Kingmaker (Ace of Queens #5)

Pt.41 A lucky man

Chapter 41

Clare slowly walked up the stairs as the train of her gown dragged behind her. Her arms swung by her side as she slowly lifted one hand and pulled out the hairpin Adeline had made her wear. Lustrous chocolate brown blocks fell down her back as she climbed the steps.

"Your grace," Vivian bowed her head as she spotted the princess at the top of the stairwell.

"Vivian," Clare looked straight ahead. "I have a headache. Please don't let anyone disturb me this evening. I would like to be left alone."

"Certainly, your grace," the older woman nodded. "Would you like for me to bring you some medication?"

"No, thank you," Clare shook her head. "I just need some sleep."

"I'll close the windows in your room. The band is quite loud."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Please close all the windows."

Vivian turned on her heels and headed towards Clare's room. The Princess however stood where she was and turned to look over her shoulder.

A pretty woman with dark hair and a long neck walked past the foyer, unaware of the girl watching her from afar.

"Hello, Sofia," Clare said, startling the councilwoman.

"Oh!" Sofia jumped slightly. "Hello, Clare. How are you? You looked beautiful at the wedding."

"Thank you," Clare smiled.

"Are you quitting the party already?"

Clare slowly walked back down the stairs. Her gray eyes watched the pretty face of the woman in front of her before letting them travel to the necklace around her neck.

"Don't you ever take that off?" She asked.

Sofia followed her eyes to the necklace. She pulled the little glass pendant out from beneath her dress and held it in her palm. The radiant blue glow of the glass sparkled against Clare's gray eyes.

"No," Sofia said looking down. "I never take it off. You know who's inside, don't you?"

"Yes," Clare nodded her head. "My mother told me his name."

"As long as she's in here, we never have to worry about him ever again," Sofia smiled.

"Hmm," Clare sighed.

"Are you sure you don't have more party energy left in you?" Sofia raised a brow.

"I'm sure," Clare laughed as she shook out her hair. "I need a nap."

"Then off you go sleeping beauty, see you later."

"Bye, Sofia," Clare kissed her cheeks. "It was nice seeing you."

"Bye, sweetheart," Sofia patted her shoulder.

Clare picked up her dresses and climbed back up the stairs. She hurried off to her room and found Vivian getting her bed ready for her.

"Thank you," Clare said as she unhooked her dress.

Vivian rushed forward and undid the back buttons. She helped Clare slip out of the heavy gown before she carried it off. Clare walked into her closet and pulled on a clean set of pajamas before she climbed into her soft bed.

Bits of sunlight peeked through the heavy dark curtains. They were like rods of gold stabbing through the darkness, glittering with small bits of floating dust and pollen. From the safety of her bed, Clare watched the pollen dance like ballerinas in the air. She had begun to chew on her bottom lip as a strange pressure started to rise in her chest. Closing her eyes tightly, Clare called to sleep, but her mind was much too awake.