Thiefess

Chapter 5: Imilia

I looked in the mirror at my figure in the white dress. Tessa had somehow coaxed me into wearing it, and I had to say, I looked amazing. Not that I cared. Nobody would see them anyway, as I spent 99.9% of my time in pants and loose shirts- ideal for sneaking around in. Plus, I could keep everyone believing I was a man.

Tessa squealed loudly as she saw me in the dress. "You look gorgeous!! We have to show mother!" She dragged me from the room, and I almost tripped over the skirts. Sighing at my clumsiness, she ran ahead and down the stairs to her waiting mother.

Her mother, Lillian, was 56, yet looked in her thirties. She was a very kind woman, and although she had no idea of my background, she was very ready to accept me into her home as a friend of her daughters. She was very kind to me, but also extremely strict to her daughter and the duchess duties she was expected to fill.

I still couldn't believe this family was almost royalty.

Lillian gasped as she saw me. A smile lit up her face. "Since when did you become a woman, Im? Last time we met you were running around climbing up trees!"
I laughed. "Oh I still do that, of course. I just do it when others aren't watching." The corners of her eyes crinkled when she smiled. Even though she was the Duchess of this Kingdom, she was the closest thing to a mother I had. She embraced me warmly, smelling of perfume and lavender. "Well, you better stay for longer this time. I feel like we hardly see you! What do you do, live in the woods?" She laughed, and I joined in awkwardly. If only she knew.

Our laughing was interrupted by a knock on the door. Tessa got up, warily going to answer.
"We're not expecting anyone..." Lillian muttered. I stood up and walked to the door with Tessa, preparing myself for the worst. As Tessa opened the door, her face broke into a smile. I breathed a sigh of relief and backed away to sit down. It couldn't be that bad if she was smiling.

Tessa curtsied and welcomed them in. Three men proceeded to enter. The first two were of no interest to me, other than a sharp nod in my direction. But the third made me want to run for the hills.

It was the boy. The one that had caught me. And then, all of a sudden, it clicked. All my questions, answered.

Why was he visiting the duchess?
Why was he in the castle grounds that night?
Why was he so familiar?

Simple: He was the Crown Prince.