How Charming

Chapter 8

"Take this imposter into custody, and begin the search for the real Prince Logan." She states, making me wish I could throw my knife at her. The guards left with a horrified but not struggling Ashton, while I was left staring at the woman determined to kill my desire to do fight. "Now, you should get ready for the ball. Remember what I told you."

I gave no response as I turned to leave. She stopped me. "Uh-uh-uh." She said, as if talking to a toddler. "That's not how young ladies exit a room."

I turned back to face her, as I swallowed my pride. I did a formal curtsey and said "I do believe I should get going. It was lovely conversing with you." In the sweetest voice I could muster, almost mimicking her own toxic tone. I got an approving smile, which I loathed to my core, and I left the room.

I was tempted to go back in the room and stab her with a knife I had hidden in the hallway floorboard. But I knew that would do nothing but get Ashton killed. It felt powerful to have someone's fate in my hands. But I didn't like the feeling the power gave me. I didn't want it. That is what kept me sane, the knowledge that I didn't want power, but The Queen did. Knowing we were different helped assuage my fears.

I went into my bedroom only to find some of the most annoying people I knew waiting for me. "Adelaide! So good to see you." Jolene said upon the sight of me. Jolene was smiling so wide it looked as though her face might crack. She was by far the most popular of my ladies maids, and Lillian and her were known rivals. Lillian may not have liked me, but she liked me more than any other girl in the room.

"Cut the crap, Jolene." I don't have energy to put up with her right now, especially if I have to behave all night.

She ignores my request and the brainless yes-men surround me. They attempt to help freshen me up, but just their presence is making me annoyed. So I grab Lillian by the arm and pull her into the bathroom. "Let's get this over with." I say, and she nods with determination in her eyes.

She slides on the bright blue and pink gown onto me at record speed, before I put some silver heels on, and she does my hair in a sophisticated updo. "I like you when you're mad at other people." I joke.

"I think I like you when you're not being a stubborn jerk, Princess."

"Fair enough." I say. We both dread stepping back into the room with the four other girls. I needed friends, but not these ones. Nevertheless, Jolene stood there giggling with her goons. I did my best impression of them and asked "Oh my word, what is so funny?"

"Well, so Katherine was just saying how-" Lenna began, but she quickly shut up when she realised who she was talking too.

"Go on, what did Katherine say?"

"Well, um. It's really not that funny. You kind of had to be there."

"I thought so." I say, I don't normally like to pull out the whole 'respect the princess' thing, but when it came to these women, I had no choice. They were rude, they were so entitled, and they were boring. At least Lillian wasn't boring.

"Lillian, are you ready to go?" I ask her, blatantly ignoring the other girls.

"Yes, I am, shall we?"

"We shall." I say, and Lillian and I walk out, with the other girl following behind, whispering and giggling. Gabriel lingers to my right, he's hovering like a little kid worried they're going to lose their parents. Gabriel probably thinks I'm unarmed, but as always I have a knife on my person. I stuffed it in a hidden pocket of my skirt, it was meant to hold a handkerchief, but I found a knife much more practical.

I'm about to walk into the ballroom, when Christian calls me over. I wave the girls away, and head towards him. "You look gorgeous, Princess Adelaide Rose."