“Happy to hear it. I trust connections are already forming. What do you think of my girls?”
Prince Byron made his way to the Queen by the doorway. “Each one of them is absolutely extraordinary,” he said. “I’m excited for the process to continue. My wife is in this room. Of that, I have no doubt.”
“Of course, she is.” The Queen smiled. “There will be more formal and informal mixers, group dates, and personal dates over the coming weeks. Don’t hold back. Time will not be on your side. You will need to take advantage of every moment—which is also a good lesson in life.
“I am stealing your Prince away right now. But you’ll see him again later tonight, that is if you can recognize him. To formally commence this process, I am throwing a masquerade ball this evening. It will be a truly elegant affair. High society from all over the 1st Ward will be in attendance. Which now also means you. Carry yourselves as such.”
CHAPTER 25
T he ballgown Kimera chose for me was a jasmine shade of yellow, definitely more muted than the dress I’d worn earlier in the day. Naming the shades was still beyond me; luckily, I had Kimera to teach me.
The gown was strapless, cut straight across the top, with crystals tucked into the skirt pickups. The flaring skirt brushed the carpet even in my purple open-toed pumps. I’d have to be extremely careful if I didn’t want to break an ankle that night.
I tried on the mask lying on the dresser, tying a bow at the back of my head with the black lace. The mask covered the top half of my face down to the tip of my nose and was finished with violet scales and feather plumes adorning the top.
“Aren’t you a sight. A real princess if I ever saw one.”
I turned and saw the Governess standing in the doorway, also dressed for the occasion; she was holding a black mask by her side, matching her dress.
I would have run over to her—if I could in those heels. Instead, I walked slowly and carefully in her direction. “You’re still here,” I exclaimed as I threw my arms around her.
“It was the Queen’s orders to give you girls time adjusting to your new living situations,” she said.
“It’s good to see you,” I said. “Kimera, this is my Governess.”
“We’ve met,” Kimera answered, but she curtsied nevertheless. “I was introduced to her on your first night here.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Shall we go?” the Governess asked, shading her face with her mask. “The ball has already begun.”
Kimera stood behind me and adjusted my mask. She turned me around to square my shoulders. “Shoulders back. Chest out. Chin down. There, perfect.”
“Too many things to remember,” I complained. “I need to concentrate on walking.”
Kimera held the door open for us as we exited the room and headed for the masquerade ball downstairs. I could already hear the classical music drifting through the hallway. The Governess linked arms with me as we descended the curved staircase to the first floor.
We joined the influx of anonymous guests pouring in through the front door. The Event Room was on the opposite rear side of the palace from the Garden Room, and multiple sets of doors stood propped open for easy access.
The main floor of the Event Room was down another wide flight of stairs. Private balconies were stationed around the room’s perimeter one floor up, while massive crystal chandeliers hung overhead. Seating areas bordered the lower room while the entire center of it was reserved for dancing, the floor filling up fast with graceful, mysterious couples.
The sophisticated, intricate music filling the room came from a small orchestra on one of the middle balconies. We passed several speakers on our way down the stairs.
“What do we do?” I asked as we reached the edge of the dance floor.
“Mingle. Dance. Have fun,” the Governess said.
“I’m not very good at any of those things.”
“Now’s a good time to learn because a princess is good at those things. Everyone’s hiding behind a mask tonight, which should make conversations less intimidating. How about starting off with some familiar faces?”
The Governess led me through the crowd around the edge of the room and interrupted a group engaged in conversation. As soon as I could hear the voices, I knew exactly who she was bringing me to.
“Victoria!” Mina squealed and crushed me in a hug.
Master and Lady Ramsey, as well as Johanna, were gathered in a small group talking with a few others I didn’t recognize by their voices.
“Mina, it’s so good to see you,” I said. When I let her go, Lady Ramsey was the next, and last, to embrace me.
Both Master Ramsey and Johanna provided short, stiff greetings.
“So, this is your new home,” Johanna said.
“For now,” I answered.
“When do we get to meet the Queen?”
“That would be up to her,” I said. “I have no idea where she is. I’ve only just arrived myself.”
“We haven’t been invited to a party here in over three years,” Lady Ramsey said.
“And you didn’t take me,” Johanna grumbled.
“You weren’t invited,” Master Ramsey said.
“Have you been to the Queen’s stables yet?” Mina asked.
“I’ve been out to the field and seen some of the Queen’s horses,” I said. “But I haven’t been in the stables yet.”
“Misty misses you, you know.” Mina stopped and looked over at her mother, then back at me. “She missed you so much we had to bring her with us.”
“You brought her?” I asked, directing the question more to Lady Ramsey. “She’s here?”
“In the stables!” Mina exclaimed.
“She’s yours now,” Lady Ramsey said. “She didn’t want to ride with anyone else. She belongs here with you.”
“I—I don’t know what to say,” I said, feeling my eyes well up.
Master Ramsey passed me a handkerchief. “Don’t get all mushy on us. You could start with a simple thank you. I thought we at least taught you that much.”
I thought of the last time he’d said something nice to me and shivered. But here, I wouldn’t be left alone with him and there was no way I’d allow him to separate me from the party. There would always be people around, and the guards here were not his own.
“Thank you,” I said, keeping my attention on anyone other than Master Ramsey. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“You can take me riding here,” Mina said. “It will be just like it was.”
“How about tomorrow?” I asked.
“We’re leaving tonight,” Master Ramsey said.
Even though I wanted to spend time with Mina, Master Ramsey’s answer brought a sense of relief.
“Next time, then,” I said.
A young man in a tuxedo emerged from the crowd and asked Johanna to dance. She was willingly dragged away and onto the dance floor.
“We’d love to meet Prince Byron,” Lady Ramsey said.
“I’m sure he’s around here somewhere,” I said. “There wouldn’t be a party without him.”
More and more mysterious guests poured into the ballroom. The dance floor was full and the chatter now a small roar above the volume of the orchestra.
“Hi, Victoria. Is this your family?”
The voice was familiar, but it took me a moment to recognize it. Then I appreciated the mandated dress colors we wore to match our rooms, saw the orange dress and realized the voice belonged to Bethany.
I introduced everyone to each other. I didn’t know how to describe Bethany to the Ramseys because I didn’t know what they knew already, especially with Mina standing there too.
This is too complicated.
“Come, I want to introduce you to my family,” Bethany said excitedly as she pulled me away.
On the way, we snagged glasses of champagne from a server making her rounds in the crowd. Earlier that day was the first time I’d had the bubbly refreshment, and I’d immediately develope
d a taste for it. The alcohol also seemed to reduce my anxiety, which was certainly welcomed.
“They’re just the other side of the dance floor,” she said, just as a hand grabbed my wrist.
“Excuse me, m’lady. But may I have this dance?”
I instinctively snatched my hand away, then gazed up into the blue eyes of a guy with short, light brown hair. He was also in a tuxedo like so many others there, and the upper half of his face was concealed by a black mask with silver embroidery.
“She’ll have to take a rain—” Bethany started to say, but I cut her off.
“Yes,” I answered, fixated on the man before me. “I’m sorry, Bethany. I’ll find you in a little bit.”
“But…”
“I don’t want to be rude,” I insisted. “It would be my honor, sir.” I performed my best curtsy, which felt forced and fake, and I wobbled on my heels a little.
Bethany didn’t put up any more of a fight and left me with the fine-looking stranger.
“I feel I know you,” I said.
He moved me onto the dance floor and placed a hand on the small of my back before leading me to the music.
“You don’t recognize my voice?” he asked.
“I feel like I should, but…”
“Well, you said you didn’t know if you were coming back, so I came to you.”
“Kale,” I said, sensing it had been him all along.
“At your service,” he said with a smile, taking back my hand and spinning me around.
Miraculously, I remained on my feet. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I’m not leaving without you,” Kale said.
CHAPTER 26
I remembered seeing him at the train station, but I never thought he’d follow me to the Queen’s palace. It had been a relief seeing him there because at least I knew he hadn’t been captured by Master Ramsey. But I was more than just concerned for his wellbeing; there was definitely a part of me that was happy to see him.
“How did you get an invitation?” I asked Kale.
“Who said I received one?”
“Then how did you get in?”
“I’m crafty like that,” he said with an I’m-so-proud-of-myself grin.
“Do you realize Duke Ramsey is here?”
“I’ve kept an eye out for him,” Kale said as we continued to move about the dance floor.
“If he recognizes you, I don’t even know what he’d do,” I said. “But I doubt trying to kill you would be far-fetched.”
With our serious conversation keeping my mind occupied, I had no concern for my dancing and seemed to be gliding seamlessly across the dance floor in high heels that should have crippled me by now.
“Let him try,” Kale said. “He’s alone here. His people aren’t close enough.”
“How about the Queen’s Guard? If she finds out someone’s crashed her party…”
“Who’s going to tell her? You?”
“No. But if the Prince—”
“Finds me dancing with you?” Kale asked mockingly. “Is he going to do something?”
“Perhaps I will.”
We both spun toward the commanding voice.
Prince Byron stood before us, unmistakable even in his mask. He wore the same gray suit, white shirt, and black tie as before—only now donning a silver mask to complete the outfit.
“Your Highness,” Kale said, taking his hands off me and bowing.
“Victoria,” Prince Byron said. “I shouldn’t be surprised you have other suitors.”
“I was just being polite,” I said and felt Kale’s eyes glaring at me from the comment.
“May I cut in?” Prince Byron asked.
“Of course,” I said.
Kale backed away a few steps. “Always a pleasure, Lady Victoria,” he said and then disappeared into the sea of dancing couples.
Prince Byron picked up where Kale had left off, placing his hand on my back and leading me in a slow waltz. His grip on my hand was firm and he held me close. His smoky gray eyes were fixated on mine.
“I don’t like seeing you dancing with other men,” he said after a long silence.
“I don’t like seeing you kissing other women, even if they’re practically me,” I said matter-of-factly, but the feel of Kale’s touch and the intensity of his gaze lingered.
“I am committed to this process and want to make sure you are too. I’m serious about finding the girl I intend to marry.”
“I am committed to this as well and open minded to whatever lies ahead for us.”
“I’m glad to hear it because I don’t want you to go,” Prince Byron said, dipping me low to the ground. He looked like he was about to attempt another kiss, but stopped himself.
I felt guilty seeing the conflict in his eyes. When I was upright again, I said, “I know our time is short. I’m really trying.”
“Which is all I can ask for,” he said with one of his radiant smiles that seemed to always make me blush.
We danced for several more songs before he excused himself, first leading me off the dance floor, then raising my hand to his lips.
“Like you said, I need to give some of the other girls a chance,” Prince Byron said, leaving me in the midst of masked strangers at the edge of the ballroom.
I glanced around for familiar faces and didn’t see any in close proximity. I was about to make a lap around the room to see who I could find when a familiar, chilling voice caught my attention.
“Looking for someone in particular?” Master Ramsey asked.
“Prince Byron,” I said. “He’s nearby.”
“He just left you. Lying doesn’t become you, especially with the punishments I dole out for such an infraction.” Master Ramsey grabbed me by the arm and forcefully led me back onto the dance floor.
“What are you doing?” I pleaded.
“One dance is all I ask,” he said.
I fought the urge to scream and allowed him one song so that afterward he’d voluntarily leave without causing a major scene.
Once we reached a clear area amidst the other—presumably happy—dancing couples, Master Ramsey turned and placed his hands on me, making my skin crawl. I tried to subdue my revulsion but was beginning to feel nauseous.
“Just because you’re here, multiple wards away, and living amongst the royals, doesn’t mean you’re out of my reach,” Master Ramsey said, speaking softly into my left ear. “Wherever you go, whoever you end up with—even this Easteria Prince—you will ultimately remain mine. I’ve owned you since the day you were born and will continue to own you until the day you die.” His hand traveled down and gave me a swift, inconspicuous spank before returning to its rightful place on the small of my back.
I squealed, first in surprise and then in pain as the bruises roared.
“No,” I said, defiantly. “I’ve escaped you. I’m no longer yours to punish as you deem fit.”
“Yet, here we are.” Master Ramsey provided a closed-mouth grin and patted my bruised cheek. “It’s been concealed nicely, yet I see it still hurts. I presume the Queen doesn’t know.”
“It’s a reminder of what I escaped.”
“It’s a reminder of who you belong to. Don’t ever forget it.”
“Excuse me, sir.”
Master Ramsey was tapped on the shoulder. He turned to confront whoever was intruding on our private dance.
I was surprised to see Kale standing there. Before giving Master Ramsey a chance to say anything, Kale cocked his arm back and punched the Duke in the face.
Master Ramsey had started out off-balance from the turn and went stumbling back into other dancers before fully collapsing to the floor.
I gasped at Kale’s gall, as did other nearby couples interrupted by Master Ramsey hitting the floor. His head snapped back and bounced off the wood flooring.
Kale didn’t give anyone a moment to recover and moved fast. He put both hands on my neck and planted his lips on mine. My head swam from the sudden kiss and it took me a mome
nt to stop it—but it only took that moment to awaken something familiar inside of me. I still regarded him as the stranger I’d met outside my cellar window, but my lips—my heart suddenly knew I’d kissed him before.
Our faces were still only inches apart.
“I’m here for you,” Kale said, not looking resentful, but hopeful. He glanced down at Master Ramsey who was shaking his head, pushing away people offering to help him up. “I think I’ve worn out my welcome here.”
“Nice shot,” I said. “My hero.”
“My Princess.” Kale brushed my good cheek with a gentle hand. Then he just as suddenly slipped in between nearby couples and disappeared into the crowd before Master Ramsey could get to his feet.
I stood there elated for a long moment while Master Ramsey aggressively collected himself. A raging fire burned in his eyes when they met mine. Blood streamed from his nose, and he wiped it with the back of his hand, leaving a crimson streak across this face. I couldn’t suppress my grin from seeing him knocked to the floor and bloody. I wanted to add to his injuries—kick him while he was down or something, but he’d knock me off balance easily in these heels.
I knew I couldn’t revel too long and didn’t try to follow Kale. Instead, I headed in a different direction, slipping through small openings in the crowd, looking for someone I knew—anyone I could cling to while Master Ramsey calmed down—or, hopefully, left altogether. Then I saw the Queen engaged in conversation straight ahead; she would be my refuge.
CHAPTER 27
I didn’t see Master Ramsey for all the rest of the ball. The remaining family members left before the ball came to a close, including the Governess, who said I was well adjusted and that her services were no longer required. I hugged them all and let them go.
During the next full week, I tried not to think of the whole clone thing, even though I saw the evidence of my so-called sisters every day. But we didn’t talk about it. It felt less real that way.
I saw more of Kale as the week progressed and less of Prince Byron, though my frequent interactions with Kale were brief. He had escaped the masquerade ball unharmed and was now posing as a palace staff member. He still wouldn’t tell me know he was pulling off these feats.
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