IMPORTANT; MUST READ

HI GUYS; You don't have to read this. Personally, I recommend you skip it. Skip to chapter 10 if you don't want to read this corny part of the book.

I held my head high before entering the dining room. From what I could tell, most of the court members were there. They all looked up as I entered.

The queen stood up and announced, "This is my son's betrothed, Ms. Aeryn Evans,"

Everybody stared as I took the seat right next to Sebastian's. Many girls looked at me with jealousy burning in their eyes and three gave me harsh glares. I kept my cool. Many of the young lords winked at me but I ignored them. One of them stood up, "My name is Cassian," he introduced himself. One by one everyone introduced themselves. One particular "lady" however looked a bit sad stood up and introduced herself as "Lady Shayna Adair." Before she sat down, however, she sent Sebastian a small smile and a look of admiration. He returned it. This was the first time I saw him smiled. My heart clenched as she glanced at me and smirked. I smiled back though honestly, anyone could tell it was fake.

An awkward silence filled the room as I sip my tea. One of the older ladies observed me, another gave a glare, and another, however, smiled slightly. Throughout the whole meal, it was either Shayna or Sebastian starting a conversation with each other. I'm sure everybody noticed but I pretended like I didn't care. I could tell that she was smart, lady-like, and as much as I don't like to admit it, she was perfect for him. 

The day flew by as I was learned a little more about each courtier. Before I could excuse myself to my room, Shayna spoke up, "We must have a royal ball to welcome the newest member of the court shall we." She smirked.

I gritted my teeth but forced a smile on my face. Crap, I was always teased about how I step on my partner's feet. I mentally face-palmed myself. What the fuck was I suppose to do? Many of the courtiers looked at Shayna in approval. 

"What do you think?" one of the ladies turned to me. If I remembered correctly, her name was Lady Diane something, Sebasti--I mean the prince's cousin. I remembered Marlee once telling me that they were quite close. Surprisingly, Carter and Marlee have been here before, under Shira's orders. Good thing no one knows my true identity. Well, except for the queen.

I just nodded at her. I was fine with the idea if I didn't have to dance. But I have to. Bummer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later in the evening, before the ball, Agnes was helping me get ready. Turns out she was working for the queen and was to be my personal maid. Agnes helped me into a strapless dark blue dress before zipping the back. I looked in the mirror. The dress was simple yet elegant. Just the way I liked it. Problem was, I could not breathe at all. I mean at all. 

"Is this dress suppose to let you breathe?" I asked, wheezing.

"No," Agnes confirmed, looking slightly amused.

"Okay," I replied, nerves filling my whole body. I mean, I suck at dancing. I literally always stepped on my partner's feet. If not Carter's.

As I entered the ballroom, I could feel several ladies accessing me, observing and judging me from head to toe. I ignored them. At that moment, the band started to play and dance partners filled the dance floor. 

"Would you like to dance?" I faced a young, handsome lord with his head bowed and a hand outstretched. If I recalled correctly, his name was Cassian.

"Of course," I replied as Cassian looked at me and grinned. "But I have to warn you that I have two left feet."

He looked at me for a moment before he burst out laughing. I felt offended.

"What?" I asked, a smile growing on my face by the second.

"Nothing," he answered quickly, trying to stifle his chuckles in his hand, his eyes brimmed with mischief. I took his hand as he led me to the dance floor. Suddenly, soft music started to play.

Just as we were about to dance, a rough hand clamped down on Cassian's shoulders.

"I'll be dancing with her," Sebastian growled as he shoved Cassian to the side. Without even waiting for my response he put his hand on my waist and took my hand in his. We twirled around the ballroom. I couldn't help but think about how I was bound to step on his feet sooner or later.

However, I never got to step on his foot. The song ended too soon. I let a small frown appear on my face as Shayna danced with Sebastian for the majority of the time. I danced with all nearly all the males in the ballroom, including Cassian who looked a little shaken up by what his precious king did, yet amusement shone beneath the walls. I gave him a reassuring smile that it was going to be okay. He was with Shayna for crying out loud.

I ignored the glares he gave when I danced with another male and also ignored the hurt I felt when he danced with Shayna or other girls. Why on Alythia was I feeling this way? I forced a cool mask on my face. 

All of a sudden, the music changed to a slow one and the crowd formed a ring around Sebastian and Shayna. I swallowed hard as I faced away. I didn't need to look to know that they were staring at each other with admiring gazes. 

I tried as quietly as I could to escape the room but before I could, the queen stopped me by putting a hand on my arm. I ignored her sympathetic smile and excused myself from the room, oblivious to the fact that the music stopped and a particular person was staring at the back of my head.

Tossing and turning, the night rushed by before my very eyes, meaning that I didn't close them the entire night. Agnes came in and together we tried to put on skin concealer to cover the darkness beneath my eyes. 

On top of that, some girls threw me smirks along the way to the dining room. I gave them a murderous glare. If looks could kill, those girls would wish they never crossed paths with me, considering that before they die, they would experience some major pain. My shitty face may have shone on my face as when Cassian came up to greet me before we went inside, he gave me a funny look.

"What?" I snapped, not in the mood for anything really.

He put both hands up in surrender, chuckling. 

"You might want to wipe out that scowl on your face before you enter," He gestured towards the door that led to the dining room. 

I did just that, forcing a fake smile on my face. 

As we entered the dining room, Shayna spoke up, "Hey Aeryn, come over here for a minute." She beckoned me towards a table group filled with nearly all the females from the court. 

"So Lady Aeryn, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?" Shayna rested her chin on both of her hands, both of her elbows propped on the table.

My mind swirled with imaginative stories. 

I smirked. " Well, what's there to say? I know quite a lot of people from so many places, in all four kingdoms. " I didn't add the word "realms." Very few people were able to travel to the five realms in this world. Including anyone who royalty blood running through their veins. They could easily identify my true identity.

Shayna gave her own malicious signature smirk. "So you must go to the Pub located at the center of all kingdoms right? To do your business there." Most of the girls chuckled. Diane looked disgusted, either directed at me or Shayna was unknown. The silence in the room remained, most courtiers sent me a glance, wondering who I would respond. Even the beloved prince paused, his cup of tea raised to his lips.

"Yes I do," I admitted then mirrored her smirk. "To go visit your mom."

Her face fell into an ugly scowl. Lady Diane laughed out loud, including Cassian who was struggling to compose himself. The queen looked amused, glancing back from me and Shayna. 

The queen cleared her throat. "Before we continue, I would like to pray to the high court for the rest of us who accompanied my daughter on her journey. May they bless her safety." 

I frowned in curiosity. She had a daughter? I was more than one hundred percent positive that no one knew that there was a princess. 

I rolled my eyes as Shayna excused herself. Since I came a little later than the rest of them, of course, she was one of the first to finish her meal. 

My eyes met hers's and a silent message conveyed like a silent promise.

This was not over yet.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MUST-READ

Hi guys, please read this before continuing. I apologize for my lack of skills and ideas. This book was created from fragments of my dream and my "imaginary" world. Thank you for supporting me. Taryn's time with Sebastian will be put into bits of each chapter when they recall a memory they shared later on in the book. Special thanks to my supporters. I would love to receive more readers and votes so please tag if you can. Thanks again!