Chapter Eight
ERABELLA - LAST YEAR
Icouldn’t focus on my embarrassment, handing the guards at the castle my disheveled invitation. No, the massive onyx castle demanded my attention. The architecture was stunning, even more so this close up.
“You missed the dinner,” one of the guards grumbled.
“Better late than never,” I supplied jokingly, and the men exchanged a glance.
The one holding my invite offered a slow nod. “Good luck.”
When he gave me the okay, I strode forward, trekking up the black steps that led to Castle La’Rune’s entrance. Anticipation and dread hummed through my body, sweat beading at my hairline.
I can do this.
A herald greeted me, clad in dark blue and onyx—Otacia’s colors.
As I followed him inside, the first thing that caught my attention was a massive marble statue of a phoenix—a bird that was part of the family’s crest. I gaped at its beauty through my eye mask, then steered left, trailing the man until we entered a set of double doors.
I schooled my expression as best I could, but my Gods, the ballroom was enchanting. Golden light, slick, shining floors. The most intricate mural was painted upon the ceiling, but as much as I wished to admire the design, I was ushered inside.
“It is not looked at fondly that you are late, my Lady,” the herald explained.
Blessedly, between the music and chatter, no one had really noticed me enter—just a few side glances.
The blond-haired herald gave me a half-grin.
“But the Prince has not arrived for the evening, so I think you may get a free pass.”
My stomach flipped.
Silas isn’t here?
“Where is he?” I asked quietly as we walked forward. “Oh, thank you,” I muttered as a servant happily handed me a glass of sparkling wine.
“No one knows,” he supplied. “But he best be arriving here shortly! The King will not be pleased, that he would not.”
With a kind smile, he bowed, backing away to resume his duties.
Now what?
I scanned the space as I sipped the wine. I was certainly not interested in any small talk. And now that I stood here, I realized how odd it looked that I had no father beside me. I was all alone…no one here was alone.
And then I saw her. Mabel.
She and Ragnall were speaking, off to the side with drinks in hand.
I instantly averted my gaze, dipping my head down as I sipped my drink.
There’s no way they’d expect me to be here, but I’d take no chances.
Nervously, I gulped down the rest of the liquid, hoping it would provide me with a buzz.
The glass was quickly taken from me, and when offered another, I politely declined.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Mabel stepping toward me, and in a panic, I crossed the ballroom floor.
I need to get out of here.
My gaze nervously darted in every direction, looking for somewhere to go. I could try speaking with someone, but Mabel could still pull me out of the conversation. I could leave, and then what? What was this all for if I didn’t try?
The only way to fail is to give up.
Esther’s words fueled my confidence. That or the alcohol. With a bracing breath, I approached the only other door in this space that wasn’t guarded.
When I grasped the knob, a voice asked, “Where are you going?”
My head spun to meet a scowling guard’s regard. With a nervous gulp, I lifted my chin. “I was looking for the ladies' room.”
His gaze narrowed.
Lie better.
I crossed my arms. “If you must know, I am bleeding and need the toilet immediately.”
The guard's expression sobered instantaneously, almost comically so. “Oh. R-right this way, my Lady.”
I gave a fake smile, then happily trailed after him, the classy music swallowed as the door shut behind us.
Good guess on my part that the bathroom was this way.
Two turns down these corridors, and the guard stopped in front of another entrance. I gave a grateful nod. “Thank you—oh! This is so embarrassing, but I realized I left my menstrual cloth.” The man’s face turned beet red. “Would you fetch me one? Please?”
His mouth opened and shut. Poor lad. “Yes, I can do that.”
With another thank you, I entered the bathroom, counted to ten, and peeked my head back outside.
Gone.
I huffed and then scurried out like a rat. What was I even doing here? I may have been in a gorgeous disguise, but my gut told me that Mabel knew… that she recognized me right away.
If that was the case, then I needed to find the Prince on my own. In this massive castle.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, then hurried down a random hallway.
Again, worst case, I get arrested. I doubt they’d kill me for exploring.
… Right?
Upon hearing armor—boots, perhaps—I pressed my back against the wall, breathing heavily. Chatter between guards drifted by, and when their voices faded, I continued walking.
This place was so…bland. White walls, white floors. Such a contrast to that gorgeous ballroom. Not that these hallways were ugly, but something about them lacked life.
This particular corridor I found myself in was the prettiest so far, thanks to the windows, or perhaps the several floor vases resting against the walls.
The glass pressed outward, two window seats per window.
I could picture myself curled up with a book here, gazing through the paned glass on a rainy afternoon.
When I glanced outside, peering down, I saw what appeared to be a courtyard. For training, perhaps?
I halted when movement ahead made my anxious gaze flicker upward. Through the glass windows across the courtyard, I saw a tall, tattooed man with a gloomy expression rounding the corner, heading in my direction.
Black hair. Tanned skin. Crown.
Crown!
My stomach lurched, and I threw myself in between the windows, pressing against the wall in a pathetic attempt to hide myself. My chest was expanding and contracting, and I squeezed my eyes shut, biting down on my lip to stay quiet.
Wait, wasn’t this what I wanted? I could meet the Prince organically. Surely he’d be charmed by a woman illegally exploring his home?
I had to refrain from smacking myself on the forehead.
Maybe he didn’t notice me. This is fine. I’m fine—
“I can see you,” a deep voice sounded.
I squealed, whirling so quickly that I knocked over the vase beside me. The ceramic shattered upon impact, and a rush of terror spread through my body.
My panicked stare shifted between him and the mess I had made. “I’m sorry!” I stammered. “I-I…”
I couldn’t even come up with an excuse.
Oh, Gods. I just broke royal property in front of the Prince! I’m doomed!
His golden eyes softened behind his bejeweled eye mask, silvers and blues sparkling from the light. I stared at him, dumbfounded, as he sat down on the window seat beside me.
“I hate these balls,” he mumbled.
My heart thundered. Was he…making conversation with me? Was I not in trouble?
I wanted to ask but decided to roll with his casual demeanor. After glancing between him and the broken floor vase, I slowly lowered myself next to him, my bare arm pressing against the cool glass. “Why?”
He released an exhausted sigh. “It’s nothing but politics. Forcing me to marry a woman because of her wealth or her land.” His eyes dropped to his tattooed hands. “I’ve put it off for as long as I could. Truthfully, I have no desire to have a wife. No desire for small talk or ogling eyes.”
My brows raised at his confession. “I’m surprised,” I answered after a few moments, and Silas lifted his gaze. “Usually, men love women all over them.”
The corner of his lip rose, but the amusement didn’t reflect in his golden eyes. “I get that plenty as an unmarried man.”
My face heated. “Oh…right.” Silas looked away, and after a few moments, I persisted. “Still, you don’t like the countless women at your beck and call?”
His jaw tensed, his arms crossing. “I don’t like anyone. Period.”
Ah. A similarity.
My lips twitched. “Oof. You’re a grump.”
His surprised stare found mine. I was holding back a smile, which made his own appear. “You smell like hay,” he commented.
I let out an incredulous scoff, my face flushing even more. “Try riding for over a week and tell me if you smell any better.”
Those honey irises flickered with mischief. “Usually, the elite ride in a carriage. And surely take a bath before meeting with a prince.”
I resisted the urge to check my armpits. “I did take a bath,” I grumbled, my cheeks burning. I hadn’t noticed anything amiss when I put this gown on. Surely it didn’t smell like hay…
Did it?
Silas’s grin grew, and I realized he was teasing me. “Very funny, Your Highness.” I paused, enjoying the sound of the soft laugh he gave in response. “I’ve never liked them, either.”
When his laughter died down, his head tilted in question.
“The pretend interactions,” I clarified. “Well…I’ve only been to one other ball. Eight years ago.” Silas raised a brow, and I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Let’s just say I made a poor impression, and it’s prevented me from being allowed to try again.”
I didn’t like to think of that day. That disgusting Prince of Eretesia, who had been fifteen years my senior. Me, a fourteen-year-old girl. What he’d attempted to do to me—what my stepfather happily supported.
I’d escaped his violation. Made a fool of the Prince in front of his entire court. My eyes had swollen shut from how hard Ragnall had beaten me afterward.
Oh well. I’d have preferred his fist over that monster’s body.
Silas studied me curiously. He really had unique eyes, that was for sure. “Do they know you’re here?”
I swallowed, my head falling as my back rested against the window. “No. My stepfather brought my sister. The other one who lives at home with me.”