The Lost Royal

Unresolved

Aaliyah

I walked away not before I almost collided with another gentleman. I saw a blur of green eyes and sandalwood smell, but I shifted my body away from his so that only our shoulders touched for a brief second. It didn't feel like a second.

I heard a harsh intake. A tingle crawled up on my arm from the contact. My heart rate picked up. It might have been from me hurrying away either that or I'm over analyzing my thoughts.

Damian

Gardenias. It was the first thing I noticed about her. The same intoxicating smell tormenting my memories. Of course, my perceptions don't misguide me because I see the same shocking hair which had to have grown up to her waist by now, no, it was wound tight into a bun. To my dismay, I didn't catch her face. Everything in me was telling me to run up to her and turn her body to mine, but I needed to be sure. I have to tread carefully and no matter what I couldn't give into my impulses.

It was also the same girl I saw beside Kassian. Kassian. It couldn't be a coincidence. Fate couldn't be that cruel.

I spin my heels in the other direction to go and find Kassian.

I paused at the door, preparing myself to knock but then the door opened. "Were you going to knock?"Kassian looks up amused. I threw a forced smile, "yes, I believe so."

"I thought you said you were going to withdraw to your bedrooms. Is it not to your liking?"

"No, I changed my mind. I thought we could share a drink."

"Hmm, that sounds agreeable." I knew Kassian to be light drinker because after only a few drinks he got a buzzed feeling. I chose that moment to ask him. 

"So, who was the lady the other day? You seem to be very affectionate towards her," I tossed at him wanting an opening.

Kassian catches a faraway look in his eye. It makes my jaw clench in irritation but I don't show it instead I laugh with a lack of humor, "do you like her?" I say bluntly. I don't like guessing games.

He watches me a moment but I don't think he sees me. He swallows, "yes I might." He doesn't say anymore.

This conversation is left hanging so I continue, "what's her name?" He drinks half a glass more and now it looks as if he might pass out at any time, whereas I have barely touched my glass.

His eyes are hazy, smirking he replies, "I found out the other day from the staff. She's called Aaliyah. Al-ly, pret-ty." He chuckles and then it brings forth a string of gargled laughter, which makes me frown in return. 

I feel bad for bringing him to this state but not for long as I have to carry his heavy ass back to his room. I also don't like how he said her name. Lazily like he could touch each syllable, my face hardens immediately. 

After I drop him on his bed, I see that there's still daylight left. That means there's still work to be done and that I'll have enough time to do it. And I also feel like i have won something. A name. Aaliyah. 

Aaliyah

Lola comes to stand next to me and leans in, "where were you yesterday? I saw you sneak off but you should be grateful that I'm Lola and not Becca and didn't tattle on you to Miss Cocktail like she would have."

"You saw that?" I lower my eyes on my task of the day, laundry for the high-and-mighty prince who is always AWOL whenever I am sent to work here while everyone else seems to have caught a glimpse of him, but I am more worried about right now that my eyes will betray me if I look up at Lola.

She rolls her eyes, "It was very obvious to me because I was the only one who saw you escape."

"Darn, I was sure I covered my tracks." I croak.

"So, what did you do anyway?" She curiously asks.

"Nothing. I was feeling exhausted from the duty. I only retired to my rooms." I lie through my teeth.

She doesn't believe me, I think, but doesn't push it. I sigh with relief when she leaves. 

I don't think I get to have any peace for a moment because Becca decides to show up. then "Have you done this?" She screeches.

"What?" I see a red dye bleeding through the prince's  white bed sheets. "No!" I yell, challenging her. I am very careful with the cloth, i might as well have OCD. 

She just glares at me and puts a hand on her hip mimicking my stance. "You were the only one there in the morning washing the sheets." She duhs at me.

"No I wasn't. Lola was there with me." Oops, I think I just gave Lola away and she might get in trouble for that. But, I don't like to be told on because I'm not the one at fault here. 

"Whatever, I have to report this to Miss Cocktail." She scowls and walks away. Seriously, what is her problem?

"I'm sorry," I tell Lola later. I wasn't trying to get her in trouble. "I was trying to defend myself. You know that Becca brings out the worst in me. I might have accidentally slipped your name in the middle of our argument. Forgive me."

She frowns but then a teeny smile shatters her facade. Knowing Lola, she can't stay angry for too long. "It's fine...but you have to do the additional laundry with me, that's the chore that Miss Cocktail is making me do. Apparently, it was the prince's favorite bed sheet."

Later in the night wearing my evening dress, I lie in my bed thinking about the man who brushed past me. I feel slightly affected at the overwhelming sensations that flickered through me very quickly but it was enough to make an impact. Who was he? I sigh. I shouldn't dream about tall, dark, and handsome men. It would be impossible in my case. 

Damian

He didn't want to reveal himself but he knew I was in the palace. He gave me a note that was left on my bed side: "It's her who you are looking for." He must have known it was wise to trust me. I wouldn't harm her with any of my life.

That's all it took for me to run to the west wing of the castle. I needed to see her. My heart was thumping hard on my chest as I was short of breath. 

Ana, not Ally. Anastasia not Aaliyah.