- - -

“My lady, it’s time to get up!”

Catherine woke up with a start. She wasn’t used to people calling her ‘my lady’ yet and for a moment wondered who the maid was referring to. She also wasn’t used to her new name, her appearance in the mirror, how soft the bed was, how good the food tasted, living in such a big house around so many people… so many changes she was trying to settle into.

“Thank you, Mary!”

The maid standing beside her bed smiled and nodded. She was Catherine’s personal maid, and despite Uncle’s assurance she didn’t need to be formal with her, she couldn’t help but appreciate Mary. All the other servants didn’t seem to like her much, and that worried her. What was she doing wrong? Was Uncle going to scold her?

“Breakfast is here, my lady.”

Lady Bryant, her stepmother, was so extremely kind and sweet to her in every way. She had explained that Catherine’s little stepsister, Briana, needed time to adjust her presence, so it would be best for her to eat in her room for now, and there was no need for her father to know this was her suggestion. Of course, Catherine agreed. She must always be considerate.

“If you’re done, I’ll start helping you get ready for your big day!”

Since Catherine didn’t know much about clothes, Lady Bryant picked out her wardrobe for her. The dress she chose today was pretty as usual, a white one for her debutante. There were so many layers and it was almost hard to move in, another thing she needed to get accustomed to.

When she was finally in her dress, stylists Lady Bryant had hired came and did her hair and makeup. She sat for hours as they decorated her, and she thanked them profusely when they were done. After they left, Catherine and Mary peered at the finished result in the mirror together.

“You look fantastic, my lady!”

“It’s not me, Mary, it’s those stylists’ skills and you that make me look so good. Thank you so much!”

It was already time for lunch, so Catherine ate a little, too nervous for any more. She set out to find her ‘family’, since they were leaving right after lunch to get a good spot in line. She met her stepmother and stepsister coming from the dining room.

“Good day, Lady Bryant and Lady Briana.”

Lady Bryant nodded in acknowledgment. Lady Briana scowled and stuck out her tongue. Uncle had taught Catherine to think the best of everyone, so she had decided to regard her stepsister as cute. She smiled affectionately at the both of them, her new family.

“You are ready to depart?”

“Yes, Lady Bryant. Thank you for picking out this wonderful outfit and all those talented stylists!”

“You’re welcome. Come along, I suppose. Briana, dear, be a good girl. I’ll see you when I get back.”

‘Good girl.’ Catherine didn’t know why these words made her stiffen when Uncle had said them so many times. Would Lady Bryant be disappointed if Briana made a mistake? Was Uncle already disappointed in Catherine for not being good enough for everyone to like? Was she going to fail him today, on one of the most important days of her life?

“Well? Are you coming or not?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”

She hurried after Lady Bryant, who led her to the front foyer, where Father and Uncle waited. Uncle looked genuinely happy next to Father, but Father always had a hungry glint in his eyes that scared her a little. Yet he was Father, and Uncle had told her to love him, so she did.

“You’re beautiful, Catherine. I’m so glad we’re reunited at last, my daughter.”

“Thank you, Father! I’m happy too!”

Catherine smiled brightly. As the family boarded the fancy carriage that would take them to the castle, she prayed that she wouldn’t let Uncle down. According to him, she was going to see the crown prince today, her future husband.

- - -

“The Marchioness of Tennesley, presenting Lady Annalise Tennesley.”

Annalise gracefully glided into the presence chamber, her mother behind her. She knew she was stunning today with her dress, bouquet, jewels, veil, and everything, Valentina and Delilah had both said so when she’d shown them earlier. Thus, she absolutely beamed as she confidently sank into a deep curtsy.

In front of her, the king and queen sat on their thrones, and the prince and princess stood on either side of them. She studied the royal family intently, her best friend’s future in-laws.

Prince Oscar, Valentina’s ridiculously handsome fiance, whom Annalise disliked a little for not showering Valentina with the affection she deserved. Princess Elizabeth, always a pain in the ass with her activism. Queen Josephine, beautiful and dangerously sly. King Henry, seemingly kind and benevolent, but unreadable like his entire family. Annalise shuddered.

The king spoke, his voice amiable. Annalise was on alert, since cordiality was the best mask.

“Your father contributes greatly to our kingdom, protecting our borders.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. It’s our family’s duty.”

He nodded, and Annalise elegantly left the room, debuted.

The next room served refreshments, but if she stood just right, she could still see everything that went on in the presence chamber. Glancing out the window, carriages lined the road leading up to the castle. She sighed and went to get some food. It might take a while, but she would carry out Valentina’s mission. She found some of her friends and mingled in with them.

After what felt like hours and probably was, the lord chamberlain finally gave the announcement Annalise had been waiting for.

“The Baroness of Bryant, presenting Lady Catherine Bryant.”

- - -

Catherine swallowed as she walked in front of the royal family, careful not to trip over the train of her dress. One foot in front of another, a knee bent so low it almost touched the ground… Her heart pounded as she curtsied. After all the practice, did she do it properly?

“Ah, Baron Bryant’s long lost daughter.”

King Henry was the picture of kindness and spoke with a deep and friendly voice. He was about the same age as Father and Uncle, with genial features. Catherine felt instinctively that he was good, fair, and someone that could be trusted.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She snuck glances at the other members of the royal family. The queen was breathtakingly beautiful, with a gentle and lovely smile. The princess looked very sharp and charming, with short auburn hair and a finely set face. She felt for certain they were very good people. The prince, in particular, made her heart skip a beat.

His chiselled features were carved with a perfect beauty, handsome beyond words. Soft, ebony black hair and ivory skin, a cold and ethereal distance between him and the rest of the world. And those piercing golden eyes, bright like they encompassed the sun… eyes that gazed right at her.

For a moment, they were the only people alive. A spark between them, burning through his icy demeanor, to a lonely heart that hid below his stony mask, desiring and demanding to be loved. It was her responsibility to answer that plea.

“Your name is Catherine?”

“H-huh? Yes, Your Highness!”

The prince’s voice cut through her racing heart and thoughts, until her head was empty and void of anything at all. Very slightly, he smiled.

“Interesting.”

Catherine blushed, and at her dismissal, hastily left the room. She covered her hot face with her hands, embarrassed. Uncle had never even allowed her to meet a boy before, and this was supposed to be her future husband!

However, it was odd. She knew she was supposed to like him, but she couldn’t help but be scared. He seemed so forbidding and unfeeling, that after the initial attraction at his beauty, she didn’t want to be anywhere near him. He could’ve hated her, and she wouldn't even know.

It terrified her, but she needed to try to love him. For Father and Uncle, who only wanted the best for her. She must obey, and make them proud.

- - -

That son of a bitch!

Prince Oscar, renowned for not showing a hint of emotion, actually smiled at a girl that wasn’t his amazing fiancee. Annalise felt absolutely sick with shock and contempt and she had to grab onto the wall to keep from falling over or charging in to strangle that disgusting prince.

Like providence, Valentina was right again, somehow knowing that something was going to happen. Annalise was impressed and wondered if it was a power one gained from being betrothed.

The girl was coming out now, with Lady Bryant following behind. Annalise snorted and pointed her out for her friends, who erupted in disapproving murmurs.

“Truly, Lady Bryant has outdone herself. Valentina taught her well.”

Catherine wore a dress that may have been considered fashionable five years ago. Her makeup and hair had the wrong style, going the opposite direction of her pure features that might have been more appealing without them. Any natural beauty was greatly diminished, and plainly, she looked like a clown that was trying too hard.

Perhaps only ladies could’ve noticed these details, but the result would be apparent to men, even if they couldn’t tell the cause. A girl, no matter how pretty, had certain styles that just didn’t work well. Painting Catherine Bryant in a seductive approach balanced out her innocent face to be a total disaster.

There was something else, too, that Annalise couldn’t quite name. It was the very distinct way she carried herself, unlike everyone else. Exactly like a commoner, with no noble elegance at all. Absolutely shameful.

Lady Bryant, triumphant, ushered Catherine along. They departed from the castle without delay, leaving a room of gossip. What did everyone think of Catherine Bryant? What was that from the crown prince just now? What would Lady Valentina think?

Annalise gathered as much information as she could, then rushed out to inform one displeased villainess.