Chapter Twenty-Five

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Chapter Twenty-Five

The ballroom was several times larger than the banquet hall on the second floor. I had only entered it twice when Clarice failed to teach me how to dance. But this… This…

It was spectacular and terrifying all at once.

Hundreds of people of all shapes and sizes milled about the lavish room. Women in vibrant gowns and dark, demure colors passed by me. And I could only gawk like an idiot at their beauty. Many of them were foreign, but others were from Aria. I spotted women from the northern countries dressed in black and purple. The men were dressed in various styles of suits, though the women far outshined them.

My shock dimmed when I saw Frilly; she was wearing her usual magenta shade of dress. Was it even legal to have a dress that pink? I cringed as she spun in the arms of a nobleman. I did not want to deal with that woman after what we had been through.

The chandeliers above lit the marble flooring with a decadent glow, while the torches on the wall provided light for the musicians in the back of the room. A snack table was provided near the front as usual. This time, however, there were no meal tables. I reminded myself that this wasn’t a banquet. This was a ball.

Clarice grabbed my arm and waltzed me into the ballroom like the world didn’t matter. “Ooo.” Her eyes traveled to a young man staring placidly back at her. “Hey, Lannie,” she whispered over my shoulder. “Since they haven’t announced the marriage yet, it wouldn’t hurt to dance with these men, right?”

“I wouldn’t push your mother, Clarice. She’s capable of dangerous things.” Like murdering the entire royal family, I didn’t say. I wanted greatly to tell her about Odelia and Cicero, but the words wouldn’t come. She wouldn’t believe me, anyway. The only thing I could do was wait for a chance to talk with Philippa or Titus.

“But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” Clarice begged, her emerald eyes wide with anticipation.

Who was I? Her mother? She was actually asking if she could dance with men when she was unofficially engaged to Titus. I had a mind to tell her “yes” just to tick Odelia off, but then I realized that—if we did survive tonight—approving Clarice’s dance would be suicide. I steered her to a relatively quiet alcove of the ballroom. “How about we make a rule?” I waited until I had her full attention. “You are only to dance with men who look above twenty-seven.”

Her mouth dropped. “What? Twenty-seven? That’s something only you would do!”

“No I wouldn't!” I gripped the skirt of my dress to keep from slapping her. “As I’ve been told, it’s common courtesy for the duchess’ daughter to dance with the guests. But with younger men, you dance inappropriately. As your tutor, I say that you are only to dance with older men.”

Clarice’s cheeks reddened. “I do not dance inappropriately!”

“From the way I see it, yes you do.”

“Well, then you’re blind,” she seethed.

“Not blind enough to see through your obvious indecencies!”

Clarice clenched her fists together. “Say that again and I’ll—”

“Good evening, ladies.” A dashing young man stopped in front of us and bowed, interrupting the possibility of a murderous battle.

Broken from her trance of anger, Clarice curtsied. I hurried to follow suit; with the considerable amount of layers in my dress, curtsying was difficult. I had a mind to take a knife from one of the tables and shear the layers off, but that would probably be highly unladylike.

The man grinned at us, his kind brown eyes sparkling. I studied him skeptically. The Orandine was a shapeshifter, so could it be this man? Or was the Orandine disguised as a woman? It was impossible to tell—it could be anyone!

At that moment, the musicians in the back began to play a slow piece. “Would one of you ravishing young ladies take my offer to start the first dance?”

Clarice turned to me with a smile so devilishly bright that I knew she was plotting something only a hellish fiend would. “I’m taken, unfortunately, but Lady Lannie would love to dance with you.”

She even added “Lady” to my name to indicate that I was a noble. You little… The young man turned to me with a smile, clearly happy to find a dance partner. I didn’t have time for this. I needed to be looking out for Odelia and her cursed emissary. “Sorry, but I actually have something to attend to, so I can’t—”

“Nonsense!” Clarice gripped my arm with the force of an ape. She turned on me, plastering that too-bright smile on her face. “You are free to dance, Lady Lannie,” she said through her smile.

I smiled back at her. “No, Lady Clarice, I am not. I have things to do, you know,” I reminded her sweetly. “You, however, seem perfectly capable of dancing.”

“He’s obviously not over twenty-seven,” she sang in a whisper, while the man waited patiently with a smile.

“He very well could be,” I cooed, my voice quiet enough to where the man wouldn’t hear. “Why don’t you ask him?”

“Now that would just be rude, Lady Lannie. I don’t know him well enough for that. But if you dance with him, I’m sure you can ask him!”

“Ask me what?” The man’s smile was so innocent that I felt guilty for a moment. Then I remembered the conflict at hand.

I decided to do what I did best. “My lord, you will have to excuse me. I am truly feeling unwell, so I have no intention of dancing tonight. But Lady Clarice would be delighted to accompany you!”

And with that, I ripped my arm from Clarice’s grasp and made a straight escape for the snack table. The man must have thought I was some rude Nor girl because I forgot to curtsy. Out of curiosity, I glanced over my shoulder to see Clarice giving me a glare that heated the entire room as the man led her to the dancing floor.

Well, at least that was out of the way.

I let out a sigh of relief and proceeded to hide myself within the throng of guests. The variety of people present in the room was amazing. Dark-skinned women from Balua wore mute colors like pale pinks, pastel blues, and pearly whites. On the other hand, women from Nor dressed in bright reds and greens and purples and talked animatedly with one another.

I avoided a particularly rambunctious group of Norian women. Upon my approach, they snickered to themselves about something that was beyond me. Probably how my blue pendant didn’t match my dress. I didn’t care, though. I needed to be looking for Cicero, not paying attention to giggling Norians.

The massive number of people made me grow faint for a moment. I retired to an empty lounge on the side, obscured from the public eye by a pillar. I took a deep breath. I needed to focus. Cicero was here somewhere, lurking like the snake he was. Odelia was present, but her talkative demeanor made me doubt whether or not she was part of this…plot. Besides, I didn’t have proof that she was part of it. Maybe I was making an irrational conclusion?

“Psst, Lannie!”

At first, I thought it was my own mind creating the illusion of someone whispering my name, but I quickly realized that the sound had come from behind the couch. I stood, examined my surroundings, and discreetly made my way around the lounge. Before I had a chance to react, a hand shot out and tugged me behind it.

“What—” I stopped.

This wasn’t happening.

Low and behold, the Crown Prince of Aria was cowering in the cramped space behind the couch. And I was stuck with him. In his best attire of blue and white clothing fit for royalty, this scene almost brought me to the point of laughter. Titus looked at me pleadingly. “Lannie, I need your help.”

I forced myself to keep a straight face. “Is there a reason you’re behind the exact couch I was sitting in?”

He paused. “I may or may not have crept over here while you were sitting down.”

I stared at him. The prince’s expression was stoic. “Okay, what is it? Do you need help tying a shoelace or something?”

“No, this is serious.”

I tried to gauge what Titus meant by “serious.” Did he know what Odelia was plotting? What if he believed me when I told him about—

“It’s the girls!”

My hopes were relentlessly crushed in one moment. I glared at him. “What about them? I swear, if you dragged me behind this dusty couch just so you could ask me to tell a girl you like her, then there will be some serious consequences.”

A confused look crossed the prince’s face. “What? No! I don’t want to dance with any of them, so can you—”

“No, no, and no. You’re the Crown Prince. I thought you were experienced with these kinds of things!”

“My mother let me off the hook for several years because I requested it,” he explained, keeping his voice low so that the guests of the castle didn’t overhear. “I wasn’t forced to dance with any of them until last year.”

“Then you’ve had a year of practice!” This was exasperating. He was acting like a child, and I needed to do more important things. Like warn him about Odelia…

“But this is the first ball we’ve had in two years. And I just… These women are so… so…” Titus struggled for words. I heard the rumble of a coming windstorm outside the castle. I scowled. There weren’t supposed to be windstorms in Aria tonight.

Finally, Titus exclaimed angrily, “Clingy! They’re so clingy and I can’t stand it. I don’t like them—women, I mean. Or, er, I don’t mean—” An alarmed look crossed his face. “You don’t count—nor does my mother—but I just…” He exhaled and rubbed a hand over his face.

“So,” I started, “does that mean I’m not a woman?”

He smiled, clearly noting my sarcasm. “No, it doesn’t.” The boy sat back against the wall, his legs drawn up to his chest. He looked so small and fragile, as if the world would crush him with one single blow. He gave me a sidelong glance. “Will you accompany me, Lannie? Just for tonight. You don’t have to dance. Well, you might, but…”

I sighed and crossed my legs in an unladylike manner. If I could keep an eye on Titus, I could offer him some sort of protection, although it wouldn’t be much, seeing as I was weaponless. He needed to know about Odelia, Cicero, and the Orandine. Being his partner was the best way to reveal that information. “Fine, but I have to tell you something and you must promise to listen to me.”

His smile was that of relief. “I promise.”

                                                ————————

“It’s clear!” I told Titus after I checked the area in front of the couch.

With a swift move, Titus exited the cover of the lounge and stood. I followed after, but my grace was not as perfected as Titus’ had been. I was as refined as a baboon, crawling out from behind the couch. A passing noblewoman gave me a look filled with horror at my unladylike display.

I needed to act quickly. “Oh, I found my earring!” I exclaimed, picking up a nonexistent piece of jewelry from the ground and attaching it to my earlobe as I stood. It was then that I realized I wasn’t wearing earrings. Oh great… She turned away with a scoff. Frustration burned inside of me, but I silenced it when Titus approached.

“What is it you wanted to tell me?”

I looked around for a quiet place, but the music combined with the chattering of nobles was far from desirable. “Is there a quieter place we could speak?”

Titus thought for a moment. “Not exactly. My mother and father expect me to be here when they announce the marriage.”

As he said it, the doors opened to reveal the king and queen. The guests bowed and curtsied to them as they passed. I spotted Odelia in the background of bowing guests, her chin held high. I did not see Cicero, however, but I was sure he was close by.

Titus and I were behind a pillar, concealed from the sight of nobles, including women. It would be fine if I told him here, wouldn’t it? Even with Odelia right there…

“You can tell me as we dance,” he suggested.

I looked at him to see if he was joking, but his face proved otherwise. I sighed. Every fiber of my being was protesting, but he needed to know of Odelia’s treachery before something terrible happened. “Very well.”

After the guests had settled down over the arrival of the Royals, Titus led me onto the floor. Other couples were dancing, and I spotted Clarice waltzing with a different man. Who looked younger than twenty-seven. With blond hair and an obnoxiously bright smile.

Ugh. It was Lucan. So much for ordering her around…

Titus guided me into a dance, instructing me as we went along. I still had no knowledge of dancing, but I was beginning to think that it wasn’t as bad as I’d thought it to be.

Once the couples crowded around us, I felt free to speak—or as free as I could be in a horde of perfumed, pompous human beings. “Titus, it’s about Odelia,” I said in a low voice, loud enough for only him to hear me. “I think she’s plotting to overthrow the crown. I don’t know what she has planned, but I fear that it involves harming you, your mother, and the king. Actually, I don’t think she wants you dead.”

Titus tripped, but quickly recovered. The shock remained on his face. “What? Lannie, don’t kid around. I know you hate her—”

“I do not hate her,” I snapped. “I saw Cicero and a cloaked man talking behind the cathedral yesterday. This cloaked man was the man who shapeshifted into the Orandine.” The prince stared at me in disbelief. “Cicero wanted the Royals dead at his feet before the ball was over.” I let the information sink in. “Think. Cicero is Odelia’s emissary,” I said. “Who do you think he’s taking orders from?”

Titus was silent for a long time. “But that’s… It just isn’t possible.”

I knew he wouldn’t believe me. “Please trust me, Titus. I know what I heard. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

He sighed. “I know you wouldn’t lie to me.” The prince twirled me, causing my crimson skirt to fan out. “That’s why I’m shocked. But you… Do you have any proof of Odelia’s betrayal?”

I hesitated. “No, I don’t. The only proof I have is a mere assumption. And I could be wrong,” I said. “But I don’t want to take any chances. If she is truly plotting against everyone, then you have all the more reason to be afraid.”

The prince nodded as the music picked up tempo. “I still can’t believe she would do something like that. My mother’s known Odelia for a long, long time…” His face was sober. “Has she really been living a lie this entire time?”

At that moment, we jumped into a cheerful trot, which involved switching partners. “Just be careful tonight, Titus,” I told him as I switched off to another partner. “Something terrible is going to happen tonight if we’re not ready.”

He gave me a nod of affirmation and waltzed with the next woman. I was surprised that he didn’t seem nervous when he danced with the girl. Well, that was one step further, I supposed.

When the time for the entertainment arrived, I had lost sight of Titus. I looked around for him, but the only Royals I could see were Odelia, Philippa, and the king, all seated comfortably on a large lounge and talking animatedly to the guests across from them. Odelia was perched innocently on the couch as she sipped the glass of wine she took from a side table. I wondered briefly what they could possibly be talking about, but when Odelia looked in my direction with a disapproving glare, I guessed the subject was on me.

The young man from earlier approached me, but I quickly evaded his friendly aura by diving into the crowd. He probably thought I had lied about dancing. But it didn’t really matter. I couldn't care less about the boys in this room.

Except for Titus. Where was he?

I made my way to the side of the ballroom when the entertainers arrived. There was a significant lack of nymphs, I noticed. Thank goodness. We don’t need any of that tonight. I tried to spot Clarice in the crowd, but was unable to find her. She wasn’t the one I was worried about, however.

The music became excitable as the jesters in the center juggled and danced. I couldn’t find a single familiar soul in this foreign crowd. If I asked Philippa or the king where Titus was, wouldn’t Odelia become suspicious?

Finally, I spotted Titus leaning against a pillar, conversing with a familiar, gaudy girl in red. Despite the implications of our meeting, I approached them, weaving through the audience to reach the prince. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was Mini Frilly speaking with Titus. I didn’t see her mother anywhere. Apparently, the two were having a lovely conversation about silence, silence, and more silence. The awkwardness between them was palpable, but the entertainment seemed to be a good distraction for both of them.

I broke into their silent conversation. “Where were you?” I whispered to Titus, glancing at Mini Frilly, who was now too immersed in the fire jugglers to notice me. “If you’re trying to give me a heart attack, then you’ve nearly succeeded.”

“Nearly?” He put a hand to his heart in mock surprise. “Why, thank you for worrying about me. Are you alright, Lady Lannie?”

I rolled my eyes and whacked his shoulder. “Knock it off.”

At that, Mini Frilly turned to me with a squeak. “Ah, I—I must be off then.” She curtsied to the prince and disappeared in the crowd without another word.

Was I really that frightening? The crowd burst into applause as the entertainment went on. After the troupe exited, the musicians started playing. This went on for several hours, entering into the far reaches of the night. All the while, I kept a keen eye on Titus and Odelia. The prince was content to stay next to me on a lounge, using me as an excuse to decline dances. Odelia, on the other hand, was chatting with every passing person. I didn’t see Cicero anywhere, so he must have been waiting for the chance to…

I sighed. Maybe I had been worrying about nothing after all. There were so many guards here—it would be nearly impossible for the Royals to be attacked.

And maybe Odelia was innocent? What if she had been forced into something by Cicero? I still didn’t see how she would accomplish anything if she was walking around and conversing with everyone. She was acting normal, just like all the guests in the room, foreign or not.

I jumped when a voice said something. I had been so lost in thought that I didn’t realize the king was standing right in front of me.

“Your Majesty.” I rose to curtsy, but he waved his hand.

“I’m feeling rather faint today,” he explained to the prince, “so I will retire early. Tell your mother that I will still walk with her later tonight.”

“Of course, Father.”

King Gavin turned to me with a smile. “Have a nice night, Ms. Brackenbury,” he said with a bow of his head before exiting the ballroom. Nigh on a dozen guards followed him, so I was sure he would be safe from attack.

I frowned. “Is your father okay?”

“No,” he said, looking in the direction of his father’s exit. “He’s been unwell for some time now. Mother is worrying her head off.”

“Yes, she is,” I conceded. I touched my pendant out of habit, only to find that it exhibited a soft warmth. It must have been the heat from the air. It was indeed warm in the ballroom. But something twisted in my gut. Was this a premonition of something bad to come? “I suppose you should go tell your mother about the walk.”

The prince sighed, rising to his feet. “I suppose so.” He exited into the throng of guests, heading to the lounge in which Odelia and Philippa sat. My interest was drawn to the casual way that Odelia spoke with Philippa. Was

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