Chapter Twenty: Ball Day

  When Elijah returned to his room after hours of talking to Einar, he stopped as he saw a small slip of paper stuck under the door. With a small grunt of curiosity, he bent gracefully down to the ground to pick it up. The front of the folded paper read To Her Highness Princess Amanda Gold.

  That’s Lord Thomas’ handwriting, Guide Amanda chuckled. You can tell because he capitalizes every word in a sentence.

  Rolling his eyes, Elijah unfolded the paper, finding a small letter of invitation inside.

  Your Majesty, it read, you have vowed to help my family out with its troubles. Well, here you get the chance. Tonight, my family is hosting a ball when the clock strikes eight. I understand that the Royals do not have a tendency to attend balls away from their home unless an occurrence has surfaced, but, well, this is an important occurrence to me, and I would be honoured if you would arrive as my date.

  Your dearest, Lord Thomas Penrose.

  Elijah gagged at the last line, although the Guide seemed to melt under the love-struck words. Closing the door to his room, he collapsed on his fluffy bed, and when it enveloped him, he sighed in delight.

  You should attend the ball, it is important both for you as Lord Thomas’ girlfriend and as the princess who vowed to help him.

  “Yeah, I know,” he replied, unmoving. “That doesn’t mean I want to do it, though.”

  Aren’t you at least a little interested as to why Lord Penrose’s house has become so weak in the public eye?

  “Not particularly,” Elijah replied. “I’m not from here, and all I know is that he’s fallen from grace. As to why, probably his stupidity. The man’s hopeless.”

  Takes one to know one, Guide Amanda coughed.

  “Huh?”

  Nothing. But you’re missing the point. Thomas isn’t the one who fell from grace, the Penroses are, namely their leader, Lord Penrose, Thomas’ father. He disappeared from any public outing a year ago due to being sick, but this long away cannot be a sickness. He must be hiding something.

  “Or hiding from something,” Elijah nodded. “Like a douchey son.”

  Can you take this seriously, please?

  Elijah groaned. “Fine, mom.”

  Ew, don’t say that, dumbass, his Guide replied, but Elijah noticed there was no real bite to her words anymore. He could’ve sworn he heard a small portion of affection creeping through.

  “So what could the Lord be doing?” He asked, curiosity peeking through for the first time. “Wouldn’t he be better off trying to alleviate himself to the other Lords?”

  Most definitely, unless…

  “He was in the midst of something illegal that could get him recognized,” Elijah finished. “Or something to that effect.”

  Something like that.

  “Well, I can’t really do anything about it, can I?”

  You’re a princess, you can do whatever the hell you want, she chuckled. I’m joking but you understand my point, don’t you?

  “You’re telling me that I should attend this ball to find out what’s going on?”

  No, I’m telling you to attend this ball to fulfil your vow to Lord Thomas. Talk to the others at the ball, make sure they understand your role as the princess, subtly introduce the idea of supporting his house, that sort of talk. But it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for the princess to…slip away due to the cause of important matters. If you have a chance, a real chance, take it and leave, but find a maid or someone in the house who can help you, and pressure them as the princess. They are sure to crumble under your questions.

  “All of this sounds difficult,” Elijah replied, lifting himself with a small whimper from the bed to walk to the full-length mirror and examine himself. “I don’t know the first thing about court politics, or even subtlety in those matters. Not to mention sneaking away seems…suspicious.”

  I’ll guide you through it, she promised. It’s what I do after all. Now you should eat and rest up. You’ll need all your attention and energy if you’re to survive at one of these events.

  Elijah sighed. “Way to make me excited, huh?”

  Balls are wonderful, when you get used to them.

  The male princess couldn’t help but snort, and the Guide cursed him in his head.

  “I found the perfect outfit for you, your highness,” Eva the maid pronounced, holding out a gorgeous sky blue dress, sleeveless with a heart shaped neckline, and diamonds outlined throughout the borders of the dress. It was now deep afternoon, just a few hours until the start of the ball, and Elijah was feeling a ball of nervousness slowly building inside him.

  Where’d she get that? Elijah asked.

  You have a closet nearby for important events like balls. It’s your maids’ job to choose your outfit but you’re allowed to refuse.

  “I love it,” he pronounced, grabbing it and holding it over himself in front of the mirror, imagining the princess’ body, not his own—yes, your own—with the beautiful clothes.

  Eva beamed in delight, her shy eyes peeking at him through her lashes as she gently rocked to the side.

  “You’ll look gorgeous with it,” she said, and Elijah nodded along. “Lord Thomas will be enthralled.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Turning to the bed, Elijah laid the dress down straight and reached for his dress behind.

  Are you sure you can do that alone? The Guide asked. No shame in asking for help. I used to let Eva help me into my dresses all the time.

  With a slight nod of acquiescence to the Guide’s offer, the princess looked at the maid, blushing as he spoke to her.

  “Can you help me put this on?” He asked, and, once again, Eva beamed.

  “I would love to.”

  As she began to help him out of the dress, leaving him in just his underwear, which for once he didn’t seem to notice, he kept a light conversation with her.

  “How are you feeling today?” He asked, and Eva, reaching for the blue dress, nodded softly.

  “I’m feeling just fine, your majesty,” she responded, helping Elijah place it on himself. “Y’all treat me well, and I’m able to provide for my family now.” Through the corner of his eye, he saw tears of gratitude shine in her eyes as she tightened the dress behind her, causing him to oomph as it hugged him. “I’m so thankful to you that I was able to remove them from the seventh district. Kenji is finally in school, an education he desperately needs that I never would’ve had without you.”

  The seventh is the poor district. Eva was a beggar before she joined us, Guide Amanda explained. I saw her one day and took pity on her. Poverty shouldn’t exist, but it’s hard to eliminate. Still, the more I did, the better. Eva became one of my best friends, and now she is one of yours.

  “I’m so glad to hear that,” Elijah said, spinning around to embrace her, hugging her tight against him in a loving, protective embrace. He didn’t know her well, but he could feel a lingering affection from who had been the princess before him. “You’re like my sister, you know. If you ever need anything, all you need to do is ask.”

  “You really mean that?” The young maid said, a soft gasp of delight and shock escaping her, her own arms wrapping around Elijah fiercely, “That I’m your sister?”

  “Always,” he replied, a small knot of guilt forming inside him knowing that Eva wasn’t aware of who he truly was. “I’m always here for you.”

  “Thank you,” Eva sniffled. “You’re the best princess ever!”

  Don’t listen to her, Guide Amanda snorted. I was the best princess ever, not you. And it’s not your fault, you know. You shouldn’t feel guilty, because you are Princess Gold now, not me. Embrace it.

  “You should compose yourself now,” Elijah said, letting her go and wiping her tears. “And, Eva?”

  “Yes, your majesty?”

  “You can call me Elij–I mean, Amanda in private.”

  “Yes, your maj—Amanda,” the maid replied, ignoring Elijah’s slip-up, and with a skip in her step, she slipped out of the room, leaving one final joyous glance to the princess who smiled back at her.

  See, that’s how you look at a woman! Guide Amanda laughed.

  Shut up!

  I must congratulate you, though, you performed well with Eveline. Her love for you has risen a point. That is rare enough on its own, but since it’s been stuck at ninety for almost a year. You really struck a chord with her.

  “Thank you,” Elijah replied, looking at himself in the mirror and gasping as he saw himself. The heart-shaped neckline wasn’t deep enough to cause any sort of embarrassment, yet it still stood out enough to look breathtaking. The dress frilled at the end, giving him a grace to his walk, and his dance, if he chose to. Around the dress, the diamonds shone brightly, glistening in the light, making him seem to be glowing. As he put on some golden bangles on his arms, and a silver necklace around him, he couldn’t help but gasp. “Wow, I’m gorgeous.”

  Don’t let it get to your head, his Guide replied. You’re already arrogant enough.

  “Huh, I must get it from you,” Elijah smirked.

  If you don’t want cancer, then shut up and go to the Penrose Mansion.

  “A great friend you are,” the princess grumbled to himself, reluctantly obeying her.

  I know, right?

  Due to the recent attempts on the princess’ life and the Sea Folk prince breaking into the palace, Elijah was forbidden from leaving the castle for a time, at least until the Queen was sure the city was safe from him. He hated the rule, but at least it was Einar who led him to the Penrose Mansion, so it could’ve been worse, he told himself—and me, since I’m in your head.

  Can you just let me have some time to myself? Elijah replied. Just a few minutes where you don’t know what I’m thinking.

  I tried, remember? Guide said. It was the most lonely time of my life.

  That’s the point!

  But I prefer being alone if it’s with someone else, especially you!

  That’s—Elijah began, then started. That’s actually sweet of you, thank you.

  I was just saying that because you’re the only person I’m forced to not be alone with.

  Sure.

  Einar the Ulfúr’s head spun from side to side as he searched every street and corner, searching for any would-be princess-murderers, and the flattening of his ears told Elijah that he was afraid, nervous, or angry, maybe even a mixture of all three. To alleviate his friend, he spoke to him, hoping to get answers to his questions.

  “Einar, do you know of anyone called Faría? They don’t live here in Advantia, but I’m just asking if you’ve ever heard that name before?”

  “Faría?” The Ulfúr asked, spinning his head and cocking it, before shaking it softly. “No, I don’t think so. Why? Who is it?”

  “That was what I was asking you,” Elijah replied. “But if you don’t know, it doesn’t matter much. Just a name I heard in passing. Can I ask you another question?”

  “You just did,” he grinned.

  “Then can I ask a third one?”

  “You just did,” his grin grew wider.

  “Then another one?”

  “You just…fine go ahead,” the wolf laughed softly to himself, clearly proud of himself.

  “How is the investigation going to find those who claim to be from another world?”

  “I've barely had time to start, Amanda!”

  “I know,” Elijah replied, "But I'm desperate...and curious of course."

  “I'm doing my best, but it's not easy. I promise the moment I have news, I'll pass it onto you. You must wait but a little.”

  “That would be wonderful, Einar,” he smiled, and the Ulfúr blushed—or at least, what seemed like a blush, his face being covered in fur—in response, looking down softly.

  “I’ll ask about that and this Faría character for you. And no need to thank me, I know I’m the greatest friend you’ve ever had—Oh, we’re here!”

  Elijah looked up and realized they were, indeed, there—plot twist of the century, the Guide responded with what the princess knew was now a metaphorical rolling of her eyes. His eyes took in the white marble walls, the two small pillars at the entrance where the door was slightly ajar, a butler standing inside with a blank stare towards the horizon. Before Elijah and Einar could enter, Lord Thomas Penrose himself—lord of simp, Elijah thought to the Guide—swung the door wide open to hug the princess.

  “I’m so pleased you’ve decided to join us,” he said. “You look absolutely stunning, darling! I was just waiting for you for the first dance to start.”

  Elijah’s heart dropped.

  Wait, Elijah, you know how to dance formally, right? RIGHT?

  “Shit!”