𝚂𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 ✔

Chapter Thirty-Three

Once inside, we four joined the other five girls in the entrance hall. This one dwarfed the one at the Spring Palace, setting the tone for just how grand a place we all had found ourselves in.

The colors of this palace seemed to have been lavender, white and gold, instead of blue, but other than that, everything was decorated the same. Gilded marble and glistening birch floors ran with large intricate rugs, massive chandeliers sparkling like gems hung about and painted ceilings depicting people in clouds above them.

Queen Idra liked what she liked, that was very clear. This palace was built for entertaining the court, and I did not look forward to all of the people who were sure to pile in once the festivities began.

"It seems you all survived the journey." The Queen's voice caused my entire body to stiffen. "Good."

She elegantly strode across the large space, dress billowing behind her, with Thomas in toe. We all immediately curtsied, caught completely off guard by their abrupt arrival.

"Hello, ladies." Thomas smiled, taking a moment to look over each of us, then when he finally made it to me, his blue eyes lingered for a moment, staring at my empty neck. He then met my gaze, causing my heart to pound in my ears, "It fills me with joy to see you all here, especially after finding out about the attack."

I swallowed hard, fear choking me the same as if mother's hands were once again clasped around my throat. "He knows." I shivered, trying my best to maintain my composure.

I broke eye contact, and nervously glanced over at the others. Besides us four, who had been attacked, the rest looked rightfully confused, all of them save one. Castellana had an awful grin on her face.

The queen's eyes flicked between Castellana and me, as if she noticed the tension beginning to fester. "Tomorrow night we all will be attending the Dampierre's welcoming ball at the Duke's lavish estate in the city. Just because your parents are throwing this little soiree does not mean I will be more lenient with you, Miss Dampierre. In fact, I will have higher expectations for you than the rest."

Castellana bowed her head, jaw clenching in response, "Yes, My Queen. I understand."

The Queen watched her for a moment, something flashing in her blue eyes too fast for me to make any sense of.

"Mrs. Dansbury will escort you all to your new apartments. The rules are still the same, stay out of each other's rooms, and no visitors other than family, the Princesses, or I am allowed. You all may have dinner in your rooms tonight, but from tomorrow on, you will be required to have breakfast and dinner with the royal family, and the court, every single day until the end of the competition." She turned to walk away, "If there are no questions, you all may retire to your rooms for the rest of the day if you wish."

I was going to miss the quiet breakfasts and dinners that I shared with Cordelia every day since our arrival. But, like Mrs. Dansbury said before our unveiling, if we win The Courting we will never be truly alone again.

"It was wonderful to see you all again," Thomas nodded his head flashing us all a dazzling smile, "I will see you all tomorrow then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, My Prince." We all harmonized while curtsying.

I felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of my neck and collide with my dress. It wasn't hot in the room, honestly it was rather cool. But after my tongue started to sweat as well, I realized what was happening.

The two of them disappeared up the left staircase, leaving us all with Mrs. Dansbury who had appeared sometime during our talk with the Queen and Thomas.

She glanced over me, then looked at the others, "Follow me, I shall show you to your Apartments."

Everything around me started to blur and sounds no more than a muffle in my ears. I swallowed hard, taking deep breaths in through my nose in an attempt to stay off the attack long enough to make it to my new apartment.