Blinding Light (BLS Book 1)

Mila

Pastime...

I’ve been traveling for a couple of hours, and I’m finally back—settled in my room, well, the temporary room that’s been mine for a few weeks. I can’t believe it’s been two months. I never knew it was possible to know more than you could comprehend. I find myself in the shower, letting the hot water burn the pain away. It seemed to help—even if it’s temporary. I cherish the ability to feel again. To feel freer than I’ve ever felt these past twelve years. When I emerge from the shower, that feeling subsides.

“Bonsoir (good evening), Mademoiselle,” Karen says, a big smile on her face. “How was the trip?”

“It was nice, Karen. How was the castle?”

“Oh, you know, the usual,” she shrugs, “Cleaning, scrubbing, boring maid stuff.”

“How unfortunate,” I reply, distracted in my thoughts.

“Yes. How unfortunate indeed,” she repeats, nodding her head towards me, “Do you need any help with dressing for dinner tonight?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“Of course, I don’t mind, Mi—Lady.”

I glance at her mistake, wary.

“What?” She asks.

“Oh, I thought I heard something…outside.” I sigh and blink a few times, frowning.

“Strange.”

“Oui, very strange.” I look at her cheerful expression. She reminds me of Raven earlier today.

…

…

“Come on, Mi—demoiselle. Suck it in!” She says as she pulls on the corset.

“I am!” I say hoarsely.

When she finally ties all of them, I could barely breathe. Then she hands me a dress. It’s beautiful, absolutely stunning. It’s an extremely pale blue color—the sky’s color with a hint of the ocean with white lace surrounding the whole gown, making it paler. I pull it over my head and let the fabric drape across my shoulders.

A thin layer of white lace covers my shoulders down to my wrists, forming a trumpet sleeve. There are little physical flowers sewn onto the dress itself. Karen zips the dress, and it comes up smoothly, revealing my curves. The dress itself is not puffy, making it pleasant for dinner, probably not suitable for a ball.

“Come, Mila, come.”

She never calls me by my first name.

“What’s with the informality, Karen?”

“What?”

“You heard me, the informality. You’ve been trying not to call me by my first name but have failed to do so. I’m just curious why.”

“I’m almost positive that you hear wrong, Mademoiselle. I think I’ve called you Lady Mila, but never just by your first, Mademoiselle. I would never be improper,” she simply says, now applying makeup to my face. “Now, Mademoiselle Hayes, please talk not more, we need some more fixing.”

“Excuse me?”

She’s not like herself. She never addresses me by my last name either—extremely strange for her. She sounds like she’s lecturing me—like she’s my mother.

“Fixing the makeup with this.” She shows me the lipstick.

Lipstick?

While she applies the lipstick, I can’t help but wonder why everything is so…incorrect. But alas, I don’t remember. I think I need to start drinking my morning tea again. Maybe that’s what’s going to help with this. I sure hope that His Highness doesn’t think that I’m too dressed up. Hopefully, he doesn’t feel that I’m just prey waiting to be caught.

I am no prey—I am a predator.

“Wow, that’s me?”

I look at myself in the small mirror that Karen has handed me. My long hair is partially pulled back into a braid then let loose into curls. The rest of the rings sits neatly on my pale shoulders. The hooded brown eyeshadow with a hint of gold makes my green eyes pop against my face. The contrast with the pale dress makes my skin almost glow, popping out my brunette locks.

“Yes, that is you, Mademoiselle. How did I do?”

“You did wonderfully, merci Karen!” I hug her, and she squeezes me back, just a little too tightly—but oddly familiar.

“Come now; I don’t need to suffocate more than I have already had.” She laughs at my non-existent joke. I look at her and make a serious face, “I wasn’t joking, Karen. Let go!” I pry her arms off my body. If I didn’t look at her once more, I might’ve missed it. Her eyes are watery, and I frown.

“Is something the matter?”

“No, dear. I’m just happy to see you grow up so much,” she wipes at her eyes.

“Aw, Karen…I appreciate how kind you’ve been to me these past years. I am ever grateful, so thank you,” she smiles and hugs me again, this time lighter and more like herself.

“Alright, best not to let me hold you back, get going!” She ushers me out.

***

When I arrive back in the ballroom, it feels so different, and I have no idea why. It’s arranged today to be like a dining room. The long table is filled with silverware of silver and gold. From Iwera’s riches, I don’t need a second glance to know that they are real. The chandeliers above me are lit up with bright candles that light up the whole room. The crystal candles are organized between every four chairs. Each plate has a red napkin folded neatly into a blossoming flower.

As I glance around the room, most people are already there, chatting but leaving the dining table alone and empty. When His Highness arrives, we all look in his direction.

“Thank you all for joining me,” he says while making his way to the long table. Everyone else follows suit, but I don’t see Raven anywhere. She’s always here earlier than me. But suddenly, she appears at the doorway from the entrance.

What the…?

Just when I thought things couldn’t get weirder, she appears next to me as if she’s been there for the whole time.

“Hey, Mila, late as usual,” she sneers.

“Uh-huh…” I say, looking at her.

“What?” She asks—her tone the same as before.

“Nothing, nothing. I’m fine—good.”

She gives me a weird look, “Alright, if you say so.”

I should be the one giving her the eye. She just materialized out of thin air!

As Nolan pulls out his chair, we do the same a second later and grab a seat. He then clinks his glass and stands,

“Bonsoir (good evening), everyone. I hoped you all had a great journey. I mad like to make a toast. First, I’d like to ask my father to stand, please.”

As King Leopold stands, applause sounds, and I clap along soundlessly—distracted. “I am sad to announce that my father will be leaving his position as king.”

Groans sound around the room.

“I know, disappointing, he was such a great king.”

Cheers erupt around the long table.

“Bus alas, I am happy to announce that our alliance with Sargon has been successfully established.”

More cheers resonate across the room.

“The coronation for me held for next week. By then, I will announce who has won the Suitor’s Campaign and has the crown’s best interest at heart—a true queen,” he smiles.

…

I think he was talking about his father. But I can’t focus, and I keep getting distracted.

I’ve been through these boring meetings a thousand times, but just today, I seem to have lost my focus. And it’s not even that boring.

“And that concludes it!” Nolan says and extends his arm out, holding his glass. “To our king and future queen!”

“To our king and future queen!” We all shout, raising our glasses of wine. They both take a seat.

I smell the food even before it reaches the table.

…

The steak cooked to just right with veggies of every kind—the mashed potatoes and butter plate already sounds so good in my head. I stop myself from licking my lips. I’m pretty sure I’d be drooling by now. I have no idea I’ve been this hungry. There’s also bread made into such a pretty flower arranged with whipped cream around the sides laid out in white baskets matching the table cloth. They also bring a circle of turkey meat still sizzling with the oil on it. The sauce and flavoring look just right as I feel my mouth water. I force the saliva down.

“Hungry La—Mila?” Raven asks, giggling.

“Obviously,” I answer, rolling my eyes. “I’m trying so hard not to drool.”

“Eww, remain proper, my—Mila.”

Why does she sound so much like—

When the king and queen pick up their forks, we all dig in. My thoughts evaporate when my tongue tastes the food. The food was so delicious. It’s just as mouth-watering as it sounds and smells. I try my best not to smash my face into my plate of a fantastic meal.

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Thanks, with lots of smiles

☆•Yiona•☆