"Miss Erika, your mother is waiting for you. She said she will not wait much longer," Agnes told me from the doorway, frowning slightly.

I looked at her, pressing my lips together. "I know, Agnes." I replied. I wasn't really trying to make us late, I was just trying to work up the courage to go. We were on our way to the palace to begin preparations for the marriage of Alice and William, and I was expected to help, despite my obvious opposition.

Exhaling slowly, I exited my room and descended the stairs. Mother was waiting impatiently in the foyer, her hands folded in front of her, as she watched me.

"It should not take you so long to get ready, Erika." She said stiffly. "Alice was even finished before you." And with that, she turned and walked out the front door to the awaiting carriage.

As mother had stated, Alice was already waiting for us, seated by the window on the small carriage bench. Since Father had work to do, it was only Mother, Alice, and I. We sat in uncomfortable silence for most of the short journey between the Lovet estate and the palace.

I was relieved when we finally reached the palace and could escape the confines of the small carriage and the awkward silence.

We were greeted at the gates by the guards and my eyes met Commander Gabriel's briefly. I vaguely wondered if he ever took a break from working, as he always seemed to be on duty. But his work habits really were none of my concern.

He inclined his head in a respectful greeting, before waving us through. The walk up the palace steps and to the grand doors felt a lot longer than it was in actuality. Dread roiled in my stomach. I did not want to see him. Ever again. But of course, I would have to see him at some point. He was marrying my sister, I thought bitterly, as the grand doors were opened for us and we stepped inside.

We were escorted by a guard through the palace to Queen Alexia's private chambers, where Mother and she would most likely discuss plans for the wedding.

Mother knocked loudly on the queen's door, which was opened a moment later by one of her ladies-in-waiting. The girl was probably in her early twenties. She had a round, flushed face and bright green eyes, and small pink lips. Her auburn hair reached her waist in waves and although she appeared to be a bigger individual, her dress was cinched so tight that her waist appeared smaller than Alice's and her breasts nearly spilled out of her bodice. I was wondering how she could still breathe in such a gown.

She smiled pleasantly when she saw us and allowed us entrance.

The room was large, with a grand stone fireplace and several armchairs around it, where Queen Alexia sat, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting. Tapestries lined the walls, as they seemed to be everywhere in the palace, and a large conference table sat in the middle of the room.

Mother, Alice, and I curtsied to the queen, until she told us to rise. She smiled warmly and waved us to the chairs beside her, dismissing her ladies-in-waiting, who left the room without another word. "I apologize for my son. He should be here by now." She said, glancing at the door.

As if on cue, William pushed open the door, striding into the room. My heart twisted at the sight of him and I looked away. He bowed low to his mother. "My sincerest apologies for being late, Your Majesty." He said, although he did not sound as sincere as he claimed.

She nodded her head and William sat down next to Alice, who was beaming at him. "Shall we begin?" Queen Alexia asked my mother, who nodded her head.

They moved over to the conference table and began talking softly. Looking over at Alice and William, I found them with their heads bent together, also talking in soft voices, clearly not wanting to be interrupted.

And then there was me.

I sat by the window, with my hands folded in my lap. It was rather uncomfortable, sitting alone. I noticed that William cast occasional glances in my direction, but I did not give him the satisfaction of returning his gaze. I took out my book—of course I'd brought one—and read, so that I did not feel quite so excluded.

Reading did not distract me as wholly as I would have liked. I could still feel those sapphire eyes on me at times, and I found my mind wandering. I felt as though reading had lost much of its appeal to me of late. I could not get through a page in any of my books, without my thoughts interrupting. It was quite frustrating.

Alice laughed loudly at something William said, shattering my concentration completely, and I glanced up. They were still speaking quietly to each other, as though they wanted no one else in the world to hear them.

I looked over at Mother and the Queen to see that they were still talking, writing things down on a piece of parchment. Queen Alexia nodded, listening intently to what Mother was saying.

After another several extremely long minutes, the Queen called over William and Alice so that they could be involved in their wedding planning. They were talking louder now, about frivolous things: what kind of cake would they have at the wedding, what would the color scheme be, what meal would be served (in great detail) . . .

This went on for a while, and I listened as they discussed important and unimportant things, alike.

I looked at Alice and found that she had a strained look on her face. She blinked rapidly, looking at the clock that sat against the wall, ticking rhythmically. She curtsied to the Queen and excused herself, quickly exited the room, shutting the door behind her.

My eyes met William's for a brief moment before I looked away. I saw him make his way over to me from the corner of my eye, and then sit down beside me.

"Hello, Erika," he said softy.

The sound of his voice made my heart hurt, but it also made me angry. Suddenly, my bodice was too tight. It felt as though all the air was being sucked out of this large room. And it was unbearably warm in here. I stood abruptly, curtsying to him. "Excuse me, Your Highness." I replied, and I saw hurt flicker briefly in his blue eyes, before it vanished. I might have even imagined it.

"Of course," he replied, gesturing toward the door.

I nodded and left the room. The air was colder in the corridor off of the queen's chambers. I could breathe easier out here, away from the stifling heat and the constant chatter.

Guards were posted outside of the room and they bowed to me as I walked past them and down the long hallway. I did not exactly have a destination in mind, but I found my feet carrying me toward the garden. I found the garden calming, even in the winter, when it was cold and everything was dead. There was a stillness about it, as though the world itself were holding its breath.

The outside air was crisp and cold, stinging my cheeks and making my eyes water. The trees were almost completely bare now, only patches of leaves remaining, waiting for their turn to detach from the tree and get carried away on the wind.

I walked through the garden, my feet crunching on the dead grass beneath me. After a few minutes of walking, I heard soft voices nearby. I walked toward the voices, curious as to who would be conversing out here in the cold.

I saw two people, to whom the voices belonged. They were talking softly, sitting on a bench next to the fountain. It was a boy and a girl; neither of them had noticed me yet.

As I got closer, I realized who the two people were.

Alice and Commander Gabriel were sitting very close, almost touching. I could not hear what they were saying, but then, the talking ceased.

I stood still, completely shocked, as Alice leaned forward and planted her lips on Gabriel's, who returned her embrace, pulling her so that she fell into him, laughing, their lips still locked together.

I uttered a loud, sharp gasp, taking a step backward.

Alice jerked away from the commander, her wide eyes meeting mine. I saw fear register in her eyes, and knew that I was not supposed to have seen what had just taken place. Commander Gabriel also looked surprised, his face going pale, when his eyes met mine.

Still a little dazed, I realized something. Of course Alice did not want to marry William. She was in love with Commander Gabriel.

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PLOT TWIST. DUN DUN DUNNNNNN. DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. Well . . . maybe a little, since I wrote it. I really hope you guys enjoyed reading this!

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P.S. Just a reminder: I know I've published this on the website, but I am still going to edit it just as I go, because I am still working on it. I haven't even finished writing it yet :P