To Win the Prince's Hand

Chapter 22

22.

Ethan was not the only one who acted strangely. Everyone seemed to be hiding something. I would’ve asked, should’ve asked, but I was too scared of what it might be.

However, other than that, the main topic that everyone was a buzz about was the ball. Girls were planning their outfits or deciding what to do with their hair.

Madame Goustav was no better. She spent every moment of the day testing me on everything I knew about proper etiquette. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the free day the queen had gotten me when I went through hours upon hours of lessons.

I hadn’t had a chance to see Gabriel since the announcement. I hadn’t seen Ethan, Mark, or Christian after that, but I did see a decent amount of Jasmine and Abigail.

Like now. Madame Goustav had given me a few hours to work on my apparel for the ball. There was one problem: it was tomorrow. I had no idea what I was going to wear.

Or rather, I did. The pink dress hung in the corner of my wardrobe, unworn. It seemed to mock me with memories of my parents' broken promises. I could not wear that dress.

Jasmine had already crashed in my room and was laying on my bed while we waited for Abigail. She was nearly twenty minutes late, and I didn’t have much longer to wait.

“Do you think he’ll actually ask her to the ball?” she lazily commented.

“I’m not sure,” I responded with a shrug. “He’ll probably chicken out.”

“I mean, what is he going to do, ask her the day of?” she ranted. “He just needs to get up the nerve and ask her because we’re all sick of watching it!”

I laughed a bit at her complaint. “I mean, he could just walk up and—“

“He asked me!” Abigail shrieked, running into the room and flinging herself on top of Jasmine. “He asked me!”

“I’m impressed, he finally got up the nerve,” Jasmine drawled.

“Did you guys convince him to? I love you both so much!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around both of us.

“As much as I love the affection,” I broke out of the hug, “We need to decide our outfits.”

They both solemnly nodded. “Why did you even leave this until today?” Abigail asked.

“I haven’t really had any time,” I pointed out.

“Then make time! Don’t sleep!” Jasmine argued. I sighed.

“It doesn’t really matter. Either way, the ball is tomorrow and none of us have bought a dress,” I sighed.

“Then, let’s think!” Abigail suggested.

“Well, you could wear one of the dresses we got shopping,” Jasmine suggested. Abigail nodded, thinking it over.

“Which one?”

“Hands down, the navy one,” I quickly answered. “You look stunning in it.”

“You really think so?” she asked. We both nodded, and she turned to Jasmine. “You should wear something from home.”

“I have one in mind. There’s a dark green dress that I brought for a formal event,” she commented. She was quiet for a  moment, thinking it over, before nodding. “Yes, that’s what I’ll do.”

“What about you?” Abigail asked, turning to me.

“I have no idea!” I groaned, burying my face in a pillow. The bed lifted as they both stood up and walked over to the wardrobe.