The Lady Ambrose

FOUR

I was taken through the palace by the queen's handmaiden to the doors of the ballroom, the same spot where I was supposed to be standing to enter with Eunoia earlier that day.

The Queen was standing there waiting for me. Everything had happened so quickly, I felt anxious that she didn't know about Eunoia. But as I got closer, the more apparent her sadness became, and I knew that she'd already been informed.

She looked at me softly. And embraced me. "You are so brave." She whispered to me. "You've lost your family and your best friend all in one night and you're still going to go through with this."

I sniffed a little. "I have to. For all of them. You understand."

She nodded her head before holding me at my shoulders. She then reached over to the hand maiden and took the ring she'd been holding. "This is the engagement ring that Prince Montecroix sent to us for her when the alliance was made. This will be proof enough to him that you are... our daughter." She choked on her words a little.

The ring was beautiful, a silver band with a topaz blue gem sparkling in the center of a diamond star-lily. I recognize it, it is the royal insignia of Astrya.

"I could never replace her in your life, your majesty." I say to her, holding her hands tightly. "That is not why I accepted this mission. When we found her... I felt so helpless. But now with this, I can do something to help."

"I only wish... we could have done more to protect your parents." She whimpered slightly. "It should have never come to this."

"I have no regrets walking into this. And I'm choosing to believe that I will have no regrets, when it's over." I wiped away a tear from her cheek.

"I'm here to be your attendant." She let out a deep sigh. "If you can go out there and meet him after everything that happened today, then I can walk out there with you and walk you through it step by step. Are you ready?"

I swallowed deeply, peeking through the curtains. "As I'll ever be." I look at her.

Linking our arms together, the music in the ballroom pauses. "Just follow my lead, and do exactly as I say." She whispers.

"Announcing, her royal majesty, Princess Nesrin Elizabeth Ambrose." It will be a very long time before I get used to hearing that.

Faster than I could process, the curtains were opened. "Step forward, curtsey and make sure you smile." The Queen says softly.

I swallow and step out onto the balcony in the light. The ballroom was filled with guests from far and wide, full of curious eyes eager to see the princess for the first time. This was supposed to be Eunoia's moment to shine, her introduction to the world.

I push those thoughts away and put on a smile, the crowds cheer as I curtsy to them. This is the first chapter of my new story, I need to do well and convince not only the people, but the enemy that I am in fact the princess.

"Announcing, her royal majesty, Queen Briar Jade Ambrose." The Queen stepped out beside me and took my hand.

"Curtsy together." She whispered, and we did. "Now hold the railing, there's a few people you have to greet before you greet the Montecroix's. Just be polite and keep smiling. It won't take long."

"Okay." I smile at her. The music then begins again and people chatter loudly with excited expressions.

"Your highness," a man standing at the start of a large group of people greets me. "So nice to finally meet you."

Everyone else had something similar to say. My ears were filled with titles and boasts of deep pockets for at least five minutes, some of them even interrupting one another.