After Ruby had moved away and my parents passed, the only person I could turn to was Sofia. I wrote to her as soon as possible, begging her to take me in to the castle. Naturally, as her best friend, she took me in and within a week, I had moved out of the small home I was living in and into the palace.
"Sofia, this room is enormous!" I exclaimed, twirling around in my, compared to Sofia's, terribly plain dress. Sofia, now almost a beautiful sixteen years old, grinned at me, a lovely red gown draped over her arm.
"Here, put this on. Mother and Father want you down in the gardens in five minutes," she smiled. It was truly amazing the transformation she undertook. She stood upright with her hands clasped at her waist, her eyes were delicately closed and her smile was that of mystery. I smiled at my best friend and nodded, took the dress and curtseyed as she left. Even though she was my best friend, she was third in line for the throne of Enchancia.
She closed the door behind her and I turned back to face the rest of the room. I looked at the dress in my hands and sighed. I changed, tied my hair back with a matching red ribbon and headed down to the gardens where King Roland and Queen Miranda were waiting for me.
"Jade, sweetheart," the queen said, rushing up to meet me. She said not a word, but took me into her arms and held me tightly. My eyes stung with a new wave of tears and I let out the remaining sobs that had built up. My eyes overflowed with bitter tears and my throat burned as fierce sobs ripped from them.
I started as I felt a few other hands on my shoulders and I pulled back from Queen Miranda, looking around. The king, Princess Amber and Sofia had joined me, and were silently offering their condolences as well. I heaved another sigh, and pressed my face deeper into Queen Miranda's shoulder.
"We wanted to tell you that whatever you need, anything at all, we are here for you," the queen said, smiling at me warmly. The others smiled and nodded, their eyes filled with care and concern. I let go of her and wiped away my tears on the back of my hand. Amber pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I thanked them weakly and asked to be excused to my room once more. They nodded and asked if I needed an escort, but I turned them down.
"I would like to be alone for now, thank you your majesties," I said, sniffling. They smiled at me with compassion, and when I turned away, not even Sofia tried to follow me.
I made a slow trek back to my room, dabbing at my eyes with Amber's handkerchief, not watching where I was going. I had just enough time, though, to look up before I collided with Prince James. But it was too late. I felt myself going down, but I didn't hit the floor. Two strong arms were wrapped around my waist and shoulders, keeping me off the carpet.
I opened my eyes, not realizing I had closed them and looked straight up into James's brilliant green orbs. I blushed and floundered out of his arms, toppling to the floor. I landed with a soft thud on my rear and laughed despite myself. He smiled and offered me his hand and, politely, I took it. He pulled me up with great force, and I almost crashed into him once more. Much to my great surprise, his arm remained hooked around my waist.
"Prince James, my sincerest apologies. It was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was headed, and I didn't see you," I mumbled, trying to get away without much trouble. I wasn't looking at him, but I could still feel his eyes boring into the side of my face. He leaned to look at me and I turned to face him.
"Jade?" he asked, smiling coyly at me. I blushed. He remembered me. From so many years ago.
"Yes, your highness," I said, curtsying. His fingers slid down my forearm, his fingertips barely brushing my skin and he took my hand in his. He brought it to his lips and smiled before kissing it lightly.
I felt my face suddenly burn with embarrassment and I wanted to yank my hand away immediately, but he was the prince. I couldn't do that. It was completely and utterly impolite, let alone beyond unacceptable.
He saw the handkerchief balled in my hand and gently pulled it from my grasp, dabbing at my eyes carefully.
"You were headed somewhere?" he asked, handing the kerchief back. I stared at him, mouth agape, and nodded dumbly. He smiled at me despite my rudeness and offered his arm to me. Taking it without comprehending what I was doing, I let him lead me back to my room.
He stopped at my door and opened it for me, smiling as I walked in, and I closed the door on him out of sheer embarrassment before I could manage a "thank you" or "goodbye". I leaned against my door and sighed, exhausted. But from what I didn't know. I took off my dress and threw it onto my bed casually, walking around in my underwear, staring at the room.
Since I had been summoned by the king and queen almost immediately upon my arrival, I had no time to really explore the room. I donned a pink satin robe with a ruffle around the neck and walked about my room, opening every door and drawer I could find.
To my utter amazement, there were shoes and gowns and jewelry pieces, more than my eye could count as I looked at them. There were gowns of every colour of the rainbow, and shoes that sparkled and gleamed when you moved them in and out of the light. I smiled, holding some gowns up to myself and playing pretend.
"Why, Prince James! I'd love to dance with you!" I giggled to myself, humming a waltz and dancing with an imaginary partner. I waltzed all about my room, soon becoming dizzy from twirling so much.
"Jade." There was a knock on my door and I distinctly heard Sofia's voice on the other side. Dropping my make-believe, I steadied myself and my spinning head, before I rushed to open the door. I popped my head around my door to see the Sofia I knew as a girl smiling at me. She squealed and burst into my room, flapping her arms and hugging me tightly.
"I can't believe you're going to be living here!" she squealed, teetering back and forth, her arms secured around me tightly. I laughed and hugged her back, equally as tightly before she let me go.
"It's like a dream come true. Thank you so much for your kindness," I grinned. She smiled at me and hugged me once more before her face lit with delight.
"I want to help you pick out something for dinner tonight! And for my birthday party next week!" she exclaimed, letting me go. She held me at arm's length before pulling me back into her arms, hugging me tightly once again.
"Your birthday is next week? Oh Sofia I completely forgot!" I cried, my face falling. Sofia waved my concern with a single hand.
"Who could blame you? You've been mourning your parents. My birthday should be the last thing on your mind right now," she said humbly. I smiled and hugged her for a fourth time.
"Oh it's so good to be here," I said. Sofia smiled and let me go. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards the closet.
"Now, let's find you something for dinner! And get you cleaned up," she said, implying my tear streaked face. I smiled and shrugged, chuckling, completely unable to get James's brilliant green eyes out of my mind.
At dinner that night, Sofia had put me in a lovely pink satin gown and pearl jewelry. She linked her arm with mine and escorted me down to the dining hall, where we met Amber on the way down. She linked her arm with my other and, sandwiched between the princesses, we walked down to dinner together.
"Good evening, your majesties. Lady Jade," Baileywick said as we entered the dining hall. I laughed.
"Lady Jade?" I snorted. Amber looked down her nose but smiled, nodding.
"Why yes. While you live at the palace, we had to have the servants call you something regal," she smiled. I blushed.
"Well, thank you," I said, a little taken aback. I would've been happy with just Jade.
"Of course!" Sofia grinned, ignorant to my inner dilemma, hugging my arm tightly. We walked around the table and all took seats. Sofia sat next to her mother, and Amber sat next to her father. I took a seat next to Sofia just as Prince James came striding in, a jockey trailing, or more rather jogging, after him as he removed his riding coat and helmet.
"James, do try to be on time for dinner," Miranda reprimanded, trying to hide her smile. James took a seat next to his sister and nodded, running a hand through his long blond hair. He had taken it out of the ponytail it had been in earlier and let it hang about his shoulders.
"James, do get a haircut!" Amber hissed impatiently at her brother.
"I haven't for the past three years. I don't intend on getting one any time soon," he replied, taking a sip of the wine in front of him.
"And bathe, please!" Amber added, waving her hand about her nose delicately. He did, I noticed, have the scent of sweat and horse hanging about him. He ran a hand through his dark blonde hair and grinned.
"What's wrong, sister? Is the stench too manly for you?" he smirked, grinning darkly at her.
"No. Too filthy," she scoffed, turning her nose up in disgust. I smirked and James caught my eye, grinning. I quickly looked down at my hands in my lap, blushing madly.
"Jade, I just noticed you sitting there," James said, turning to directly address me. As he was the crown prince, it was my obligation to reply once directly addressed.
"W...why y...yes your highness," I stammered, still blushing furiously. "I didn't want to miss dinner." I mentally chided myself for such a stupid statement, but saw that it had passed over his head.
"You look," he started, clearing his throat. If my eyes had been any less sharp, I would've missed his eyes dart to the side and a light colour creep over his cheeks. "You look nice," he finished.
Amber huffed and folded her arms, obviously irked by her brother.
"Of course she looks nice, I helped Sofia pick that dress out for Jade myself. From my own closet," Amber said haughtily, taking the entirety of the credit for my appearance this evening.
"Still, she looks better in that dress than you ever did," James chuckled, grinning at me.
"James!" the king and queen exclaimed in unison.
"What?" James countered, shrugging. "She does."
I felt my face burning bright red and all I wanted to do was run and hide in my closet. But I was a guest of the royal family. It wasn't my place to excuse myself unless they said it was alright.
Dinner that night was made up of James and Amber almost constantly fighting, and Queen Miranda talking to King Roland and Sofia about taking me out to the countryside for a picnic tomorrow.
"I believe the country air will do us all a favour," the queen smirked, thrusting her words at the squabbling twins. Almost immediately, they silenced, at which I smirked. Apparently, even a stepmother can stop arguing. They nodded at her suggestion and I smiled to myself.
We were excused for the night, but told by Baileywick that an evening tea and other snacks would be served at nine thirty. I glanced at the clock on the wall above the double doors of the dining hall and saw that it was only eight fifteen. I had time to change out of this uncomfortable gown. I won't be the last to admire it's beauty, but it was stiff and tight, two attributes of dresses I was extremely unfamiliar with.
Back at my room, I found a lovely deep purple floorlength dress that buttoned up the back and had elbow-length sleeves. I pulled it on and buttoned it, looking at myself in the mirror. I pulled my hair from the bun atop my head and brushed it out before braiding it. I tied it with a silver ribbon and slid my feet into a pair of simple black flats, finally feeling comfortable again.
I met Baileywick outside of my room who insisted on being my escort to the balcony and I decided I wasn't going to put up a fight.
"Lady Jade, your majesties," he said, presenting me. I blushed in the light spilling out from the palace.
"Jade! You look lovely," Sofia exclaimed, rushing to greet me. I smiled at her and Amber who followed, fanning herself in the thermal night air.
"Lovely night, isn't it?" I said casually, trying to make conversation as I sat down, folding my hands in my lap. Amber scoffed quietly, continuing to fan herself.
"It's unbearably hot," she said dramatically, putting a hand to her forehead.
"I actually find the early summer air quite refreshing," I replied. Amber looked at me with the same look she had given me when I accidentally spilled chocolate milk on her night dress the night I had stayed at the castle when I was little.
"Amber, relax. You are being a little too dramatic. I agree with Jade. It is quite nice tonight," King Roland smiled, siding with me. His daughter scoffed, offended, and stood abruptly.
"I take my leave. If you call on me, I shall be in bed," she said in a huff, sweeping off of the balcony and back down the hall to her room.
No sooner had one twin left when the other appeared, his hair tied back with a olive green ribbon, wearing an outfit similar to his riding getup.
"Good evening, my dear family," he said, taking the chair where Amber had been seated, lounging back in a carefree manner. Sofia cleared her throat and I could just make her out in my peripheral vision, jabbing her head in my direction.
"Yes, and Lady Jade as well," he smirked, staring me directly in the eye once more. I felt my cheeks colour and I turned away, lifting a glass of lemonade off the tray a maid had just delivered. I took a sip and still felt James's eyes boring into the side of my head.
"The Conservatory of Enchancia has put out an application to all music students at school," Sofia said, breaking the silence ensuing James' lack of voice.
"They have?" King Roland asked, impressed.
"Yes. And I think Jade should apply," Sofia said, putting me directly in the spotlight. I blanched and felt my heart drop to my toes. I swallowed my lemonade hard and turned to look at her. I jumped slightly as she was staring directly at me. As a matter of fact, everyone was.
"Jade? You play an instrument?" Queen Miranda asked, smiling gently at me. I bit my lip and looked around. Everyone's eyes were on me, including Baileywick's from the doors.
I set my glass of lemonade down and folded my hands in my lap. "Yes, your majesty, I do," I said quietly.
"Do not sound so defeated, my dear. This is a talent I didn't know you had," the queen smiled. I looked at her smiled weakly.
"What instrument do you play, my dear?" King Roland asked.
"The harp, your grace," I replied. The looks of surprise from the royals, excluding Sofia were irreplicable anywhere else.
"You must play for us," Queen Miranda smiled. "There is a harp in the music room, is there not, my dear?" she asked, turning to her husband. He nodded.
"You can play whenever you wish. I will have Baileywick keep the room open for you at all times," King Roland smiled.
James was the next to speak his admiration. "There are piles of music books in the library. I would be happy to show you. Why don't I take you there now?" he suggested, leaping up. I looked at their majesties and they smiled, urging me to follow the prince. I nodded and stood slowly, walking to the doors back into the palace, where James was waiting for me.
He linked my arm with his and walked me down to the right, and up a large flight of stairs.
If I thought the library in town was large, I was completely blown away at the size of the palace library. Bookcases stretched to the ceiling and wrapped around all four walls, and even above the door. A wrap around catwalk was up about fifteen feet and a rolling ladder rested on every other stretch of bookcase, on both floors.
"James, this is magnificent," I breathed, looking around in complete bewilderment. I looked at the prince who was standing a few feet from me, but smiling at me warmly. There was a twinkle in his emerald eyes that I was curious of, but dimmed as he turned away, walking to a large desk.
I followed him and he pawed through some papers until he found what he was looking for. I gasped. There had to be at least fifty music books on the desk, and about twenty of them were harp music books. "James, this is more than I could ever play in my lifetime," I whispered, looking through each book. I came across one piece that, as I read the notes, I could hear the tune in my head and instantly fell in love with it.
"May I take this back to my room to study?" I asked politely. James chuckled and folded his hands behind his back. He strode up to me and looked down at me from his towering height.
"You don't need to ask. The castle is now your home as well. You have free reign over anything and anywhere," he smiled. "Except my sister's room. She never lets anyone in." He smiled at me and we both shared a decent chuckle before he showed me out of the library and walked me back to my room for the second time today.
We bid each other good night and I shut the door, clutching the book to my chest lovingly. Never before had I seen such a beautiful piece in my life. Tomorrow, I decided, yes tomorrow, I would go to the music room to practice the piece and perform it for Sofia's birthday party next week.
Dressing for bed, I slid between the silk sheets and nestled down, the book laying on the bed next to me, my head swimming with beautiful melodies.