“I was hoping you’d ask!” she chirped excitedly. “Let me ask you a question first. Who am I and what do I do?” She looked at me expectantly, as I remained momentarily baffled.
“Uh, your name is Camille, and you’re a bar maid?” I raised a brow at her, less than amused at this apparent game of hers.
“Correct!” She snickered to herself, then threw the gown loosely over her head. The petite girl disappeared under the heavy satin and didn’t reemerge until just her head poked through the top. Her arms remained sheathed beneath the bodice somewhere, and she looked at me expectantly once more. “Okay, now tell me again. Who am I and what do I do?”
I let out an exaggerated sigh, but then paused. What was her name again? Wait a moment… did I know this girl? Why was she asking me such a question? I don’t believe we’ve ever even spoken. She certainly looked a little bizarre with that ball gown draped over her. Does she have me mistaken for someone else? I looked around awkwardly, unable to find the words to reply to this perplexing young woman. Out of nowhere, she began to laugh at me and I felt a sudden rush of embarrassment.
“I’m terribly sorry, but do we know each other? I can’t seem to recall your face?” I gave her an apologetic look, hoping she wasn’t anyone of importance that I had offended. Despite my question, she continued to laugh at me, which was odd considering she was the one with half a dress on. I bit my tongue, not certain how to proceed, and suddenly, the girl began to strip the gown from her head. I ducked to avoid being smacked in the face with the flailing petticoat. Once the gown was placed fully on the counter before me, I lifted my head and gasped.
“Camille!” I jumped in shock. “How did you… What was… I could have sworn you were a stranger a moment ago.”
The green-eyed barmaid cackled even more before wiping a joyful tear from her eye. “Ah, it never gets old.” She hooted. “It turns out, that dress is enchanted. Whoever wears it cannot be recognized by anyone who looks at them. Pretty neat, huh?” She cocked her head at me in search of praise and I laughed.
“That’s remarkable!” I exclaimed in newfound astound. “So... if I were to wear this to the ball, not even my own family would recognize me?”
Camille shrugged. “You tell me. You didn’t seem to know a thing about me just now, so what do you think?” She gestured at the dress laying between us, and I gawked at it with new appreciation.
“I could really do this…” I whispered under my breath.
Camille must have picked up on it because she snorted once more. “Of course, ya can. I’ll tell ya what. Why don’t you take this off my hands for me, and if it all works out, just remember me when you start making it big with those fancy nobles.” She winked and I felt my mouth fall open.
“Are you sure? You won’t miss it?” I picked up the top of the beaten dress and gazed at its lack-luster details. “You said your tavern was in some debt... wouldn’t selling a magical dress bring in a hefty paycheck?”
She paused for a moment, silently considering her next words. “I like to think of it as a better investment,” she stated smoothly. “I might make a couple hundred gold off the dress, but then that’s it. If ya end up getting this job ya want, then maybe I’ll have a new financial ally who would be willing to help save a struggling business.” She stretched her hand out to me, offering a hand shake. “So what do ya say, girlie? Do we have an agreement?”
I clenched the lavender dress, imagining all the problems I might possibly solve in a single night. But could I really do it? Could I really be brave enough to break into the king’s offices? Was my situation truly bad enough that this was my only option? I thought back to Yvette and Beatrice and their offer to take me in after Sapphira does away with me. I could still be happy with them, I’m certain of that, but how much would I be losing out on? A striking pair of blue eyes flashed through my mind. If I don’t do this, I can never share my identity with him. We’ll forever have to be nameless, faceless letter correspondents. Is that what I wanted?
I gave the satin fabric one final squeeze before dropping it from my clutches. My eyes locked onto Camille’s and I thrust my hand into hers with a firm shake.
“Deal.”
chapter ten
“You look ravishing, Your Highness, truly,” the tailor awed as he applied the final touches to my coat.
I fidgeted nervously as Sebastian pinned the tail of my coat. The tailor gave me a stiff glare at my movements, so I did my best to straighten despite my fretting thoughts. Tonight was the night I had to choose my princess, and the only person I had any semblance of considering didn’t want to see me. My chest tightened at the thought of her mysterious message. Marlon had told me that the note was scratched into the bench, with perhaps some form of natural dye. I already wasn’t certain what to make of the description, but then the message itself sent me into a whole new state of tension.
I’m sorry, we cannot meet. Please forgive me.
My heart ached as I stared at the bright magenta zinnia Sebastian had pinned to my lapel. She didn’t want to meet me.Was it out of dislike for me? Or fear of something greater?She had been the one to extend friendship toward me, so why would she reject my invitation... unless there was an outer force preventing her from doing so. My thoughts trailed back to the fragile girl who had been flung so easily into the puddle of mud.Nobody could possibly be endangering her, right?I shook the thought from my mind with a physical quiver, earning another glare from the tailor. I was getting ahead of myself. It’s likely something as simple as her having a strict family. However, if that was the case, then meeting me would only make things easier on her. What noble family would deny their daughter the chance to meet the prince? Maybe I should confess my identity in my next letter? I pondered the idea until my father interrupted the tailor’s work.
“He looks magnificent. Well done, Sebastian.” The king praised the tailor vibrantly, who, in turn, gave a polite bow.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Sebastian said with a gleeful smile.
I stared at my lavish attire in the tall brass mirror. The dark blue tailcoat and golden sash were certainly flashy, considering I often preferred a more understated look, but I was meant to be paraded around as the prized steed this evening. The brighter my peacock feathers were, the more likely I was to attract a worthy bride—or at least, that’s how Sebastian had described it. I stepped down from the tailoring pedestal and approached Father with my arms spread wide.
“What do you think, Father? If you were a fair maiden, would you desire a dance?” I bowed dramatically while pursing my lips and lifting my little finger.
Father stepped forward gracefully, and pressed a hand to his chest. “Well, how could I refuse such a dashing fellow like you?” He swooned with excessive flourish, while batting his lashes. Always leave it to father to best my sarcasm.
“I’m happy to hear it.” I chuckled. “Hopefully tonight we will find the next queen of Drancos.” I sighed quietly, remembering Daisy’s note. I really wished I could have introduced her to Father. I opened and closed my fists as the words of her letters replayed through my mind.
A sudden touch on my shoulder made me look up. “Marlon told me about your invitation.” Father smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry, my boy. There may be more to the situation than what she was able to say, so don’t let it dull your spirit. If she wasn’t the one, then I’m certain there will be another young lady ready to turn your head tonight,” he said softly, giving my shoulder a loving squeeze.
“I suppose you’re right. I guess I’ll just have to try a new approach at wooing a woman. Do you think I should push them into a fountain next time?” I pressed a hand to my chin, in deliberate thought.
Father released my shoulder to smack me upside the head. “You’ll find yourself an old maid if you pull that kind of stunt again. You might be king one day, but women like to look nice under their tiaras, not drenched in muck.” He scolded with a light humor in his eye. “I want grandchildren, so don’t blow this for me,” he laughed snidely and I pushed his hand away.