To Win the Prince's Hand

Chapter 23

All right, author's note first today! Thanks to everyone who voted on my other stories. Because of that, I'm doing an update tonight rather than tomorrow! Most of you probably will read it tomorrow or so anyways...

So, I know you all might not love this chapter... but to be totally honest, you should've seen it coming. So with that, I hope you like it... at least somewhat!

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23.

The queen quickly followed up on her promise, and Madame Goustav was away from my side, where she had been perched, only a few minutes after the ball began. I stood back along the wall, afraid to be swept up into the people dancing.

It looked fun, though. I could see Jasmine laughing as Christian tried a more elaborate turn with her and failed. Abigail looked the happiest I’d ever seen her as she danced with Mark. And Ethan actually looked totally happy and content as he moved with Sophia to the music.

The only person I hadn’t seen was Gabriel. After he had made his entrance, he seemed to disappear, much to my confusion. However, I knew he had to talk with a lot of the people here tonight, so I dismissed those thoughts.

I had managed to avoid everyone so far, but that all changed as Queen Madelyn swept up to me with a pleasant smile. “Lady Danielle!” she greeted, throwing her arms around me delicately, so as to not mess up my dress. “You look beautiful tonight, although I knew you would. Are you enjoying the ball?”

“Yes, m’lady,” I replied, dipping into a curtsy. “It’s splendid, really.”

“Well, my dear, I have so many people I’d like you to meet! Come along,” she instructed, and I followed her, very aware of all the eyes following us.

Everyone we met seemed to be the most important of wherever they were from. They also seemed to be related to Madame Goustav, because they remained stern the entire time.

Luckily, Madame Goustav had the sense to let me in on all the important events that might come up in conversation, so I could keep up a good conversation with them all. This seemed to impress them, and they began to rant on and on about my diverseness.

She would also be pleased to know that everyone also complimented my manners. After I finally finished a conversation about the divorce of two public figures, I excused myself to take a seat.

Hiding behind the table of food that was mostly untouched, I took a deep breath. Social events were so exhausting, and I was ready to be done.

“Excuse me, miss?” an older lady asked. “May I have this seat?”

“Oh, of course,” I answered. She pulled out a chair and took a seat beside me.

“You must be one of those girls called for the competition. What’s your name, dear?” she politely made conversation.

“I’m Lady Danielle Chambers of Armia. And yours, m’lady?” I replied.

“I’m Lady Elizabeth. And you don’t have to call me m’lady, I’m barely important enough to be here. My daughter invited me,” she excused and I sent her a small smile.

“Really? Who is you daughter?” I inquired, expecting it to be one of the girls.

“Queen Madelyn,” she responded and my eyes widened.

“Then you most certainly deserve the title m’lady, m’lady,” I told her and she laughed, shaking her head.

“Please, I’m not the queen herself. She was just a normal girl like you, even in the same competition,” she said. “I remember right before she left. For months she had begged and pleaded to have her courting tour moved back. When she found out she was leaving for the competition, she was furious.”