Chapter 3 – Bellamy
BELLAMY
“You swore.” A voice comes from the side and my head whips around to find two girls standing by the far entrance of the room.
The princesses, Phaedra and Sabrina. If I hadn’t just seen their likenesses in that painting even though they’re a few years older now, I’d know them anyway since I’ve read every piece of literature on this country.
I’ve got a thing for history, and their family is full of it.
“I know,” I say breathlessly, startled that they’re here speaking to me. “I’m sorry. That was very rude of me to curse, but I broke this, and I was upset about it.” Because when it fell, the nose of the face cracked off. His freaking nose. Not some small, undetectable piece of him.
“That was our great-grandfather,” the older one, Phaedra, says in perfect English.
She comes my way, her steps filled with confidence, not the least bit wary about approaching a complete stranger sitting on the floor of her palace.
Which, considering the guard just told me I’m not allowed near the royal family, is immensely disconcerting.
I half want to get up and run from her, but I also can’t help but be curious about these princesses.
Phaedra’s not any older than six, but for someone so young, she exudes poise few can pull off. Her sweet face, all bright green eyes framed by blonde hair both girls clearly got from their mother, hovers over me before she kneels beside me.
“What are you doing in here? You don’t work in our palace.”
“No. I…uh.” Crap. I should not be here with these girls.
I search around, but it’s still just us, and I turn back to her.
“My dad wandered in, and someone went to get him for me. I was admiring some of your beautiful art while I was waiting. Which makes this even more distressing for me.” I frown, my gaze casting back to the ruined statue sitting on the floor by my knees.
My fingers glide over the rough white edge where the nose used to be.
This is bad. This is seriously fucking bad.
“Papa is going to be upset,” Sabrina says, skipping over to us and taking to the floor on the other side of me, crossing her legs. “When I broke Mama’s old perfume bottle, he was furious. He told me I made the whole bedroom stink. I didn’t get dessert that night.”
“Oh,” I say gently, smiling softly at her even though I’m completely freaking out on the inside. She really is adorable. They both are. “That must have been disappointing.”
She shrugs. “It happens a lot.”
“That’s because you get in trouble a lot,” Phaedra chastises.
Another shrug from Sabrina, this time coupled with a nod. “It’s true. Tante Althea says sometimes I can’t seem to help myself. Papa says it’s from being a middle child like Oncle Rowan.”
I giggle lightly at the way she speaks about the king’s younger brother, Prince Rowan, who has a reputation as a bit of a bad boy. “I wouldn’t know about any of that, I’m an only child.”
“Then who do you play with?” Phaedra asks innocently.
“Myself, most of the time,” I answer truthfully.
“Don’t you get bored?”
Yes. Lonely, even though I’m pretty good at being a loner by this point.
I tell myself that what I have is enough, but I still haven’t been able to shake feeling so lost all the time.
I crinkle my nose. “It’s not so bad. I read a lot.
But certainly, it’s not as fun as having siblings.
What’s it like having a little brother?”
“He’s loud,” Sabrina informs me, matching my crinkled nose expression. “And he fusses a lot.”
“I’m sure he adores his big sisters though,” I tell her. “He must look up to everything you two do since you’re both so smart and beautiful and have so much to teach him.”
“What’s your name?” Phaedra asks.
“Bellamy. What’s yours?” I question in return, though I already know it.
“I’m Princess Phaedra of the house of Alarie. This is my little sister, Princess Sabrina, also of the house of Alarie. I am to be queen one day.”
“I know. It is a great honor to meet you, princess and future queen.” I bow my head to them since I’m still sitting on the floor.
“Your names are lovely and have great meaning. Phaedra was a princess who became the queen of Athens. The name means bright. And Sabrina, your name means legendary princess. Fitting for both of you, aren’t they?
” What I don’t tell them is that Phaedra was a Cretan princess who was cursed for good reason, but I don’t think that’s the story for them right now.
“Oh. You’re a queen and I’m a legendary princess.” Sabrina bounces and claps her hands excitedly. “Did you know that your name means beautiful friend in French?”
“I did know that, and I like to think it’s true.” I wink at them. “I also speak French, though I’m American. I teach English in your country to children a little older than you.”
Both girls exchange looks and smile at each other before turning back to me. Phaedra’s big green eyes are all over me when she asks, “Where is your papa?”
Good freaking question.
“He’ll be here soon, I’m sure.”
“Do you have a mama?”
Oh hell. My body reacts in a way I don’t expect. It’s been years since she died. But still I find myself slumping back, no chair or couch or cushion to support me.
I stare at the curious princesses, wondering how much to share. I don’t know these girls at all. And I just broke the head of their great-grandfather after my father broke into their home. “I did. She died about eight years ago.”
“Were you sad?” Sabrina blinks at me, studying my face.
“Yes. Very. It was just me and my parents my entire life, so losing her was like losing a third of myself.” And I can’t believe I just said that aloud. Especially to them.
“I miss her. Our mama.”
Oh, these poor things. Before I can stop myself, I reach out and hug them both.
“I know, and I understand how that feels. But one lost isn’t always gone.
Think of your favorite memory of your mama and hold that picture of her in your head.
And anytime you need her, just close your eyes and picture that image, and she’ll be there for you. ”
Both girls immediately close their eyes, their faces scrunching up, their lips tugging with broken smiles. “I see her,” Phaedra says.
“I don’t.” Sabrina looks crestfallen, her chin wobbling. “I don’t remember her.”
Ah shit. Me and my mouth.
“But she remembers you. And her love and strength will live on in your heart. Even if you can’t remember her, she’ll always be a part of you and with you,” I say softly.
“But I think I should go find my father or the guard who brought me in. I’m not supposed to be in your palace, plus I have to do something with this.
” I tap the ruined bust, still on the floor.
I have no idea what can be done about it.
I may love art, but I’m not an artist. Even so, I have to imagine this isn’t repairable.
I broke the former, former king’s face. Jesus.
It’s probably a priceless heirloom that I just destroyed.
“You can come with us,” Phaedra offers. “We’ll take you to see Mrs. Emily.”
“Mrs. Emily?” I question as I stand, straining to hold the stone head without dropping it again. Fucker has to weigh fifty pounds at least.
“She’s our housekeeper. She’ll help find your papa. She finds everything for us when we lose something.”
“Oh. Okay. Great.” Only not so much. “Or I could wait here as I was told to.”
“She’s meeting with Papa. You can meet him, too.” Phaedra is way too excited over that prospect. Me, again, not so much.
“The king?” Gulp. “No, certainly that’s not necessary.” I take a step back. “I’m sure the man who is getting my father can help me with this.” I hope.
Both girls shake their heads in earnest. “No, you have to come with us. That was very important to Papa. He’ll want to know it was broken immediately.” Phaedra tugs on my arm, compelling me to follow her, and I have no idea how to say no to princesses or what I’m even supposed to do right now.
My stomach plummets into my feet.
“What about the guard getting my father?”
“Mrs. Emily will take care of it.”
I’m going to owe the king a kidney or an ovary for what I just did.
I have no savings. Everything I earn goes to my father’s facility and to pay my own bills.
I suppose I can offer up a payment plan.
Do royal families even accept such a thing?
Regardless, I can’t pull my dad from his place. No matter what, that can’t happen.
Shit. I have no idea what I’ll do. The king must be furious that my father was here in the first place, and now this.
So while I’m dutifully following these princesses through their palace, up winding staircases and across long floors, my mind is set in a tailspin of dread.
Not to mention, if we’re being totally honest here, I think it’s already been established that the king isn’t known for being the nicest of people and especially doesn’t want strangers near his children.
I mean, yeah, he might have his reasons for being that way, but that doesn’t mean I want to meet him and instantly get on his bad side, which might be worse than a normal human’s bad side.
Suddenly, I’m before a large wooden door that the girls are knocking on. My hands tingle, and a cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck. My fight-or-flight is kicking in, and it’s most assuredly telling me to run for my fucking life.
“Mrs. Emily!” Sabrina cries out.
I hear some sort of noise beyond the door, and when it opens, an older woman with short gray hair wearing a black blouse and black slacks is there, her kind smile filling the doorway.
“Girls,” she exclaims in French. “Did you want to come in? Your father is just—oh.” Her eyes pop open wide when she catches sight of me, her gaze locking on my face before slowly trailing down to the broken bust held in my arms. “Well then. This is certainly a surprise.”