The Princess Swap

6.

“This way, Princess.” The Beta motioned with his hands for me to walk past. But awe tangled my tongue and stiffened my legs.

If I had dreams, they would be of this man. In a world where people treated those beneath them like a scrap of gum beneath their boots, Beta Callan had shown warmth and care. He stood at the same height as the prince, roughly six feet five inches. While the prince had lean muscles, Beta Callan was built like a knight with his broad chest and bulging muscles. With glistening dark skin, short hair and hooded eyes, he had a strong presence. And this presence made my heart race like a hunted deer.

“Anything the matter, my lady?” His voice sounded better than I remembered; a cool and deep timbre, sweeter than honey and delicious enough to make my knees even weaker.

If perfection had to change its name, it could be called Beta Callan.

“I – I –“ I ducked my head away from his face and hastened forward.

“Careful –“ His hands were around my waist before I could plummet to the ground. Goose bumps rose on my flesh at having his hands around me. Goose bumps and a red flush that I hoped he didn’t see. I reddened further the longer he held on to me.

“T –Thank you.“ When I spoke, it was in the breathiest voice I ever heard.

When this entire ordeal had happened, the reason I had been creeping around the palace in the first place escapes me. Beta Callan had gotten so far from my mind upon meeting the king, the prince and the princess’ mother, that I was almost shocked to see him.

“It is my pleasure to serve.” He answered in his deep, rich voice that made me lightheaded.

He walked a step behind me, his body close enough for me to feel the heat he exuded as I traced my way back to the castle. The silence we moved in was much nicer than the chatter with the Prince by a thousand times. Seeing this man was a thousand times better than being in the presence of the arrogant prince. But I wanted more things than silence from him. I wanted to hear his voice like warm chocolate on velvet cake.

“The weather is eh – nice tonight isn’t it?” I asked. He turned to me with a small smile that showed a small dimple that softened his chiselled features.

I wondered if Ryker had been right. I wondered if I had feelings for this man. I wondered if it would be wise having feelings for someone so far out of my league. Then I sighed in annoyance, realizing I could never pursue anything with him for as long as I inhabited the princess’ body. Again, the world had tossed me a bone and snatched it up before I finished sniffing it.

I wondered how the princess felt. I wondered if she felt as overwhelmed as I did, thrust into an unfamiliar world without notice or guidance. Where had she gotten? How had she fared? Most of all, how had she fed?

“Yes, the goddess has blessed us with a full moon for a third night.” Beta Callan's voice brought me back to the present. We were closer to the castle now. Close enough for the lights around the building to cast shadows about us.

“Did you make a wish under the moon tonight, Beta?” I kicked a lone stone out of my path, clasping my hands behind me.

“I’m afraid I don’t believe in such things,” He answered with a smile playing on his lips. When he looked at me with unhidden amusement, I did not feel self-conscious. Not like with the Prince. There was no mockery in his smile.

“You don’t believe in wishes under the moon?” I asked with a small voice.

No one would use the adjective timid to describe me. Quiet, yes. Weak, definitely. Mute, sometimes, but never timid. I wasn’t shy. I just knew how to stay in my lane. But I felt like ducking my head as the Beta continued to smile at me. Too bad Wilhelmina had pilled my hair so high and so tight, I felt the veins on my forehead throb.

“I don’t believe in wishes under the sun or moon. I don’t believe in wishes at all,” He answered, a smile still playing on his lips.

“As a child, my mother told me wishes made under a full moon are always gotten,” I whispered, slowing my pace as we approached the castle. A litter of guards paraded the palace but they faded out of existence thanks to the smile on the Beta’s lips.

“Sure your mother said that?”

“Yes. I’ve made a wish under every full moon I’ve stood under.”

“What have you wished for tonight?” His eyes sparkled.

I could not believe I had managed to engage a man of his status in conversation for so long. It felt surreal to have his attention fixated on me. It would not be wishful thinking to say that the world faded for him too. That only the two of us existed under that moon. He said nothing to the guards greeting us and he said nothing as I dragged my feet even more.

“I wouldn’t get my wish if I tell you,” I answered with a smile. He laughed and the sound did funny things to my stomach.

When he sobered up, his eyes were bright with something unfamiliar. “Have any of your wishes come true, Princess?” He asked with solemnity etched into his expression.

“Until today, all my wishes were mere wishes. Today, I experienced the unlikeliest of wishes come true.” I admitted.

“I wish you would tell me what you wished for.” It was my turn to laugh at the downturn of his full lips.

“You don’t believe in wishes, Beta.” I laughed.

The castle slept, save for those who ran it behind the scene. The cleaners hurried about while the royals slept, putting things in place that had been knocked aside. I wondered if they had beds to sleep on or if the king behaved as uncaring with his staff as he did with his subjects.

The bitter thoughts did not last long as the Beta walked me to the Princess’ room. Like a gentleman, he opened the door for me but I refused to leave. As we stood outside the room. I realized he had beautiful eyes then. The chocolate brown a wonder that I got lost in.

“Have you found your mate, Beta Callan?” I asked, a desperate need climbing up my throat.

“I’m afraid I will never get to experience that gift,” He answered, sadness hanging on his words. “Goodnight, Princess Ariana.”

I was so desperate to have his company for a few minutes longer that I did the foolish thing of inviting him inside. He jerked back with slacked jaws. His expression morphed into a big smile. He assumed I joked so I played along, laughing in a strained voice.

“When I feel suicidal, maybe I will.” He winked and took my heart with him.

That night, I slept on the cloudy bed of the Princess, in her evening dress and with a smile on her face. The prince forgotten, I closed my eyes and for the first time in a long time, I dreamt of twinkling brown eyes and dimpled smiles.

My wish under the moon had been for a change of fortune. For me, Selene, not the princess. As I slept, I dreamt of a kingdom.

°°°

My eyes opened at the crack of dawn, mind schooled to do so every day. For a second, I wondered where I was, who I had become.

Wilhelmina must have drawn the blinds before I left for my walk the previous night. A fan whirled lazily in the cool room. My body protested having to leave the warm spot I had made in bed but I dragged myself.

The door opened as I turned to look myself in the mirror.

“Goodness gracious.” The Princess's mother and Wilhelmina looked like they had seen something – or someone unpleasant. I had no idea why their jaws dropped, appalled. Princess Ariana still stared back at me in the mirror.

“Princess Arianna, your hair!” Wilhelmina stood behind the Princess’ mother, blinking twice every second. Her companion continued to stare daggers at me.

I admitted the hair was not as Wilhelmina had made it the previous night. The tight band holding it up had unravelled. The blonde hair of the princess stuck out in odd angles, tangled down my shoulders, limp and dull. It wasn’t a pretty sight but I didn’t think it warranted such a scandalized look.

“Good morning,” I chirped.

It hadn’t been a dream neither had my wish faded. I woke up in the Princess' body! The joy of waking up as a princess could not be explained. The exciting meeting with Beta Callan coupled with a night of good sleep seemed to have been pulled out from my deepest desires.

“Good morning? Are you doing this to get back at me, Ariana?“ The woman snapped. Despite it still being so early, her skin looked fresh, her perfume tinged the air and her dress dragged behind her.

“Get back at you for what?” I finger-detangled the hair as she spoke. It truly was a mess but nothing a hot comb would not fix.

“Don’t be silly, Ariana. Why have you let your hair turn into such a mess?” She snapped, finally walking into the room. I couldn’t see her shoes as her gown covered even the ground, but I heard the clacking of her heels on the uncarpeted part of the room. Even the sound seemed as angry as the woman who growled as she stalked forward.

“I went to bed. People get bed hair when they sleep?” I poised my answer as a question. Again, I glanced at the hair. I would admit it looked like a bird’s nest but everyone had bed hair.

“Those who get bed hair are not the queen, Ariana! Have you ever seen Queen Gwen with messy hair? No. She knows she is the queen. She knows she has to be perfect all the time.” The woman growled, her eyes turning darker with every second.

“But –“

“Shut up, Ariana!” She snapped. She snapped and I no option but to obey. The words were like a command from her mouth. “What if the Queen had come in to visit with you? Do you think she would be pleased to see that – that disaster on your head!?”

The Queen of Karriel was certainly perfect. A model of grace and smiles and charm. She had deep dimples, pretty gap teeth and the best smile in the kingdom. It didn’t mean she had perfect hair all the time. It just meant we never got to see her imperfect hair. I told the woman just that and it made her swell.

“You know nothing. I’m trying to do what every good mother would do by helping you but you seem to be hell-bent on sabotaging me. How would you like for Prince Zion to see you looking like a madwoman?!”

“It’s just bed hair!” I exclaimed, surprised at the fuss. “I will comb it out.” I reached for a comb on the dresser but she slapped my hand away.

“It is not just bed hair. It is a total disregard for your image. You could have driven the prince away with that scary thing on your head.”

“What do you want me to do? It’s not as if I can take off my hair while I sleep.” It was too early in the day for this kind of unproductive hassle, I thought.

“The bedtime beauty routine that you have kept in good practice for ten years!” She snapped before whirling away from me, giving me space to breathe freely for the first time since she stepped into the room. “Oh, Willy!” She cried with a disparaging voice. “Please get the other girls. Her hair must be done before any other sees her in such a dreadful state. Please, make my daughter at least a little bit perfect before breakfast.”