3 Secrets | Chapter 3

The royal palace is simply breathtaking.

It's built from polished white stone, giving it a very royal and expensive exterior. The large gates are black, with gold embroidery, much like the carriage I am currently sat in. There are large white walls that reach around the building, with guards perfectly placed at every corner and entrance way, ensuring the safety of the royals inside.

It has an aura of sophistication around it but I can also consider it to be mysterious. Besides when I accidentally met the Prince, I know very little about the royal family. Their faces, names and birthdays are the extent of my knowledge of them. I know nothing of their personalities or pasts.

The carriage comes to a stop, just outside the palace gates, and Derek hops down from where he was sitting, patting Thunder a few times before passing the reigns to another man who worked for the palace. I could tell who he was from his black and gold uniform, finished off with the Kingdoms coat of arms sown into the fabric covering the chest.

Derek then looks up at me, a small smile on his lips as he walks over to let the ladder down, letting both me and Carter out of the carriage. He helps me again with one of his hands, but as I reach the bottom of the steps, he unexpectedly tightens his grip around me, instead of letting go.

Walking up to the doors to this astonishingly beautiful building is one moment I could never forget. I feel like royalty just walking this gravel path, the intricate details you only notice when you get nearer come in to view and it's seems so majestic in the pale white glow of the moonlight.

"Evangeline? Are you well?" I hear Derek ask, pulling me out of the trance this path had put me in. He turns me around, by my hand, to face him. His face is hinting concern as he eyes scan mine for any signs of discomfort.

"Yes, please excuse me," I reply, shaking my head, smiling slightly, "everything's just so... different" I say so quietly I'm not sure if he heard me, until he nods agreement. Derek chuckles gently before squeezing my hand and turning to face forward, focusing back on the conversation he was having with his brother, which was him telling Carter the 'do's and don'ts' when inside the palace. I listen carefully, taking in the rules as well, due to my inexperience of being in the royal family's home.

When we eventually reach the doors, there are two guards are standing between us and the entrance, fully equipped with swords, making them very intimidating. Derek gives one of them, the tougher looking one, our three invitations. I feel Carter take my other hand as the guard is analysing our invitations, and I smile down at him as he looks up at me with an uncomfortable smile. I can tell he as just as nervous as I am, due to his usually extrovert stance becoming progressively more introverted. It gives me some comfort knowing that it's not just me feeling a ball of worry fill my stomach.

"Evangeline Capella," the guard states my name gruffly and my eyes widen as both of the brother's hands tighten around mine. I look towards the guard, bowing slightly, not positive as to why, but I want to seem respectful. "Prince Alexander will be most pleased" He smirks, before both he and the other guard open the large, dark oak doors. I feel a heat rise to my cheeks as Derek and Carter look at me with astonishment in result of what the guard just announced.

~~

The inside almost perfectly matches the aesthetic of the exterior, so gorgeously extravagant and royal. I let out a gasp as I look up, my eyes tracing over the delicate paintings of cherubs and angels that cover the whole roof. The soft music of the orchestra is playing, filling my ears with the sweet tunes I barely recognise from my childhood.

I feel Carter tug on my hand that he's holding, and I see that all trace of anxiousness I had spotted earlier had completely vanished from his body. I giggle quietly as I am forced to follow on after him, resulting in Derek doing the same, like we're all links in a chain.

Once we get to the where the crowds have gathered, Carter stops and jumps up slightly, trying to whisper something in my ear. I bend my knees to get to an easier height for him and his hand comes up to cover the space between his mouth and my ear.

"Look at the balcony, the King and Queen are there!" He almost shouts to be heard over the chatter of the guests. I stand back up right slowly as I'm looking up towards a balcony that I had only glanced at when I walked in. I see both the royals sat in their thrones, the King looking down at the party and surveying everyone who comes through the entrance. His greying blonde hair is smoothed back under the gold crown and his outfit is consisting of many layers, which just radiates royalty.

The Queen, who is presented just as importantly, has a smaller gold tiara placed perfectly on top of her styled, brown hair. Her dress is a deep green, perfectly matching her eyes. As I look, I see her eyes not keeping watch like the King, but flickering around the ball room, almost like she's uncomfortable. She bites forcefully at her red coated lips and plays with a handkerchief which is placed on her lap. I scrunch my eyebrows together in confusion, only to have Derek, put an arm around my torso, pulling me nearer to him. This action results in me loosing concentration on the Queens odd behaviour and my eyes go to the floor.

"What's with that look?" He asks into my ear. I look at him, his eyes meeting mine and I observe that there is no ounce of happiness in his face; he really doesn't want to be here.

"Nothing..." I whisper, not wanting to add anymore discomfort to the already uncomfortable man next to me. However, I glance up to where the thrones are placed on the balcony, only to be met by the eyes of the King; the Queen nowhere to be seen. I quickly look away, not wanting to draw attention to myself, especially not to the King of Harinford. I was going to divert the question to Derek, however the sound of loud trumpets interrupts this; the same ones as when we were in the village and the Prince was going to make the announcement. The village people go outstandingly quiet, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone could hear my deep breathing. Guards come through a door to our right, and mark out a pathway through the crowd, making people step aside.

"Lords, ladies and gentlemen, may I present, Prince Alexander and Prince Samuel of Harinford" A loud voice booms from somewhere I am unable to see. The crowd cheer wildly, and I clap as I see the door open and the Princes, of course followed by two guards, saunter through. Everyone bows and curtsies as the Princes passes them, the two Locket brothers and I doing the same as they pass by us, though Derek's bow is a little half-hearted. The older Prince, Prince Alexander, nods as he passes some wealthier looking guests, probably the Dukes and Duchesses of neighbouring lands.

They finally arrive at the back of the room, where I now see the King and Queen are standing on a raised up segment of the hall, with deep, ruby red curtains framing the back of it. They both bow to their parents and the rest of the crowd follows, until young Prince Samuel stands up straight and walks swiftly to his parents side as Prince Alexander turns to face the guests, who are still surprisingly quiet, at least compared to when he made his announcement in the village.

"It is my pleasure to have you all here, I am grateful that you were all able to celebrate my birthday with me," His eyes dart from one side of the hall to the other, almost scanning the crowd. His eyes briefly meet mine before moving away, but then almost immediately come back to where I'm standing. A small smile passes his lips, as a blush rises on my cheeks then his eyes rest straight in front of him. "Please," he gestures his hands out in front of him, "enjoy the party" he states before retreating to where his parents stand. The guests clap and cheer once more before they go back to dancing once the music starts to play again. Derek huffs from beside me, his hand swiping his brown locks out of his solemn looking face.

"I'm going to get some air" He mumbles, not even waiting for my response before he's already out of sight. I sigh as my eyes try to keep track of him walking through the bustling party guests.

"Evangeline! would you like to dance?" Carter says with so much enthusiasm it would be difficult to deny even if I wanted to. I nod with a small smile as he guides me through the standing crowd and into the swaying bodies in the middle of the hall. Due to Carter's small size, it's a difficulty to dance with him, but he seems to be enjoying himself, so that's all I ask. A constant smile is stuck on my face as we try our best to keep to the routine, and as the song ends, I curtsy, and he bows before some of the crowd applaud around us. I give Carter a hug, bending down slightly so I can wrap my arms around his delicate frame. I pull away but stay at his level as I say "Thank you Carter!" He giggles. I ask a question which has been on my lips since we arrived.

"Do you know what's the matter with De-".

He doesn't have time to answer as I hear someone clear their throat behind us. Carter's eyes go wide as he looks at the person who caused the sound, so I quickly stand up straight and turn around to be faced with a pleased looking Prince Alexander.

"Sorry to interrupt, but, may I have this dance?" He requests with a toothy smile sent in my direction, his hand held out in front of him as he bows slightly. I look around hesitantly to see that the crowd has stopped dancing and many people have there attention focused on us. My eyes meet his unforgettable blue ones again and my smile begins to imitate his.

"It would be my pleasure, your highness" I curtsy before I take his hand and he leads us into the middle of the floor. Everyone's attention is on us as a new melody begins to fill the giant hall, couples standing back however, as large circle is formed around us. He places a hand softly on my waist and mine is on his shoulder, our other hands intertwined as he starts to lead. We begin to dance a routine I vaguely remember my father teaching me when I was younger, a waltz of some form, if I remember correctly.

I start to become self-conscious as the reality of the mass amount of people watching me comes to light. My eyes are wandering over all who are whispering and there are looks of disgust and disappointment scattered throughout their faces.

"Evangeline," Prince Alexander says softly, and my eyes concentrate on him again, our bodies still together as the song continues. "Don't be deterred by them" He quietly orders, so only I could hear. I smile shyly and look down whilst nodding my head, embarrassment spreading to my cheeks in a pink flush. The Prince chuckles, as my focus is on my feet, trying my best to keep up with him from my blurred remembrance. I then feel his hand leave my waist and slide up my side, coming to rest on my jaw. He tilts my chin up so I am forced to face him, and I once again meet his eyes.

"It's only us in this moment, you and I" he whispers again as his thumb strokes my cheek delicately. I smile lightly and say a small 'okay', before he spins me out of his hold, only to spin me back into it a few seconds later. A laugh passes my lips as he grins down at me, his eyes gently searching my face.

"You look lovely, Evangeline. I'm honoured that you came"

After my dance with the Prince is over, I quickly curtsy to him as the crowd erupts in applause, and I excuse myself to get some fresh air.

I swiftly walk straight past a still amazed looking Carter, who had been standing with some other village children.

With haste, I go towards two doors, that from what the windows told me, opened up into the gardens.

The doors open before I can touch them, as two guards gracefully swoop in front of me to open them. I bow my head slightly to them as I walk past, a polite smile on my face, however still feeling uncomfortable from the previous event. As I feel the cold rush of the night air wash across my face I instantly feel better.

The garden is beautiful, and has been set up with lanterns and I can see various couples sauntering about the grounds, looking at the pretty flowers and plants.

I spot a stone bench, which is being shaded by a large, old willow tree. I keep my head down as to not be recognised by the village people who are continuously walking through the doors and entering into the gardens; being questioned of my relationship with the Prince is not something I would like to experience at present.

There's something I can't put my finger on about the royal family, but I'm completely unaware as to what it is. Firstly with the Prince being in the woods at such a late hour, with no one accompanying him, then with the Queen's odd behaviour tonight, and now with the Prince asking me to share a dance with him in front of the entire village? It just doesn't-

"Well look who it is" I hear the voice of Derek and my thoughts are discarded. I finally focus on the royal gardens glowing in the white wash of moonlight, instead of the gravel underneath my feet. I turn at the sound of his low but familiar voice to see him sitting down next to me on the bench, "If it isn't the Princess herself".

I give him a playful glare and hide my head in my hands as he starts to smirk slightly.

"Please, can we talk about something else" I sigh into my hands, with no amount of humour in my voice and a faint blush rising to my cheeks. And with that I feel Derek's large hand on my back as he rubs up and down whilst shifting closer towards me on the bench.

"Hey.. what's wrong?" He questions, but I just shake my head into my hands because not even I truly understand myself.

"Did he say something to you?" Derek interrogates again, but this time a lot firmer and his hand is now static on my back. I look up slowly at him, to be met with his soft brown eyes which are filled with concern and also, anger?

"No, not at all. The Prince is not to be blamed" I explain to him, but his face doesn't soften, it even looks to get angrier, but he looks away before I can fully calculate it. His hand comes away from my back as he rests his elbows on his knees, intertwining his hands in front of him. I observe him as his eyebrows furrow drastically as if he's angry, but also confused or even betrayed.

"What do you see in him?" He asks so softly I have trouble hearing him although we are in such close proximity, our legs are touching as we're sat on this stone bench.

"Excuse me?" I ask politely, not knowing if I had heard his question accurately.

"What do you see in the Prince?" He repeats, but confidently this time. His gaze turns towards me again, but this time it's different.. as he's looking straight through me, like I'm a ghost that he's not trying to contact.

I look down at my intertwined hands in my lap as my thumbs twirl around each other in angst. "I-I'm not truly sure," I answer truthfully with a shrug of my shoulders "I've only met him once before".

I hear him huff beside me, and my sight turns to him as a small sad smile is placed on his lips as he looks forward.

"Just be careful of him, I know he isn't as kind as everyone thinks" Derek elaborates, as his eyes travel across the gardens before he shakes his head.

What could he possibly mean? How does he know? I had a feeling that Derek didn't particularly like the Royals but how would he know this information, and be so sure of it?

"But, enough of this, would you like to go back inside?" Derek suggests as his hand grabs mine, which is still resting on my lap. This gesture brings me back from my thoughts as I feel his hand squeeze mine reassuringly.

"I'm sure Carter is getting up to mischief in some way or another" He laughs lightly and so do I, at the thought of his clumsy-self spilling a drink on or duke or duchess.

A small smile passes my lips, still nervous and confused by his last statement about the Prince, but, I try not to dwell as I nod quickly and he gestures his arm out for me to hold as we walk back inside to the ball.