Behind the Royal Mask

The Lady-in-Waiting

As Beatrice stepped out of the chamber, Derin spotted the worried look on her face but decided to ask when they were somewhere more private. 

A man appeared and said, "My lady, allow me to show you your room."

Beatrice nodded, her breath coming in unsteady bursts. She followed the man down the ornate corridor, the lavish decor blurring as she fought to keep her composure. Derin trailed behind them, a concerned frown etched on his face.

Once they reached the door, the man gestured for her to enter. "Here we are, my lady."

Inside, the room was bathed in soft, warm light, with elegant furnishings that spoke of luxury. She stepped inside, taking in the delicate lace curtains and the beautifully crafted dressing table, but her mind was still spinning. 

After the man left, Derin stepped in as well and closed the door behind him, his protective instincts kicking in.

"Beatrice," he asked in a hushed voice, concern etched on his features, "What's wrong?"

Beatrice let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. "I just realized I have incredibly bad luck. Do you remember the noble we met that day dressed as a commoner?"

"Of course," Derin replied, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What about him?"

"Guess what, Derin," Beatrice said, rubbing her hands over her face in frustration, "He is the Crown Prince. He recognized me."

"What?" Derin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you sure? That can't be true!"

"It is, Derin," she said, pacing the floor. "He knows I am not Lady Anya. I could see it in his eyes, for god's sake."

Derin stepped closer, trying to steady her. "What did he say? Did he threaten you?"

"No," Beatrice replied, her voice trembling. "But he may. He may tell Caelon that I am not who I pretend to be. He is a noble, after all. He wouldn't keep my identity a secret."

Derin ran a hand through his hair, anxiety bubbling in his chest. "Should we escape then? I'll find a way out of this palace."

Beatrice sat on the bed and said, "What about Lord Haverton? He will be alerted if I escape and then he will come after the Vigil again."

"You are right," Derin said, frustration evident in his voice, "He will not wait to expose the Vigil."

Then there was a knock on the door and a female voice said, "Lady Anya? I am your lady-in-waiting."

"Come in," Beatrice said in a steady voice.

The door creaked open, revealing a young woman with warm brown hair that fell in soft waves around her shoulders. Her eyes sparkled with a friendly brightness, and she wore a simple yet elegant gown. 

"Good evening, my lady. I'm Elara, your lady-in-waiting," she said, her voice smooth and reassuring.

"Nice to meet you, Elara," Beatrice said, pulling up a smile on her face.

Elara stepped further into the room, glancing around with an appreciative nod. "I've come to help you settle in. May I assist you with your hair or perhaps choose an outfit for you?"

Beatrice wanted to refuse. She could do her hair by herself but no real noblewoman would do things by herself. 

Beatrice hesitated before nodding, "I would appreciate your help, Elara."

"Sir, if you could please step out for sometime," Elara said politely, looking at Derin.

Derin nodded reluctantly, "All right, but I'll be just outside if you need me."

As he stepped out, Beatrice felt the door close behind him, leaving her alone with Elara. The lady-in-waiting's demeanor shifted from professional to warm and welcoming.

"Now, let's get started, shall we?" Elara said, motioning for Beatrice to take a seat in front of the dressing table. "I'll take care of your hair first."

"Just something simple, please," Beatrice requested.

Elara smiled warmly as she began to comb through Beatrice's hair, her fingers untangling the strands. "Simple is my specialty," she replied, her voice soothing. "You'll look lovely without being overly extravagant."

As the gentle pull of the brush felt oddly comforting, Beatrice found herself relaxing a little. She watched Elara twist her hair into a simple yet elegant braid. 

"You must feel overwhelmed," Elara said, glancing at Beatrice through the mirror. "This palace can be daunting, especially for someone new."

"Just a little," Beatrice admitted, watching Elara's skilled hands.

"You'll find your way soon," Elara assured her, "Alright, so your hair are done. I assume you want to step out of this gown, don't you? Something comfortable, maybe?"

Beatrice felt a rush of relief wash over her at Elara's suggestion. "Yes, please," she replied, grateful for the lady-in-waiting's understanding. "Something comfortable would be perfect."

Elara nodded with a smile, moving to the wardrobe with purpose. "I have just the thing. You need something that allows you to move freely but still looks presentable." She rifled through the garments, her fingers dancing over the rich fabrics until she pulled out a soft, flowing dress in a muted shade of lavender. "What do you think of this one?"

"That would be perfect," Beatrice said, trying to meet her enthusiasm though she would have preferred to wear trousers instead.

"Great choice," Elara said, her enthusiasm infectious. "It will feel much more comfortable than what you're wearing now."

Elara helped Beatrice step out of the blue gown and slip into the simple lavender dress. The fabric draped softly over her, freeing her from the tight constraints of the previous outfit and allowing her to breathe easily.

"This feels so much better," Beatrice said, smiling at Elara. "Thank you so much for your help."

"I must say, my lady," Elara replied with a playful glint in her eyes, "You are the first noblewoman I've met who prefers wearing simple dresses, yet you look far better than most of them do."

"Lady Anya?" a male voice called out from outside. Elara opened the door, revealing a tall man in a crisp uniform.

"Prince Alaric wishes to see you in his office," the man announced, standing straight with a slight bow.

Beatrice felt a flutter of nerves at the mention of Alaric. She knew why he had called her and wasn't looking forward to meeting him. But she had no choice but to go. She nodded at Elara, steeling herself, and stepped out to find Derin waiting anxiously.

She gave him a slight shrug to indicate that they couldn't do anything. The Prince was going to confront her and it could go down the hill. 

Author's Note

Hey, lovely readers! 🌟

Thanks for diving into this chapter of Beneath the Royal Crown! Beatrice is really feeling the pressure in the palace, and I can't wait for you to see what happens when she meets Prince Alaric again! Will she keep her identity a secret, or will things take a wild turn?

And let's not forget Elara—she might just be the friend Beatrice needs!

I'd love to hear your thoughts! What do you think is coming next? Drop your predictions in the comments!

Happy reading! 👑✨