supper rather than eating here like I usually would. I hadn’t heard of any balls being called for tonight, so I’m still wondering over the ‘expected’ comment from earlier. Should I be worried?
Jayne helps me into a beautiful, deep blue dress, the rich fabric complimenting my pale skin without making me look washed out. It’s not a ballgown, but it is much smarter than the usual court dresses I would wear around the castle. The neckline goes from shoulder to shoulder, scooping across the front of my chest. It doesn’t go low enough to show cleavage, but it definitely accentuates the bust I am starting to develop thanks to good, regular meals. A delicate silver star necklace, which matches the two star pins in my hair, finishes the look.
Taking a step back, Jayne assesses her work with a small smile in place, but I can tell from the tightness of her eyes something is bothering her.
“Do you know what the occasion is?” I ask, as I watch my friend through the mirror. She walks to my side and offers me a hand to help me stand before turning her attention to my dress, straightening the skirts and brushing off imaginary lint.
“No.” Her answer comes straightaway, but there’s something she isn’t saying. Frowning at her, I reach out and touch her arm gently to stop her fussing.
“But you know something…”
Sighing, she finally meets my gaze. “I’ve heard rumours, that’s it, and the person who told me is notorious for spinning stories.” Her pitch gets higher as she speaks, her words getting faster. I just nod, but from her reaction I would say she’s worried that whatever she’s about to say will upset me.
“Tell me, it’s okay.”
“There’s a rumour that the king and Prince Rhydian are inviting eligible ladies and their escorts to private meals and hosting a ball after.” My eyebrows raise as she speaks. Private balls are being ran for the prince to choose a bride.
Well, that would explain what the guard said about being expected. Nausea rolls through me, and I wish I had an excuse not to attend. Perhaps I could feign an illness? You don’t even know if that’s what is going on. Wait for Wilson, he’ll know more, I reassure myself, but Jayne’s anxiousness is infectious, and I find myself spinning the silver bangles on my wrists.
I find it funny how I’d been so desperate to remove my manacles when I was a slave, and now I’m obsessed with making sure my wrists are covered. I never thought I would miss the cuffs, but my new jewellery is the only way to hide the truth. Thankfully, I can wear my thick, cuff-like bangles without arousing any suspicion or showing off my marks.
A knocking at the door pulls me from my thoughts and I see Jayne startle, like she, too, had been deep in thought. She hurries off to see who it is, and I slowly make my way through to the main room, smiling when I see her talking to a smart-looking Wilson. He’s combed his shaggy hair and is wearing his formal jacket magicians wear for official occasions such as this. Leaning against the doorframe, he chats with Jayne and makes her laugh, which I’m grateful for. She’s been so anxious with everything going on. However, I can tell Wilson is on edge by the tightness around his eyes no matter how much he pretends otherwise.
“Wilson,” I call in greeting, smiling as he grins at me and blows a wolf whistle as he takes me in. He gestures for me to spin so he can see my dress to its full effect.
“Clarissa, you look beautiful,” he compliments, as he appreciatively looks me up and down. Had it been anyone else, I would be mad at the obvious appraisal, but this is Wilson, he would never do anything to make me feel uncomfortable.
“You’ve seen me in far grander dresses than this,” I scoff, and I can’t help but smile to myself at the absurdity of the comment. Who would have thought a slave girl would be remarking about the quality of her evening gowns?
“Yes, but tonight I have you all to myself,” he teases with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Wilson, behave,” Jayne scolds, but the effect is ruined when she laughs at the daft face he pulls. Savour this, I think, as I watch the two of them bickering with each other. The feeling that everything is about to change settles heavily over me, sitting like