Cassandra

Chapter Sixteen

Cassandra POV 

“She is so weak”, I turn around to see a group of people gathered together in the ground. The weather today is hot unlike the usual days, the sun is over us and I could feel myself sweating through my clothes. I look down and see that I have worn a gown today, a puffy pink gown, on this hot weather, inside it, my body is packed by a corset. My hands are covered with gloves and my hair is tied in a bun. 

It is not ladylike to keep the hair loose, Cassandra. 

I still remember my Mom saying these words. 

“She doesn’t even know how to hold a sword”, another whisper. I try to not let these things bother me but I am not able to ignore them for now. It feels like they are standing close and saying all this near my ears when they stand far away. 

“She only knows one thing ”, I know this voice, it is him, Edward, “How to cry”, the whisper is followed by loud laughter and I can’t ignore them anymore. 

“Look at her, she is crying now too”, I see them pointing at me. I didn’t realize when my eyes got filled with tears. 

I didn’t want to cry 

“Cassandra, it is not ladylike to cry in front of others, you are a princess, you should know better”, I am frozen by her words. It was my secret, that Daddy told me to keep and she is saying it out loud in front of everyone. 

“Mom…Please stop”, I could feel the tension rising inside me, she has blown my cover, they won’t let me stay now.

“It is Mother, Cassandra, how many times should I tell you this?”, She is coming towards me and everything that has happened is coming back. She would drag me back to the palace, she wouldn’t let me out now, she wouldn’t let me be a knight. 

“Please Mom…no”, I have started to sob now. 

“I have come here to have you betroth to the most bravest Prince…”, I cannot believe what she is saying. I don’t want to marry now, I just came here. I am shaking my head again and again while tears seem to pool in my eyes. 

“Prince Edward” 

“Nooooooooooooooo”, I scream waking up from the nightmare of my life. I get up from the bed and rush towards the window. It is closed. I quickly lift it up as I can’t breathe. 

My body is on fire and my clothes have been drenched with sweat. 

I look down to see what I am wearing. It is the nightgown. I let out a breath of relief. 

“It was a dream”, I say to myself. Out of all the people I have to dream about him. I must be going crazy. 

I am feeling uneasy with the smell of my body so I decided to take a bath today. Picking up my towel and clay along with rose oil, I look for a dress for today. 

I can’t wear a blouse and pants. It is a celebration and I have to be presentable for my family. 

I take out all my clothes from the bag and beneath all my clothes, I find a sea blue gown, simple and elegant. Not a puffy one like in my dream. I shake my head again, to dismiss the thought. 

I put out my white silk gloves and I blue ribbon to go along with the dress. My Mom is not here but I still have to keep the honor of my family in front of the guest today. 

I quickly bathe myself and put on my dress. it has a collar of lace, ribbon, and Berthe, with the sleeves only till my elbows, unlike the kind my mother wears. My bust is completed hidden with the sea blue net material. The waistline is little above tummy to hide my chubby figure and covering it with the skirt which right below the waistline. The skirt is a white color with sea blue flowers at the bottom. The gown seems light but it is on floral length. 

I pick some while flowers to put it in my hair, along with the blue ribbon.  

I take a glance in front of the mirror and feel like I look like a girl. 

Just one day. 

As I am leaving the chambers, I see my friends are waiting for me. Evan is dressed in a white silk blouse with goldwork thread and black pants. Prince Cedric is dressed in a similar manner except he is wearing a blue blouse with silver work thread and white pants. He is wearing a cloak over it with the emblem of his kingdom.

Prince Cedric is looking handsome while Evan is looking more athletic with his sculpted physique. 

As I make my way towards them, both of them smile towards me. One sincere while the other teasing. 

“You look beautiful today My lady”, Prince Cedric takes my hand from my side and plant an admiration kiss over it. I am taken aback by this gesture. I bow down to him and find Evan by my side. 

“You look like a princess today Cass”, his voice has a little change in it. It is hoarse and deep. The pupils of his eyes are broadened, piercing me with the amusing gaze. I look down overwhelmed. 

I should have worn my blouse and pants only. This is too overwhelming. 

“I am not holding any hands”, I say to both of them, with their hands raised up in front of me. 

“And if you don’t stop, I am going in and changing back”, I hear them chucking and they nod in unison. 

“Okay My Lady, I will try not to bother you today”, Prince Cedric is sincere and considerate as usual while Evan is trying, again and again, to take my hand in his. 

I nudge him hard on his shoulder and give him a threatening scowl. 

A stage is set up covered in white sheets and dance instruments. most of the people have already settled themself in front of the stage. I look around the ground which seems different today. Wooden pillars have been stuck and covered with while silk sheets thick strings are hung above covered in Lillies making the smell heavenly. Little lambs hung by the side of the pillars lightening up the place. 

I feel a hand grabbing me and turn to see who is it. 

“The dance is about to begin, let’s sit down”, Evan looks as excited as I am. 

Prince Cedric is standing aside with few other Princes and has taken a glass to drink. 

My eyes fall on the stage as the dance begins with the introduction of Princess Aria. Dressed in a red gown she looks like an angel, her skin fair, her body petite and her hair long and smooth black. she must be admired by thousands already. Her smile makes her cheeks blush and bring a red color. 

She is accompanied by five more girls who follow her steps as they move. 

The leg moves with the beat and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. There are cheers and applause as the performance completes and I am still in awe of the mesmerizing dance which happened in front of my eyes. 

I hold my skirt up and make my way towards the stage, for personally showing my admiration towards the performance. I don’t understand the dance but it sure was breathtaking. 

“Princess Aria”, I call out her name as she is stepping down from the stage. 

She turns towards me with a smile on her face. She looks of my age and I have a sudden feeling of happiness rushing through my body. 

A girl of my age. Finally, I would be able to talk to someone who could bring a little calmness in my life. 

She looks just as happy as me. 

“Aria…are you okay?”, I hear another voice. A girl from the same dance group comes and stands beside her. 

 “Umm..this is Fluer, she is my best friend”, Princess Aria says with affection in her eyes. 

“It is an honor to meet you princess”, I start to say but she dismisses me waving her hand. 

“You could address me by my name”, I find her sweet and kind and develop an immediate affection towards both of them. 

I take them in my chambers and sneak food for them which makes them delightful as they made a long journey and were hungry but couldn’t eat since they have to perform. 

“Thank you for bringing us here, I wasn’t comfortable outside”, Aria says 

“I know, guys stink”, I and Fluer say in union. 

“You feel that too? I thought it is just me”, I couldn’t stop my grin. 

“Except for maybe one”, there is a blush on Aria’s face I feel like I know the reason.

“She has already found a handsome fella”, Fluer winks at me while Aria glares at her. 

“You can’t say that to anyone.”, she is still blushing and I put her to ease by saying that it will be our secret. 

We soon form a bond with our talks and stories about our palaces. I find many things common with both of them and felt ease being myself in front of them. 

“So you can’t tell anyone that I am a Princess”, I whisper and both of them nod which is followed by giggles. 

“I am really in-depth of your kindness, Cass”, Aria begins to say and Fluer nods. 

“One day, whenever you will need any favor, I would try to repay you back”, she says with a smile on her face and it hurts my heart thinking that both of them will be gone soon. 

“Daddy takes care of most of my needs, so I won’t need any favor..what I want is for you to value our friendship forever”, we all three hold each other hand and promise to keep this bond forever. 

I feel myself getting teary seeing them leave. 

I feel like today I found something I wasn't looking for. A very special and loyal bond. Today I felt myself smile wider and laugh louder because maybe I didn't have to pretend anything.