FAKING ROYALTY [rewrite]

chapter five

For days, weeks now, I've been drowning in endless lessons and books. Letters and steps swim around in my head and reappear when I close my eyes. All this is done for the king.

The announcement of the proposal had been delayed only until mere days ago. News can be heard through the busy streets of the kingdom. And if my assumptions are correct, Scaleswind.

All of this strategically set into place by King Hayden. I am to make a fool out of myself with training of any kind.

A ball is set for three days time. Preparations have been running wild in Scaleswind. Or so I have been told from one of the few letters that have been exchanged between Leo and myself. As for Meteli, lessons remain endless while clothing is prepared. I can't help but think that I am in over my head. An orphan acting like a princess isn't likely to fool other royals.

My chamber doors open to reveal Taryn. She smiles at me. I've finished my books, and my next lesson isn't for hours. I have no clue to what she wants.

"Pardon my interruption, you're due for a dress fitting," she tells me, standing in the doorway holding it open. I stand from my desk, flattening out my dress fabric and I nod my head.

"Thank you, Taryn," I say, offering a smile while I walk forward. Perhaps I haven't given myself the benefit of the doubt yet.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

"Her Royal Highness, Princess of Meteli."

I feel eyes upon me while the room shifts with movement. As an orphan, I was always one bowing to those above me. I never attended balls like this, commoners were not allowed to, so it's foreign to me to be treated with such dignity and respect. With such. . . importance.

My steps are slow as I walk down the grand staircase. This is my entrance, and I've practiced it multiple times within the past few days as to avoid stumbling or awkward positions. With help with Laurance, I have also practiced being escorted. In fact, both Cadenza and Laurance have been of great help to me.

At the bottom of the staircase I see Leo. He stands up proud and tall, his body language open to me as he looks prepared to escort me to the dance floor. It's clear to me he's done this many times before.

His arm is warm as I wrap my own around it. My head is held high, and those around us remain silent before the band begins to play a lovely sound. We begin a dance, and I watch as others slowly follow in toe.

"I appear to be extra prepared for tonight," Leo tells me, trying his best to jest a joke to me. I understand that his joke is directed from his last engagement ball, but my nerves overpower my sense to at least chuckle quietly to humor him. I don't think I've had enough practice.

Our steps feel robotic and forced. He clearly knows what he's doing, but I'm going off of memory. His arms are stiff in our position, and I fear that mine are shaky in his grasp.

As strange as it sounds, I've had better dances with Laurance than this current dance with Leo. Though I wouldn't dare admit it out loud, I'd much rather continue this dance and the remainder of my dances with Laurance. However, my card had been filled with Leo while he has filled the Princess of Brightport's. I'm envious. She has a dance partner whom moves around like water.

"I wish I could say the same," I admit, looking up into Leo's eyes to prevent myself from looking down at my feet. It's improper to look down at my feet while dancing. I've worked too hard to back out now.

"It's understandable considering your situation. I say you're doing a marvelous job," he says, smiling proudly at me. I wonder if his smile is for reassurance. "And you look beautiful while doing it."

My situation. The real question about my 'situation' is which one. The truth or the lie? In this case, he thinks of the lie. The lie broadcasted as a truth that is forced to believe. But myself, I know the truth. I know my true identity.

"Thank you," I say, holding back a quiet exhale. "You look wonderful as well."

The rest of the dance remains silent. No words are exchanged excepts simply 'thank you's' when we finished to be curious. It isn't until some time later that we dance again.