Ladislaya zipped up Wren's dress. 'Gorgeous,' she announced. 'Splendid. The flair of a princess.'
'It's tight,' Wren said, trying to breathe in her dress. 'God, it's uncomfortable. I can hardly breathe in this thing.
'You'll get used to it,' Ladislaya said, patting her on the shoulder. 'But in the meantime, just live in the moment.'
Wren raised an eyebrow. 'Live in the moment of what?'
At that moment, Rafe hurled himself out of the bathroom dressed in a light beige coat half tucked into his trousers. Wren caught a glimpse of him in Ladislaya's hand mirror.
'You're actually going to the ball in that?' she asked. 'Not judging,' she added hastily.
'Yeah I am,' Rafe said, looking down at his outfit. 'Nothing wrong with it, I hope?'
The door to the bathroom opened and Jake came out, stepping beside Rafe in a frilly black and white suit, looking disgruntled.
'I look like a tortoise who gave up on himself,' he said.
'Don't worry about it, it's just a matter of time,' Ladislaya said. 'Anyway, we're all going, so you don't have to worry about people staring at you.'
Jake plucked a frill from his tie. 'It's frilly, and it's got ruffles!' He turned to Rafe, as if realising he was just there. 'You're going in that?' he asked in bewilderment.
'I don't have a suit, mate,' Rafe said.
'Anything's better than this,' Jake said, scowling at his own suit. 'Why couldn't I get a proper suit?'
'Because we couldn't find one in the closet, remember?' Wren said obligingly. 'Quit whining. It'll just be a few hours in the ball, no more. We'll be in to find the mirror or any clues if there is, and we'll be out.'
They'd let Rafe in on their plan. So far, he knew everything about Nicaea Valdis and what Wren, Jake and Ladislaya wanted to do at the ball.
'Are you sure about this though Carrots?' Ladislaya whispered in Wren's ear anxiously as they departed for the ball. They were at the back of a cab.
'About going to the ball and risking our lives there? Yeah, pretty much am,' Wren said. 'Hopefully.'
'No, I mean - telling Rafe all this stuff about - well, everything.'
Wren didn't say anything for a while. The truth was, she didn't know Rafe enough to trust him, but what other choice did she have? Besides, they already had told Rafe everything so the damage was done.
They arrived at the front gates of the Palace of Iridia. Wren's heart began hammering in her chest wildly. Lights brightened up the palace grounds and the entire palace was slightly bigger than Argonian's. The crowd swarmed around them as they made their way to the palace entrance.
'Must be an Iridian ball,' Rafe said thoughtfully.
'What's that supposed to mean?' Wren asked.
'All Iridians are invited to the ball,' he told her.
'So are we allowed to be here?'
'Never thought about it,' Rafe said, surfing his way through the crowd. 'Perhaps. Just keep a low profile and you'll be fine.'
They approached a plump-looking guard at the entrance of the palace who was chewing on gum. He turned to them abruptly. 'Name?'
'Rafe Blackthorne,' Rafe said pleasantly.
'You?' the security barked at Wren.
'Er -'
'Fake name, fake name,' Rafe muttered in her ear.
'Uh - Wallenby,' Wren said unthinkingly, saying the first word that crossed her mind.
Rafe raised an eyebrow. So did the guard.
'I mean,' Wren corrected herself, 'Wallenby's my surname. My name,' she said loudly, 'is Kelly. Kelly Wallenby.'
Now she'd said her made-up full name out loud, she realised how stupid it sounded. Beside her, Jake snorted.
'And you, mister?' snapped the guard.
'Erm - Emmett Hale,' he said hastily.
'You?' the guard spat at Ladislaya, positively snarling now.
'Penelope,' squeaked Ladislaya.
'Penelope what?'
Ladislaya froze for at least ten seconds.
'Everson, sir,' Rafe said, extremely pleasantly. The guard humphed and gestured for them to go in.'
'That was close,' Jake said. 'Why do we have to give fake names again?'
'I dunno, just in case,' Rafe said. 'Last thing you want to do is land yourself in jail. The security around here's pretty strict. And considering you're not Iridians - it's best to keep a fake profile.'
'What's my name again?' Jake said, frowning.
'Emmett Hale,' prompted Rafe. 'And Wren's Kelly Wallenby. Ladislaya's Penelope Everson.'
'I sound ridiculous,' Ladislaya said, turning a bright red.
'You ever feel stupid about your made-up name, just remember I'm Kelly Wallenby,' Wren told her. That made Ladislaya laugh.
The four of them stayed close to the shadows and crept by the walls. Nobody noticed them - there were just too many people.
'That's Prince Caston,' Rafe said suddenly, looking ahead. Wren turned to see where he was looking at - a dark-haired head bobbed among the crowd.
'Can we ignore him?' Wren said under her breath. Too late. Rafe had already made his way towards Caston. Wren, Jake and Ladislaya stood in the corner while Rafe and Caston fistbumped.
'Cool you came!' Caston said, his eyes lighting up. 'If you see my father, best ignore him - he's still not a fan of -' his eyes darted towards Ladislaya and Wren could have sworn a flicker of recognition - then his eyes landed on Wren.
'Wha - what are you doing here?'
'Keeping a low profile,' said Wren. 'It would really help if you pretended you didn't see us here in the first place.'
Caston looked around him, eyes darting around in fear before leaning in to Wren and hissing, 'You're not supposed to be here.'
'I know I'm not supposed to be here, but - well - I've got things to do,' she hissed back.
'What sort of things?' Caston said at once.
'Things that aren't any of your business,' retorted Wren.
'Top-secret,' Jake added helpfully.
'Classified information,' Ladislaya put in.
'Confidential and restricted,' Wren said pointedly.
'Something you require to be done in Iridia?' Caston questioned testily.
'Not that it's any of your business,' said Wren.
'Why are you even at the ball?'
'Top-secret,' Jake said automatically.
'Classified information,' Ladislaya intoned.
'Confidential and restricted,' Wren recited.
Caston scowled. 'You're supposed to forget we even had this conversation,' Wren told him. 'Forget about our encounter, forget that we're even here. If anyone asks, play dumb. You don't know anything.'
Caston held up his hands. 'You're right. I don't know anything. And I don't want to know anything.'
'Good,' said Wren. 'Now if you may excuse us.'
'How'd the prince of Iridia come to know you?' Rafe whispered.
'We're on the same terms,' Wren said stiffly. They departed, Rafe trudging behind them. 'Where exactly are we going?' he said.
'Blending in with the crowd,' Wren said, lips dry. 'Act normal, everybody. Don't forget to keep a low profile.'
'We're walking in plain sight,' Jake hissed incredulously.
'Best hiding spot is in plain sight right now,' Wren murmured back.
'So you guys are planning to sneak around the castle?' Rafe said in a low voice.
'Well,' Wren said doubtfully, 'not exactly...'
Rafe raised his eyebrows.
'Alright fine, maybe exactly,' Wren huffed. 'But for a good reason. We've got to find that mirror.'
Rafe raised an eyebrow. 'And where, Your Highness, do you think that might be in?'