The Crown Prince Thinks I'm a Guy

The Two Packages

Brother's room was as splendid as it ever was. Sure, my favorite bed of flowers were long gone from the floor and walls, but it still smelled of it. I was sitting on the outermost room of his suite; a reception area of some sorts. Two satin draped couches with delicate and soft throw pillows faced each other in a far corner. My brother occupied one while I the other.

For a while, we only stared at each other. Then,

"Did you see who left the invitation?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No. Well, I was... away from the infirmary when they probably snuck it under my pillow."

In truth, I didn't tell him yet about being found out. If I told him about how I had appealed to the senses of Professor Whitaker and the head nurse, I would probably find myself whisked back to the Kingdom. I knew that things were getting more dangerous now, but... I couldn't just leave everything behind.

I cleared my throat, hoping my inner thoughts wouldn't be noticed by my perceptive older brother. I then asked, "So, what have you come to know about the invitation I sent?"

He paused for a while, probably already guessing that I was hiding something from him, but then he shook his head. "Not much, unfortunately. However, I did find something more from it."

Then, he looked over to his trusted aid (Lamonte I believe his name was) and as though the aid didn't even need any more words, he walked towards my brother and procured the very letter without missing a beat. The prince took the invitation and then offered it to me.

Looking at his slightly upturned lips, I wondered what he wanted me to look at. I've already seen and observed that invitation for more times than I could count. Taking it from his hand, I glanced at it. It still had the same message. My name and the invitational message. I frowned, not knowing what this was about.

"Look at the back," brother aided me.

I blinked at him before turning it around with my fingers. My mouth then gaped at it. Where it had once been blank, there were now words etched into it. "How-!"

Clement laughed slightly and explained, "It's a silly new trick nobles have been adding onto their invitation letters. When you circulate concentrated notes into the paper, the invisible ink shows. Well, it's meant to add even more exclusivity to such social matters. Those who know of it belongs to the higher group, and those who don't are excluded."

I made a face. "And how is that supposed to work?"

"Well, as an example," he said, leaning forward to tap at the cardboard in my hands. "If you weren't aware about that little trick, you never would have come to the venue in the right attire."

I read the new words on the invitation again.

'Theme: Masquerade'

"How tasteless," I muttered, and really thought so. Masquerade balls were long out of fashion since before I was born. The masks were tacky and the feathers itched on the skin. I would rather prefer it if I hadn't been informed about this theme at all.

Clement chuckled. "I know it isn't particularly a well-made theme, but I believe it suits more for its purpose rather than its aesthetics and comfort."

I looked at him in confusion, and thought deeply about it. "... Masquerade, as in to mask our identities?"

He looked at me with pride in his eyes. "Well, that's what I think, anyway. From what I know, you aren't even supposed to be present in the Advancement Ball, so I suppose it means for you to keep your identity hidden from the normal passers."

I breathed out slowly. "That does make frightening sense, but I'm even more curious as to who would even send it. I would reckon it isn't just a silly prank..."