The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Forgetting Him

Slowly, I let out the breath I realized I'd been holding in. My hands were trembling and I tried to calm them, but it was no good. I adjusted my mask where it was tied beneath the updo Gerta had so kindly helped me with, and then straightened my back. Tonight, I would become a princess; there was no going back. It took me a moment to realize the room had suddenly gone silent. Galbatorix must have called all their attentions.

"I have a secret." His velvety and unsettling voice resounded through the large chamber, bouncing back in echoes. "Only a select few were aware of it, but now I think it is time to let the truth reveal itself." With a flourish of his capelet, Léod brushed the curtain aside to a chorus of gasps from the waiting crowd. He walked across the dais to stand beside our father and I felt my heart beating quicker. "May I present to you my son, Prince Léod. The future king of Alagaesia!" The crowd erupted in cheers and claps, filling the ballroom with a thousand voices. It sickened me.

"You must all be wondering about my wife," Galbatorix continued. "She was not known to many of you, but the few who did know her will be grieved to learn that she passed of an illness only a few months ago. I am heartbroken at her loss, but there is a light that still shines. You see, many years ago, Adelaide not only bore me a son, but she also gave birth to a beautiful daughter. The child has been away in the south with her studies, but after her mother's death I insisted she return home, where she belongs. Being a dutiful daughter, she hastened back to my side and is finally home. I present to you, Her Royal Highness, Princess Tabatha." That was my cue...

As gracefully as I could, I swept around the curtain, swishing my skirts and keeping my shoulders straight back. Another chorus of cheers and claps went up from the crowd and I saw all of their eyes trained on me. It was disconcerting to see them all staring at me, but I supposed I had better get used to it. I looked to my left and saw my father smiling brightly and his eyes alight with false happiness behind the black mask he wore. Of course the mask was in the shape of a snarling dragon. He really did play the part of the proud father quite well. Léod was sitting in a smaller throne to the right of the king's, and there was another to the left that sat empty, only a small green cushion resting upon the seat. I knew this one was reserved for me. Murtagh stood behind that throne, Thorn looming up behind him in all his ruby-colored glory. Slowly, I walked across the dais and sat upon the green cushion, keeping my back off the chair and staring out at the crowd.

"Thank you all," Galbatorix continued with a flourish of his hand, "for joining us on this happy occasion. Let the festivities begin!" There was a small orchestra in the upper gallery across from us, and the strings began to sing in their melodious tones, soaring to notes that I hadn't even imagined possible before. Couples started forming out of the mass of people while others retreated to the edges of the rooms, rejoining the groups they'd been chatting with before. There were dresses of all colors and styles, and my head was beginning to hurt from looking at all of them. It seemed the women of the court preferred outlandish styles and bright hues on their gowns. Those dancing in the center of the room twirled about each other as the waltz quickened, the women's skirts swishing against each other to make a sound like the lapping of ocean waves against the shore.

My father suddenly spoke to my right. "It's the opening waltz, Tabatha," he whispered through gritted teeth. "You must dance with Murtagh." I stiffened involuntarily at the thought of having to be sociable with him, but I soon regained my royal countenance.

Looking over at my father with an expression as cold as ice, I said, "Of course, Father. Your wish is my command." Murtagh came around to stand in front of me, having received his orders as well. He bowed deeply and offered me his hand.

"My lady," he said nobly, though his voice was quiet, "may I have the honor of the first dance?" I stood from my seat, making sure to keep my back straight and stared at him with cold indifference.