The next few days after my little 'meeting' with Queen Amelia were torture. I kept on thinking about the words she'd said. Why was she being so weird and cryptic? Could she know about my endeavors in the Royal Wing?
Plus, the fact that the competition was coming to an end did not make matters any easier. I'd hardly gotten any chance to speak with Carlos- or Amancio. But, as The Choosing Ceremony drew near, I reminded myself not to get my hopes up as I knew the winner wasn't chosen solely on Carlos' feelings. It was also a power strategy and unfortunately, my father didn't happen to be a Count or a Marquess. He was just a normal Viscount, just one rank above a Baron- the least important noble.
I was also dreading The Masquerade Ball, the last ball and major event in the competition. Just thinking about it made huge knots of dread and anxiety appear where my intestines were meant to be. But, I couldn't help but feel a tad bit excited for the ball. I, for one, hated balls as I was hopeless at socializing and dancing and only cared about the food- which wasn't much either way.
I'd never been to a masquerade ball and had only read about it in romance novels stolen from my Finishing School's library. Thinking of it then, I realized there wasn't much in the library other than romance novels- which I wasn't too keen on.
Masquerade Balls had some sort of mystery to them, some sort of allure that set a spark in my heart. I knew not to get too excited for my dress and masque seeing as my family members were a bunch of cheapskates but no matter what I wore, just the thought of seeing everyone in masks- not having to hide my facial expressions. I found myself strangely...anticipating the ball.
Though, I couldn't shake of the knowing feeling that something bad was going to happen.
***
"I want you to be my choice, Madeline," Carlos smiled, his green eyes sparkling. "I want to eventually fall in love with you, grow old with you, rule Aridia with you, have kids with-"
"Hey, we never said anything about having kids," I cringed. The thought of mini Madeline's and Carlos's running around the palace didn't sit right with me.
"We can't not have an heir, Madeline."
"Fine," I sighed. "I'll come around eventually. Say we don't have kids, why can't Barbara just take over when you kick the bucket?"
"Planning my death so early?" Carlos raised an eyebrow, playfully.
"Maybe," I shrugged, smiling smugly.
"Besides, I doubt Barbara has any intentions of ruling Aridia. She keeps saying she wants to run away to Milan to become a fashion designer," Carlos shook his head.
"That is the dream," I sighed, wistfully.
"Lady Madeline, Lady Madeline- wake up!" Carlos snapped.
"Carlos?" I wondered if he and Amancio had been drinking mead again.
"Carlos? It's Lucy and Imogen. Wake up, Lady Madeline!"
***
I jolted up in bed, my forehead nearly colliding with that of Lucy's.
Realizing I was dreaming, I slapped my palm against my face and sighed, embarrassed.
What sort of dream was that? I cringed internally. Why was I dreaming about kids and futures with Carlos?
"Were you dreaming about Prince Carlos?" Imogen raised an eyebrow, suspiciously.
"N-no," I said, a little too quickly.
"That's besides the point. We have a huge amount of work to do," Lucy shook her head.
"Wow Lucy, taking over Imogen's job as the control freak?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I am not a control freak," Imogen narrowed her eyes.
"To be honest Imogen, you kind of are," Lucy and I exchanged looks.
"Whatever, today is your last hurrah. Your last chance to prove to Aridia that you're girl they need. And we need you to look stu-nning," Imogen stressed the syllables.
"Can we postpone looking 'stu-nning' for a few minutes?" I yawned.
Lucy folded her arms across her chest, "Lady Madeline, you missed The Demi Ball. Do you really want to miss this one as well?"
Obliging reluctantly, I threw off my duvet. "Hey, me missing The Demi Ball wasn't my fault at all. That crazy Esme locked me in The Ladies' Salon."
"Well at least you know now not to follow the instructions from random notes slid under your bedroom door," Imogen muttered.
"I heard that," I narrowed my eyes.
Yawning, I stared at myself in the mirror. Despite all that I'd been through since the competition started, I was glad to realize I was still the same Madeline. I had the same limp brown hair- yet, not so limp thanks to Lucy's talents. I still had my dull eyes and average features. I had gained some sort of weight but I definitely didn't look like Ashley or Esme.
Which made me feel good. At least I still had the things that made me different, that made me Madeline.
"What are you thinking about?"Imogen came up behind me, tucking a strand of hair behind my hair.
I shook my head, clearing away my thoughts. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about the fact that this is the last ball, the last event before all this is over."
"Tell me about it, to think in a few weeks, Aridia will have a new Princess and eventually- a new Queen," Lucy chimed in.
"Just praying to the gods that Prince Carlos doesn't choose Lady Esme. She'll make our lives a living hell," Imogen sighed.
"I'm sure she'd redecorate the palace- make everything pink and glittery," I giggled.
"Ugh, I'm dreading it already," Lucy groaned.
Before anyone could continue the conversation, there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Imogen said, walking towards the door.
Imogen squealed as she held up a black garment bag, closing the door.
"Is it what I think it is?" Lucy whispered in anticipation.
"Lady Madeline, I have your dress," Imogen held up the garment bag, grinning like a maniac.
"OK, let's see what mother dearest sent," I rubbed my hands together. I didn't know why I was so nervous. Maybe it was the fact that this was my last ball at the palace and for once, I actually wanted to look good.
Carefully, Lucy pulled out an extremely pretty ball gown. It was a pale lilac color, with a corset at the top and a puffy bottom. On the bodice were several encrusted diamonds that I suspected were fake but glittered in the room's natural light nonetheless.
It was...beautiful.
"Oh my goodness, Lady Madeline. This dress is beautiful," Imogen stroked the fabric.
"And we can't forget the masque," Lucy held up a white half face masque with purple hand-painted flowers. It seemed like my mother really went all out. I found that I was strangely anticipating feeling the soft fabric around my body.
"Now it's time to make you look like a real princess," Imogen smiled mischievously at my reflection in the mirror.
I sighed. It was going to be a long day.
In about an hour, Imogen and Lucy had me scrubbed clean. So clean that my skin glinted in a way it didn't used to. I was already getting tired and bored from the process, which happened to take an unexplainably long time. It wasn't like I was getting married- it was still just a ball.
I wrapped myself in my robe and sat at the chair in front of my dressing table, where Imogen started on my make-up.
"If I'm going to be wearing a masque, why do I need to wear make-up? Not like anyone's going to see it," I mumbled, in between bites of the biscuits I'd had for tea.
"Make-up is mandatory for a ball, especially as this is going to be the last," Imogen's brows were furrowed in concentration.
I sighed, taking another bite.
***
It was a few hours later and I felt extremely worn out. Imogen and Lucy had left me to salvage the few minutes of peace and quiet before the real preparation for the ball began and I had to fit into my dress.
I looked at where it hung. I'd never actually worn something so beautiful and I secretly thanked my mother for dropping her cheapskate habits. The thought that I would look somewhat pretty later on warmed my heart, but that wasn't the only thing in my head. I couldn't help but wonder, what would Carlos think of the dress? Would he like it? I still couldn't wrap my head around the idea that Carlos felt the same way about me. About me, Madeline Prowess. It all felt very strange and alien.
And I hadn't forgotten about Amancio. I hated thinking about my feelings because it only left me confused afterwards. I knew deep down that I had some sort of feelings for Amancio and we'd never spoken about it, so I didn't know if he felt the same- though I highly doubted it. I resisted the urge to run a hand through my hair as it had already been styled by Lucy. Instead I let out a breath, desperately trying to calm the rapid breathing of my heart.
My rampaging thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door.
"Imogen?" I called.
Instead of Imogen, Fiona poked her head through the door. She took my breath away with how beautiful she looked. Her curly hair wasn't done up in a bun as usual, instead it cascaded in voluminous waves around her shoulders. She wasn't wearing her dress yet but I could already tell it had some sort of angel theme, due to the white themed make-up that accentuated her features.
"Fiona you look amazing," I breathed.
Fiona smiled shyly. "Thanks, Madeline. You don't look too bad yourself. I actually came because I think I heard Carlos was looking for you."
"Carlos? Looking for me?" I raised an eyebrow. However, Fiona didn't look bothered by it. I guessed she'd moved on.
"Yeah, I think it's something urgent," Fiona grimaced.
"Thanks a lot, Fiona," I said, before closing the door to my bedroom. I couldn't help but wonder what Carlos needed me for. Could it be something about the nobles again?
I wandered around the Ladies' Wing, fully aware I was just in my robe. Where could he be?
Absent mindedly, I bumbled into a maid.
"Lady Madeline, you shouldn't be wandering around the palace. Especially dressed like this," The maid raised an eyebrow, prepared to walk away.
I stepped in her path and she sighed. "I was told Prince Carlos was looking for me. Do you have any idea where he is?"
The maid raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Prince Carlos, along with every other person in the palace is getting ready for The Masquerade Ball. So I suggest you do the same, my Lady."
I watched as she walked away, confused. If Prince Carlos was getting ready for the ball, did that mean he wasn't looking for me? I shook my head and made my way back to my room, it was probably a misunderstanding.
***
Strangely, the door to my room was open though I was certain I'd closed it. I shook my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts. Why was I so paranoid?
I pushed open the door of my bedroom and was surprised to see Lucy collapsed on the floor. Tears ran down her cheek as she help up something that looked very familiar.
"Lucy, what's the matter?" I demanded, rushing to her.
She sniffed, handing me what I realized was my dress. "It's ruined. Everything's ruined."
"W-what's ruined?" I ask, confused beyond measure.
Lucy held up my dress and my heart sunk to my feet. It was torn...everywhere. The sleeves were ripped, the diamonds on the bodice had been pulled off, the skirt was torn in places that weren't amendable. I felt hot tears prick at my eyes and I tried hard to fight them off.
"Who could have done something like this?" Lucy sighed, staring at the tattered fabric.
What hurt wasn't the fact that my dress was ruined, though I was extremely sad about it. The thing that hurt the most was the fact that I knew who had did it and it hurt to admit it to myself.
"Fiona."
I had so much fun writing this chapter because of how suspenseful it was. Do you think Fiona ruined Madeline's dress? Comment what you think. Don't forget to vote, comment and share. Chapter 52 is coming in a sec <3