Outside, the sky promised a fair weather. It was mid June afterall.

We rode in an ordered formation, prince Finnegan riding in front, closely followed by Theresa, Celeste, Violet and Sarah who were struggling for a conversation with the prince.

if only they knew.

"You have that weird smirk on your face." Harriet says, studying my face.

I grin. "Really?"

"Yeah. Usually when that smirk shows up, you're up to no good, Alan. Last time, rats mysteriously showed up in Theresa's room."

My smile widens. "Indeed."

"Yes, indeed, Alan. Indeed. I'm wondering how those rats came about." She sounds satisfied at knowing a secret of mine.

Two can play this game.

"I'm also wondering how a certain girl and my personal bodyguard are-"

Wide-eyed, Harriet clears her throat. "-it's a beautiful day, don't you think?"

Her reaction causes me to throw my head back with laughter ignoring the fact that the girls and some guards eyes me disdainfully.

They can all go to hell.

Whenever was laughing a crime?

Unfortunately, my merry tunes reaches the ears of the impostor crown prince.

He slows his horse until the three of us are riding at the same pace.

"Lady Harriet, Lady Alanna."

|||||||||||

I was quite impressed with the way the Prince easily slid in and out of conversations with all fourteen ladies, because I shot down every of his attempt to speak to me, choosing rather small talk with Harriet, Stella and Bethany.

We exchanged stories about our families and siblings. Harriet was the only child of her parents, both wealthy business owners. Stella was an orphan, both parents having died in a pirate attack at sea. She lived with her foster parents who were equally rich.
Bethany had five sisters but they lived with their widowed father in Kenth, one of our best districts.

There are five major districts in the Kingdom Crystadale; Eastwood, where our Royal Palace is, Adden, our commercial city that has a port for ships, Kenth, residence of the rich families and Eaton, home to the impoverished families.

And so on and so forth.

Back in my room, I waited idly for Symphony to pick an evening gown for me.

Madam Alicia was fussing over some papers, rushing in and out at different times. From gossips flying around, a major event would take place soon.

"Where's Judith?"

Symphony stumbles over nothing while bringing my clothes to me.

"She's been ill."

Her voice sounded unstable and deep within me, I know this illness isn't a minor one.

"Can you take me to her?"

Symphony glances significantly at Madam Alicia's side of the room. I know what she's implying.

"Don't worry about her." I reassure the young girl who nods.

"Tomorrow evening. I have a lot of duties to handle tonight." The droop in her eyes is obvious.

"Are you being overworked?" I question, studying the way her lips tremble slightly. I've been one to study body language and I can tell something is off with my maid.

"N-no, not at all."

Lie.

I however don't press the girl for more details, and instead let her dress me up for dinner.

It's just a simple cerulean gown with bedazzles from the waist downwards.

My face is free from make-up as usual.

After a reassessment by Symphony, I head outside. Isaiah's cheeks redden when he sees me.

Smirking, I follow beside him as we proceed to the dining hall. "Do tell me why you are blushing."

He chuckles. "Nothing, my lady."

"There must be something." My eyes, filled with so much mirth find his own.

He shrugs. "It must be the weather. It's quite cold outside."

"Indeed. Or maybe, let me have a guess-"

"-not another word out of you, my lady."

A wicked grin breaks upon my face but I silence my words. I'll definitely find out the mystery.

"Eastwood is holding a dance night next week Tuesday."

I raise my brow. "Are you trying to mock me?"

He knows how much of a great dancer I am.

Isaiah laughs. "Unfortunately not. I decided you'd need to know. The King always declares a public holiday on the first of August."

"I'm locked up behind these walls, so, I'm afraid no."

"Since when have walls stopped you?"

My brain catches onto what he's implying.

"Are you seriously asking me to sneak outside the palace?" My voice sounds a little more higher than it's normal timbre.

Alarmed, Isaiah slaps a hand over my mouth. Theresa chooses to show her ugly head at this point. Her bodyguard and Celeste eyes us weirdly.

Isaiah's hand drops. "Good evening lady Theresa."

I scoff. The girl doesn't deserve the respect he's giving her.

Theresa eyes me. "You have no shame."

"And you do? For someone who hates me, you find it difficult to stay away from me. Are you obsessed with me?"

Theresa scrunches her nose. "No way."

Celeste touches her shoulder. "Let's just leave before her germs rub on us."

Pathetic.

↭↭↭

Prince Finnegan was present at dinner, hence the struggle for his attention. I wasn't offended that the only seat reserved for me was far away from him.

He started up small talk with the girls closest to him. Theresa, Oakley and Alice.

From here, the real competition would start.

My sole concern this night however is getting my stomach stuffed with food.
I needed to have a little chat with whoever prepared our meals.

They were quite inadequate.

I stayed out of the conversations flying around and no one bothered to drag me in.

Once or twice, I caught the eyes of the prince on me, and from the look in them, he wouldn't let me go that easily.

Which is why, immediately after we're cleared to leave the dining area, I rush to the door, but it's blocked by the prince himself.

"Not so fast, Lady Alanna."

Just great.

Despite the curious gazes on us, he pulls me out of the area, past Isaiah who sneaks a smirk at me before we disappear around the corner.

Immediately, we're away from the girls, I shrug prince Finnegan's hand off. "What the hell?"

"I needed to talk to you."

"You could have asked nicely and not drag me like a caveman."

He snickers. "If I correctly surmise, you have been avoiding my presence."

"No shit." I mumble, earning a deep laugh from him.

What's funny.

"You know your vulgarity irks my brother right?"

An impish grin stretches my lips. "I cherish this new piece of information."

Prince Finnegan shakes his head at me and starts walking ahead, down the corridor. "Follow me."

"Are you taking me to someplace quiet where you can kill me?"

He halts. "You have a very wild imagination, Alanna. I'm not killing you. Yet."

What the-

"Come on. We don't have all night. Remember you owe me two favours."

I frown. "I don't remember owing you anything."

The prince chuckles, holding out his hand. "Exactly."

"You're evil." I growl, stomping past him.

He follows behind, laughing wildly at my displeasure not minding that he startled some of the maids hurrying along.

☜☜☜

What has Alanna gotten herself into?

Lol.

Finnegan just knows how to get on her nerves doesn't he? 😂😂😂