Her Beauty

CHAPTER 4 (Promise √)

“I’m sucks!” Liezel complained, trying to keep the right notes.

“No, no, you’re doing great,” I lied.

"No, I'm not."

"Just keep practicing..."

"No, Lily, I gave up."

I’d been giving Liezel piano lessons nearly every day for more than a week, and it genuinely sounded like she was getting worse and worse. For goodness’ sake, we were still working on scales. She hit another sour note, and I couldn’t help but wince. I only heard a crashing and bitter sounds.

Liezel is the only one who struggles with this family. Is she really my sister? I mean, Lezen is a great guitar, while me, I love playing violin. While my Dad and my Mom love to sing. Mom can actually hit a high note.

“Oh, look at your face! You look irritated” she exclaimed. “I’m terrible. I might as well be playing with my elbows though.”

“We should try that. Maybe your elbows are more accurate than your fingers.” I joked.

She sighed. “I give up. Sorry, Lily, you’ve been so patient and understanding but I hate hearing myself playing musical instruments. It sounds like the piano is sick.”

“Maybe I can sing?” Liezel ready herself to sing a loud song but I put my finger in the middle of her lips.

“Stop, but don't worry, your great Liezel, but. Not in these things.”

“More like it’s dying, actually.” I added.

Liezel collapsed into laughter, and I joined her. Little did I know that when she’d asked for violin, piano, ukulele, and many more. My ears would be in for such painful—but hilarious—torture—painful.

“Maybe you’d be better at the drums? Drums are up beat music,” I offered.

“I don’t think so. With my luck, I’d destroy it, didn't you notice? I destroyed anything? Whenever I play a music instrument.”, Liezel sounds like she's not convinced to herself.

“Oh, well, that’s fine. The one here belongs to the palace anyway. You could throw it at Selena’s head if you wanted.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she said, pouring us both some chamomile tea. “I'm going to miss you, Kitty, I don’t know what I’ll do when we don’t get to see each other every day. I mean seeing you is one of my everyday routines.”

“Well, Kaden’s very indecisive, so you don’t have to worry about that just yet.”

“I don’t know,” she said, turning serious. “He hasn’t come right out and said it, but I know that I’m here because the public likes me. it won’t be long before their opinions change and they have a new favorite, and then he’ll let me go for sure.”

I was very careful with my words, hoping she’d explain the reason for the distance she’d put between her and Kade, but not wanting her to shut down on me again. “Are you okay with that? With not getting Kaden, I mean? His total package.”

She gave a small shrug. “I see that of course but for me — he's not the one. I’m fine with being out of the competition Lily, beside I'm actually rooting for you, but I really don’t want to leave yet, I really want to be with you my sister,” she clarified. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to end up with a man who’s in love with someone else right?”

I nodded, feeling that there was a guy inside Liezel’s heart and it was not Kaden. “Who is he—”

Liezel’s eyes were triumphant, and the smile hiding behind her cup of tea said; Yes, you're right, you're a great fortune teller.

The moment I stared at her face, I knew, she had.

In a split second, I realized that the thought of Kaden being in love with someone else made me so jealous I couldn’t stand it. If I could see her hugging or kissing someone else. I would definitely close my eyes or maybe walk away.

I wonder who’s the lucky one?

I’d put up wall after wall, making jokes at Kaden’s expense and talking up the merits of the other girls; but in a single sentence, she found her way behind all that.

How can he possibly do that?

“Why haven’t you ended this, Lily?” she asked sweetly. “You know he loves you, I feel it.”

“He never said that,” I promised, and that was true Liezel, I promise.

“Of course he hasn’t, you silly,” she said, as if this would be obvious. “He’s trying so hard to catch you, and every time he gets close you push him away. Why do you do that? Are you a soy sauce, or something?” she joked.

Could I tell Liezel? She's my sister right? Why not? For sure she will definitely understand me. But then.

“I’m just … not sure, I guess.” I trusted Liezel; I really did. But it was safer for us both if she didn’t know.

She nodded. It looked like she could tell there was more to it than that, but she didn’t press me. It was almost comforting, this mutual acceptance of our secrets.

“Find a way to be sure. Soon. Just because he’s not the one for me doesn’t mean Kaden’s not a great guy. I think he really is. I’d hate for you to lose him because you were afraid.”

She was right again. I was afraid. Afraid that Kaden’s feelings weren’t as genuine as they seemed, afraid of what being a princess might mean for me, afraid of losing Bridger, my ex, my best friend.

“On a lighter note,” she said, setting down her cup of tea, “all that talk about weddings yesterday made me think something.”

“What is that? Share it,”

“Lily, I want you to be my maid of honor? Together with Lezen. If I get married someday, please say yes…”

“Oh, Liezel, of course I would! Would you be mine too?” I reached to grab her hands, and she took them happily.

“Absolutely! I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world. For sure it was your best day ever.” Her tone implied that my wedding would be the event of the century.

“Promise me that even if I get married to a nobody Eight in an alley somewhere, you’ll be there, Lily.”

“Of course yes! Even if that’s the case. I promise my sister.”

She didn’t ask me to make a similar vow for her, which made me wonder as I had in the past if there was another Four back home who she had her heart set on. I wouldn’t press her though. It was clear we both had secrets; but Liezel was my best friend s***h sister and I would do anything for her.

That night I was hoping to spend some time with Kaden. Liezel had me questioning a lot of my actions. And thoughts. And feelings.

After dinner, as we all stood to leave the Dining Room, I caught Kaden’s eye and tugged my ear. It was our secret sign to ask for time together, and it was rare to pass up an invitation. But tonight Kaden’s expression was disappointing as he mouthed the word “work” to me. I gave him a mock pout and a tiny wave before leaving for the night.

Perhaps it was for the best anyway. I really needed to think about some things where Kaden was concerned.

When I rounded the corner to my room,

Bridger was there again, standing guard. He looked me up and down, taking in the snug green dress that did amazing things for the few curves I had. Without a word, I walked past him. Before I could turn the handle on my door, he gently grazed the skin on my arm.

It was slow but brief, and in those few seconds I felt that need, that sense of longing, that he tended to inspire in me. One look at his emerald eyes, hungry and deep, and I felt my knees start to go shaky.

I moved into my room as quickly as I could, tortured by our connection. Thank goodness I barely had time to think about what Bridger made me feel, because the moment the door shut, my maids swarmed around me, preparing me for bed. As they chatted away and brushed my hair, I tried to let myself forget about everything for a moment since I started turning myself into a cat again. A human cat.

It was impossible. I had to choose. Bridger or Kaden.

But how was I supposed to decide between two good possibilities? How could I make a choice that would leave some part of me devastated either way? I comforted myself with the thought that I still had time. I still had time even though I didn't.