Element Restraint

Chapter 12: Acantha

Throughout the whole day, I am unable to focus. I can not stop thinking about everything. I feel as if I have been given a new set of eyes.

As the servants bring me breakfast, I thank them. What is life at the palace truly like for them? As I look closer at them, I notice the bags under their eyes.

I make a mental reminder to ask Valence what it is like for him here. He is undercover as a servant.

The thought of Valence makes me blush now. I think about this morning and the feeling of his warm lips. The smile spreads across my face.

After our classes, we are dismissed to enjoy the day on our own. I head straight to the staircase as I usually do. There is something about the elevator that gives me a tense feeling. It is like I can feel the hum of the elevator in my skull. It is too unnatural for me.

When I step into the room, I am greeted by Lady Elizabeth.

"Good Afternoon. Lady Acantha." She says, giving me one of the fakest smiles I have ever seen. "I do not think I have had the chance to introduce myself. I am Lady Elizabeth Van Doren. The prince's betrothed."

"Well, it is wonderful to meet you," I say, giving her a small smile. I pass her quickly, wanting to get away from this interaction as fast as possible. 

"Wait a moment," She commands me, raising her voice, stepping in front of me. I look her in the eye as she plasters her fake smile back on her face.

She knows something! My palms begin to sweat as I try to think of an escape plan to this. Just play dumb. Just play dumb.

"So how are you enjoying your stay at the palace so far?" She asks me.

"It has been wonderful so far," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. I try to ignore the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach that keeps growing, the longer I am with her.

"Are not the people here wonderful?" She asks me.

"Yes!" I say suspiciously.

"My apologies for you having to talk to that mixed-breed though," Elizabeth says. She smooths her silver gown with the palms of her hand and crosses her arms. "I wanted to get rid of her, but my fiancé insisted she was invited."

"You mean Lady Raven?" I asked, perplexed.

"Of course I mean Lady Raven." Elizabeth rolls her eyes at me. "I do not understand why she is included in the Gazania Festival. She is not a full Earthling." She complains to me. She squints her gray eyes at the thought of Raven.

"The way her voice comes off makes my skin crawl. I hate Mixlings, and to have one in the palace that is not serving is disgusting!"

"It sounds to me Elizabeth that you feel threatened," I speak up knowing exactly what she is doing. She is trying to scare me. Elizabeth may have scared all the other girls into talking to her, but I am not afraid of her.

"And just why would I feel threatened?" She purses her red lips.

"Because there is another woman that has caught the prince's eye," I say slyly. "She's far more exotic and different, and you feel threatened by that."

Anger is revealed on Elizabeth's face, beckoning me to go on.

"And especially since the prince personally requested her for the festival"

Elizabeth smacks my face, taking me off guard.

"I do not know who you think you are!" She spits at me.  "And do not think I do not know of your little interaction with my fiancé!" She jabs a finger to my chest as I cup my burning cheek.