“Thanks, dear brother.”
The three stealthy returned to the area under Memory’s balcony, and as Zoisite climbed up, Prince Cassian pulled Memory back.
“I’m calling for a doctor. Coughing blood is not a good sign–”
“I’ll be fine.” Memory rolled her eyes. “No biggie.”
“I am serious.”
She shrugged his hand away. The concern he was suddenly showing was not a good sign. “Stop worrying. It’s weirding me out.”
He let out a small breath. “Well, you better go.”
“Oh.” Memory said, feeling inexplicably sad. “Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “See you later?”
“I’m leaving for Cuba later today.”
Her heart sunk. “Oh. When will you back?”
“Twenty-fourth.” He replied, adjusting the watch on his wrist. “I’ll leave you here.”
Memory watched silently as he walked away and climbed into his room through the window just as a guard passed by. She flattened herself against the wall, waiting for him to round the corner, still staring at the spot Prince Cassian had been standing in moments earlier. The irritation she felt towards him ebbed.
“Why haven’t you called me in so long? Viletta is driving me insane.”
Memory winced. “Quiet down, Lulu.” She hushed her sister as she watched Zoisite traipse around her room while holding a roll of toilet paper, for whatever reason. “I’m–uh–working right now.”
“You’re always working, dork.”
“Yeah but,” Memory coughed, her chest tightening up painfully, “we’re doing something extremely important right now. Like really important.”
“Fine, then.” She could pretty much imagine Lulu pouting. “Talk to you tomorrow?”
“Sounds good.” She’d just hung up when Zoisite bounded up to her, staring at her with wide eyes.
“Who was that?”
Memory pinched the bridge of her nose. “A friend. Why is there toilet paper everywhere?”
“I’m building a fort.” She said, completely serious. “I saw how to make one on the internet.”
“O–kay. Good luck with that.” Memory inched away, not wanting to get wrapped up into another one of Zoisite’s schemes. She knocked over a pile of books and someone rushed by to help her. Memory looked up and her eyes widened.
“Diana! Where have you been?”
The woman scowled. “Trying to organize things to make sure no one finds out you snuck away.”
Memory paled, reduced to stutters in mere seconds. “W–what are you talking about?”
“I saw you when I came to check up on you. Not to mention the cameras were blank for almost four hours.”
In desperation, Memory flung herself onto the old woman. “It was all Zoisite’s idea! Please don’t tell anyone, I beg you, Diana!”
The head maid sighed, clutching a fallen book in her hand. “I won’t. But you are one troublesome princess.”
Memory grinned widely, pecking her on the cheek. “Thank you so much, I promise I’ll make it up to you!” Her smile was so big her teeth seemed to stick out, and Diana blushed at her antics.
“I understand it’s difficult to adjust to palace life, so I will let it go. Just this once. Understood?”
“Sure.” Memory rubbed her eyes. “By the way, why aren’t we allowed to leave?”
“Palace regulations.”
“But Zoisite said it only started when she was born.”
Diana rolled her eyes. “The Lady Zoisite is young, has yet to learn. The rule was implemented fifteen years ago.”
Memory groaned. “But why?”
Diana, huffing, whipped her over the head with a book and ordered her to study, threatening her with her secret. However unwillingly, Memory obliged, happy the head maid had returned.
“Could you kick Zoisite out?” She asked, smiling cheekily. “She’s been in here with me for almost five days. Driving me bonkers.”
She ducked as book was thrown her way.
It was mid afternoon when Memory’s phone buzzed, and it wasn’t a call from Lulu–or heaven forbid, Prince Cassian–but an unknown number. And she almost melted into a puddle of happiness when Elliot’s smooth voice filtered in. Advanced as it was, the phone didn’t do his voice justice.
They talked for a bit, with Memory doing most of the chattering. If it weren’t for the steady breathing on the other end, she would’ve thought she was talking to a wall.
“Are you okay? You aren’t going to be kicked out, are you?” She said in a rush, genuinely worried.
“No.” There was a long pause. “Are you alright, Lady Jade?
“Oh don’t change the subject.” Memory sunk deeper into the velvet seat she was sitting on. “Not to be rude or anything–never mind, there’s no nice way of putting this–but I feel like the people here don’t like you very much. Or that’s just the vibe I’m getting.”
To her surprise, Elliot chuckled. Like actually chuckled. She froze, hoping no one saw her dumbstruck expression.
“Hello?”
“You are rather observant, Lady Jade, contrary to popular belief.”
“Are you implying that people think I’m stupid?”
“You inferred it.”
“Not. Funny.” Memory replied, gripping her phone tightly. “So, did you do something bad? Is it something I could help with?” She smiled smugly. “I am the Princess you know.”
“Favoritism is not looked upon favorably, Lady Jade.”
“Stop avoiding the subject.”
There was a long stretch of silence, and it took more prodding from Memory to get him to talk.
“Pardon me, Lady Jade. I cannot trouble you with my problems.”
“Yeah well you’re a friend, aren’t you?” She questioned. “Probably the only friend I have here. I’m supposed to help.”
At that, he sighed softly. “My father, Balthasar, committed an act of dishonor.”
“Ah.” Realization set in. “So my grandfather, Ara, kicked him out?”
“Yes. They were brothers, Lady Jade.”
“What did he do?” Memory asked gently, hoping he knew from her tone that she wouldn’t force him to answer if he really didn’t want to.
“He…married someone his father did not approve of.” He replied evasively.
“Oh. But you’re here, aren’t you?”
“When I turned eighteen, he wished for me to appeal to his majesty. King Darius was kind enough to give me a position as duke.”
“Oh. That’s good.” Memory smiled to herself. “I would literally die if you weren’t here. How’s your head, by the way?”
“Jade!”
The loud sing-song voice of Tsavorite cut their conversation short. Memory bounced up, whispering a quick bye to Elliot, and greeted her aunt warmly.
“What are you doing here?” She asked, and Tsavorite laughed. Her laugh sounded more forced than genuine, though.
“I managed to convince my dear sister-in-law to visit you. You must be tired.” Tsavorite ushered her over to the chairs while Memory groaned. She’d done nothing but sit and browse the internet for the past week (with the exception of the brief “outing” with Zoisite and Prince Ice Cube) and her eyeballs were about to burn.
“I’ve been sitting around for days, Tsavorite. I don’t think I can handle any more.”
Tsavorite, after ordering a maid to get some hot chocolate and cookies, nodded in understanding. She looked quite dashing today, wearing a long gown and elegant jewelry unlike the garish sets Tourmaline wore. Memory had a hard time believing she was forty-two. Or above thirty for that matter, the woman had smoother skin than her!
“And your studies?”
Memory let out a huff. “I don’t care.”
Tsavorite frowned. “You should, Jade. You’re not on the King and Queen’s good side, and one more act of irresponsible behavior and I fear what will come of you.”
“Three strikes and you’re out, huh?” Memory pursed her lips
and rolled her eyes when Tsavorite gave her an odd look. “It’s a commoner saying.”
Her aunt’s frown turned into a small smile. “My son was quite the troublemaker in her early teens and was sent to America for four years.”
Memory shuddered. She did not want to go anywhere but home any time soon.
“How are you feeling?” Tsavorite tilted her head. “I’ve heard of your sickness.”
How’d she know? “It’s not a big deal.” Memory waved her hands around. “Probably just a cold.”
Tsavorite didn’t buy it, urging her to get checked up, but Memory quickly changed the topic.
“Say…did you know there are secret passages here?”
If her aunt looked surprised, she didn’t show it. She sipped her hot chocolate, holding the cup with dainty fingers. The difference between a true royalty and an imposter hadn’t been more obvious. Memory, suddenly ashamed at her manners, refused to drink.
“Ah, I see Chrysander told you.” She sipped her drink carefully. The sudden tension in the atmosphere went unnoticed by Memory.
“Yeah. He lets me hide out sometimes.” The memory of racing through the tunnels trying to evade Diana made her smile. “I was surprised that Prince Cassian didn’t know.”
Tsavorite murmured something to herself but then looked up and smiled. “King Darius doesn’t use them, and but he is the one I stole the map from when Chrysander and I were young.” She had a nostalgic look on her face. “Ah, the younger years.”
“That reminds me!” Memory sudden exclamation made Tsavorite wide-eyed. “Have you ever been outside the palace?”
Tsavorite bounced up in her seat, startled. “Well. Yes. What makes you ask that?” She questioned nervously.
“Oh, well, I tried to er, leave to go somewhere but I wasn’t allowed to. Apparently the women aren’t allowed to leave without permission.” Memory groaned, not wanting a repeat of the episode with Zoisite. “Why is that?”
Her aunt was silent for a few minutes, sipping her drink. When she finished the last of it, she wiped her lip and stood up to leave.
“I left often in my younger years. But there was…an issue fifteen years ago.” Tsavorite smiled, but it was obviously forced. “Even at my home, the Jackson Estate, I am not allowed outside. King Darius’ orders hold precedence even there. My dear brother thought it was safer if we were to remain on grounds at all times”
“Obviously not.” Memory scoffed. “Not if a thief can get in so easily.”
“Yes…” Her aunt coughed. “His majesty did allow me to leave if I had to. Clithorp is a wonderful place, very sunny, I would recommend going there if you were allowed to.” She wrung her hands together nervously. “Anyhow, I must go. I shall see you soon, perhaps when your…incarceration ends?”
“Incarceration? More like pit of hell.” She waved her goodbye, the mention of fifteen years nagging at the back of her mind.
“I can leave? I CAN LEAVE?”
Diana and Alexa stood tall in front of her, trying to shush her but the effort was futile. Memory was already out the door, running down the hallways.
Diana, surprisingly quick on her feet, caught up to her in barely ten seconds.
“We must accompany you at all times.” She said, adjusting the collar of her white shirt. “You are not to be let out of sight.”
“Thank goodness.”
“Princess Jade.” Diana said seriously, putting a hand on her shoulder. “You are the Princess of this country. You will one day lead it along with your brothers. The change is difficult, but I am asking you to behave. We all admire you and believe you can achieve great things, but you must learn.”
Memory, taking no note of her words, dashed off in an effort to find Elliot. She ran into him outside, sitting on the ledge of the fountain with a book in hand.
She peered over his shoulder, in hopes to surprise him, but he turned slightly in order to acknowledge her presence. She resisted the urge to pout.
“How’d you know it was me?”
He edges of his lips curled into the smallest of smiles as he put his book down.
“Lady Jade,” He addressed, facing her. “Would you like to go on a ride?”
“Julian is being weird.” Memory tried to stroke the white horses mane but he neighed, moving away from her and stomping his feet. “What happened that time, anyway?”
Elliot looked up, the scar on the side of his forehead clearly visible. It made him look gruff, in Memory’s opinion, and less like the pretty boy almost every other male at the palace was.
“I do not know, Lady Jade.” He swung onto Irma’s back, humming soothingly when she made noise in annoyance. “Horses are quite gentle, especially these two.”
Memory followed suit, settling onto the saddle. “Maybe they didn’t like seeing all the people.”
“Hm.”
“How’s your head?” She asked, as they rode out onto the fields. Elliot, being Elliot, made a noncommittal noise which she interpreted as ‘I’m fine’.
They spent the day making rounds around the palace grounds. Memory did most of the talking, asking him about his confinement here and there but mostly talking about her past years. She told him stories of Lulu, referring to her as a friend.
“She’s like a sister.” Memory said, smiling to herself. “There was one time we got lost at a county fair during a school field trip, and we slept under the stands. Some janitors found us in the morning.”
“County…fair?”
Memory face-palmed. “Oh boy, we’ve got work to do.” She trekked ahead. “You’ve never been to a county fair?”
Elliot shook his head, and she bristled, irritated.
“Yeah, you haven’t lived until you’ve had cotton candy. Or corn dogs.”
“This must be very different, then, Lady Jade.” He motioned to the fountain and the gates.
“Duly noted.” Memory patted Julian as they slowed to a stop. “I think the biggest difference is the noise level. Whecombe Pass is really quite, since it’s a small town, but there’s always people laughing and crying and running around town. Here…it’s kinda sad. Quiet.” She lowered his eyes, hoping he wouldn’t see the sadness that was about to overcome her. He didn’t respond, thankfully, and after a few minutes she regained her composure and smiled widely.
“Last one to the stables is a rotten egg!” She galloped away, and moments later Elliot passed her effortlessly.
“You shouldn’t be with Elliot so much.”
Memory, who was in the process of writing a report on the economic system of Helviera, set her pen down and sighed.
“What are you doing here, Zoisite?”
“Aunt Zoisite!” She jabbed her in the chest. “I turn eleven in less than a week.”
“Really?” Memory questioned dryly. The girl had been parading around the palace telling anyone who’d listen it was her birthday. While she couldn’t blame her for being excited, Memory herself had never had a birthday party, and wasn’t sure how fun it would be. Especially here.
“Yes! Anyway,” Zoisite glanced at Memory’s paper momentarily, frowning. “Helviera’s economic system is similar to Canada, not South America.”
Dang…Memory frowned, making the changes while awed at her intelligence.
“Like I was saying, Tourmaline and Emerald noticed how you’re always with Elliot.” Zoisite’s lips contorted into a mix between a grimace and a smirk. “I don’t think that’s smart.”
“Why not? He’s nice. And,” Memory paused for dramatic effect, “It’s none of your business who I hang out with.”
“Yeah but…his father is Balthasar.” Zoisite scrunched her nose. “He’s horrid.”
“Whatever.” Memory ignored the girl as she followed her around, even into the bathroom, and it was when she turned on the shower that she shooed her away.
She emerged from her bathroom ten minutes later, feeling fresh and content. It was time to visit grandmother again.
The meeting didn’t go too well. Emerald wa
s there and one-upped her again. Memory wondered what the girl was after, and maybe it was the same thing that Memory was enlisted to do, but still. It was really annoying to walk out with Emerald sneering at her.
That night, Memory was called down to the parlor at Tsavorite’s request. Apparently, her husband and son had arrived.
Her husband was a short stubby man with a curling mustache and long arms. Malden Jackson, Memory remembered.
She curtsied as he bowed, and Tsavorite wrapped an arm around her.
“Isn’t she wonderful?” She said, “It truly is a blessing to have her back.”
Memory groaned inwardly. Her aunt was more and more like Diana by the minute.
“Myron!” Tsavorite shouted–well, as loud as she could in front of the family–and Memory’s gaze fell upon the taller man standing next to Malden.
And promptly wondered how someone like Tsavorite could have a child so…cow-like. Well, he looked nice enough, and Memory of all people wasn’t keen on judging on looks, but if his gangly appearance wasn’t enough, he even had the gall to stare down at her and smirk haughtily.
And I’m cousins with this guy.
“Myron,” Chrysander shook his hand, “How have you been?”
Myron suddenly howled loudly. “I challenge you to a joust!”
Chrysander sighed. “Again?”
“Where are your manners, boy?” Tsavorite chastised as Myron cackled. She turned to Memory, leaning close. “He and Chrysander joust every time they meet. And my idiot of a son always loses.”
Memory couldn’t help but laugh, and as the family sat down on the seats in the parlor, eating biscuits and sipping tea, her eyes were glued to the spot where she imagined Prince Cassian would be.
Malden and Myron had arrived for Zoisite’s birthday party, which was famed to be the best party of the year. Memory was pretty sure her birthday party wouldn’t include games like pin the tail on the donkey or anything of the sort–more likely than not, it would be just like the ball held for the Vivistes.
But the next day, when she went out to meet Elliot by the stables (where he usually was, it was either there or near the fountain), she found Chrysander and Myron suiting up with armor she didn’t even know existed in the twenty-first century.
The Liars Page 15
