Adelina Winsnow
I gazed in awe at the landscapes unfolding beyond the carriage window as we made our leisurely way toward the capital. This was my first journey to the city, as my brother, Duke Mason Winsnow, who had taken care of me since our parents’ passing, had never brought me along to the king’s previous invitations to attend his balls. In fact, I was rarely allowed to attend such events at all, which seemed odd for a young woman of marriageable age. Well, “marriageable” might be a stretch—my prime had already slipped by, and at twenty-two, I was something of an old maid.
Today, we were headed to a ball celebrating the engagement of Prince Martin to a foreign princess, Josephine. I was hoping for a grand royal affair, though, to be honest, any ball would seem grand to me since I so seldom attended them. I eagerly anticipated the event, but for now, my attention was drawn to the houses beginning to appear along our route.
“Adelina, stop gawking out the window like that. We’ve arrived in the capital, and you’ll embarrass us,” my brother Mason snapped, pulling me from my thoughts. He sat across from me with his wife, Deborah. Looking at them, I couldn’t help but notice how well they complemented each other, despite seeming so different at first glance. She was a striking redhead with green eyes and aristocratically pale skin dusted with freckles across her nose and cheeks, while he had dark hair and brown eyes—much like mine, a trait we inherited from our father—with a perpetually stern expression on his face.
“I’m so worried about the children. Maybe we should have brought them with us?” Deborah fretted.
“Are you serious?” Mason scoffed at her concern. “They’re with the nannies; everything’s fine. How could we bring them to a ball? ‘Allow us to introduce five-year-old Simon and two-year-old Megan’? It’s laughable. You’ll get a break from them for a bit.”
“Oh, really, there’s no need to worry. The nannies at home are very experienced, and the children are used to them,” chimed in my maid and close friend, Lucretia, who was traveling with us to help Deborah and me prepare for the ball. Sitting beside me, she occasionally stole glances out the carriage window as well.
Though I hadn’t seen much yet, I was already enchanted by the capital. We passed through narrow streets lined with neat little houses. What struck me most, however, was the royal palace. Our ducal castle paled in comparison. Several towers, three stories, expansive terraces—and that was just what I could see from the carriage as it finally came to a stop.
The door opened, and we were greeted by a dignified man in a dark uniform. After my brother was introduced, we were ushered to our quarters. A maid named Betty, who turned out to be the queen’s first assistant, led us through the grand royal corridors. I couldn’t help but marvel at the opulence surrounding us. High ceilings, enormous chandeliers and candelabras flickering with candles, soft carpets, intricate moldings on the walls—all adorned with gold leaf and marble. We were assigned two rooms. Mine was a cozy bedroom with a wide bed that beckoned me to lie down and stretch out my back.
By the time my belongings were brought from the carriage, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, the summer heat had faded, and a cool evening breeze swept in. I didn’t get to see the king that evening; dinner was brought to my room, and I ate alone. Exhausted from the journey, I quickly changed and went to bed, eagerly awaiting the next day.
To me, morning came far too early. Through my grogginess, I heard Lucretia enter the room, draw back the curtains, and open the window, letting sunlight spill onto my bed. I felt the rays tickle my nose and blind my eyes, so I simply turned the other way.
“Good morning! Rise and shine, Adelina! I know you’re not asleep anymore. We need to get you dressed; they’re expecting you at breakfast.”
Remembering I was in the royal palace, my drowsiness vanished. I wanted to explore the palace as soon as possible—who knew if I’d ever get the chance to return? Under Lucretia’s surprised gaze, I sprang up energetically and began getting ready.
“They’re waiting for you in the main dining hall. There will be other guests who’ve arrived for the ball, though the king himself won’t be there—he’s preoccupied with something. Still, you need to look presentable.”
With that, Lucretia selected a green gown with a tight corset, a satin bow tied at the back, and a full skirt.
“Will you wear this one? We should save your best dress for the ball.”
“Yes, that’s fine. I don’t really care which one.”
Lucretia helped me dress and styled my hair into an elegant updo that cascaded into a side braid before transitioning into loose, curly locks down the center. We descended to the first floor and entered the dining hall, where a pleasant aroma wafted through the air. Three long tables, already occupied by nobles, filled the vast room. Spotting my brother and his wife, I quickly took a seat beside them.
“Oh, look who finally didn’t sleep through breakfast,” Mason sneered with a mocking smile.
“Good morning to you too! I couldn’t possibly miss a royal breakfast.”
At that moment, our food was served. Mason remarked that they’d only been waiting for me, which, of course, wasn’t true. Breakfast passed with his usual unpleasant comments, which I simply ignored. Oddly, Mason didn’t seem to care about the aristocrats seated nearby, whom I hadn’t been introduced to. My thoughts were elsewhere; I couldn’t wait to explore the palace.
“Adelina, Lucretia is helping both of us. When will you get ready for the ball?” Deborah asked. I was glad she spoke up—at least it would silence Mason for a moment. He and I had never had a warm relationship.
“Let her help you first, and then she can take care of me.”
There were no objections to my suggestion, so a plan began to form in my mind about how to use my free time. After breakfast, everyone headed back to their rooms. I lingered, pretending to finish my cherry compote, waiting until the guests had left the hall before stepping into the corridor. Instead of returning to my assigned quarters, I headed in the opposite direction. I might never be here again, and I didn’t want to waste the chance to see everything. Nearby, through a slightly open door, I glimpsed an even larger hall where servants bustled about. They were decorating it with flowers, white tablecloths, and additional candlesticks. This must be where tonight’s ball would take place.
“Can I help you? Are you lost?” a voice called from behind. It was one of the maids.
“No, thank you. I’m heading to my room.”
Fibbing to her, I continued down the corridor, admiring the paintings hanging on the walls. Before I knew it, I found myself in a grand foyer with a double staircase that exuded majesty. It was another way to the second floor. Unable to resist the temptation, I climbed the steps. Wandering through the corridors, I occasionally peeked into rooms with open doors. I ascended to yet another floor, greeted by more luxurious hallways and large windows. I passed people along the way, but no one paid much attention to me. Once again, I came across an open door to a room and quietly approached, pausing at the threshold. It was a lavish suite, the finest apartment I’d seen today—or ever, for that matter.
“What took you so long? Come in already.”
A male voice echoed from behind a brown screen. Realizing I’d been noticed, I stammered nervously:
“Me?”
In response to my question, a dark-haired young man with brown eyes and full lips emerged from behind the screen. He wore only blue trousers, his flawless bare torso making me blush. He, however, seemed unfazed.
“Who are you? Do you need something?”
“I heard someone call me, so I came in,” I lied. I couldn’t exactly admit I was snooping around. The young man looked at me with surprise.
“You?”
“I heard someone say to come in.”
“Ah, I heard footsteps and thought you were the servant I was expecting. How did you end up here?”
He took a step closer, making me even more self-conscious. Averting my gaze, I replied:
“I was heading to my room and got lost.”
“You must have taken quite a detour to end up all the way here.”
“I’m sorry, it’s my first time here. I got distracted by the paintings and the views from the windows, and I didn’t notice where I was going. We’re here for the ball. I don’t attend balls often, so I’m a bit nervous. Have you been to this palace before?”
“Yes, I’ve been here once or twice,” he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. There was a hint of mockery in his tone, though I couldn’t quite place why. Perhaps he realized I wasn’t truly lost. He took another step toward the door, glanced down at his impeccable physique, then looked at me and asked, “So, what do you think of what you see?”
I wasn’t sure if he meant himself or the palace. My mind froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond. I mumbled something incoherent before gathering my thoughts and saying confidently:
“The palace is magnificent. I love it.”
My companion only laughed in response. From behind me, a voice broke the awkward moment, practically rescuing me from the situation:
“Adelina, is that you?”
Turning around, I saw an old friend, Edmond. We’d been close as children when he worked for our family, but after he joined the army, I hadn’t heard from him since. He’d grown into a man—his blond hair a bit longer, his cheekbones more pronounced, and he was much taller. Catching my eye, he hesitated for a moment:
“Forgive me, Duchess, I was just caught off guard.”
“Edmond, come on now. Don’t tell me you’re about to bow to me.”
Giving him a playful scolding, I rushed into his arms, unable to contain my joy. He seemed delighted too, returning the embrace briefly before stepping back and stammering:
“I didn’t expect to see you here, so I was a bit thrown off. I didn’t think you’d be at the ball.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t expect to see you either. How did you end up at the palace?”
“It’s a long story. I’m currently Prince Martin’s personal attendant.”
Edmond glanced respectfully at the young man, whose presence we’d momentarily forgotten. The stranger shook his head slightly, perhaps unaccustomed to being overlooked. I turned my attention back to Edmond, deliberately ignoring the brash newcomer, and continued:
“Sorry, I know you have work to do, and I’d love to catch up. We’re leaving tomorrow—can you find a moment to chat?”
“Of course. Are you in the guest wing?”
“I’m not sure, probably. This palace is enormous; it’s easy to get lost.”
“Shall I escort you to your room, then?” the stranger interjected with a smirk that made me squirm.
“No, thank you. I’ll find it myself. Sorry again. Goodbye!”
With that, I walked off down the corridor with my head held high. Without looking back, I heard the door close behind me. As I moved forward, I barely noticed my surroundings, desperate to retreat to the room assigned to me. How could I have gotten myself into such a mess? It was my own fault—my curiosity had gotten the better of me. I couldn’t help but wonder who that young man was.
Edmond had mentioned he served Prince Martin. Could that have been the prince himself? No, surely not. If it were him, there would have been guards and attendants nearby, but there was no one. Probably just an important guest. Maybe Edmond had come to deliver a message from the prince or something else—he did say he’d been here before. It was an awkward encounter. I tried to reassure myself to calm down. We’d likely never cross paths again; the palace was teeming with guests.