one year ago
irene flopped back on to her bed, entirely out of breath. her chest heaved up and down, her face was flushed, her blonde hair a mess around her face. then the weight on her bed changed. she frowned, looking over to the young butler who had just gotten up.
"what are you doing?" she asked, her voice hoarse. the boy looked at her as he slid his clothes back on.
"i must get back to work, your highness." he started to dress quicker, as if he couldn't get out of there fast enough.
irene nodded as she sat up, pulling her sheets up to cover herself. "wait, you told me you had work off for the next three days?" why would he lie to her about that? he wouldn't have gotten in trouble for missing work. especially as long as he was with her. the butler walked over to the door. she stood and quickly slid on her robe. "you told me you would stay with me."
"i know, your highness. and i'm sorry, but i just can't do this. you're the princess, and i'm a butler. if we're caught, if your brother finds out, i'll be kicked out of here."
"so you lied to me? for the past three weeks, all your promises and smiles and compliments were all lies?" she was hurt. it was the longest relationship she'd ever had with anyone who wasn't of her status. and she liked it! she liked him a lot. her shoulders dropped as he placed his hand on a doorknob. "why?"
"i'm scared, your highness. you're nice. really. but you're not for me." then he grinned, as if part of his "sorry" facade dropped. a hint of wickedness. "for what it's worth, you're as good as some of the others say you are."
that wasn't what irene wanted at all. three weeks her and this guy had been seeing each other in secret. for three weeks she thought she had a chance with someone she actually chose. and when she finally decided to let her guard down, he used her for her body. that was it. her face was pale as her eyes fell to the floor. "well, you got what you wanted. happy?"
"much. don't worry, our deal still stands. your brother doesn't find out about your... reputation, as long as i keep my job here. and i must say i'm honored. not many people get to say they've had sex with the princess. or- wait, they have? haven't they?"
her head remained down in shame. reputation. she didn't want a reputation! that's not what it was at all! so what if she spent a couple nights with someone else in her bed? it was the only way to get people to talk to her anymore. at his last few words, her head shot up. tears filled her eyes, her voice cracked as she spoke. "no! that's not what it's like at all! it was only three-" she had to take a deep breath to keep her heavy sobs at bay. "-three others!" and now him.
"oh, make yourself seem more innocent than you actually are, yes? believe me, i've heard the stories. and now i've got to live them. your brother won't find out, but i can assure you, things about the whore princess are going to spread through the palace quick."
irene stumbled backwards, her tears finally flowing down her face, hiccups leaving her. "why are you being so cruel? i thought you liked me!"
"your highness, i do like you! i'm just being honest. this isn't-"
"get out! get out of my room!" the butler didn't move, and a glass vase shattered against the wall. shards and flowers fell to the floor. she didn't care. they were flowers he gave her anyway. "i said get out! before i call the guards!" and at that, the butler scrambled away, leaving irene to herself. she slammed the door shut and locked it to ensure no one would come in. then she fell onto her bed and cried.
••••••••
six months ago
irene walked happily through the halls. it was her favorite time of the year. the end of summer, the beginning of fall. she was a big spring girl, too. but there was just something about this time of year that made her light up.
jaxon still hadn't spoken to her. not since their dad died. she tried, she really did. every time she was turned away with a grumbled, "i'm busy." so she found other ways to keep herself company. recently, things changed with how she wanted that to be. she did have a reputation, and somehow her family still hadn't found out. she wasn't proud of it, but it didn't come as a surprise to her maid when there was yet another man walking out of her room in the early mornings. she learned to ignore what people said about her. she learned to make herself happy. even as lonely as she was. but now she did things for herself. she could try over and over again to get people to stay, but they never would. and it was an endless cycle. at least she did it for her own pleasure.
today, though, she wanted to be different. she wanted to break that cycle. irene knew that somewhere, deep in her mind, she didn't like this habit she had. she needed actual friends. people to talk to. she needed a girl group. so, the day before, she had sent out invites to the small group of maids who assisted her every day to join her for lunch in her bedroom. she hoped to get to know them better, to have friends.
she opened the door to her room. "hello, ladies!" oh. only two were there. she had invited five. no matter! they were probably busy. her maid laurie and another one of the maids, gabriella, who looked about as uncomfortable to be there as irene did during the awful dress fittings. irene placed a tray of food down. "well, are you two hungry? because i'm starving!" she leaned forward and began to fill her plate with fruit. laurie smiled and did the same, but gabriella
stayed back.
"um, your highness?" she piped up. "whatever business this is for, may we make it quick?"
irene sat back, concern in her eyes. "there is no business. i simply wanted to spend time with you girls. hopefully get to know you better." make some friends. that only caused gabriella to stiffen and shift in her seat.
"oh. oh. well you see, i have um... plans. i thought you needed me to help you change your room again or something but if not, may i be excused?"
irene couldn't bring herself to say no, as much as it broke her heart. she could tell gabriella was lying. she was just uncomfortable to be there. so she nodded and forced the light back into her eyes. "of course. i'm so sorry for wasting your time." gabriella nodded and stood, gave a quick curtsy, and practically ran out the door. irene sighed and looked to laurie, who was the closest friend she had. "what am i doing wrong?"
"girl, you're doing nothing wrong. people are just scared. they don't know the real you. if you wanted, it could be one word and their life is in your hands," laurie sat back and popped a cracker in her mouth.
"but i would never do that!"
"they don't know that."
"how can i make them not see me like that?" she didn't want people to avoid her. she didn't want people to be scared. laurie sighed and looked at her.
"i don't know. you were born into a position that has quite the reputation."
"reputation," irene scoffed as she stood and walked to her balcony door. she hated that word.
••••••••
january 22
irene made her way into the schoolroom. all the girls had their lessons in there, and if the information laurie had told her was correct, they should be in there now. she knocked on the door before walking in, her eyes scanning all of the selected in their desks. this was it. one of her last chances at making friends. she had wonderful conversations with all of them during the interview, and a good handful during the ball. she hoped they would accept her invitation.
"good morning, miss o'lair!" she sang. "girls! sorry for interrupting." irene glanced at her teacher, who curtsied and nodded, allowing her to continue. "wonderful! i won't take up too much of your time. anyway, i'm super excited you're all here. and you've been here for three weeks! i would love to get to know you all better, and hopefully give you guys a nice break from your schoolwork and my dreadful brother." she laughed and shook her head. "so i've heard that most people have sleepovers. or slumber parties. whatever you like to call them. on the 24, i would love to host one. there will be snacks, a movie or music, spa day- night, i suppose. starting at five pm, in the women's room. i hope to see some of you there." she smiled widely and said her goodbyes, before walking out.
••••••••
helloooo! welcome! alright this is just a fun little event as dates are wrapped up and you guys are working on those assignments. let's keep those chains rolling, yeah? january 20 is when i would like to have them in by, but i'm not super strict on that.
WHAT TO DO
• don't stress on this! participate in the main chain, chat with each other and princess, have fun! this isn't a required event, but it'll be fun. and who knows, maybe some drama (: