Rebel Queen

Chapter 20

After I come out of the bathroom a knock comes at my door.
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"Come in."

Who is coming to my room? Only maids and Breanna are allowed for now. Then Breanna struts in like a diva followed by Lea.

"Breanna?"

"Ok, Sister I know what you're thinking! Why is Lea Ryan in my room? Well, she wants to apply for a maids position for the rest of the 'competition'. Specifically for you.." She practically shouts at me.

"Oh, I wasn't expecting that at all Breanna. Please keep calm.."
It seemed as if she hadn't heard me.

"And what does that mean?"

"Um....but I-"

"Princess Ellie! I can already imagine the festivities in your honor!" Lea replies hurriedly.

"Lea, stop! I'm confused as it is. I'll have a lot of work starting soon." Ellie exclaimed. "If I have to-

"I see how it is. Already earned the title of Princess, haven't we?" Lea said stiffly, glaring at the tiara atop Ellie's head. "and I can't wait to earn your respect, Princess Ellie!" She said, bowing dramatically. Lea shoots another glare at her head, before stomping out.

"She was loud this morning, got kicked out, and still hasn't learned her lesson. Don't let her step foot in here until she has the decency to learn her place."

"Yes, Ellie. You are wise, and I am foolish. To think she would accept you so soon after being excused. I will talk to her later, and if she cannot change she cannot stay.
For now we must start getting you ready for the gala."

Just then the phone rings. I look at the number and tell Breanna it's my father checking in on me. She excuses herself, and is off to collect the dress.

"Yes dad?" I say not wanting anyone to overhear.

"You need to take out the Prince tonight."

The receiver goes quiet after a faint click on the other side. He hung up just expecting me to do that!
When Breanna returns I'm pale as a ghost. I can't do this! I just saw him. I actually think he isn't half bad, by his first look at personality. Never mind that now, I need to stay calm, and get ready.

The dress is beautiful. A material seeming to be softer than anything in the world, yet shimmers in the light with the slightest movement. A light blue that fades into white, with off the shoulder arm bands that flow down to her wrists. The dress goes past the ankles and is glittered with icicle jewels. My heels are pure glass and shine brightly.
Breanna takes the hair on the top of my head, braiding it into an intricate style that looks like a rose on the back of my head where the two braids conjoin. The bottom half flows down like a veil. The finishing touch is a crown of gems that look like icicles. They seem to capture the very light around me and reflect it in what seems to be every color.

"Beautiful" Breanna whispers in awe of her work.

"You did amazing." I breath.

Now all things aside, the prince. How can I possibly kill him!? Sure I could dazzle him leading him into a false sense of security, but I can't. I'm always forward with my prey, either they know they're about to die or they don't. And should I even try to kill him? He's been so nice...AAUGHHH. What should I do?
All of a sudden a knock comes at the door.

"Your highness, I am assigned to escort you to the gala." A deep voice says from the other side of the door. You must be there to start the festivities. The other girls are lining up. You will be last announced."

"I'll be there momentarily, lady Breanna just has to finish."

"You're all good, go girl."Breanna tells me with a wink.

I take a deep breath. Time to try and execute my mission.
The guard leads me down several staircases. We stop a floor above the first exiting into a side hallway. The other girls have already arrived. Some smooth their dresses in haste. At the front of the line is Pearl.
  She's fidgety, messing with her dress. I see her nail catch the hem, and rush in haste to help her.

"Pearl, it's alright. You've got this. Now let me help you."

  I carefully pull her finger away, careful not to create any loose threads. We converse a while longer before a guard taps me in the shoulder.   Stepping out of view from the door, as I cant be seen yet.
  May and Nova have their heads held high. May sports a tight purple floor length gown. Her purple tinted heels topped with glass butterflies match perfectly.
  Nova's dress is ombré. The colors fade from pink to black, like her bedazzled heels. She tied her hair up with a matching ribbon.
  Jasmine fits in a light yellow ballgown soaring past her ankles. It looks ruffled, like maids had to hurry, or she's just been messing with it lots. Nova bobs her head from side to side trying to peer out at the crowd.
  Caily has to come tap her on the shoulder to stop.

"Ahem!" A voice from the other side of the door shouts.

  Trumpets sound through the room beyond. Even from behind the thick oak doors, you can hear the echo bounce off the walls.

"Introducing Pearl White, from Province 9!"

  The doors open at incredible speed as I watch Pearl walk out. Cheers arise for her. The prince is standing at the ready. Taking her hand he kisses it lightly, and then hands her off to a guard.

"Miss May Miller, from Province 68!"

  May exits get the getting the same treatment as Pearl, followed by Nova and then Jasmine. All of them looked so elegant, that I didn't know if I could top them.
  I'm still standing in my position at the back.

"Finally. Introducing her highness! Princess Ellie!"

  I gracefully step towards the cheering crowd, placing my hands on the banister of the balcony.
  The people below me bow and curtsy. Prince Jacob takes my hand and kisses it softly. A jet of energy shoots up my arm making me feel weird.
  What was happening. I smiled at the prince, who was now standing straight up. Expecting him to hand me off to the guard, but no.
  He pulled me along to the stairs and we descended together. Feeling hundreds of eyes on us made me feel special. The two of us heading to the center of the dance floor for the first dance as the center of attention.
  The music started up. We glided across the floor, matching the rhythm perfectly. Soon the King and Queen joined us as well as some nobles.

"How is it going Princess?" The prince asked.

"Very well Prince Jacob, you?"

"Conservative are we? Are you perhaps waiting for somebody." He asks slyly.

"Of course not." I blush at his remark. What a sly boy.

"Of course I have to dance with the others, but.. you really have caught my eye."

"You really are quite the scoundrel when nobody can hear-

"May I cut in?" A deep voice asks from afar.

The man was dancing with whom I guessed, was his wife. Her hair was an icy white and flowed down to the small of her back. She kept snatching glances at me.
The couple, Jacob and I got closer in order to switch. Then it happened. The woman and I clasped each other's hand turning our backs to one another and gliding to each other's partner.
I locked my hands on the mans shoulders, and he took his to my waist.

"Quite the dancer you are your highness. My daughter used to dance just like you. Though she was very itty bitty."

"How young was the child duke?"

"Three years old. Sadly, she was.. taken by rebels."

"I'm so sorry to hear that. My mother was killed by rebels shortly after my birth." I lied.

All I knew of my real mother and father is that they were dedicated to the rebel cause and sacrifice their lives to protect my own. I could never repay them, but I could live for them.
Then I notice something odd in the crowd around me. Rebels!