When we approached the city, everything shone brightly. Towers and sky scrapers made from gold and white marbles stood magnificently, all with the same golden half ovals on top of it, brilliantly shining but astonishingly not glaring the eyes. The wide streets were lined with desert palm trees giving an elegant accent to the white and gold city. At the center of it all, was a gigantic golden flying eagle on a white marble. With the sun beaming on its widespread wings, it glowed more majestically.
Our shuttle finally docked and we disembarked going down the steps. A familiar face wearing a driver’s blue uniform waiting beside a black luxurious car caught my sight. I stared at him trying to remember where I had seen him before. Then I realized it was Thomas except there was something different in him, his hair color was from brown to black, and his nose and chin were altered to be slightly larger or wider, I wasn’t exactly sure. He bowed and opened the car door for us and we entered not giving any attention to him like how any other Elites usually treated their servants. He went around the car and took a seat at the driver’s side, started the engine and drove off. We were on the road when he shifted the rear view mirror to get a glimpse at Curtis.
It was inside the car we spoke freely with privacy. “I hope that disguise is going to work,” Curtis said sounding doubtful while staring at Thomas through the mirror.
“I’ll remove the wig, nose and chin when it is time, no one is going to recognize I entered with Lady Elaine,” he explained confidently.
“How are you going to replace the Prince’s driver?”
Thomas glimpsed at the mirror then back on the road before answering, “Immobilize him on the day when the Prince will be leaving, my men will also be there replacing some of his guards who will be escorting him. They’re all back at the apartment waiting for us.”
“Immobilize?” I asked worriedly.
“Sleeping scents my Lady, less hassle and no noise. We’ll be wearing their uniforms and place the bodies inside the car trunk and bring them with us so the Protectors investigating after will not know we infiltrated the manor,” Thomas explained.
“You’ll need more than just sleeping scents if you plan on taking out all of his guards escorting him,” Curtis remarked.
Thomas calmly responded, “That’s why we brought along concealed guns my Lord. As protocol dictates, the Prince’s vehicle, which I’ll be driving, will have two escort cars, one in the front and one on the rear. Two of my men will be riding each car and they’ll be taking out the guards with them when we reach our rendezvous point with Olfren who will be waiting with more men but before we can execute this strategy, we need access to the Prince’s route plans so that I’ll know where I’m driving to avoid suspicion and to relay it to Olfren so he can set the ambush.”
This all sounds very complicated and dangerous, making my stomach churn. If this backfires, everything would be traced back to Curtis and me. They had no room for error or it would cost us our lives.
“Do you know where to find the route plans?” Curtis asked.
Thomas’ eyes were now looking straight forward, then eventually responded, “The head of security usually has it. We’ll look into it as soon as we’re inside the area.”
All their talks of abducting the Prince made me uneasy on my seat so I decided instead to gaze outside and enjoy the view of Sunglow from the ground and left them to their conversation. The city was obviously a place for the wealthy. Everything was expensive, the shops, the cars, and even the people, mostly Alphas and Elites, in their lavish and stylish colorful clothes and jewelries, wearing it with sophistication. Each holding their heads up high as they shop in stores with glass displays that glittered, selling items with either gold or diamonds on it which only the filthy rich could afford. It was a city of excess indulgence for the people with extravagant taste but I had to admit the place was marvelous for the eyes, only one of a kind.
We finally arrived at the apartment that Curtis’ family owned. With the help of two maids, I changed into a ravishing silver and blue Lady’s daytime gown, a sleeveless gown with the chest and neck exposed suitable for a warm weather, and a dress more worthy when presented to the Prince or any of the Sovereigns. It had more elegant embroideries on the fabric that shone and glittered more than the regular ones I had.
I went outside the room after I was done and Curtis was already waiting for me. Thomas and his men disguised as my footmen wearing the Bermule silver tailcoat uniforms just left the apartment with my luggage loading it to the car.
Curtis was beaming when he saw me walking towards him. His gaze was fixated on me.
“You look stunning,” he complimented with adoring eyes.
I smiled, not exactly sure how to respond to his remark.
“Please take care of yourself Ellie,” he said tenderly while he held my hand. “And if you ever run into trouble, just leave as fast as you can, I’ll be waiting for you here.”
Our eyes held each other as if it would be a long time before we see each other again. I leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the lips and it was electrifying kissing him first. He froze for a brief second then relaxed and parted his lips for me. I was certain he was startled by my abrupt boldness, I never initiated a kiss before but I suddenly felt the need, owing it to myself, feeling I’d miss him more if I didn’t. Then I pulled away slowly sensing it was time for me to go.
We went outside the apartment together. I entered the car while Curtis held the door for me. I looked at him one last time after he closed it.
“I love you Ellie,” he whispered with his warm usual smile whenever he said those words.
Then the car slowly rolled out from the driveway without giving me a chance to say anything in return.
I took a deep breath and released, telling myself to relax while settling down on the seat. It was only for a couple of days. What could happen in a short amount of time?
We were on our way to the Prince’s manor driving on the wide streets of Sunglow, and it took longer than I anticipated. To calm my nerves and keep my mind off what was coming, I started conversing with Thomas even if it felt a bit unnatural for the both of us.
“Are your men following us?”
His grip tightened on the wheel when I spoke to him then I met his eyes on the rear view mirror and he replied, “Yes my Lady, they’re on the car following us.”
There was silence again. Then something suddenly crossed my mind I felt was urgent. “Aren’t they going to notice that you and your men are missing when I leave?”
Thomas glanced up at the mirror. The corner of his mouth rose slightly and I thought it was a smile, although I wasn’t sure of it since it was quick.
“Some of my men are staying behind for you my Lady when we leave, and I doubt the security inside the manor will count how many footmen you brought along with you. Don’t worry, the guard at the gate only checks what’s inside the car upon entering and not when we’re leaving.” His words were reassuring. He seemed to be confident we could pull this off. I hope he was right, for all our sakes. Then all that was left for me to do was deal with the Prince whatever he was up to and I couldn’t decide which was worse.
We arrived at the manor and stopped at a huge white metal gate with gold spirals on it. The guard wearing a black uniform with red borders approached and gestured Thomas to roll down the window.
“Name and purpose please,” asked the guard who was holding a list tablet.
“Lady Elaine of House Bermule here upon the invitation of His Royal Highness,” Thomas declared, oddly sounding formal.
The guard took a peek at my direction through the driver’s window while I attempting to look cold and mean, staring forward, like what Elites usually do. He then proceeded to the car following us and checked inside then walked back towards the gate and opened it.
Before us was a wide pebble path with an array of tall white and gold pillar fountains at the center which divided the road into two lanes. On each side of the path were palm trees and surprisingly a wi
de green lawn trimmed to perfection. This kind of grasses never grew on the desert sands of Sunglow but they made it possible.
Thomas drove on and when we reached the entrance, the pillar fountains were actually connected to a much larger white and gold round fountain in the middle of the driveway. It had a sculptor of little happy children with wings on their backs playing on the center of the fountain and each holding a small pot where water came pouring.
The car stopped in front of the entrance. Thomas came around and opened the backseat door for me. When I got off, a broad white marble staircase and a large gold door with white marble arches and tall white pillars was a welcoming and astonishing sight. The door opened and three footmen appeared from within. The two wearing white uniforms with gold outline trimmings hurriedly descended the stairs first to assist with the luggage and the third, wearing an all gold uniform, approached me then bowed with exemplary manners.
“My Lady, welcome to Sunglow, I am William Burton, his royal highness’ butler. May I guide you inside?” he offered courteously.
I nodded restraining myself from showing I was too impressed by the place.
“This way please my Lady.” He politely gestured his hand towards the entrance.
I followed him. We went up the stairs and when we entered, the massive manor took my breath away. Everything inside was white and polished. The walls, floors and ceiling, all decorated with elegant and graceful gold moldings. Golden heavy curtains hanged on either side of the large windows. On each side of the grand entryway were two great staircases descending towards the center where a gigantic white sculpture almost reaching the ceiling of a muscular man half kneeling with barely any clothes on carrying a heavy large boulder on his shoulders, and on the boulder was a symbol of half a sun and half a moon, the sigil of the Emperor. I was admiring the sculpture from below and my lower mouth dropped by the sight of the colossal statue. Burton patiently waited and when I had my fill, I continued to follow him and led me to a very stylish parlour.
“Please have a seat my Lady, his royal highness will be with you shortly,” he said then bowed and left.
I took a seat on the gold couch, anticipating nervously for the Prince, digging my thumb on the palm of my hand. I was glancing around when I realized there were art paintings of different themes in gold frames hung on the walls, and I thought he really loves art.
After a while of waiting, Burton reappeared and behind him was the Prince wearing an extravagant grey shiny coat over his white vest and collared shirt, and white pants with long black boots. I immediately stood up and smiled when he came.
“My little flower, finally you are here,” he declared cheerfully.
I curtsied trying to be happy to see him. “Your highness,” I greeted.
“Oh stop.” He giggled and waved his hand in a very graceful manner. “Call me Roland when we are in here.” Then he neatly placed a strand of his long blonde hair that fell on his face behind his ear.
I didn’t know what to make of his last statement. The Elites never call each other simply by their first names without a title except their mate or if they were close friends but for the Sovereigns, no one was allowed even their closes confidante to call them by their given names and only a fellow Sovereign could do that. It was a matter of high respect for the title held by them.
I was about to speak but then Burton announced out of nowhere, “Lady Amelia and Lady Karina, your highness.”
After he left, two beautiful Ladies entered giggling and smiling, excited to be here, one had curly brown hair and the other black both fastened into a neat bun, both pretty in their own way. They both curtsied when they saw Roland still grinning.
“Ah… my beautiful duo, come let me introduce you to our new friend,” he said gesturing them to come closer.
“This is Lady Amelia of Epiture,” he said and the Lady who had a brown hair wearing a dark pink daytime gown curtsied with grace.
“And this is Lady Karina of Candor,” he continued and the Lady with a black hair and slightly shorter in height than Amelia wearing a lilac daytime gown with laced short sleeves curtsied.
Candor and Epiture, I read it somewhere in a book at the library back in Pinewood. These dukedoms were owned by minor Houses. They call it minor when the lands owned by the family were not as large like the wealthy ones, and the source of income of the minor Houses were not lucrative like the beans of Candor or the cottons of Epiture, unlike the steels and farms of Pinewood or the oils of Blackard, and the gold of Sunglow.
“Ladies this is Lady Elaine of Pinewood,” he added.
I gave a friendly smile.
“Ooh... you look so gorgeous. I have not seen her around,” Karina spoke with admiration. She came near and walked around where I stood, examining me, moving her eyes up then down.
“Yes Roland where did you ever find her?” Amelia asked with her animated voice as if I was not present in the room like I was an object merely to be admired. I let them be, it was what Elites were good at.
He chuckled, crossing his arms. “At a ball in Blackard.”
The two Ladies froze where they were. Their expressions suddenly became wide eyed with exhilaration then looked at each other like they had discovered something tremendously pleasing to them and then they turned to Roland.
“She is the Beta?” Amelia enthusiastically asked.
He nodded. Amelia grinned widely in respond and squealed with excitement.
“Wow, I never knew they have someone with her beauty down there,” Karina remarked after she continued to walk around and then stopped in front of me.
“I like you, let us be friends!” She happily blurted sounding like a little girl excited of her new toy.
I smiled unsure of what was the meaning of all this but I agreed hesitantly, “Y-Yes, I would like nothing more.”
“Yay! We should keep her,” Amelia said. Clapping her hands thrilled.
Roland chuckled. “Now calm down girls.”
“This is going to be fun!” Karina declared giggling.
I groaned deep inside. I found their behavior odd and annoying. If it wasn’t for me being immune to the foolishness of the Elites, I would have snapped back at them. But I remained keeping a smiling face of no value, trying to comprehend their misplaced happiness.
Just then Burton returned and announced, “Lady Selene, your highness.”
As the name was said, Amelia and Karina suddenly restrained from their glee and composed themselves. Stood up straight, heads held high, placed their hands daintily one on top of the other in front of them. Their grins and giggles vanished replaced by a gentle pout. With a snap of a finger, they weren’t the same Ladies that entered.
Then a Lady emerged with gracefulness and style, tall and sophisticated. Her long elegant neck and small face with red lips, sultry light blue eyes and her sand colored skin made her strikingly and exceptionally stunning. Her silky blonde hair like the color of honey and curls flowed freely beyond her shoulders. An unfastened hair wasn’t expected from a Lady when in the presence of a Sovereign but Roland didn’t even seem to mind. She wore a revealing red gown with elegant and glittering gold prints and diamonds sparkled on the expensive fabric.
The way she handled herself with extreme refinement made us all look like we were beneath her, unworthy of her presence which I actually felt. Roland went to her and gently held her hand and placed a kiss on it then led her towards my direction.
“Lady Elaine, may I present Lady Selene of Sunglow,” Roland introduced with such pride. I curtsied when she was presented before me.
“I see you brought a new addition to our little group Roland,” Selene observed. She spoke with finesse and so formal with her chin held high.
“I found her to be an interesting creature,” Roland explained smiling.
Selene stared unimpressed then scoffed. “We will see.”
I’ve never met an Elite like her. As if nothing could scathe or entice her all the same.
Amelia and Karina ca
me bounding towards her with smiles now, impatiently wanting her attention.
Karina spoke first, suppressing her delight but to no avail. “Selene, how is your brother Lord Stephen?”
Selene rolled her eyes and even the slightest gesture looked dignified on her. “If you are asking when my younger brother will be matched, there is no decision yet.”
Karina and Amelia giggled.
“I hope your brother remembers me, we had a wonderful time talking at your father’s dinner banquet,” Amelia said sounding optimistic.
“Mm… I doubt that,” Selene responded coldly.
They ignored her indifference to them and instead of cowering at her words, they remained showering her with adoration with a gaze they held solely for her. I wasn’t sure if she even noticed it.
“The tea is ready your highness,” Burton announced after he reentered.
“Shall we Ladies?” Roland invited.
Selene took Roland’s arm as we followed Burton. I was so out of place with them. They were so refine and held a high regard on themselves, and the way they moved with confidence and style, it was like they were walking to an upbeat song striding with the rhythm. And I was the awkward one among the fierce. I kept telling myself I shouldn’t be here, not knowing how to talk to them or where to begin, for their world was beyond what I was accustomed to.
Burton guided us outside to a wide balcony overlooking the gardens, a white tent was set up with two small round tables adjoined together and covered in white cloth.
Footmen pulled the chairs for us made from gold metals and I was about to take a seat when Selene said, “Come sit beside me.”
I reluctantly obliged and walked over the chair beside her and took a seat and Roland on her other side. The footmen then served us tea and pastries but I was too bashful to take any.
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 4
