The Thief Transforms into a Lady
IT WAS CROWDED outside the gates of the castle when Temari arrived. The line of carriages was already long and there are people on almost every available space. Everyone was trying to peek into the carriages.
Temari felt a little sorry for those who tried to see inside her rented carriage. They will not see a princess or a daughter from an aristocratic family. They will see a thief in disguise. She patiently waited until her carriage was already on the gate. When she heard a royal guard talking to the driver, Temari braced herself.
The door of the carriage opened and a three people greeted her with a deep bow. One was a royal guard, another was an old man that looked like a butler based on his outfit and the last one is a young woman in a plain gray dress. Temari assumed she is the maid that was assigned to assist her while inside the castle.
That was another thing that was to her advantage. It was a rule that the women who will join the event shall not be accompanied by a maid or by anyone. Each woman will be assigned a maid from the castle. Temari thought it was to make whatever activities that they will do inside to be fair for everyone. That was good for her since she didn't want to hire another person to act as her personal maid.
"Welcome to the castle of the Kingdom of Mowsland, Lady Temari of Winterfield. It must have been a very long and tiring journey for you," the butler said.
Temari made a slight head curtsy since she was still sitting inside the carriage. The butler just recited the information she told the driver of the carriage to announce when they arrive. Winterfield is one of the farthest towns from Clearbury according to her friend Jax Dawson. She used that town as her imaginary home. In her made-up profile, Temari is a daughter of an old Earl.
"This is Amelia and she will assist you while you are inside the castle," the butler continued, pointing at the young woman that was still bowing at her.
Temari nodded at her assigned maid and smiled at her politely. The butler then moved to the side and offered his arm. "Allow me to guide you inside, Lady Temari. Your lady's maid will ensure that your luggage will be in your assigned room when you get there."
"Thank you," she answered in the polite and feminine tone she practiced for two weeks. She put her gloved hand on the butler's arm. Then she carefully got off the carriage, her glass high-heeled shoes lightly hitting the pavement. As the butler walk her inside the castle gates, Temari tried her best to act nonchalant as she looked around when deep inside, she was amazed.
It was the first time she saw the castle from inside the gates and it was more magnificent and monstrous up close. It was obviously ancient, with gray and mossy stone walls and high towers she couldn't count yet. But she will when she begins her exploration to find the royal heirloom.
The physical structure of the castle was not the only thing that struck Temari to the point that she almost stopped breathing. It was the invisible but immense power emanating from it. The force was too powerful that she could feel invisible fire licking her skin.
She forced herself to look away from the main castle to look around her. All the women around her didn't seem to be affected by the power of the castle. They are more focused on making small talks with the other women they know, wondering when they will be allowed to go inside and finally meet the Crown Prince.
They didn't have to wait too long when the huge double doors in front of them slowly opened. Temari got a glimpse of the wide and extravagant foyer as well as the grand staircase that looked as high as mountain.
An old man wearing a blue outfit and robe with gold lining was standing in the middle of the opened doors. His long hair and long mustache were as white as snow. He opened his arms in a welcoming gesture and bellowed, "Welcome to the castle of the Kingdom of Mowsland, princesses and ladies. I am Lennox Holland, one of the Crown Prince's royal advisors. In behalf of His Highness, I welcome all of you to the castle that has been the home of our royal family since the reign of our first king, King Aston. I hope that you spend your time here happily and may everything that is about to happen in the duration of this once in a lifetime event be memorable and fun for all of you."
Excited murmurs filled the place. Temari remained serious as she stares at Lennox Holland. He was smiling and he looks calm but she could sense a dark aura from him. She could also see the way his eyes wander through the crowd as if he could see right through everyone. Warning bells rang inside her head.
[That old man is very dangerous. I should avoid him at all cost.]
Lennox smiled and continued to talk, "Tonight, to celebrate this event and to honor all of you, a royal ball will be held in one of the castle's ballrooms."
A collective happy gasp and murmur filled the place. All the women are excited for a party.
"His Highness will also attend."
The murmur became loud and some even clapped in excitement. Lennox continued to speak but Temari stopped paying attention to his words. It was because she suddenly had a feeling that someone was looking at her. She looked around but she couldn't find anyone suspicious.
The feeling of being watched didn't stop and on instinct, Temari looked up. She froze when she saw a retreating shadow from one of windows facing the castle gates. Goosebumps crawled in her skin because she was sure that the shadow was watching her before it retreated away from view.