Protecting the crown

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 | Camila |

The next morning, a letter came through the mail. I brought it inside and called over my mom.

"Look!" exclaimed Mama, "It's the official invitation to the ball!" The envelope was intricately designed, with small gold prints and roses scattered on the border. I opened it and read it out.

Dear Lady Camila,

The King and Queen of Ardella officially invite Lady Camila Meyers to The Opening Ball as a potential suitor for Prince Roman, along with the daughters of 19 other nobles. The Opening Ball will be held in 2 days time where Lady Camila's presence will be required and she will reside in the place for a month to compete against other suitors for Prince Roman's hand in marriage and potentially be the future Queen of Ardella. 

— The Royal Crown 

Mama was panicked, "Two days!" she exclaimed, "That's not nearly enough time to get you ready!"

I raised an eyebrow, "Surely it can't take that long to get ready." She shook her head at that. "Alright," I said, "When do we get started?"

"Now." She said as she pushed me to the bathroom. I was ordered to strip and sit in the bathtub as she turned on the tap and started pouring oils and scents into the tub. I watched as warm water gushed out of the tap, which now reached my chest. 

She left the room in silence, leaving me with my thoughts. The ball was only two days away, and I'd have to live in the palace for a month. With him. Its fine, I probably won't see him anyways. It is a large palace after all.

Mama came back a few minutes later, holding a tray with slices of cucumbers and a bowl with a brown concoction inside.

"This will reduce your tan." She explained as she smeared the paste all over my face. I gave her a deadpan stare. "What?" She said like it was normal. "I just don't want you looking so dark in front of the prince." I rolled my eyes and let her continue. She placed the cool cucumbers on my eyes and I drifted asleep.

I woke up in my bedroom, dressed in a bathing robe. Mama was standing in front of the wardrobe and pulled out my ball gown. She went over to the dressing table and dumped a bunch of jewelry. 

"You're awake." She stated and beckoned for me to come over. "Try this on." 

I tried on countless items; some large necklaces, others bracelets and heavy earrings that made my ears ache. It all seemed overboard to me, but it was The Opening Ball, you had to be exorbitant.

At last, we finally settled on a navy blue and gold sapphire necklace, with chunky stones hanging in the middle, surrounded by dozens of shimmering gems that sparkled in the light. Matched with that was an elegant bracelet, also blue and gold, and a small stud.

I smiled triumphantly in the mirror; there was without a doubt I would outshine everyone else at the ball. Not outshine, since there would be princesses and duchesses, and they were certainly well versed in fashion. 

I will be the odd one out. I realized. The only one who isn't royalty. 

It's fine, I'm only staying for a month.  I reassured myself. It's not like he's choosing me. I'm probably going to be the first one eliminated anyways.

A sudden knock at the door called my mother downstairs. I followed her, trying my best not to trip over the long skirts and fall down the stairs. I pretended my house was the castle, and the chairs contained rows of nobility, and the royal family. I subconsciously straightened my back and fixed my posture. Mama gave me a look when she saw me.

"You look.." She started, "Different." 

She snapped out of her trance and glanced at the paper she was holding in her hand. Big bold letters caught my eye. 'Tragedy Strikes the Stage'

"What's happened?" I asked her. She handed over the newspaper and I scanned through the rest. 

'King and Prince Actors Found Murdered in Shocking Turn of Events!' I shuddered internally. The scene was depicted gruesomely, and the photographs of the crime site were downright disturbing.

I could have stopped it. I was near the place when it happened.  A terrible feeling blossomed in my chest.

It's fine Camila, it wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known.

I gave the newspaper back to Mama, watching her face pale as she read it. "Be careful when you walk the streets at night." She said worriedly. "And stay away from shady people. You never know what might happen."

"Yes Mother." I sighed exasperately. "I'm going to sleep."

I reached my room and crashed on the bed. All of my excitement turned into exhaustion, and I barely had the energy to take off my dress. I huddled under the blankets as soon as I changed into comfortable clothes. 

A soft thump near my bed brought me out of my cave. On my bedside table lay a black rose. It's petals were wilted and had speckles of red, staining the rose. I chose to believe the red was paint, or dye. I looked out of the window in paranoia, searching for the intruder in my room. Nothing. Aside from the rose, there was no proof anyone else was there.

I made sure the window was locked, and locked the door for good measure. My room didn't feel safe anymore. I couldn't sleep. I curled in on myself and stayed like that for the rest of the night.