She took my hand and I led us into what I assumed would be an appropriate dance for this era. It was a kind of 17th century box dance. I had no clue what I was doing, but I had seen enough movies to have a general idea. Being this close to her, it made my heart pound. I had enough sense to put that aside for then, though, considering we were in public that would not approve and we needed to deal with a possible mind controller. “So, have you spoken with the guy you’re supposed to marry yet?”
“No, but I believe he’s on my dance card. I’m really scared to meet this person. I mean, what if what you said was true? What if he can control people’s minds? What if he can control mine?” she started to break down.
“Don’t worry. I know you. You have a strong will. You also know it’s coming.” I tried my best to console her, but she started to tear up. “Hey,” I said as I wiped under her eyes with my handkerchief, “I’m here for you. The next song is about to start. It’s time for me to disappear. I’ll be looking out for you, so be brave.”
She looked at me with a sad smile and said, “Okay, I’ll do my best. Come find me after this banquet.” The song ended and I walked away.
Let’s do this, I thought as I melted into the shadows.
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After many laborious dances, I was finally at my last dance. I was relieved until I realized that I hadn’t encountered that guy yet. Well, I guess this is it.
“Hello, Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Lord Knowles.” He was tall and lean. He had black hair cut like a real pretty boy and a face that all the ladies swooned over. He wore a smirk that made him utterly disgusting to me. I can’t believe this is who I have to spend the rest of the banquet with.
“The pleasure is mine,” I said with a fake smile. He glanced over at the musicians and they started to play a slow song. I hate this guy! He put both his hands on my waist and started to get close. I immediately put my hands on his shoulders and kept him at an arm's length.
“Now, why don’t we get to know each other better?” His smirk widened and I felt an immense pressure in my head, like it was being pressed from all sides. I resisted for what felt like an eternity, then it finally let up. I was breathing heavily, and he acted like nothing had happened. “What kind of hobbies do you have?”
Just play the role. Just play the role. Act like you know nothing. But what do princesses do in their free time? “Every day I enjoy an afternoon tea.” That was the best I could come up with.
“I, too, like to calm myself later in the day with a hot cup of tea.” It went on like this, him asking me a question, me answering, then him just happening to have the same answer. I decided to break that chain with my own question that I wanted answered for a long time.
“So, how do you know my father?” I asked him with an innocent smile on my face. He seemed entirely too uncomfortable with the question exactly how I assumed he would be.
“We were having a debate with bordering countries, and we happen to share the same political opinions.” He was apparently satisfied with that answer as he let it settle for a second, and then continued on with his own questions yet again.
This song is way too long! It’s been ten minutes already! I thought as I answered another pointless question. In answer to my thoughts, the song began to fade away and we entered into the next portion of the banquet. During this part, people milled about and waiters came around with drinks and appetizer-like food. There were also tables laid around the edges of the room. Knowles took me to one in the corner and resumed his barrage of questions. I hope I have the will to live after this.
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Libby and the guy have been talking for quite some time. It’s time to put my plan into action. I discreetly put on one of the waiter’s uniforms, and then took two glasses of wine. I poured the arsenic that I got from Renegades in one of the glasses. I put them both on a tray and went over to a waiter that wasn’t busy and told him, “Bring these to the Her Highness and the man she is with. This one,” I pointed to the glass without the poison, “is for Her Highness. It has no alcohol. His Majesty specifically requested she doesn’t consume any alcohol tonight.” I handed the tray to him and rushed off to look busy. I then quickly went up to roof via a passage not many knew about. The ballroom had a sunroof with many glass panes. I had removed one earlier to see better through it and to be able to fire an arrow if need be. I had also placed my bow and arrows by the pane so I didn’t have to carry them in.
I got up there just in time to see the waiter hand the correct glasses to each of them. I carefully observed them as they took their first sip. Except, as I anticipated, he didn’t take the sip. He set the glass down, then a couple of seconds later he “accidentally” knocked it over and spilled the wine. The waiter came and changed the tablecloth and took the glass away. I knew he was on to me and I didn’t know what to do. I need to make him bring out his magic, but how? What if I take a shot at him? He’ll probably use magic to fight back. But that can go wrong, so I’ll hold off for now.
Somebody below me that I couldn’t see started talking. “My guests, I thank you all for attending. As you know, I am the King of Amoria, and I have a beautiful daughter, who will come of age in three days. On that day, we will hold a wedding ceremony for the marriage between my daughter, the princess, and Lord Knowles. Let us celebrate tonight!” All attention went to the corner where Libby and Knowles were sitting. So much for that, I thought as I picked up my bow and took a shot.
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