18

KENNEDY

The invitation had arrived earlier.

My shock was an understatement.

I stared at the white with the golden intricate square paper as if my sight was playing tricks with me. My name was written on it, though. I just got my first invitation to the Royal Charity Ball in Burkhese.

Thayer must have connections with the royal family, or he was an active philanthropist.

When Thayer said earlier he had someone to prepare me for a party, he was right, but not on that someone, because I had a masseuse, a manicurist, someone for my hair, another for my makeup. Arina was also with me.

And my dark blue floor-length vintage-inspired gown with beaded bodice, floral details along the hem just arrived. By a single glance at this creation, it was from a known designer. In my opinion, it felt like I was attending a MET Gala—it was gorgeous, but I didn’t know if I was the right person to wear it.

“Do I have another gown to choose from?” I asked Arina. She became my assistant since these guys came over to make me look worthy for the gala.

The guy who was fixing my hair stared at me in the mirror in surprise. “You don’t wanna wear it?”

“If he chose that for me, then I’m gonna wear it.”

He sighed. “Great! Trust me, ma’am, you’d look stunning. The color of the gown would make your eyes more—” He gestured his hands as if he was thinking of the right word.

“Dazzling.”

“Yes!” He pointed at Arina. “Regal.” He looked at the mirror with pride after he was done with my hair. “Nothing can beat a classic hairdo. Do you agree?” He was right, side braid, low deconstructed chignon, loosely pinned back with a little twist—it looked great.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” Even myself, I found it hard to believe that I was in that reflection, staring back at me.

“My pleasure.” He did a curtsy. “Madam.”

I did my best not to roll my eyes. What was with these people with their bow and bob?

They left me with Arina. “Let’s put your gown on.”

The wall-sized mirror did a great help. After I wore my gown, I found it hard to believe it fit perfectly for me—as if it made for me. Arina was clasping her hands together, giggling.

“How do I look?”

“A princess. A real princess.”

“Silly. Thank you, Arina, for helping me.”

“That’s why I’m here, madam. Now, let’s put your shoes on.”

I’d stared at these shoes in last month’s magazine. Now, they were in my feet—ankle strapped sandals with pears clustered.

I sighed in front of the mirror—I was now a different person, but deep inside, I was still the same without these grandiose and luxuries.

“Please, come in,” Arina said.

“Who’s there?”

A slim man around fifties walked in, carrying a blue velvet square jewelry box. “Madam, I’m Daniel Areon, a representative from Gattewarde Braynburd Assets. I am here to present you this fine jewelry.” He flipped the box open.

I squinted my eyes as sparkles erupted in the room.

“Wow!” It was a set of vintages like blue and white diamond necklaces and earrings. “I can’t wear that. That’s too flashy.”

“I was advised to insist, madam.”

“Of course, he did.” I turned around and faced the mirror once again. “Please.”

“It’s my honor.” He came behind me with his white gloves, carefully taking the necklace from the box. “There’s a history behind this piece of necklace, ma’am.”

“I think, I don’t wanna know, and the price as well. I’ll die, reborn, die again, and relive over again, I won’t be able to replay its cost.”

“Good thing there are ensured. You don’t have to worry about your safety. You won’t go to the ball alone. You will be escorted, ma’am.”

“Are you serious?”

“Not about the value of the necklace, but for your safety.”

My eyes widened. “Am I in danger?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Well, that’s a relief. You made me worry for a second there.”

Mr. Areon was right. I was escorted by two men in suits, wearing an earpiece. I walked out of the manor, and they assisted me to the shiny black limousine.

My heart never stopped beating so fast as I rode in the backseat alone. I didn’t know what to expect when I got there. What I’d seen in the party I’d attended would be a different scene with this one. It was a royal charity ball in the first place. So I would see members of royal families.

Then it hit me—this might be my assignment. The party.

I picked up the phone in my tiny purse and dialed Alessia.

“My assignment is to meet royal families? Can you be a little more specific about which one I would be interviewing? How did you make this possible?”

“Where are you right now?” She sounded like she just woke up. I forgot the timezone here was different from the US.

“I’m sorry to wake you up. I’m on my way. And I look like Cinderella right now in Jimmy Choo’s pearls shoes. When midnight strikes, I turn into an ugly bitch.” I rolled my eyes.

“Forget about the assignment, Kennedy. Just focus on the gala.”

“I didn’t know you and Thayer are active in charities. I meant, no offense.”

“You don’t know him very well then.”

“Well. He’s cryptic as the ciphers.”

“Have fun, dear.”

As soon as I put my phone back, the car halted. The door swung opened.

My heart hammered. I kept all in mind what basic rules and etiquette Arina had taught me.

I took a deep breath before I climbed out of the car. Blinding flashes, echoes, questions, cameras everywhere. With my sweaty palms, shaky legs, I straightened my back, raised my chin as I walked on the red carpet. The men in suits were still by my side all the time.

My anxiety twisted in the pit of my stomach. I kept in mind that I was doing this for Thayer.

I presented my invitation. Then a man in a black tuxedo offered his arm. I hooked my hand around as he guided me toward the main event.

“Miss Kennedy Emersyn Gilby of New York.” Before I could enter, I halted the announcement.

What the hell?

As it was expected, the gala was classy, smell fancy and royal if there was even a smell.

Regal.

Everyone around here was chatting in a low murmur. I recognized a royal family member from Spain, another one from Sweden.

Now I felt like I was lost in the middle of the sea of rich and famous people. For the first time, I felt small and irrelevant.

I wished my friends were here, though, or even just Ash and Lud to chat with or where I could grip an arm around. I wanted to pinch myself if I was really in the event. I suddenly felt a huge ball rolling in the pit of my stomach. I’d never been this nervous in my entire life—ever. But I couldn’t shake this feeling off.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please, welcome, the arrival of His Royal Highness, Prince of Burkese, Duke of Winterbourn, Prince Isodore. Her Royal Highness, Duchess of Burkese, Princess Aimrose.”

With respect, the guests stepped aside for the arrival of the Prince and Princess. They looked regal. The Prince was in a sharp dress in a royal uniform with his medals of honor pinned on his chest with Royal Family Order sash over his shoulder. The Princess was drop-dead gorgeous, making me starstruck in her black floor-length gown.

I followed when everyone applauded as the Prince and Princess were about to pass by the isle. I was so drawn that I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. Something about her aura and features seemed remarkable.

Just her smile alone, it was so pure, contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

She smiled. I thought she smiled at me. Then my hunch was right.

“Kennedy.”

My jaw dropped. Oh, my God! Did she just call my name? How did she know my name? Or I just misheard her.

I blinked rapidly, trying to make my brain work. No way I heard it right. It couldn’t be. It was impossible.

“His Royal Highness, Prince of Guardion, Duke of Reddyforde, Prince Thayer.”

That name.

My heart stopped. Shock cut through me like a knife into my chest.

I shook it off.

No. It’s not him.

It was impossible.

But when Prince of Guardion walked in with all his shocking grace, everything around us disappeared. He walked as if he belonged there with his tall, magnificent figure, commanding, and powerful self.

I froze in my tracks.

My lips dried.

I shivered.

Painful reality hit me so hard. What he said earlier came crashing down on me. I forgot that I was holding my breath until I couldn’t take it anymore. My head started to spin.

He’s a fucking prince.

“Holy crap.”

I wrapped my arms around me when goosebumps erupted all over my skin.

“No. This is not real,” I talked to myself.

God, help me.

I closed my eyes, wishing this was just some kind of a sick joke—a prank. I shook my head violently, denying what I just heard.

“Darling?”

I startled. No way.

When I cracked my eyes open, he was there, standing with all his glory, beaming down at me. I took my liberty to check him out. His hair was styled in a naturally diffused brushback. Just like his father, he was wearing an ancient royal regiment uniform with his medals.

He called my name again.

“What?”

He was offering his hand. “May I have the pleasure to dance with you?”

Then I realized the people were already dancing through the live orchestra.

I swallowed hard. “No.”

I just turned him down, yet, he was still smiling. “The guests are watching.”

I looked around and swallowed hard when everyone’s attention was, in fact, on us—scrutinizing, judging eyes pinned at me.

“Fine.” I placed my hand over his gloved-rapped hand. “Let me remind you, I might step the heels of these shoes on your feet.”

“You’re upset.” He placed his hand on his back when we reached the center.

“You lied to me.” I looked away when my eyes started to sting.

“I never did. I told you.”

I snapped my gaze at him. “Really? How about you tell me straight that you’re a prince. A freaking royal prince. God, I want to curse the hell out of you right now.”

“Then you’d run away.”

“Do you think you can stop me right now?” My chest heaved.

He clenched his jaw.

“How can I trust you when we started this relationship with a lie?” I shot him a murderous glare.

He twirled me around and caught me right into his arms. My breasts pressed against his.

“I told you I never lied to you,” he said in a gravelly voice, staring back at me. His eyes filled with raw and mixed emotions.

A painful silence followed.

I pulled my hand away. “I need to go to the restroom.”

“Let me take you there.”

“No. I’m sure your guests are ecstatic to meet you.”

I didn’t know where to go. At this moment, I didn’t give a shit.

I walked out and found a secluded place. Somewhat, I was in a garden. An overpowering rage gripped me to scream, but a voice of a woman stopped me.

“You lied to me. You told me not to worry, and everything’s under control.”

Seconds ticked by, the woman talked again. “You placed me in an unthinkable shame. Who is that woman? That ugly, social-climber woman?”

She must be talking over the phone. She sounded so upset and angry. “For God’s sake, do something. I want that woman gone! We’re supposed to be getting engaged in two days. I couldn’t believe he would dance with a commoner. With American whore!”