metanoia ;

Chapter one

Helena Fernsby was anything but unfamiliar with theft, therefore, it wasn't exactly hard for her to acquire, or rather, steal an invitation to one of the most grand balls held in the century. All she had to do was harass a somewhat irrelevant relative of the 'beloved' royal family and dress up for the occasion. So there she was, steering her dance partners gracefully with her head held high. After all, her plan was to fade into the background.

Conveniently for her, the quartet stopped playing when her eyes laid on the object she had come for-the shiny, golden goblet the royal family treasured. "Pardon me," She curtsied in response to her partner's polite bow and excused herself.

The goblet looked even more expensive up-close. Plumeria flowers were engraved into the gold goblet, its stem elegant and slim. Peering into the goblet, Helena wasn't surprised when she saw that it was filled with jewellery instead of what most people would fill it with-water. How typical of the royal family, she thought.

"It really is an extraordinary goblet, isn't it?" There he was, Prince Fredrick, flashing her his signature, smug smile. She fought an urge to roll her eyes as he grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Though I'm sure you already know, Prince Fredrick." "Emmeline Birdwhistle. Pleased to be your acquaintance, Your Royal Highness." She curtsied politely, forcing a smile as she looked up at him. Coming up with fake names was one of her many specialties. 

"Emmeline-the grace of eloquence is seated on your lips." He expected a reaction from the girl, yet she had completely ignored his compliment. "Do tell me more about the goblet," she tilted her head, gesturing at the goblet with fabricated admiration. "It's a family heirloom, and has been passed down since William the second. The stem is fabulous, isn't it? Multiple famous engravers fought to work on the gob-" Fredrick blabbered on and on, bragging about the heirloom as he hoped to impress the lady beside him. "-I'm taking it." She cut him off with a serious, yet teasing tone. "Pardon?" Confused and caught off guard, the prince glanced at Helena with raised eyebrows. 

"I'm stealing your precious heirloom." 

As Helena quickly snatched the goblet, the quartet started to play. "Gua-" Fredrick opened his mouth to yell, before Helena covered his mouth with her gloved hand. "It would be a good idea not to cause a scene, don't you think? Prince Fredrick, being humiliated by a woman? That would not make you look good." She tilted her head with a smirk, knowing that she had a significant advantage. The crowd, unaware of what was occurring, started to step with elegance. Couples twirled around and circled each other, moving rhythmically. Absorbed while locking gazes with their partners, they had not noticed Helena darting out of the venue with a rather angry-looking Prince Fredrick following her.

The prince chased after the girl, both of them running as swiftly as they could. it was a cat-and-mouse chase; neither was captured or had captured the other. It lasted on until they reached the edge of a cliff. "It's a dead end. Hand over the goblet, it's over for you either way." Panting, Fredrick glared at Helena as he gestured at the golden goblet. Helena let out a chuckle, "Unfortunately for you," She paused, turning her head to look behind her. "That doesn't seem to be the case, Prince Fredrick."

"Don't you dare jump off that-" Fredrick panicked, attempting to grasp her arm as he leaned forwards, only to grab ahold of nothing but air. Looking down the cliff and back up at the prince, the corner of Helena's mouth turned up, forming a smirk. "I would say it's not personal,"

"-but we both know it is." She stopped to face him, flashed him a wry smile then fell, clutching the shining goblet. Letting out a chuckle in disbelief, Fredrick ran a hand through his hair. "You've got to be kidding me." Throwing his blazer to the side, he rolled up his sleeves and leaped after her with a scowl.

Helena, being the quick-witted woman she is, jumped with a plan. However, Fredrick on the other hand, did not.

Grabbing the sturdy tree branch with one hand as the goblet swung dangerously from her other, Helena glanced down at the humiliated prince with a smirk. "I thought royal education was supposed to make you smarter?" Fredrick's nostrils flared in anger as he helplessly grabbed onto a protruding stone to prevent himself from falling further. "You'll regret this, you dratted woman !" He cursed, the arrogance in his tone rather noticeable considering the situation he was stuck in. "If you manage to work your way up with your frail arms, that is," Helena sneered, raising an eyebrow at the prince. "You-" She had already swung up onto the edge of the cliff, patting dust off her satin dress with a deadpan expression. "-hornswoggler! You meater! You...Vazey ratbag!" The prince had ran out of insults as the girl slowly left with a contemptuous smile, walking away from the cliff and into town.