To Win the Prince's Hand

Chapter 13

 13.

I glared up at the ceiling, letting all my air out in one puff. Taking a deep breath, I repeated the motion a few times. Abigail had been gone all day, and I had no idea why. Even worse, Jasmine had decided to hide today again, and Gabriel was in lessons. So, I was left stuck in my room, since I didn’t want to face any of the girls.

To make matters worse, it was my birthday. My birthday was only a few weeks after my mother’s, both of us being born in the spring. I missed my parents even more now than ever, but they were still in Armia at home.

I breathed in again and puffed out. “Trying to blow the ceiling away?” Ethan asked from the doorway. I turned my head towards him, narrowing my eyes.

“I’m bored,” I complained. He shrugged.

“Not my problem,” he replied. I rolled my eyes.

“Where’s Abigail?” I asked.

“Sick,” he answered. I sighed. “But you have me.”

“Yay,” I remarked sarcastically. He laughed.

“Come on, friend!” he cheered with a grin, trying to pull me up. Sadly, he succeeded and began to drag me out of the room. I only had time to grab a pair of shoes before we were heading down the hallway.

“Where are we going?” I snapped at him, being led against my will.

“Someone’s in a bad mood,” he said to himself. I scowled even more as he shot me a grin.

“Where are we going?” I repeated in a sickly sweet tone. He rolled his eyes.

“Do you actually think I’d tell you?” he asked. I shrugged, and he continued dragging me in silence.

Soon, we had reached the tower and he was dragging me up the stairs. My lilac dress caused me to trip a few times, but soon we were at a door at the top of the stairs.

“You’re going to kill me now, aren’t you?” I asked as he pulled out a key. He grinned again.

“Nope,” he replied cryptically. Unlocking the door, he swung it open to reveal everyone standing in the middle of the room.

“Surprise!” they yelled. My mouth dropped in shock and I stared back at them.

“I didn’t tell anyone it was my birthday!” I yelled. They all laughed at my shock.

“Well, we found out,” Abigail announced with a smile. Ethan left to join Sophia and Jasmine, who were in a conversation. Meanwhile, Gabriel and Mark were deep in conversation in the back.

“Ethan said you were sick!” I stated, still in shock.

“Well, that was a small lie,” she said with a sheepish grin. I hugged her in gratitude. “So, why didn’t you tell us?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t really have a reason. I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it,” I explained.

“You don’t mind, right?” she clarified.

“Not at all. Thank you,” I said with a warm smile, and she looked pleased.

“I planned this, by the way,” she told me with a grin that could compete with a Cheshire cat before walking off to join Gabe and Mark.

I took a seat on one of the chairs as Jasmine walked up. “How are you?” I asked her. She let out a sigh.

“I miss my suitor, Christian,” she confessed.

“You really like him, don’t you?” I wondered. She nodded, looking sadly at the ground. “Maybe you can go home early.”

She shrugged at my suggestion. I decided not to push anything and let her think. Sitting beside me, she stayed quiet for a while until I stood up and walked towards the water.