"On to breakfast now, ladies," Charlotte urged under her breath as the four women walked primly but with a brisk pace.
They had got ready and were now headed to the breakfast room. Elizabeth's injured finger had been tied with a small cloth, and the four women had prayed that Dame Agatha would not notice.
It was clear from the oppressing air in the castle that clumsiness did not suit the people who deserved to stay here.
Cassandra heaved nervously as she kept pace with her friends.
Her dark curls had been bunched up into a rather tight bun and had been covered with a tight lace cloth. She was dressed in a rather elegant gown. It cinched at her waist and flowed out over her hips. Her bustline was a lot lower than she preferred but the palace expected the most fashionable, she knew. The colour of her gown was a beautiful sea blue and it suited Cassandra's slightly tanned skin.
Her many hours of lounging in the sunny gardens while she read had given her a pleasant and rather shimmering skin tone. Her curious, large eyes and pouty dark pink lips made her face more captivating and beautiful than one would have thought possible.
"One more floor below," the head maid who was walking ahead of them said. "We dine at the large banquet hall afforded to us by the secretary of her Majesty, the unyielding. She has allowed most of this wing for our use for the next ten days."
"I see," Charlotte answered for all four ladies. Her posture was perfect; her legs were almost unmoving as she hurried along.
The head maid suddenly stopped.
She glanced back at the four women with fright before bowing and immediately darting behind to the curtains.
Cassandra frowned. Her own steps stopped as the four noble women glanced at each other in worry.
The way a servant would scurry out of sight could only mean one thing.
Cassandra slowly felt her heart pick up pace. Her friends hurried noiselessly into a single line. They clasped their hands, straightened their backs and kept their eyes downcast as footsteps were heard coming up the stairs that they had been headed toward.
Cassandra stood very still.
On either side of her stood her nervous and still friends.
The head maid was practically invisible as she stood very quietly and still behind them.
Royalty was headed their way and servants were simply not to be seen or heard in their presence.
The footsteps neared the ladies and stopped.
Cassandra had her gaze fixed on the floor, but she wanted so badly to look up to see who had entered the vast, sunshine filled hallway.
Was it the queen's consort lover? The queen had a cousin living here as well, did she not? Was it one of her two sons? Was it the queen herself?
Cassandra was dying to look up but she simply could not afford to.
She stood completely still as the footsteps slowly continued, this time their pace was leisurely and slow.
It was a man, Cassandra realized. There was no elaborate gown that she could see from the corner of her eye.
"Raise your head," his voice was young, with a haughty ring to it.
Cassandra slowly looked up to see a handsome face. His skin was clear and fair. He had shiny light red hair that was reckless in its appearance. Light blue eyes watched her as she investigated it. Its gaze dipped quickly down to take thought of her soft cleavage and down to the cinching of her waist.
Cassandra wanted to turn away from him, but royal protocols kept her in place as the young prince leered at her body slowly.
His name was Berrick Ravenshade.
He was the crown prince of the land. He was only seventeen years old and already had a gorgeous mistress and every other pleasure known to the people of their kingdom. His character was unruly and careless and he was not well-liked by the people.
He was expected to rule after his mother and Cassandra knew that that was only reason her half-sister, Vella, had accepted his proposal to become his mistress.
"And where are you beautiful women headed?" the prince asked. He smiled but the warmth never reached his eyes. He had moved his gaze to Phoebe. Her dark dress set off her beautiful red hair, and her abundant curves were filling out her gown perfectly.
Charlotte curtsied, her expression calm and betraying none of the disgust she was feeling, "Your highness. It is our utmost pleasure to be in your presence."
The other women immediately bowed as well.
The prince took two leisurely steps back, his smile growing. He was clearly enjoying this.
Cassandra held her tongue, waiting for the composed Charlotte to continue. She was rather grateful to have such a confident and well-bred friend like Charlotte.
"We are a few of the women selected for the test commissioned by her majesty, the queen. We are, if selected, to be the next ladies-in-waiting to her majesty."
The prince huffed, "Tempting, young beauties like you parading around the palace on mother's request." He grinned, his eyes lighting up with a fire, "I rather like that."
Charlotte said nothing, keeping her eyes trained on the floor.
The other three did the same, his words were shocking to the well-bred ladies.
Cassandra hoped her face had the right expression. She could not believe the vulgar words that had left the prince's mouth. This was the next king of their kingdom. Was this really the way he was allowed to behave toward women who were presently guests at his palace?
Her whole world had rocked just then.
She wanted to shudder but kept her spine straight as she waited for what would be said or done next.
The prince spent a few more moments eyeing the women up and down before he turned away. Walking past them slowly, he let his finger trace the plump lips of Phoebe's before he walked away.
The ladies, including the head maid, waited till his body disappeared down the long corridor before the let out the breath they had been holding.
Cassandra turned horrified eyes toward Charlotte but Charlotte's face was stern. Her eyes held a warning signal to her friends. No words about the prince could be uttered negatively within the walls of the palace.