This was the way the world was, no matter what Tatiana or anyone else did to keep that from her.
“Please help me with my toilette,” she said woodenly. “I cannot be from my guests for much longer.”
“There is no need to return, my lady,” Tatiana busied herself at Catrin’s hem nonetheless.
“There is every need,” Catrin replied. “If I do not return, people will notice. There’s talk enough already, it seems. No need to add to it.” She would not let them see she’d discovered the game. Never. She’d never let all these horrible people see her cry. Certainly not Aland or Ceridwen, the great liars.
She glanced down at Tatiana, who had finished with the hem. The woman took her time rising, causing Catrin a pang. She reached down and took Tati’s hand. It was a testament to the affection between them that the maid said nothing and let Catrin help her. Then she went to the little mirror, and took it from the wall. She faced Tatiana again, mirror in hand.
”Take this to my room.” She handed it to Tatiana.
“My lady! Are you sure?” Tatiana didn’t take the mirror.
Catrin held it out further from her. “I am. Take this to my room. I shall be very angry if you do not.”
Tatiana’s eyes flew open wide. This was not how Catrin spoke to her or to anyone, really. What Tatiana didn’t seem to realize is that she was barely hanging onto sanity. It was all she could do not to stand and wish retribution on Aland and Ceridwen and anyone else who had conspired to betray and mock her.
“Of course I will, my lady.” Tatiana looked very sad. She slowly took the mirror, holding it as though it was something she couldn’t bear to touch.
Catrin looked at her. Tatiana was upset as she was. But she’d do as instructed. She straightened her shoulders, lifted her head. “Am I ready for returning to the ball?”
The mantle of her station settled on Tatiana like a swirling cloak. “Yes, my lady. You do. You look lovely.”
Catrin didn’t respond. She didn’t look like the woman who’d come into this antechamber, of that she was certain. But she would set it aside, as a princess ought to. She would pretend, for the night at least, that she had not heard things that destroyed her, destroyed all that she’d begun to hope for this week. She felt the anger rise up, and she pushed it down. Now was not the time. But it would come. Somehow, they would pay for this. Without a backwards glance, she walked out into the ballroom.
Chapter Five
The noises of the ball, which had been muffled while she was within the antechamber, hit her with the force of a storm. She put a smile on her face, greeting the first guest she saw, a woman from Ethion. As the woman curtsied, she searched the crowd for her parents or aunt. Spotting her aunt, she changed direction slightly, and made her way to where Grizelle stood with a few other woman of the same age. She didn’t want to look around more, for fear she’d see Aland. Or Ceridwen. Or Bryce. She didn’t want to see any of them. False friends. Betrayers. Horrid, mean people. They’d taken advantage of her all week, but no more
She kept the smile in place, returning greetings with small nods, but didn’t stop. The beautifully gowned guests had an edge to them now. They seemed sharper, less friendly. The candlelight she’d thought so charming hid shadows and the sneering laughter she’d heard from Bryce. Her own home no longer seemed friendly or welcoming.
She wanted to get to her aunt and find some level of—what? Reassurance? Answers? She didn’t know, but the need to speak to family outweighed all else.
Finally, she reached Grizelle.
“Catrin, why are you not out dancing with the rest of the young people?” Grizelle’s tone was kind, although her words a scold.
“What is dancing when I can converse with my charming auntie?” She said lightly. The women standing near laughed a little.
Grizelle did not. She knew better. “Conversation is always available, girl. Dancing is not. Go, and we’ll talk later.” She waved a hand at Catrin, attempting to keep the moment light.
Catrin would not be deterred. She stepped closer to Grizelle, looping her arm through her aunt’s. “No, I find myself in need of a short rest. Come and walk with me, Auntie, so that we may talk.” She forced herself to giggle just a little bit knowing her words sounded clipped and not at all like a princess at her first ball. As she did so, she glanced at the woman nearest them.
The woman nodded and nudged her friend. They both curtsied and hurried away. No doubt to spread gossip that the Princess Catrin was wanting to talk to her aunt privately. Catrin grimaced at the speculation and laughter that would ensue, if Bryce had spoken any truth at all.
“What are you about?” Grizelle wasted no time. Catrin was glad she’d seen her first. Grizelle would not toy with her via platitudes.
“Why would my friends, people I thought cared for me, betray me?” She didn’t mince words. She watched Grizelle closely, to see her reaction.
While slight, it was there. Her eyes had widened as Catrin spoke. By the time Catrin finished her query, Grizelle’s mouth had fallen open a little into an ‘O’. Catrin knew that she’d hit upon something. She’d never seen her aunt at a loss for words.
“Wha—what do you mean?” Grizelle said finally.
“I heard my…my friend, Aland, state that he was interested in me as a consolation, and heard him declare his love for the lady Ceridwen. She also declares she loves him. They were making plans to speak to her father, to arrange a match.” How Catrin kept her face from crumbling in hurt and anger she didn’t know. Her arm was threaded through Grizelle’s, and she gripped it hard.
Grizelle looked shocked. “No, Catrin, it’s not possible! We’ve all seen…” her voice trailed away.
Catrin smiled at her, a hard smile. “Yes, we all have. They’ve been lying, Auntie. Lying to my face, lying to me, about me. Ceridwen never told me that Aland was the man she was pining for, not once, not even after she saw him spending time with me. Aland didn’t act as a man in love with another, but he is, I assure you. They have both lied to us all, and used me most cruelly.” A stab of pain went through her at the depth of their betrayal. She was angry with herself at how much it still hurt.
“Catrin, are you sure?” Her words had shaken Grizelle.
Catrin nodded. “Indeed I am, unfortunately. We have all been sorely used. And Auntie,” she said, looking out around the ballroom, “They shall pay.”
Grizelle gripped her hand. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been good all week, wishing for nothing. Yet all my good has gone for naught. Well, now I shall wish for something. And it will show those who betray what happens.” Her eyes narrowed as she spotted Ceridwen dancing with Aland. Bryce stood off to the side. His hands were clenched, his anger barely contained. Catrin could understand, although she felt no pity for Bryce. He deserved whatever disappointment came his way.
“No!” Gasped Grizelle. “Catrin, you cannot! It will harm you, and I will not have you harmed further in this affair, if harm has been done!”
“Oh, harm has been done, Grizelle. My heart has been broken. My friend, whom I trusted, omitted the truth from me and allowed me to be a fool. The man I thought I could care for walked me down the fool’s path, holding my hand and smiling as though naught was wrong. Harm has been done. But they will pay.”
Grizelle turned to her then. “Stop this talk, Catrin! We will discuss this further, but you will not disgrace yourself or your parents here tonight. Nor will you utilize your magic in any fashion! Do I make myself clear?” She looked at Catrin until Catrin gave one short nod. Grizelle sighed. “Good. Now, you will look as though you and I are having a delightful tête-à-tête. Laugh, now!” The hand on Catrin’s arm clawed at her.
Catrin forced herself to laugh, sneaking a glance around them. People were looking. At the sight of both of them laughing, the focus on them dimmed.
She kept her smile in place as she addressed Grizelle again. “There’s also the small matter of an enchantress at work here in the castle.”
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Grizelle stopped again to look up at her. “What do you mean?” Her voice was urgent. “How did you discover this?”
“I looked into a mirror in the antechamber, and saw a face not my own. Someone is playing a mean joke, and I will discover who.” Catrin gazed around the ballroom. If they’d meant to be cruel, they would be watching, to see what she did. She grimaced as she realized she’d probably done exactly what had been expected. She plastered a smile on her face.
Then she realized that Grizelle hadn’t spoken. “What? What is it? Is there another person with the gift here? Someone that wished to hurt me further?”
Grizelle gazed at her sadly, her smile gone. “No, my dearest. That is not it at all.”
“Then what is it?”
Whatever Grizelle had been going to say was interrupted. She looked around as someone came close to them.
“You! Boy, what is your name?” Grizelle barked. “I’m tired! You need to take the Princess away from my old bones!”
“Of course, madam,” said a voice.
Catrin looked around. A man bowed deeply in front of them, waiting.
“Excellent! Always said your family was a good one,” Grizelle sounded far grumpier than she was. “Go, Catrin. Enough loitering about with an old woman.” She let go of Catrin’s arm, and the man stood and took it.
It was Markellus, the heir to Ethion. He was smiling at her. “Lady Catrin, would you do me the honor?”
She nodded, unable to speak. As he led her to the middle of the ballroom where the dancers were, she glanced back. Grizelle was watching her, a mix of fear and something else Catrin couldn’t place in her expression. When she saw Catrin looking at her, she gave a short, quick nod, and turned away.
Catrin heard Markellus speaking, but couldn’t make out what he was saying.
“I apologize, Markellus, I…I was making sure Auntie Grizelle was all right.”
“Your concern for your aunt is admirable,” he said.
Catrin slid her eyes sideways to see his expression. She didn’t want to look directly at him. He seemed sincere.
“Well, she is family. I am sorry she corralled you so abruptly.”
“It is my pleasure, my lady. I have not been able to dance with you as of yet, so I am doubly pleased.”
“That’s kind of you to say,” she said absently, watching the faces of those around them. She wanted to see if what Bryce had said had any merit. If people were laughing at her, if they all knew Aland’s attentions were a sham. That he and Ceridwen were in love, and she was merely a shield. She saw nothing untoward.
Inhaling, she turned to Markellus. “How good of Grizelle to address that concern for you,” and she was rewarded with seeing him laugh.
The nervous feeling of being ill in her stomach lightened. Perhaps she could get through this. Markellus was a nice man. If he were seen to be attentive, perhaps Aland’s perfidy would not be as noticeable. Catrin squared her shoulders.
Markellus was looking at her with pleasure. No one could hide it if they were secretly mocking another. Look at Bryce. He was barely able to hold in his scorn.
This would all be sorted. She exhaled, and smiled at Markellus, the first genuine smile she had since she’d torn her hem. This was her ball, and these guests were pleased to be here.
All she needed to do was pretend all was well. Here was another prince, another Crown Prince at that, and he enjoyed her company and found her appealing.
With such lightened thoughts, Catrin was able to laugh and enjoy her dance with Markellus. It helped that he was kind and genuine. A handsome young man smiling at her, with no hint of sneering, as with Bryce, or…she pushed the thoughts of Aland away. She’d thought Aland sincere also. She didn’t want to think about it, so she wouldn’t.
Markellus was not Aland. She smiled at him and willed thoughts of Aland away.
***
Catrin smiled at the stragglers. She’d been smiling so much since she’d left the antechamber that her face hurt. In spite of how much she’d enjoyed dancing and talking with Markellus, as he’d asked her to dance again, it did not completely soothe the burning anger she felt welling up within her. They would need to pay.
It was hard not to tap her foot. She had not been aware that it would take so long to say goodnight to all the guests. Odd, as so many were staying in the castle. However, as the last group of lords and ladies made their way through the door, she felt herself sag slightly in relief.
Her shoulders tightened again almost immediately. She needed to get to her rooms, sink into bed, and plead illness tomorrow. She didn’t want to face anyone, not her family, not even Markellus. She just wanted to pull the covers up over her head and block out the world.
Opening the door to her chambers, she could see the candles were lit. More than would be for just her to get ready for bed. She felt her heart begin to race.
As she walked into the sitting area, she saw that her parents had come to her. With Grizelle. All three turned worried faces to her.
“Catrin,” said Roslyn, standing. “Are you well?”
Catrin didn’t know what to say. “What can you mean, Mother? How can I be well? This evening I have learned that all my hopes were for naught. That I have been the object of cruel sneers and laughter. What I ask myself is why?”
Roslyn’s eyes filled with tears. “Catrin, please sit down. We will tell you everything.” She held out a hand, which Catrin didn’t take. Instead, she went and sat in one of the chairs where she could see all three of them. Inside, her heart felt like it was breaking. What else was there to say? She’d already determined that she’d take action against Aland and Ceridwen. If her parents, or Grizelle objected, well, no matter. She’d just keep silent about her plans. She could see no need for any further conversation.
She saw Roslyn and Garrick exchange a glance, but no one spoke.
“What is so pressing that I cannot go to bed and be done with this day?” The harsh tone of her voice made everyone, even Catrin, wince.
“Would you please tell us how you came upon this mirror?” Garrick was quiet. He held up the small mirror she’d had Tatiana bring back to the room. She was surprised. What did this have to do with anything tonight?
“During a dance, as you know, I tore my hem. I went with Tatiana to repair it in the antechamber at the far end of the ballroom.”
“There was a mirror there?” Roslyn’s frown showed her displeasure.
“Probably there for the guests,” Grizelle, sitting next to her mother, patted her hand. “It doesn’t matter at this point. Go on, Catrin.”
“While we were within, I overhead several people speaking outside the door.”
This surprised them. She could see it on their faces.
“What does anyone else have to do with this?” Roslyn asked.
“First, I heard Bryce and Aland speaking. Bryce was referring to the woman he intended to marry, although he didn’t name her. Aland seemed uncomfortable. I assumed they were speaking of Ceridwen, based on Bryce’s behavior all week. But then Bryce departed, and I was about to step outside, when Aland was joined by another.” Her voice caught, remembering the conversation. “By Ceridwen. The long and short of it is that they love one another.”
Her mother gasped. “How could he? How could he show you such attention—”
Catrin cut her off. “You mean, lie to me? I am not sure, Mother. How could anyone lie so completely?” For whatever reason both of her parents looked as though she’d slapped them. There was also…fear?
“I believe we shall be hearing of their betrothal shortly.”
“But what of his attentions to you?” Roslyn was crying.
“I cannot say, Mother.” She hesitated. It was not in her nature to speak ill of others, but neither Aland nor Ceridwen deserved such protection, such fairness from her. Not from her. “From his words, he believed Ceridwen to be promised elsewhere, and he was consoling himself with losing Ceridwen by courting me. The fact that I shall suffer greatly w
hen they announce their engagement was not a matter of concern for them. While they were speaking, Bryce returned and sent Ceridwen away. He and Aland spoke again.” She stopped, hot anger flooding through her.
“Why were you listening to the conversations of others for so long?” Garrick looked annoyed.
Annoyed? As though she’d done something wrong? She was the injured party! “Father, I was in the antechamber, and the door was cracked. I couldn’t step out and announce myself. I didn’t know what to do, and I couldn’t help but to overhear.”
“Why would you care what Bryce had to say?” Grizelle joined the conversation.
“Because he intimated that I was not attractive, that to take me in marriage would be a trial, even with all my fine jewels—” she plucked at the necklace she wore, “And equally fine kingdom. He was quite aware that Aland was consoling himself with me due to losing Ceridwen. Were you aware that Aland and Ceridwen loved one another? That Bryce had offered for her?”
“No, we were not.” Garrick looked upset. “Of course, no one would be until negotiations were concluded. If we were,” he looked at Catrin, “We would not have allowed you to spend so much time with Aland. We would never do that to you.”
Catrin waved her hand. “Be that as it may, Father, Aland made it clear he was not interested in me as much as he was in Ceridwen. My lack of beauty, I was surprised to hear, was understood. Bryce enjoyed making that plain.” Her face twisted with anger at the thought of his words. “Why would he call me plain? Is it something to do with that mirror?” She nodded at the mirror in her father’s hand. “It’s some sort of trick, obviously. But why would Bryce act as though I were unattractive?”
“Catrin—” Roslyn sounded distressed. She looked down at her hands, and then at Garrick. Taking a deep breath, she looked back to Catrin. “What happened when you looked in the mirror? How did you come to use it?”
“I made to check my face in the mirror so that I could return to the ball. I didn’t wish to show any distress. Imagine my shock to gaze into the mirror and see a face I’d never seen before.”
One Night At The Ball: A Sisters of the Curse Novella Page 7
