"Miss, your breakfast is ready," I heard from outside the door. A maid slipped into my room just as I had walked out of the bathroom.
"Thank you," I nodded, dismissing her.
I sat at the breakfast table near the window and began eating my eggs when I heard another knock on the door. From what I've gathered, peace is not a known concept in this palace.
Nicholas came into the room with his servant, who was carrying a tray of food.
"You don't mind if I join you." It was not a question.
"If you must," I shrugged.
"There is another ball tomorrow tonight."
"Oh?"
"Would you accompany me?"
"I don't see how I have much of a choice."
"Any other girl in the kingdom would jump at the chance to go to a ball with me."
"And yet you are asking me."
"Yes I am." There was his piecing gaze again. The kind that made me want to simultaneously drown in him and cower away.
"What time should I be ready?" I asked.
"Around six. I'll pick you up from your room," he said, finishing his meal and turning away.
"What am I to do until then?" I called after him.
"There is a library down the hall to the right, if that interests you."
"Thank you."
He nodded and left. I had to start preparing at around four, which would leave me with about six hours to spare.
I slipped on a green daytime dress and made my way towards the library. As I was walking, a small room caught my eye. Someone must have left the door open, so I let my curiosity take the reigns and lead me into the room. It was small, but pretty. A simple black piano stood in the center. I sat down on the stool in front of it and rested my finders on the keys.
A melody poured out and enveloped the small room. My fingers knew what to do. The song was a melancholy tune, filled with sadness and despair and loss.
I let it carry me. Let it take control of my mind and let myself feel all of the emotions through the music. I had so many emotions that I could not dare to allow to surface, and now they were flowing out of me through this melody.
I forgot about reality for a few minutes. Nothing existed but these notes and keys.
As the song ended, I closed my eyes and forced myself to compose my thoughts once more. I felt a presence in the room, and as I turned around, I saw a face I did not recognize.
The man in front of me had blonde hair that reached his jaw and green eyes. He was about as tall as Nicholas, but slimmer.
"Oliver," he introduced himself.
"Rosalie."
"Beautiful piece."
"Thank you."
"Are you new to the palace?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"I'd remember a face like yours." I blushed at the compliment. Nicholas had never said anything as kind.
"You have been here long?" I inquired.
"About two months now. My father is here on official business with the King."
"Ah. Do play?" I asked, gesturing to the piano.
"I tried to learn a few years ago, but I was no good."
"What do you do, then?"
"I made a hobby out of poetry."
"Poetry can be quite beautiful."
"Oliver," I heard from the door. Nicholas was standing there in all of his brooding glory. "Your father asked me to summon you."
"Still running errands for others, I see," Oliver responded. It seemed as if the two had some sort of tension between them.
"Yes, although I've been told that that would end once I become king," Nicholas remarked, giving him a glare that I would gladly never be on the receiving end of.
Oliver simply turned around and said, "Until our next meeting, Rosalie," and took his sweet time giving me a kiss on the cheek.
He walked out of the room, leaving Nicholas and me alone.
"I see you've found the piano," he said.
"Yes. It's lovely."
"I'm glad you like it."
"Oliver seems kind."
"You would think that," he scoffed.
"What do you mean?"
"He's only kind to people he wants something from."
"And what could he possibly want from me?"
"We have yet to find out."
"'We?'"
"Yes. Seems as if you are now a part of whatever he is planning."
"Why do you suspect he's planning something?"
"He had a letter delivered to him a few days ago. My guards open all of the letters as a safety precaution. The letter was complete gibberish. It must have been in code."
"Well do you have a copy of it? It would be a good place to begin searching for clues."
"Yes, it's in my room."
"Alright. Show me this letter."
YOU ARE READING
Catch
Fantasía"You know this is a game." He took a step towards me. "I know. I'm playing it too," he whispered into my ear. "So let's play," I said just as seductively. I leaned in until our lips were nearly touching. His eyes grew dark as they drifted to my lip...
