The Guard

9

THE GUARD
• Serena's pov •

I am in the tightest corset my mother could find, barely being able to breathe but I manage to fulfill my mother's wishes. I am such a people pleaser and it makes me sick to think I will always have everyone's opinions slashed down my throat in hopes of making everyone happy with myself.

Princess Lockwood announced a ball. I'm assuming it was for me to find a good suitor tonight and possibly think of marriage, but I wasn't all too thrilled with that idea. All I was looking forward to was the end of the ball and getting out of this corset. Atleast, I looked beautiful.

I don't speak much to Bridger, just occasional nods here and there, but nothing more. I was still thinking about that evening with him when he whispered so close to my ear, gripping me in his arms tightly and I knew he didn't have to be that close to teach me sword fighting.

I eventually gave up on that idea. Although it would be fun to try it out, I could never do that again with Bridger. It was scandalous.

I was surrounded by a bunch of bodies on the ballroom floor in Princess Lockwood's palace. Violins play, music flows through the air and laughter is heard throughout. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and I, on the other hand, wished to go back home.

Already spotting Kate and Melanie, I was not ready for their badgering. Kate took one glance at me, and frightfully looked away, never once looking my way again. Strange.

Ugene finally makes himself known, standing beside me; watching the King from afar with Arabella on the ballroom floor, sharing a dance. The two looked so in love and everyone else can feel it too.

"Good evening, Ugene," I find myself greeting him.

His eyes cut to me quickly, before making their way back to the king. "You look lovely, Serena."

"Why, thank you." I give him my brightest smile. Looking down at my dress, I bite my lips from smiling even harder. I did look ravishing tonight.

Arabella designed this dress. It was light pink with pearls at the top. One of my favorites she has ever made. My hair is pinned into a low bun with a few strands of hair laid out.

But Arabella, she was something else. She was dressed in an all dark green dress that suited her so well. Her crown sits upon her head and she shares a smile to her husband as he tries to match her colors for the evening.

My eyes cut to Ugene when grows awfully quiet, now looking far off somewhere in the midst of the crowd. I am a Houstings, so I can be very well nosey at most times. In his line of vision, I'm met with Josephine who looks beautiful as ever in one of the dresses I'm assuming Arabella has made, her brown hair is tied in two braids, wrapping together in a low bun, not leaving any strands of hair in her face; it is all pushed back and tied together to show off her complexion.

She stands on the sidelines, smiling softly at what one of the girls in the group she's standing in says. The maids have come along with her, but it's no surprise at Arabella's kindness to not wanting to leave anyone left out at the ball.

She wished for everyone to have a good time. And that, is a good Queen.

Ugene is caught red handed and he looks my way, knowing that he's been caught. Though, I do not speak of such. I simply smirk, directing my eyes to the crowd and completely forgetting the topic till later.

Now, where is Bridger?

My eyes guide over the crowd, wandering over the many faces of people from the village and some from the city. My heart leaps out of my throat almost when I catch him across the room, staring right back at me; catching me first.