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I smiled at the memory, recalling with ease the occasion—Curtis and I had been racing, and I had attempted to leap my horse over a hedge after Curtis. But my steed had stopped short, and I had been flipped out of the saddle and landed on my backside in the hedge’s brambles, my arms and legs waving pathetically out of the top until I had been rescued by Curtis, laughing fit to burst.
Curtis. I would be seeing him soon. I tried to remember the lines I had been rehearsing. Preparing to apologize. Beg for his forgiveness for my having been such a terrible friend. For ignoring him when he needed me most. To congratulate him on his engagement.
Memories from my youth came flooding back as our carriage trundled up the path, clattering on towards the gleaming front doors. Music swelled louder and louder as we drew closer to the entrance. The carriage wasn’t moving forward smoothly anymore, but stopping and starting again as we waited for girls in coaches at the head of the queue to exit and mount the steps.
My eyes drifted onto the faces of the guards lining the path, standing at attention. Most faces I did not recognize, though a few were familiar. I nudged Comfort and nodded toward one of the men, whom Comfort used to dance with in years past. She blushed but waved merrily out of the window at him, whose eyes stayed fixed ahead, staying stationary as guards were supposed to, no matter what.
And finally, it was our turn to descend the few stairs from our carriage and follow the other swishing skirts and corseted figures traipsing into the castle. Mother and Comfort ascended the front castle steps gracefully and swept inside ahead of me. I hung back, nervous about entering such a lavish celebration. For so long, I had avoided social gatherings, embarrassed about my appearance. I knew just how large of a mass of people that would be cloistered in that ballroom. My nerves screamed at me to retreat, but as I reflected on the letters from Curtis, I knew I had to go through with my decision to come.
I drew as deep a breath as I could, with my ribs being constricted by my corset, and entered the doors. It was even more beautiful than I had remembered. Flowers in vases were set on tables at intervals along the long corridor ahead. Massive oil paintings of previous royalty, scenes from our nation’s history, and of great battles hung on the walls. I had never appreciated the intricate detail in each unique piece of art before this moment.
My footsteps were soft on the purple carpet as I trailed after several groups of giggling girls, each expressing her eagerness for meeting Prince Hubert and hoping that she would be chosen for his bride. A faint smile touched my lips as I remembered Prince Hubert, unsmiling, stiffly leading his dance partners through a series of dance steps. But perhaps he had changed. After all, it had been years ago.
Then I wondered again if Curtis would be inside the ballroom that was looming closer and closer. Just before entering the doors, I hesitated, thinking of turning and talking a walk before forcing myself to have the conversation I knew I had to have, but another swarm of girls coming in from behind me pressed against me, and I was pushed inside.
CHAPTER 45
Mother and Comfort had already disappeared, eager to see old friends and make new acquaintances. I couldn’t think of any friends besides Curtis from my years in the castle, and surely he would be attending to Aria or else managing a large group of giggling girls, intent on meeting a prince, any prince. I was surprised at how relatively few girls were there. It was still crowded, and I recognized many people from my village, but it seemed to only be a couple hundred people in the castle, far fewer than every maiden in the kingdom.
I meandered along the perimeter of the room, listening to the orchestra, and watching all the dancing couples. I saw the king and queen, greeting an endless queue of people. I idly picked up a plate of grapes, cheese and pastries, and nibbled at the refreshments as I watched couples whirl by.
“Miss Truly?” a voice called behind me. I turned, and to my surprise found one of my former languages students, now a good foot and a half taller than when I saw him last. I only barely recognized him.
“Archie, is that you?” I asked incredulously. It looked like he was coming for a hug, but I wasn’t sure if we were going to hug or shake hands, and we ended up shaking hands at uncomfortably close quarters.
Fortunately, that was as awkward as it got. Archie, it transpired, had gone on to fill my seat as a court linguist. “All thanks to you and your endless patience during my boyhood!” he joked jovially.
There was no envy; I was genuinely glad for his success. I inquired about his family and travels as a delegate.
“How did you like the Avivian palace when you first saw it?” I asked, wondering if he had the same level of awe that I still recollected so well.
“Breathtaking!” he said fervently. “I never knew such beauty could exist in a building.”
“And how is your sister? Anastasia, right?”
He nodded. “She is very well, thank you. She still talks fondly of the day she helped you and Prince Curtis dig a pit, camouflaged it, and lured Prince Hubert into it.”
I laughed. I remembered that day too. “Give her my best wishes.”
“I beg your pardon?” The music was loud, and it was difficult to hear each other.
“I said, give her my best wishes!”
“I will!” Archie inclined his head to a door. “May we continue our conversation in the halls?”
I followed him, glad to have a reason to escape from the noise and crowd of people, most of whom were staring pointedly away from me and my ugly face.
“I heard Hubert broke his engagement to Aria,” I pressed when we were out in the halls. In truth, I now felt more like the pupil as Archie strode beside me, anxious as I was for the information he had.
“It was a mutual decision to part ways,” Archie said smoothly. I smiled inwardly, reminding myself of all the times I had to adjust my speech to make the ugly affair of royalty lives seem more glamorous and glossed over.
“So, an unmitigated disaster then?” I grinned.
“Ah, Lady Truly, you are wise beyond your years!” Archie chuckled. “Our country’s crown prince and Crown Princess Aria are… not soul mates.”
I laughed out loud at this point, and pitied whatever girl Hubert did end up marrying one day, if he did get married at all. ‘Although,’ I thought to myself, ‘there is many a girl who wouldn’t care what her husband was like, so long as she was queen.’ I shuddered to think of a marriage like that. After seeing my parents so in love for all my childhood, I was in no rush to marry anyone who wasn’t a perfect fit. A best friend.
I was just about to ask Archie about Curtis and Aria, but an official looking man with a curly beard stepped into the hall and caught sight of us. He looked down his nose to me, then turned, dismissing me from what he had to say to Archie, “Pardon my interruption, but His Majesty, the King requires your assistance.” Archie inclined his head in thanks, suddenly much more business-like and grown up.
