Apples and Princesses (The Tales and Princesses Series Book 2)

by Aleese Hughes

  “Lady Isabella?”

  I subtly shook my own head from my stupor. “Yes. I’m from the north. Of Edristan.”

  He nodded and continued beaming that perfect smile, once again revealing a dimple on each cheek. My own smile grew.

  The sweet ballad we were moving to ended, and I began to pull away. But before I could move even an inch, Prince Frederik’s grip on me tightened, and he squeezed my hand.

  “One more dance?” he said playfully.

  I opened my mouth to protest, all of a sudden feeling uncomfortable by the curious eyes as the Prince and I didn’t part, but no words came out. He swept me to the beat of the next song, a quicker, lighter tune, and I didn’t fight it.

  We talked for that entire song, laughing and giggling together. I had forgotten entirely about Nick wandering aimlessly by himself, and my purpose there… Until I saw her. The new Queen Dalia was standing in a corner near the musicians. Her red hair that must have taken hours to fix up for the party was starting to fall out from all the dancing she must have done, but she still looked radiant. Her mouth was dropped open to the floor as she watched me in the arms of the Prince. Once she and I made eye contact, it seemed to startle the Queen. She moved her hand up to her pink lips and sprinted out of the ballroom and out of sight.

  Then I remembered… I wasn’t there to make friends— especially not to make friends and flirt with a prince engaged to the Edristan Queen!

  Before the song reached its end, I slid myself out of the Prince’s grip and gave a quick curtsy. He stood frozen, confused by the abruptness of my movement.

  “Thank you for the dance, Your Highness.” And then I strode away in search of another victim to steal from.

  Dalia sank to the floor in her bedchamber, a feeling of emptiness overwhelming her body. Not only did the loud party, the unwanted attention, and the sense of inadequacy as Queen shake her to her core, but the sight of her newly betrothed dancing in the arms of The Fairest, a new nickname Dalia coined, affected her. Why did he seem so enthralled by The Fairest? The look of admiration on his face as he twirled the tall girl to the music stabbed Dalia with jealousy and even a little anger. The sight made her feel sick, so she had retired early.

  Dalia found herself desiring the same look from Prince Frederik that he had given The Fairest. She had hoped they would have a “love at first sight” moment, as people call it. Or that he would at least be taken by her beauty and personality. Something!

  “Ugh!” Dalia cried as she threw her face into her hands. Why couldn’t anything ever go right?

  Dalia wiped her hot tears away and lifted herself from the floor, a feat from the heavy, blue skirts of her dress weighing her down. She moved to the mirror the witch gave her the night before and stood directly in front of it. Though Dalia was frowning deeply, her eerie reflection smiled back at her.

  “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” Dalia whispered, “show me the fairest one of all.”

  The glass swirled and flashed as it faded into the image of The Fairest. She was still at the ball. It obviously didn’t matter if the new Queen, the guest of honor, wasn’t there with these people. All that mattered to the nobles attending was the chance for a party. The Fairest was giggling with yet another man who seemed to absolutely adore her. The young woman wasn’t pushing away any of his advances. In fact, she encouraged it with her eye batting and hip twirling.

  Dalia rolled her eyes. She knew a lot of noblewomen like that— craving the attention and admiration of one suitor after another. If that was the type of woman Prince Frederik was into, maybe Dalia wanted nothing to do with him. But did she have a choice?

  The image in the mirror interrupted the Queen’s thoughts as The Fairest slid her hand over the belt of the nobleman she spoke to. Dalia watched in horror as her white hand pulled the coin purse tied to his waist with ease and slipped it into the folds of her skirts, all without missing a beat in their conversation.

  Dalia gasped, wondering if she should call on the royal guards. But many people would wonder how the Queen knew of The Fairest’s crime after having retired for the evening. The image in the mirror faded away, and Dalia’s abnormal reflection returned and merely shrugged back at her.

  The Queen threw herself onto her bed and stared at the mural on her ceiling. There was nothing she could really do, but maybe she would never even have to see that girl again— the same went for Prince Frederik. Dalia found herself eased by that thought and, still dressed in her ballgown, her exhausted body was able to fall asleep.

  Chapter 14

  “How’d you do?”

  “What’d you get?”

  “Was it amazing?”

  The numerous shouts of the surrounding boys put a grin on my face. I had gone out, done a job, and I was ready to deliver. I pulled all the knick-knacks and bits of money out of my pockets and poured them out onto the dining table where the seven boys, Nick, and I sat. I folded my arms and sat back, pleased with myself, and eagerly awaited the excited chatter.

  “That’s it?” Arnold asked. He and his brothers were picking at the items in displeasure.

  “That’s more than you’ve ever brought home in a day out in the market!” I snapped back.

  Arnold shrugged as he poured the gold pieces from a coin purse I stole. “That’s true, but we were expecting…”

  “More!” the twins finished for him.

  I sat back and tugged at the bodice of my dress uncomfortably. I was starting to notice how tight it was again.

  “That’s gotta be enough for a month’s worth of food!” Nick defended me. “You should have seen her. No one suspected her, and she pick-pocketed one person after another. I say ‘job well done.’”

  The boys ignored him, but I knew what they were thinking: they needed more than enough for a month’s worth of food. They continued to study my earnings. My eyes started to feel heavy, and, despite my disappointment, I felt the need to rest my head.

  “I know you boys don’t think I did, but I actually worked really hard tonight.” I pursed my lips and glared at each of them. “So I’m off to bed.”

  Before I gave a chance for anyone to answer, I pushed my chair back, brushed my dress down, and trudged away to my bedroom.

  Laying down proved to be difficult with my gown, but I found I did not care. All my thoughts consisted of were frustration— no, anger that my earnings were a failure in the eyes of the seven boys.

  I’d like to see them do better, I hissed up at the ceiling.

  After another few minutes of fuming to myself, I was surprised as my thoughts slowly shifted to the Prince. Thinking of the way he looked at me, and the strength he demonstrated as he swept me through our dance made my face grow hot. He really was very handsome. I bit my tongue and chastised myself for acting like every other starstruck woman out there. And it wasn’t like I’d ever see him again.

  The next day I was rather determined to not be around to bear the disappointed looks of the boys and Nick’s ridiculous words of defense for me. I decided to go out to the market and steal until I could bring home more than they could possibly imagine. And I was going to do it as the Lady Isabella.

  I looked down at the ballgown I was still dressed in and furrowed my brow. I couldn’t exactly wear it in the market. Besides, it’s silky fabric had been wrinkled in my sleep. And if anyone who was at the ball was in town, I didn’t want them thinking I’d wear the same dress two days in a row. Not something a lady would do.

  “Where would the boys keep their mother’s dresses?” I muttered to myself.

  It was still early morning, so everybody was still asleep. I took the opportunity to search in every corner within the hideout. And then, out of sheer luck, I found a plethora of luxurious dresses and gowns in the closet in my own bedroom. Figures.

  I perused the outfits, searching for a practical one for a visit to the market, yet still eye-catching. Lady Isabella would never look anything less than fabulous. And then I found it. A dark blue, linen dress that fell straig
ht, but I could tell it would hug flatteringly against my curves. The boys’ mother had definitely been a very similar size to me.

  It took a great deal of effort to untie the red ballgown and pull it off by myself, so I was grateful for the ease of putting on the blue dress. The linen felt nice against my skin, and I once again smiled at my stunning reflection. It was a simple ensemble, but the cut and cloth were obviously expensive. I pulled out the pins in my hair from last night and fingered through my locks until they fell elegantly past my waist. I definitely looked the part.

  I was careful to stay quiet as I tip-toed through the hideout and to the secret entrance. Nick slept in the corner to my left on top of the same bedroll he used while camping outside. I flinched as the wall slid loudly after I pushed the stone to activate the mechanism, but Nick merely stirred and continued with his sleep.

  I sighed in relief and slipped out. Though Bothar's alleys and streets had once been an impossible labyrinth for me to navigate, I finally was able to traverse the area and easily find the market. The sights and sounds excited me like they usually did as I slowly walked among the booths with my back straight and head raised. The vendors were more forthcoming to me than when I had looked poor. To them, in that moment, I looked to be a noblewoman with a lot of money to spend.

  I stole one knick-knack or coin one after the other and threw them into a small side purse I had also found in the closet. I was having a splendid time. No one suspected me, and I was so good at lying to and stealing from the half-witted and daft nobles.

  And then I saw him. Penetrating through me were those incredibly blue eyes from across the square, watching me just as he had done at the ball.

  I froze in place, but my heart wouldn’t stop fluttering. What was Prince Frederik doing in the market? I admitted to myself that I enjoyed the attention as his eyes didn’t leave my face. He seemed shocked, yet pleased, to see me, but he made no move to say hello. He was with a small entourage of soldiers— not Edistranian. They were dressed in a bright yellow and white, Wilaldan’s colors. A few men must have traveled with him to Bothar.

  Realizing I still stood frozen in place, I shook my head at my thoughts. I took the Prince’s appearance as a cue to leave. With another two or three glances I threw his way, I realized his eyes still bore into me, and I decided stealing might be hard to keep secret with someone watching me so intently.

  I half expected the Prince to follow me as I left, considering how interested he seemed in my being there, but he didn’t. After making it out of sight, I studied the new items and money in the purse. It was a good day, but I knew I could do even better.

  As I got home, the boys were very pleased with my initiative and encouraged me to take Lady Isabella out for a run the next day. I was thrilled at the prospect and ignored Nick’s grumbles.

  Another day in the market, but this time I wore a sweet lavender dress. It didn’t flatter me as much as the blue had, but its golden beading and elegant hemline made up for it. Lady Isabella still had no issue grabbing things from various people and booths, but I was once again stopped as Prince Frederik soon appeared in the same spot as the day before, but this time he had no soldiers with him. He watched me, and I couldn’t help but notice the small smile on his lips. My heart fluttered at the sight of him, but instead of freezing in place, I smiled back at him.

  One day after another proved to be the same, and I quickly realized the Prince was coming to the market at the same time as me on purpose. And I noticed that I started going with the desire to see him on the forefront on my mind rather than going out to earn my keep. And against everything that told me not to, one day I decided to approach the Prince.

  “Good morning, Sire,” I said with a curtsy.

  His white teeth gleamed as his smile grew. “Lady Isabella.” He bowed in return. “It’s a pleasure seeing you here today.”

  I suppressed a giggle. We both knew the two of us visiting the market at the same time was no accident.

  “If I may, Lady Isabella,” he continued. “No lady should be strolling through the market by herself. May I escort you?”

  Without waiting for my reply, he tucked my arm into his and led me around the booths. My eyes kept flitting back to my arm in his. Our closeness, just like when we danced at the ball, was intoxicating.

  The Prince and I fell into this routine every day for another week, but instead of staying in the market, we began walking together in less congested areas. I tried to avoid thinking about the reason for this— he probably didn’t want to get caught spending so much time with another woman while he was betrothed to the Queen. But in places where there were fewer people, Prince Frederik was less likely to be recognized.

  “Lady Isabella,” he said to me one morning. “There is a beautiful, quaint garden in town. It’s in northside, I believe.” He avoided my eyes, nervous to continue. “Would you like to meet me there? Noon tomorrow?”

  My breath caught. A part of me felt happy that he wanted to set up a rendezvous, but the other part realized the garden in northside was rarely busy, and it was just another place for him to spend time with me without being seen. He noticed my hesitation and frowned.

  “I’m sorry. Was that too forward?”

  I squeezed his arm. “Oh, no. I’ll be there.”

  Chapter 15

  The boys were starting to notice a change in my behavior. Especially as I brought fewer trinkets home every day.

  “Snow,” Arnold said as I placed a single necklace and just two or three coins on the table. “What’s going on with you?”

  I felt myself blush but cleared my throat. “What do you mean?”

  Everybody gave knowing, concerned looks to one another, including Nick.

  “You’re humming around the house every day, and you’re starting to lack in the earnings you bring home,” Ben chimed in through a mouthful of porridge. “The humming especially is not like you.”

  I raised an eyebrow. Humming? Was I?

  The long pause and the constant stares the boys gave me made me realize I still hadn’t said anything. I didn’t want to tell them I was spending my days dawdling with a prince. And then a thought struck me. I was going about it all wrong! All this time, I had been flirting with Prince Frederik instead of taking advantage of the situation. He was most likely wealthy, and if I could milk the relationship we were developing, I might be able to get a thing or two out of him. I palmed myself in the forehead. Why didn’t I think of it before?

  Because you like him, my inner voice said. I pushed it away.

  “I did stumble across an interesting opportunity.”

  All eyes were on me again, and I felt giddy once more. “There is a particular someone who has taken quite an interest in me.”

  Arnold raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “Who doesn’t take a particular interest in you, Snow?” Nick grumbled. And then realization dawned on him, and he shook his head at me violently. “He danced with you once, Snow! And he’s betrothed! There’s no way you’ll ever see him again.”

  “Who? Who?” some of the younger ones persisted.

  “A prince,” Nick said before I could.

  The boys’ faces lit up.

  “Is that so?” Arnold said, unconsciously licking his lips greedily. “What prince?”

  “Prince Frederik of Wilaldan. He wants to meet with me tomorrow afternoon for a stroll of some kind— in the city.”

  Nick turned red beside me and clenched his fists. “Wait, you saw him?”

  Anthony waved Nick’s words away. “What does that matter? If Snow can woo and manipulate a prince, imagine what type of things she can get out of him!”

  I nodded eagerly, trying to suppress a giggle. “That’s what I thought.”

  Nick groaned. “This is a very bad idea.”

  It was a little past noon, and I sat on a bench overlooking a small garden in the northside of Bothar, just where Prince Frederik asked me to meet him. It was hot and muggy, and I found myself wishing the boys ha
d picked out a dress a little more lightweight than the long-sleeved, poofy monstrosity they made me wear.

  “It is very important you look your best for the Prince,” each one of them had said to me. Even the little twins. Their livelihood was riding on this. If I could do well with the plan, they might be able to make it to Lurid after all.

  And how did I feel about the situation? I had to stop myself from bouncing up and down due to the excitement oozing out of me. It almost felt like a challenge I was more than willing to prove myself by. My thoughts kept turning to the various imaginations of what I could manipulate out of the Prince.

  “Lady Isabella?”

  I straightened my spine and turned to the deep voice.

  “Prince Frederik,” I spoke smoothly. “I wasn’t sure you would actually show up.”

  He chuckled but darted his eyes around nervously. “Why not?”

  I raised an eyebrow and followed his eyes around the area. He was probably still nervous about getting caught with me. But there weren’t many people around, not to mention people who would actually recognize who he was.

  “Because you’re a prince!” I teased. “A betrothed one at that.”

  Prince Frederik flushed deeply. “Shall we stroll, my lady?”

  He outstretched his arm to me, and I took it. Though the garden was small, it was well-tended and equally as beautiful as the one at White Manor. I had often found refuge among the rose bushes and green shrubbery at home. And at the moment in Bothar, I admired the gorgeous green around me as we walked the small cobbled path spinning around patches of daisies and rows of tulips.

  “I don’t want to be engaged, you know.”

  The words shocked me.

  “At least not to someone I don’t know,” he continued. “Queen Dalia seems wonderful. I just hate that one day I was living my life, and the next I was told to drop everything and get married to a stranger.”