Half Mad (Sequel to Half Bad)

Chapter 22

"Leah didn't say?"

"No."

"Doesn't it bother you that he might have been in on the whole thing, too?"

I gave him a sharp glare, but he was too used to them-he didn't even falter over his next sentences.

"Cecilia planned it all, right? Make you think you had a family when-"

"Daniel," I finally sighed. "I know just as much as you do. Please, stop with the questions, yeah?"

He frowned a little, but nodded nonetheless. "Okay, yeah. Sorry. I just... I'm inquisitive."

"So technically, it gives me the right to be inquisitive." I raised an eyebrow. "What's with your family?"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Fine. You made your point, Styles."

I laughed some just as a butler-I presumed-called out, "Her Majesty, Queen Leah Styles of the Secret Society of Witches."

Leah waltzed into the room in a grand white dress, the back of it straying at least ten feet behind her. She looked elegant and poised, all while sending the message try me, and you die. She was by all means fierce yet somehow wrapped with compassion.

The setup was coming to a completion when she approached Daniel and I. "You boys look very handsome," she said with a soft smile. "I suppose I should warn you about the many people coming. Most will want to meet you." Her eyes shifted to mine.

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth. "Probably not a good idea. I'm not much of a people's person, so to speak."

She laughed just as the band began their own setup in the far corner of the room.

"How is she?" I asked timidly, not sure if I wanted to know.

But Leah's smile brightened. "Excellent. I believe I solved the issue. I'd like to see her tomorrow as well, to make sure." I nodded and she placed a hand on my arm, her smile still wide. "She should be down soon."

With that, she greeted Daniel right when the butler announced the first arriving guests. I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to be doing. It's not like I was born in the Middle Ages with the maximum knowledge of royal celebrations. I hardly even know how our own society works.

Who even knew all of us belonged to the Secret Society of Witches? Who even knew that existed?

I'm suddenly overwhelmed by the idea that I might actually have to learn how things work around here.

The butler announced the arrival of some duke of some town that I didn't care to remember. Probably a bad attitude to have for the "prince", I assumed, but it was true. And when he strode up to me, I nearly forgot what his name was.

"Your Highness," he said in a gruff voice, dipping into a bow. I almost laughed at how awkward the whole ordeal was. "It's such a great honor to know you have returned to your rightful place."

Daniel was already stifling laughter beside me, looking half constipated and half sun-burnt.

"Um, yeah. Thanks." I reached my hand out to which he looked at, completely baffled. He took it uncertainly, causing for a really weird handshake. I pulled my hand away and stuffed it in my pocket. "Sorry. New at all this."

He gave a curt nod, before blinking his confusion away. I was grateful when a elder woman waved him over to her.

The ballroom was filling up in no time, everyone and their mother seeming to be here. Everyone except Rose, who was seemingly still upstairs. I would be lying if I were to say I wasn't anxious. I'd never seen Rose in anything other than a t-shirt and jeans. Surely a dress would merely intensify her beautiful rather than degrade it.

Not that I minded either way. She was beautiful no matter her clothes.

I was thankful for Aiden, Daniel, and Jessie, who hung around me majority of the time. A few girls seemed to take interest in the lot of us, but it was to their dismay that I was waiting for someone. The other three seemed glad to take the girls for a dance around the room.

As if God himself willed it, a slow song came on just as Rose walked into the room. Like some scene from an overly sappy movie, she was there with the soft sound of a piano soothing everyone from overhead. Her eyes caught might and she smiled-a large smile that suddenly made everything in the world perfect.

A white floor-length dress adorned her small figure, as if highlighting her purity. Her hair was pulled up, white flowers tucked inside the strands. She was stunning in every way of the meaning. I almost didn't even realize she was standing right in front of me because I had been so caught up in the whirlwind of her beauty.

"Wow," she breathed, looking at me with those bright brown eyes. "Never thought I'd see the day Harry Styles let someone put him in a suit."

"Don't get used to it," I only half-joked.

Without needing words, Rose took my hand and dragged me out onto the floor. I was no dancer. Absolutely no way would anyone ever get me to dance. And yet here I was, Rose's arms around my neck and mine around her waist. Albeit it was swaying, our feet still glided around the floor in ease.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, the remembrance of her nearly attacking me coming to mind.

She looked sheepish. "Fine, I guess. A little headache, but at least I'm not killing anyone."

I gave her a look.

She chuckled. "You're right. Bad time to jinx myself."

I pulled her closer to me in which she responded with her head on my shoulder. "You do look really beautiful, Rose."

"I give you a nine out of ten," she teased.

"Well, then I take it back. You're an eight out of ten."

She grinned. "I'll take it."

I took the chance to press our smiling lips together, which resulted in Rose laughing. Nothing was really funny. Maybe it was because of all we'd been through, we survived everything. That was somewhat funny, considering all the odds against us. Yes, I could laugh in gratitude at the fact that we were alive.

The song ended, but Rose and I hardly moved, merely stepped out of the way of everyone else. It was nice to see her smiling so much, to see her talking so quickly about everyone else's outfits. She was genuinely ecstatic with the whole idea of this being the closest she would ever get to medieval times. Her obsession with that era was still a mystery to me.

Right when I was about to ask her about it, a man yelled from across the room, capturing everyone's attention. I was alert immediately, figuring it must be someone with the intentions of attacking. I had never once heard someone yell aloud when they weren't in danger.

But this man was simply drunk, laughing like he had absolutely no care in the world. "Long live the queen!" he yelled in a slurred tone, everyone hollering back in agreement before erupting in laughter.

My tense form slowly relaxed, but even Rose looked a bit frightened by my side. It would take getting used to, no doubt. I had to keep reminding myself that we were all safe. As safe as we could be, anyways. We had guards and steel palace gates caging us in a hole of safety.

I suppose old habits die hard, however, because I was not so easily swayed.

And it was soon proved that I was in my right to remain wary.

(okay, so I lied a little. The next chapter will be the last chapter and then the epilogue. or maybe not. who even knows with me anymore. surprises are bound to come, though. like the fact I hit 18k followers...!! thank you all so much. it's beyond my knowledge how supportive you all are. love you lots xx)