Chapter: 21: The Valet

I held my breath as every eye in the room turned to me.

Alia’s accusations didn’t sound unreasonable. It was a perfectly valid justification for my decision to keep my truth a secret for so many years.

It just wasn’t the right justification.

Alia was about to open her mouth again when the door opened once more, and a familiar face stepped inside.

“Welcome, everybody,” Evie said, her chirpy voice piercing the thick air suffocating my burning lungs.

Gloom was not a color Evie wore, although wrath was a very different beast that she was more than capable of taming.

Red would probably become a shade feared across the realms if she knew we’d already had the first argument of the season.

“I hope your journeys here went smoothly and that you’ve had some time to introduce yourselves to each other.

“I see you’re all wearing your crystals which must suggest that you’ve all been briefed by your sympathizers. Perfect,” Evie said, folding her hands in front of her.

She was wearing a yellow blazer and yellow heels so high that she had to limit the size of her footsteps. Her dress had been replaced by a pair of white pants, their hems revealing her naked ankles.

I couldn’t see why she’d bothered to change her clothing since she’d come to my house only hours ago.

“I understand that the palace might be slightly overwhelming for some of you, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find your way around in no time.

“You are all here—a week before the official initiation of the Crown Trials—to make sure you’re settled into a routine and prepared for the life of a suitor before the cameras arrive.

“The evening has arrived, and the day has been long, so we will save the formalities for tomorrow.”

I fought my instinct to slump as my shoulders relaxed.

Thank the spirits that this evening wouldn’t be the beginning of a lecture or something worse.

“Your chambers have been prepared, and your personal valet will be waiting to accommodate you there. Dinner will be served in your rooms to help you get well-rested before tomorrow’s activities.”

~Activities…~

I wondered what that entailed.

“Remember,” Eve continued, pausing to ensure we were all listening.

“The crystal around your necks will act as keys to the rooms you are allowed to access, including your chambers.

“Only you, your valet, the king, and the prince have unrestricted access to your room; others are required to formally request access.”

She smiled throughout the entire informative lecture. If I hadn’t seen her frown, I would’ve thought the smile had been permanently etched onto her face.

“You are dismissed, girls. Please follow your respective guardians to your chambers.”

Everyone stood up when a group of uniformed people entered the room.

I instantly recognized Keagan among the guardians and assumed he would be the one to guide me to my room.

“Will we see you tomorrow?”

Piper’s whispering voice tickled my ear, sending goosebumps across my neck.

I nodded reluctantly, a perplexed expression creasing my face.

Piper only smiled. “Then I’ll meet you there.”

Instinctively, I grabbed Piper’s wrist before she could leave. “Why are you still talking to me?” I asked, my heart beating loudly. “What about Alia’s warning?”

Piper scoffed, rolling her eyes. “I’ve been surrounded by people like Alia most of my life,” she said, placing her hand on top of mine.

“She only said those things because you’re the center of attention, not her. I don’t think you’ve become part of the Crown Trials as part of a larger scheme, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.”

I blinked, my body humming in delight.

Could Tristan have been right? Would I be able to make friends with these girls?

“We have to go now, Willow. Don’t let Alia’s hostile remark get to you. You aren’t alone here, okay?”

I let her go, my heart fluttering like a hopeful dove. I wasn’t alone.

“Are you ready to leave, Miss Aldwyn?”

Keagan stepped forward as the only guardian left in need of a suitor to guide.

I nodded, unable to suppress the smile tinting my cheeks blue.

After turning several corners and what felt like miles of walking, our group split into two. A few minutes later, we split again, so the only suitors surrounding me matched my element.

It felt oddly calming to know they’d prepared a room for me among the other Air Iridis instead of somewhere isolated.

Keagan stopped at the end of the long hall in front of a door.

“Your key,” Keagan said, guiding me toward the door.

I knew he meant the crystal, but I had no idea how to use it. I’d never seen or heard of a crystal key before.

Discreetly, I peeked over my shoulder to eye what my nearest neighbor was doing.

Calla stepped closer to her door and simply placed the crystal against the wood. A quick flash of blue emerged from the crystal, and the door automatically opened in front of her.

I imitated her action as if I’d known what to do all along. The door clicked and began opening.

My toes curled in my shoes as a pearl of sweat formed on my forehead.

I was nervous. Not as much as I’d been when Piper’s voice first reached my ears, but I was still nervous.

Tristan and I had always shared a bedroom. I’d never had my own and didn’t know what to expect from it.

Keagan cleared his throat, looking impatiently at his wristwatch. It probably meant it was time for me to move.

Swallowing my worry, I pushed the door open and revealed the largest room I’d ever seen.

The ceiling reached as high as the chimney of our house. To the right was an enormous canopy bed, making the beds at the Iridis mansion seem like peasant beds in comparison.

Delicate, pale-blue curtains hung from each of the four posters. Neat, white sheets stretched across the mattress without a wrinkle in sight, and four giant pillows concealed the headboard.

My battered duffel bag was perched on the chest by the foot of the bed, looking thoroughly misplaced in this regal chamber.

“Your valet will be with you soon,” Keagan said before he shut the door behind him.

“Thank you,” I whispered, aware that Keagan was already long gone. I was too stunned by this glorious space to care.

One element that appeared to recur everywhere I went in this castle was the giant windows. They allowed so much natural light to flood the space that it almost gave the impression that I was outside.

The double doors tucked between the windows connected a spacious balcony to the room, the sight luring me closer. I pushed open the doors and stepped onto the earth-colored flagstones.

A fresh wind caught the strands of my wild hair, caressing my skin like a consoling hand.

My eyes followed the dark handrail outlining the balcony to a set of chairs and a table placed for two people to enjoy the view.

The fresh, salty scent of the ocean grazed my nose.

It was so different from the scents of the forest that I was used to. Only the breeze and the last rays of the sun on my skin felt familiar.

Although the palace was new and admittedly scary, I looked forward to making this room my own. I only wished I could share it with my family.

Sighing at the thought of my family, I stepped inside again, hoping to explore what hid behind the remaining doors before my valet arrived.

One door concealed a massive bathroom with a white bathtub in the middle of it. A shower was also placed in the corner for those who preferred running water.

The tiles felt warm under my feet, the heat making it difficult for me to tear myself away from the room.

The next room was even bigger than the bathroom, although it could hardly classify as a room. It was more of a glorified closet.

I saw nothing but dresses and shoes, separated by a few mirrors and drawers with jewelry and accessories.

Then I heard the door unlock, and my heart jumped to my throat.

I felt like a thief trying to steal from the royals until I remembered that this was my room.

Shaking the tremors off, I stepped outside the closet to greet the person who’d entered.

“Excuse me,” the petite woman said, her voice barely detectable.

“Hello,” I responded, smiling at the thought of having a First-blood companion from a life similar to the one I’d had before.

She stiffened, her deep red hair rising from the bones of her shoulders. She wore a white-and-brown dress resembling the uniform I’d worn at the mansion.

The young woman inhaled fiercely, breathing the courage she needed.

“My name is Faye!” she exclaimed, squeezing her eyes and bringing her head down so low that her forehead almost touched the floor. “I will be your valet during the Crown Trials!”

I held my breath, shocked by the pitch of her voice.

She seemed anxious. Too anxious.

In her eyes, I was an Iridis—not the First-blood I’d pretended to be before all this. She didn’t know about my past, which meant the king didn’t want her to know.

My heart sank.

I’d have to keep my previous life a secret from my valet as well. What bad luck.

I walked closer to her, gently wrapping my fingers around her elbow to guide her up again.

Just because Faye couldn’t know that I’d been like her didn’t mean I had to act like the entitled Iridis I’d previously encountered.

“Hi, Faye,” I said, softening the sound of my voice. “I’m Willow. It’s nice to meet you.”

Faye’s breathing slowed, yet her eyes didn’t leave the floor. “I-I’m here to fulfill your needs, Miss Aldwyn; please inform me if you need anything.”

Her knuckles were white from clenching her fists so hard as if she expected me to scold her.

“You know, you don’t have to behave like that,” I whispered, feeling invisible hands slowly strangling me at the thought of someone being afraid of me.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Faye. I don’t plan on yelling at you, either. I only hope you won’t mind standing as my guide because I have no idea what I’m doing, and I—”

I paused, clenching my jaws as my brother’s voice echoed in my head.

“I could really use a friend.”

Finally, her eyes met mine.

They were green, a trace of brown mixing in her left eye. Her face was round and puffy as if she’d been crying before she’d come here.

“I-I’m not sure, miss,” she stuttered, lowering her head again.

I sighed, realizing that to stand a chance of winning Faye’s trust, I would have to divulge a little more information than the king might have preferred.

“You know, Faye,” I said, smiling, but it turned out somewhat crooked. “I worked for some cruel people before I came here.

“I don’t know what you’ve been through before, but I assure you, I am nothing like them.”

Faye dared herself to raise her head again. “R-really?” she asked, careful not to tread the wrong waters. “How is that possible? You’re an elemental.”

I shrugged and nodded, hesitant to reveal more than necessary. Faye instantly sensed it.

“How was it?” she whispered instead, making me snort out loud.

“Horrible!” I exclaimed, widening my eyes as I gestured an explosion with my hands.

“I wouldn’t wish that kind of treatment upon my worst enemy. So please, feel free to act like a normal person around me. Flaws and all.”

Faye smiled and revealed a gap between her front teeth.

“I will do my best, miss,” she said, widening her smile.

“Willow,” I said, correcting her.

She blinked a few times until she realized what I was hinting at.

“Wi-Willow,” she said, quietly observing my reaction.

“Thank you,” I said, straightening my back as pride massaged my heart.

Faye grinned, rocking back and forth on her heels. Then an expression of enlightenment crossed her elated face.

“Miss Pride asked us to brief you regarding tomorrow.” Faye searched her pockets for a note she pulled up.

“Um,” she said, twisting and turning the paper in different directions until she found the right one. “I—um…”

“Breathe, Faye,” I said, chuckling as I grabbed her shaking wrists. “Breathe and take your time.”

She nodded, taking a deep breath. “Miss Pride has given you this evening to do as you please. However, she recommends you take a thorough bath as the stylists will arrive tomorrow.

“Dinner is also served in an hour.”

A wrinkle crossed the bridge of my nose.

Evie had warned me that this would come. I didn’t know whether it was normal or if they’d called a team of specialists because of me.

Regardless, it wasn’t something I could avoid. I didn’t look the part of the wildcard, and it was probably not something I could fix on my own.

“All right,” I said, breathing deeply. “A shower it is.”

Faye nodded, curling the note in her hand. “I will draw up a bath.”