Chapter 14
Jasmine/Olivia
I had the feeling something serious had happened. And that weird dream which for some reason I could not recall.
The air around the castle and the servants was strange. It was like they were hiding something. Also, I wasn't allowed to go down to my usual routine of spying on the the maids. Martha said the servants were busy and the whole castle was bustling that I would only get in the way, so it was better I remained in my room getting ready for the ball.
So that was what we did We had spent the whole day getting ready. A dress was brought and I was fitted into it. I spent the rest of the day tending to my plants I had brought in from Ashford, the smell of it reminded of me mother. So far, my favorite part of the room was there. The wide balcony, I could sit there and feel the breeze rustling through my air. It was needed sometimes.
My mind drifted home. What was happening there now? When the Prince returned we would be wed and the truce would be sealed, but in the meantime I was shut up in here. Living without any information of what was going on at the battlefield, on how the people of Ashford were faring.
From the balcony I could sight several horses and people arriving, the first ball I would be attending here, the thought filled me with excitement and trepidation.
Maybe I would finally get to meet the prince, this mysterious man no one dared mention and when they did talk of him, it was in hushed tones.
I sighed once more. How was u supposed to gather information and moreso, how was I even supposed to relay the information to the King of Ashford afterwards. Somehow nothing was adding up.
Doubts crept in, had the King deceived me? Was I merely a pawn, sent to replace Princess Olivia and face an unknown fate? Martha's interruption jolted me from my contemplation,
"My Lady. It's time to get ready." Martha said.
Finally.
Martha gracefully entered the dressing room, holding the dress that had been previously tailored for me. It was a breathtaking sight. As I readied myself, my hair was styled with simplicity, and my two maids diligently worked to enhance my appearance. The masterpiece of a dress was introduced, a delicate blend of lace and silk, adorned in a captivating shade of light blue. Elizabeth positioned the dress close to the dressing table for the fitting.
"Martha, my tea, please," I called, recognizing the importance of taking it in these moments.
The sweet aroma of the tea began to waft through the air. Suddenly, disaster struck. Martha stumbled, the tea in her hand tipping forward. A horrified shriek filled the room as she desperately tried to regain her footing, redirecting the tray back toward herself in an attempt to shield the dress.
"No, no, no!" Martha wailed.
"My lady, I'm so sorry," she pleaded, on the verge of tears. The dress, the epitome of elegance, now bore an unfortunate stain.
"Martha, you're hurt," I exclaimed, rushing to her aid. The piping hot tea had scalded her, prompting me to guide her to the tub for immediate relief. However, Martha's gaze remained fixed on the damaged dress.
"Come here," I led her to the tub, settling her arm in the water. Elizabeth held up the dress, revealing the sizable stain on its front.
"It's okay. It was an accident," I reassured softly, empathizing with the fear she felt. Memories of severe punishments for minor mistakes in the palace echoed in my mind.
"Clean this mess up first," I instructed, attempting to maintain composure despite the unfortunate incident. "Stop crying; let me think," I added, urging her to cease her distraught state.
Wearing one of the dresses I brought from Ashford seemed unfeasible. While I once considered beautiful and fitting for royalty, they now appeared outdated and reminiscent of old maid dresses maids here In nightfall wore in comparison to the grandeur of the palace.
"There should be something. Surely, the palace has extra ball gowns and dresses somewhere," I pondered aloud.
"Yes, they do. I'll be right back," Elizabeth stated thoughtfully, leaving promptly to find a spare yet fitting dress. As she departed, I returned to my clothes from Ashford, sifting through them with a sigh. It became evident that none would be suitable.
Settling back on the bed, I gently stroked the ruined dress, once so lovely. Regret lingered as I thought of Sophia's suggestion. She had advised me to acquire a pair of dresses just in case, but I had casually dismissed the idea.
Elizabeth returned with a stack of clothes in her arms, followed closely by Anna, who also carried an assortment of dresses. A wave of relief washed over me at the sight of the dresses, acknowledging that though they might not match the splendor of my original choice, they were still more than suitable.
Amidst the array of options, a stunning shade of royal blue captured my attention. "Wait. Let me see that one," I commanded, a sense of intuition guiding my choice. Anna carefully raised the dress, and as it unfolded before me, my mouth fell agape.
It was truly exquisite, a garment that radiated beauty and sophistication. The fabric, a rich royal blue, shimmered in the light, adorned with delicate lace and intricate embroidery that whispered of elegance. As Anna raised the dress, a subtle play of sparkles caught my eye, adding a touch of enchantment to the ensemble.
"Oh, goddess, please let this fit," Anna fervently prayed as I prepared to try it on. A collective victorious yell echoed through the room when, to our delight, the dress slid on seamlessly. It clung to me like a second skin, the corset crafted with precision, accentuating my bust modestly and contributing to the overall allure. The skirt, with its tailored grace, hugged my frame before descending in soft, flowing layers that gracefully cascaded to the ground. The gown bestowed a regal charm, leaving us in awe of the unexpected perfection that unfolded. The dress looked like it had been tailored for me.
"Oh my goodness, my lady. You're so beautiful," Anna marveled. Eager to see for myself, I approached the mirror, and indeed, she spoke the truth. This dress surpassed our initial selection, highlighting my beauty in a way that felt enchanting.
Martha, who had been silently worried, visibly relaxed. With the perfect dress now adorning me, I was completely set and ready to make my entrance into the ball.
"Should I brew another pot of tea for you?" Anna asked.
"No, don't bother." I gave a small shrug. What's the worst that would happen if I skipped the herbs today? I felt fit and healthy. Besides, most times they made me drowsy, and tonight, I wanted to be active and curious about everything.
I descended the stairs, accompanied by Anna, who guided me through the labyrinthine castle walls, ensuring I wouldn't get lost in their enormity. We opted for another entrance, avoiding the main one where everyone's attention was centered.
Entering the hall, I drew a sharp intake of breath. The grandeur exceeded my expectations, a breathtaking sight that left me momentarily speechless. People danced, and I relished the feeling of being invisible, seamlessly blending into the crowd, just the way I preferred. Sophia approached me, her eyes questioning my different choice of entrance.
"I just found this more suitable," I explained with a nervous laugh, strolling away to immerse myself in the enchanting lights and decorations that adorned the hall.
I strolled towards the distant end, searching for the perfect vantage point to immerse myself in the unfolding spectacle. Enchanted by the exotic dancers gracing the stage, I unintentionally retreated until I felt the solid embrace of a wall against my back.Turning swiftly, I found myself face to face with a mysterious man—tall, with a foreboding aura, most of his features concealed behind a mask. His startling green eyes peered down at me, akin to a hunter assessing its prey. I had bumped into him and not a wall.
I'm so sorry," I stammered, attempting to step away. His gaze, however, held me captive. There was an intensity that drew me in, and I found myself studying the visible parts of his face. Prominent cheekbones, a well-sculpted profile, and a pointed nose, he was undeniably handsome, I could tell. Despite the mask obstructing a full view, I wanted to see his face without the barrier of the mask.
I felt a surge of irritation and an urge to rip the mask off his face.
In the midst of our charged moment, a piercing scream rent the air, shattering the atmosphere of festivity. The vibrant celebration gave way to an eerie chorus of terrified screams, thrusting the atmosphere into a sudden descent into chaos. Our eyes locked once more, and in that instant, his gaze underwent a transformation, the irises now a shocking shade of red, evoking an involuntary gasp that escaped my lips.