guests!”
The group of girls quieted.
The woman took two steps towards Caitlin, and curtsied.
Caitlin curtsied back, trying her best to remain dignified.
She was so grateful for this woman’s intervention, whoever she was.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you, Caitlin,” she said. “Aiden has told us al about you. I am Lily.”
Caitlin shook her hand. “Thank you,” she said.
“I’ve asked Aiden for the honor of escorting you, and showing you our grounds. Would you like to accompany me?”
“I’d be delighted,” Caitlin said, relieved to be away from this crowd.
Caitlin stepped up, linked arms with Lily, and the two of them began walking away from the steps, Ruth at her heels.
“Don’t mind them,” Lily whispered to Caitlin as they walked, the crowd parting ways. “They are young. And bored.”
Caitlin couldn’t help smiling. She real y liked Lily already, and already felt that they would be close friends.
“Caitlin!” suddenly came an excited voice.
Caitlin recognized the voice immediately.
She turned, and there, rushing at her, dressed in a royal gown but otherwise looking exactly as she’d remembered her, was Pol y.
Pol y came rushing towards her and embraced her in a huge hug, before Caitlin could even react.
Ruth whined hysterical y, until Pol y leaned down and hugged her, too.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe it!” she said in a rush. “I had a dream about you last night. It was so weird. I mean I know I’ve never met you before. At least not formal y. But in the dream it was like, I remembered everything. Pol epel, Venice—the whole thing. Was it real y you? I can’t believe it!”
Caitlin couldn’t help smiling back. She was delighted to see Pol y, and even more delighted that she remembered.
“Yes, it was me. It is me. The same old Caitlin. I’m so happy you’re here.”
Pol y embraced her in a second hug. Judging from the stares of al the formal people around them, it seemed that Pol y was breaking etiquette.
“Oh my God, it’s incredible!” she said. “We have so much catching up to do. I have to show you around,” she said, as she grabbed her arm and began to lead her away.
Caitlin stopped and turned to Lily, who seemed disappointed.
“Lily was just about to,” Caitlin explained to Pol y. “I’d like for her to join us.”
“Oh my god, of course!” Pol y said. “Lily is awesome!”
And with that, Pol y locked one arm with Lily and one with Caitlin, practical y dragging the two of them away from the crowd.
They walked towards the huge marble entrance of the palace. Caitlin had never been in such a magnificent place in her life. Not only was everything built in such a grand scale, but everything was so wel -maintained. Everywhere she looked, she saw freshly cut flowers. The floors were draped in magnificent rugs, there were endless wal hangings, tapestries, oil paintings; there were rare china vases.
If that were not enough, huge crystal chandeliers hung everywhere, their light reflected by dozens of ornate mirrors. The sun shone through rows of windows larger any she had ever seen.
The three of them walked so far just to get down one corridor, that her feet already hurt—and there was stil no end in sight.
Pol y had not stopped talking the entire time. Caitlin had never seen her so excited. She went on and on, hardly taking a breath, as she fil ed Caitlin in on everything about the palace, the grounds, Aiden, their training, the Royals, the local gossip, Marie Antoinette—and most of al , her new crush.
She would not mention his name. Al she’d say that he was a singer. A vocalist.
“You have to meet him,” Pol y said, grabbing Caitlin’s wrist in enthusiasm, “oh my God, he’s so amazing. I mean, he can be a little brusque at first, but he doesn’t real y mean it.
It’s just like how he warms up for his art, you know what I mean? I can’t stop thinking about him. I’m real y fal ing for this guy!”
Caitlin examined Pol y’s face, and couldn’t believe it. She had never seen Pol y so in love. She was happy for her.
She was a little worried by the way she described this guy, though. A bit brusque?
No one should be brusque to Pol y, Caitlin thought. She felt the need to check out this guy for herself, to see if he was truly the right one for Pol y. Especial y since Pol y seemed to be so in love.
“I’m so happy for