Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales Book 3)

by Aya Ling

  That being said, my predicament is far from being optimistic. I need to get out of here. As I lean against the door, panting, the voices from other people float into my ear. The hairs on the nape of my neck stand up, but fortunately no one opens the door.

  “Did you see Simone in her wedding dress? She looks like a dream.”

  “I bet she does, but we all know how Simone looks like. Did anyone catch a glimpse of the prince of Athelia? Is he as gorgeous as the rumors say?”

  “Jeanne did; she was dusting the corridor near his room when he came down for lunch. She said she thought she’d faint on spot when he looked at her.”

  Delighted squeals echo through the door.

  “However, she also said the rumors of him being sweet on his red-haired bride seem to be unfounded. They acted so formal with each other.”

  “Maybe it’s their customs. You know how those Athelians are, so stuffy, prim, and proper.”

  “I don’t mind stuffy if it comes in the form of that delicious prince Edward.”

  More giggles, as the women discuss and dissect Edward’s physiology. I roll my eyes—he is not a piece of meat, you airheads.

  Taking another deep breath, I assess my situation. This is definitely Moryn, and from what I gathered from the conversation, it’s the emperor’s wedding. Edward is here with Katriona. How lucky I am to overhear this conversation. But on the other hand, I’ve also landed myself in a messy situation. I can’t let myself be seen or recognized. Imagine the confusion and chaos if it’s discovered that the ‘witch’ is here.

  What should I do? I don’t know who is the occupant of this room, but she might come back anytime. Garments are tossed carelessly about, the carpet is messy, and there’s lipstick on the mirror.

  I stride to the window, wondering if it’s possible to escape, but my hopes are dashed when I find myself staring at the top of a leafy tree. I must be at least three stories high above the ground, judging from the size of the soldiers marching in the courtyard.

  Thoughts race through my head about what the next step I should take. So caught up I am in thinking that I don’t hear the door opening, or I could have turned around in time. But since I didn’t notice the sound, I let out a shriek when strong arms seize my waist and a man’s hot breath bears down the side of my face.

  “My dearest Salome,” an oily voice purrs. “You’re early today. Couldn’t wait to see me? In that case, I’ll make it good for you, kitten.”

  He tries to undress me; I retaliate by stomping on his foot. Hard. Pity I’m not wearing heels, I could’ve done more damage than eliciting a grunt of pain.

  “How dare you…” The man’s voice trails off; he realizes I’m not Salome. I edge away, my hands ready to fend him off if he moves on me again.

  My jaw drops when I get a good look on the man who molested me.

  I’m doomed.

  * * *

  Jérôme. The younger brother of the emperor who’s known to be utterly depraved and sexually promiscuous.

  “Princess Katriona?”

  Totally busted.

  “I… I found that I had to come back for something…” I stammer. “There is a bracelet I need to bring with me, it’s a precious gift from the queen.” I sound ridiculous, and he can sense it as well. I really should ask Edward to teach me how to do a stoic expression. I completely suck at faking my attitude.

  “In that case, allow me accompany you back to your rooms,” he says, offering his arm. “My brother is waiting. He had mentioned how much he looks forward to this boat trip.”

  I can’t go with him. If, as he said, there are servants waiting in my room, then Katriona Bradshaw and Edward have not gone out yet. They must be somewhere in the palace, and I cannot risk running into them now.

  “No! I mean, I don’t need to go there right now.” At that moment, my stomach gives a loud growl. It has been a full day since I had anything to eat, thanks to that transformation spell. “I would like to go to the kitchens and find something to eat. I’m famished.”

  He stares at me. “You just had lunch, Princess Katriona.”

  “Did I?” I laugh, trying to appear like everything is normal. “But I...well, I decided that it’s not enough. Your cooks produce such good food, I wouldn’t mind having more.”

  He is looking more and more suspicious. “It’s unnecessary for you to go to the kitchens when you can be served in your own room. The princess does not have to do things for herself, or what’s the use of employing so many servants?”

  “Well, but I…”

  He takes a step closer his eyes sharp and piercing. “Why are you acting so strangely, Princess Katriona?”

  Just at that moment a servant appears. “Your Grace, His Majesty would like to ask you if you’re coming to the boat trip with the prince of Athelia.” The servant glances at me, and a shocked look follows. Oops. He’s thinking that Jérôme and I are having a secret tryst.

  “We shall be along shortly,” Jérôme says calmly. “Well? Let us embark on the boat tour, Princess. My brother and your husband are waiting.”

  No. I can’t appear in front of Augustin and Simone, while Katriona is also there. As much as I yearn to see Edward and let him know I have arrived safe and sound, I can’t do it now. They might toss me out or punish me or do something even worse if they figure out I am a fraud. The news of my court trial is likely to have reached Moryn. They probably know all about a girl who showed up and tried to masquerade as Princess Katriona.

  Jérôme watches me, and it’s as if he read my mind. “You must be that girl who looks similar to Princess Katriona. The one who claimed to be the real sister of Bianca Bradshaw, and tried to take the throne.” His eyes harden. “What made you return? Are you that obsessed with Prince Edward?”

  I shake my head, frantically trying to come up with an excuse. Oh my God, I shouldn’t have asked the fairies to transport me to wherever Edward was. This is really bad.

  “Then let me escort you to the river.”

  “I…” I dart a look around, wondering if it’s possible to escape.

  “As I thought. It must be fate I have met you twice.” His hand clamps on my arm, drawing me to him. His grip is like iron, and though I would love to use a karate chop on him, I can’t beat him up when there are guards outside. “I thought you looked familiar.”

  “Please. Can you send me back to Athelia?” I sound pathetic. But what can I do when I’ve got nothing to bargain for?

  His eyes gleam. “I think not. You know, I once had an Athelian mistress. Though you aren’t as pretty as she is, you’ll do. Can’t have you running off and causing trouble for the prince and princess.”

  Raising his voice, he says to the servant behind me, “Tell His Majesty that I have decided not to come to the boat trip. The pleasures of the river are not as enticing as pleasurable female company.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  “So…” Jérôme tightens his grip on my arm. “Come with me, my lady.” He says ‘my lady’ in an ironic tone, like he knows I am common born. Keeping a firm grip on my wrist, he drags me along with him.

  I try very hard not to panic. I cannot let myself be seen by Edward and Katriona at this moment, so it might be better that I stay in the palace for now. But still, I can’t go with Jérôme, who’s known to be a womanizer. If the rumors are true, then I have walked into a lion’s den.

  We go through a maze of corridors and stairways, until we end up at a large golden-gilded door. Jérôme shoves me inside and closes the door behind me. There are several maids cleaning the room, who jump up and curtsy when they see us. Jérôme, however, barely acknowledges the gesture. He strides to another door, opens it, and pushes me inside.

  “You’re going to stay here until I figure out what should be done to you,” he says, a grin spreading across his face. “Don’t you ever think of escaping. You are a criminal, and if you cause any disturbance at my brother’s wedding, death shall be your only release. Now, I must find where Salome disappeared.
Do not pine for me while I am away.”

  He slams the door. “Don’t even think of escaping, or I shall chain you to the bed.” I look around and discover there's a pair of handcuffs hanging on the wall. Nausea sweeps over me, and I flinch. Geez, this man is sick.

  Jérôme’s laughter echoes through the door. “Till later, my lovely Athelian.”

  There's the sound of a bolt being pulled into place. I also hear him giving instructions to the maids outside that no one should let me out, except when he comes back.

  I look around the room. It’s gorgeously furnished, so magnificent that my eyes hurt from the abundance of pink and gold. Edward once told me that Moryn is lagging behind Athelia in terms of technology, but in respect to the furnishings of the palace, they are even more splendid than my suite in the palace.

  I rush to the window and look out. I estimate I’m on the fifth floor, there are no trees nearby, and there are sentries positioned in the courtyard. Even if I can climb out of the window, I’ve no way to get down or avoid being seen.

  Tears prick my eyes. Tears of frustration and fear threaten to slide over my face. My stomach growls loudly and I wish I could eat something, though that isn’t the most important thing now.

  How am I going to get out of here?

  13

  Kat

  Confined in the bedroom, I draw my knees up to my chin. I have to escape, but I've no idea how to do that. I’ve tried pounding on the door, threatening the maids, trying to gain their sympathy, but to no avail. Apparently, Jérôme has such power over them that they dare not disobey him. Which is normal. And I don’t have anything I could use to bribe them. The dress I’m wearing is fairy-made, but it’s not striking like the ball gowns Meg produced, nor could it compare to the dresses I’ve seen around here. I have no jewelry, no money. Which reminds me, even if I escape, I can’t get far unless I can steal some money.

  How lucky I was when I was first transported to Athelia. At Lady Bradshaw’s house, and at the palace, I never had to worry about mundane stuff like money. Right now, I don’t even know how much it would take to get from Moryn back to Athelia. I wonder how Katriona Bradshaw fared when she survived here. It must have been even more difficult for her, considering how she ended up in a foreign country with the wedding dress and ring.

  I stand up. If Katriona Bradshaw can do it, then so can I. I can sit on the floor and wallow in frustration and misery, or I can try to find out alternative methods to escape. At least I wasn’t transported to some miserable run-down place like Elle’s old house.

  From how the sun shines in the courtyard outside, I gather that it is afternoon. I inspect the wardrobe, the dressers, the trunks under the bed. But all I can find are blankets and tons of dresses. There are a few corsets that look scandalous, even by our modern-day standards, and confirms that Moryn is more sexually-liberated compared to Athelia. I remember that couple kissing in the alcove in the corridor, and how they didn’t appear embarrassed when I found them. From past experience, I’ve never seen corsets revealing so much skin in Athelia. No wonder they invented the corset-free tea gown.

  Can I strangle Jérôme with a blanket? I’d love to, but even though he looks foppish, my experience in karate taught me that most men will dominate me in strength, no matter how hard I practice. When he grabbed my arm, it felt that he could squeeze my bones. If it’s a contest of arm-wrestling, I’d definitely lose.

  There’s a vase of flowers on the mantelpiece. Maybe I can strike him over the head with it? I can hide behind the door and bonk him on the head, but then what? The maids will raise an alarm, and I’ll be seized and sentenced to death for murder. A dead Jérôme won’t do me any good.

  A horn blares outside, drawing my attention to the window. Several magnificent carriages, all of them gilded with gold, have arrived in the courtyard. Several magnificently dressed people get off the carriage, and I feel like my heart is going to burst. I may be far away on the fifth floor, but I am sure the person who emerged from the second carriage is Edward.

  My heart swells; I want nothing but to cup my hands and holler to him. He must have missed me terribly. How I wish I could race up to him right now and let him know I’m alive and well.

  Someone else steps off the same carriage, but it’s another nobleman. Weird. I thought Katriona Bradshaw would accompany Edward; it’s impossible he could attend the Moryn wedding by himself. Augustin invited me to come to Moryn during the State Visit. Once Edward learns I’m here, safe and sound…

  I turn back to my room, filled with a new resolve. I have to get out, I need to come up with a plan. There are voices, probably from the maids outside. I go to the door and press my ear against it, wondering if there’s something from their conversation I could use.

  “How I wish I could go to the masque tonight!”

  “I would give my body to dance with Prince Edward!”

  “He's as gorgeous as the papers describe. It’s a pity that the princess is so plain. He could've done better.”

  “If we cannot attend, at least we can watch. What do you think the emperor might dress up as? Do you think he would try for a lion as he did last year?”

  “He might not be that daring at his wedding. Oh, I can’t wait to see the costumes they get up with. I heard Lady Helene is going to wear a hat three feet long.”

  “How is she going to walk around without hitting people?”

  “We have to go to the masque to find out.”

  “But what about that woman His Grace brought back? He ordered us to guard her.”

  “The door is locked and she can’t jump to her death. Don’t be such a worry wart, Marie.”

  There is a pause. “Even if she can’t get out, what if His Grace returns and finds we’re all gone? Let’s draw lots and take turns watching over her.”

  “Don't you think she looks really similar to Princess Katriona? Can she be her twin sister?”

  “But why did His Grace lock her up? He cannot treat a royal guest this way.”

  “Hush! Haven’t you heard of that story in the papers in Athelia?” The maid relates my court trial. Just as I expected--the Moryns know there’s a girl who accused the princess of identity theft. A princess going to court is something that hasn’t happened in hundreds of years. It’s bound to arouse foreign attention.

  So there is going to be a ball tonight. That means Jérôme can’t come back until late night. Hopefully he will spend the night elsewhere in the arms of Salome, or whatever lady he hooks up with.

  Suddenly, an idea takes hold of me. Is there any chance I can escape to this ball? If it’s a masque, then I can hide my face. I can find Edward and let him know I have arrived, without attracting public attention.

  There is another sound of a door opening, and I hear the bolts on my door being drawn back. Without thinking, I resume my position by the window, and pretend to be startled when Jérôme enters the room.

  “Ah, my pretty little Athelian,” he purrs. “I see you have been a good girl.” He looks around the room. “I thought you might have tried to damage the room. One of my previous mistresses had tried to burn the screen down, so I had to have her chained to the bed.” He catches a lock of my hair and twists it. “You have more sense. The Athelians usually do.”

  I back away from him. “Shouldn’t you be preparing for the ball?”

  He raises his eyebrows but doesn’t question how I know. “I wish I could take you as my partner, but obviously you know the reason I can’t. Besides, more women will come to me if I appear desolate and unattached. So I am afraid that you will have to spend the night dreaming of me. But fear not!” He runs a finger down my cheek, and I have an urge to bite his finger off. “I am not without compassion. You will not go without dinner. When I return, I expect you to serve me.” He grabs me and tries to kiss me, but I turn my head at the last moment, so his sloppy kiss lands on my cheek. This seems to enrage him, and he grabs my hair and forces another kiss on my lips. Since I can’t match his strength, I can only preten
d that I am stone.

  “Good little girl,” he purrs. “I look forward to a wild night with you when I return.”

  The door shuts behind him. Tears prickle at my eyes, and I rush to the dresser. Using the jug of water provided, I scrub at my cheek, my lips, and I would have used soap if there was any available. If I see him again I'm gonna kill him, I don't care if I'm punished and thrown into jail.

  My stomach growls loudly again; I sink on the floor, feeling weak and exhausted. It seems hours until the smell of food reaches my nostrils. Maybe this is going to be a chance. Maybe I could subdue one of the maids and force her to let me out.

  A moment later, there is a scraping sound. To my surprise, a food tray is pushed through an opening in the door, as one might deliver a letter or a newspaper in a hotel room. The tray falls on the floor with a clutter, the plates on it clinking.

  I rush towards the food before it rolls on the floor. Potatoes and beans—not my favorite, but at this moment they taste like heaven. And there’s a bowl of chicken-and-onion soup. Well, at least the Moryns are good cooks. I've never tasted anything so delicious, but then it could be attributed to my hunger.

  When I finish, strength returns to my veins and I feel invigorated. I must get out.

  “Hey,” I call. “I’m finished.”

  There is the sound of footsteps—someone has come to retrieve the food tray from the other side of the door. My heart pounding, I grab the hand that reaches for the tray.

  “Let me out,” I say in the most threatening tone I can manage. “Or I’ll break your wrist.”

  The servant gasps. “You can’t do that.”

  “Can’t I?” I grab her arm and yank it upwards. She lets out a cry of pain. “Now, if you don’t want your arm snapped in half, let me out.”

  14