Everything fell into place. I couldn't help myself, I sat down. The room spun. Was it always going to be like this? Was I always going to be the last person to know about anything?
"You should have warned me," I groaned.
"I thought His Royal Highness had told you," Camellia replied.
Ouch. That hurt.
But she was right. He should have told me. Just like you should have told him you'll be here, said a voice in my head.
"Stand before you call more attention to yourself."
Right. The only thing she seemed to care about was appearances. I sighed but stood up anyway. Apparently, my feelings didn't matter.
I turned towards the raised platform. There was just enough space between two heads to watch as Alexander held his arm out. Frowning, I watched as Cassidy placed her hand on his arm and stood beside him.
"Get your hands off my boyfriend, b*tch," I grumbled.
Camellia blocked my view. "Miss Borek," she warned in a low voice.
I glared back. "Don't pretend you didn't bring me here for this," I hissed out. "You knew everything. Am I supposed to be glad someone else is with him?"
"That doesn't excuse your behavior. Besides, a future King must always be accompanied. Are you volunteering?"
I swallowed thickly. I had no response to that. I had no response to many things. She was right. A King must always be accompanied by someone. It wasn't like I didn't know he was going to have a date. Alexander had told me. He just failed to say who it was.
Or maybe he didn't know, a voice popped up. If he had known, Alexander would have told me. I was sure of it.
"Before we continue with our evening," the King was saying. "I like to make a special announcement."
Camellia and I turned our attention back to the King. My stomach felt sick. What was it this time? Was the King going to proclaim they were dating or something? That would just be my luck.
"Prince Rothchester, no, my son . . ."
A murmur swept through the crowd. I felt myself tear up. Even Alexander wasn't able to hide his surprise quite well either. The King had called him "my son". I hid my smile underneath my hand. His dad had acknowledged him.
"has been my pride and joy ever since his birth. While he has gotten lost more than a few times-"
The crowd laughed.
"-he has always managed to find his way back. That is why I like to formally announce that I plan to step down as King and let my Heir take over."
There was a stunned silence but it only lasted for a split second. The royal families started to applause. It was taken up by the rest of the guests. I was probably one of the few who clapped way too loudly.
There was only one thing going through my mind; Alexander had done it. He finally had the King's approval. He was going to be King.
I grabbed a napkin off one of the tables and dabbed at my eyes. All my worries faded away. A part of me did understand that he was going to be as busy as ever but triumph by the amount of pride swelling up in my chest.
"The date of the coronation will be announced at a later date," the King continued. "And as it is customary, the coronation will also serve to strengthen the ties between the Rothchester family and the Caldor family."
My clapping stopped. What did that mean?
"Prince Rothchester and Princess Caldor will be officially recognized as King and Queen Rothchester."
WHAT DID THAT MEAN?
I only realized that I had spoken aloud when Camellia answered my question.
"Their families married them at a young age. It was all ceremonial but now that the Prince is to take the throne, the vows will become official."
My mind went blank. I had trouble processing what she had said.
"You-you're telling me that they are already married?" I forced out.
"It's different from human marriage," Camellia answered, "but, to answer your question, yes. They have been."
Everything dimmed. The only image I could focus on was of Alexander and Cassidy. My knees felt weak. I needed to sit down. No, I needed a trashcan.
Camellia must have noticed because she took me by the elbow and sat me down at our table. I rested my elbows on the table and held my head.
Despite the fact that not only had Alexander failed to mention who he was attending the Ball with (I no longer believed that he didn't know), he specifically failed to mention that he was married - to Cassidy of all people!
"What was I to him?" I whispered to myself.
If anything, I was just his mistress then, huh.
My vision blurred and this time, I didn't stop the tears.
"Miss Borek," Camellia began.
"Oh, shut up," I groaned out.
I didn't care if everyone looked at me. I didn't care if Alexander knew I was here. The only thing I cared about was the massive hole in my chest. I felt so dirty and used. Had this been a joke to him? Did he really mean everything and anything he had ever said to him?
There was one thing for certain though; I really didn't want to be here.
"I'm going home," I told Camellia.
Without even waiting for her reply, I walked towards the doors. I tried to stop the tears but they wouldn't stop. And it wasn't really important to me if anyone thought I was crazy or just some heartbroken fan. Either way, they wouldn't be totally wrong.
"Rin?" I heard someone ask. "Is that you?"
I didn't even turn around. The only other person that could recognize me besides Cassidy and Alexander was Lisa and I didn't want to see her right now. I didn't want to see anyone. I kept walking.
It was cold in the lobby. It was way colder than it was a few moments ago. I looked down at myself. I should have brought a change of clothes.
"Miss Borek," Camellia said from behind me. "The car is waiting for you outside."
I didn't turn around. I just nodded and kept walking. Instead of the doors, I headed to the bathroom. There was no way my parents were going to see me like this. I wasn't ready to tell them the truth.
Maybe that was the reason Alexander kept lying to me, I couldn't help but think. He knew I wasn't ready to make our relationship public. It all worked out in his favor.
Using hot water, I scrubbed my face clean. Camellia knew about everything. The Mafia brought me here to show me this. It had all been part of their plan, but for what? Did they want me to stay away from Alexander? Well, mission accomplished.
I choked on a sob.
No, I told myself. I'm not going to cry.
The door opened. I grabbed a paper towel from the dispenser and covered my face. No point in scaring someone with my face.
"Rin."
I froze. Dread filled my belly. Why was Alexander here? How did he find me?
"Rin," he repeated. "I know it's you."
His footsteps got closer. I moved away.
"Will you please look at me?"
I couldn't bring myself to talk. The lump in my throat was choking me. I turned my back to him and dried my face. What was the point in hiding? He knew what I had heard. He wasn't making any excuses.
"Congratulations," I forced out. "You have everything you have ever wanted."
This time, I did look at him. My vision blurred away but I blinked the tears away.
Alexander's face crumbled. He took a step forward but I moved back.
"Go to your wife, your Royal Highness. I'm sure she is waiting for you."
I walked past him and found that I couldn't go any further. I looked down. He had grabbed my arm.
"It's not what you think," he began.
"Let go."
"Rin."
"Let. Go."
Alexander looked ready to speak but he released me.
I knew I had to say it. There was no way around it. It was unavoidable.
"It's better if we don't see each other again."
"Rin, don't do this."
I turned away and walked out.