4 Princes

IX

"But they did not know her, and thought it must be some strange princess, she looked so fine and beautiful in her rich clothes; and they never once thought of Ashputtel, taking it for granted that she was safe at home in the dirt."
(Brothers Grimm: Ashputtel)

ROOK
NIGHT TWO OF THE ball was just as presumptuous as night one, meaning it was just as large and arrogantly showing how much more money we held compared to other royal families.

I didn't want to be here nor did I want to dance with anyone, not even with my mystery royal.

I leaned over to Jack, who was standing next to me. "Jack, do you reckon we could sneak off the balcony?" I asked, nodding my head to a large opening. Burgundy curtains draped down the white walls, capturing my freedom like a silver frame around a picture.

Jack rolled his eyes at me. "A fall off the balcony means death," Jack pointed out.

I paused for a moment to watch ladies wave their fans in my direction, trying to get my attention in an embarrassing way.

I scolded myself. It wasn't in an embarrassing way. It was in a ladylike way. However, I didn't want to get married so any girl wanting to marry me and thinking they had a shot was embarrassing.

I rubbed my hands together, smiling at Jack. "Those are the best stakes to hold a race under."

Jack's suit was a dark grey color, matching his grey colored eyes. His hair contrasted heavily against it in a startling dark brown. He looked like a younger, facial hair-less, version of our father. He hummed a slow tune before turning to the balcony. "You're right, beat you to the bottom."

We pushed and shoved at each other, moving to the balcony as quick as we could.

And then we were both abruptly stopped as something grabbed our collars and made us fall the ground. Our bodies hit the hard flooring with a loud thud. The ballroom looked at us, snickering to themselves.

Even though our blades and arrows hit like whispers, whispers would still hit us like blades and arrows. We were too deadly to talk back to in person, but behind the faces of others— anyone would say anything.

Jack and I laughed as we looked up at Hera, who was glaring. "You two aren't leaving if I can't leave."

I got up and brushed off my black suit. I ran a hand through my dark blonde hair and groaned. "Please Her—"

The doors creaked open and when I looked up, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen stood behind the railing.

A man came to stand beside her. "Now introducing, The Heart of West Gertrude."

The Heart Of West Gertrude. I had never heard of West Gertrude and I was quite geographically smart. It didn't matter though, because I'd never find the answer. I didn't care to know the answer.

The guards that stood outside at the last ball had been taken care of. New ones were posted and they were under strict demand that when I gave the word, they were to close the doors and lock them.

I'd give the word if she tried to run, of course.

Which I hoped she did.

Because I wouldn't give the demand for them to close the doors until she was already outside and it was too late.

When the doors shut, she'd be long gone and I'd have a hard time finding her. Hopefully.

She had evaded me once before. She was the only person to have ever done that, and I was hoping she could do it again.