Bastard King ♤ Sebastian DePoiters [ON HOLD]

2 ♠ Monsters in French Court

I roll over in the big, fluffy white mattress. My eyes flutter open and I squint as they adjust to the sunlight coming in through the crack in the velvet curtains. I groan, not wanting to have to wake up and begin my day. However, I sit up in the bed, knowing one of my ladies will come in to wake me up if I don't on my own. I stretch out my arms and sit on the side of the bed, allowing my bare feet to dangle over the edge. There is a slight knock on my door.

"Queen Adeline?" Denise calls.

"Come in."

She enters with a smile on her face. "What are you still doing in bed? You have to attend breakfast this morning."

I groan internally and refrain from rolling my eyes. I scoot down and slowly place my bare feet on the ice cold floor. I wince and pick my feet up immediately.

"Here." Denise says as she places my slippers on the floor next to the bed.

"Thank you, Denise." I smile softly before placing my feet into the shoes.

"We have to get you ready by 0700." Denise says. 7 am?!

"Why so early?"

"I do not know. First, get out of your nightgown."

I comply, lifting it over my head and dropping it to the ground. She does not look, but passes me the underskirt of my gown and the corset. I put them on and tell her when to turn back around. I place my hands on the side of the sofa in the room to keep myself steady and she begins lacing up the corset. Denise pulls it tight and I inhale sharply.

"I apologize, My Grace."

"It's fine." I say kindly. She finishes lacing the corset within a few minutes before draping the gown over my head. "Thank you, Denise."

I begin brushing the tangles from my long dark curls hair in the mirror. The loose curls flow down my back. I braid back front pieces and meet them together for another braid behind my head. I place my crown on my head, carefully. The diamonds sparkle in the sunlight. I smile to myself as I look over the dress. The bodice is a gorgeous blue with  silver embellishments. The skirt and sleeves are black. Its beautiful and fitting of a future queen but I do not recognize it. It's not one of mine.

"Denise?" I ask as I place my diamond earrings in my ears and my mother's necklace around my neck.

"Yes?"

"Who's dress is this?" I ask.

"One of Mary's ladies, Kenna, brought it to our room. She said they knew you did not have many because we had to flee so quickly." Denise says.

"Oh. Well that was kind."

"Yes, it was. I believe Mary is showing you the kindness she wished she got when she arrived." Denise answers

"That makes sense." I say.

***

I grab my fork and take a bite of my salad. Everyone is engaged in side conversations. I am seated next to Mary with Francis and Bash across from us over the wide table.

"I meant to thank you earlier." I say to Mary

"For what?" Mary asks.

"This dress. It's beautiful."

"That it is, but I did not give it to you." Mary says with a curious smile dancing on her lips.

"But my lady, Denise, said that Lady Kenna brought the dress to their chambers with orders to deliver it to me." I say.

"That may be true, but I did not give the orders." Mary shakes her head.

"But if not you, then who?" I ask. I look up and my eyes meet Bash's brilliantly blue ones from access the large table but he looks away quickly. A small blush appears on the roundest parts of his cheeks. I know I'd caught him looking at me. Yet, I did not feel disgusted as I had when I used to catch the nobels and regents of Alvaka watching me from a very young age. "It was Bash, wasn't it?" I ask Mary in a hushed tone.