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Chapter 2: I'm Sorry, I Think I'm Going Crazy

August 19th

It seemed as though all the palace protection was outside the castle walls, as I had no problem whatsoever entering through an open door on the left side of the castle. It was relatively hot out, so the fact that it had been left like that didn't surprise me. I sincerely hoped that our government provided more protection to the King than they did his castle.

As I began my search for the inner courtyard, I came across a spacious parlor, alive with chatter. What's going on? Peeking in, I found the room packed with ornately dressed women. Ah, these must be the candidates for princess elect. I snorted, just about to turn away, when I noticed a gathering of palace bureaucrats at the other end of the hall.

One man stood out from the rest, his clothing far more flamboyant than his post required. I can't tell if he's dressed for politics or pleasure. He had strangely white hair, and red eyes similar to Alyn's. The flamboyant outfit I mentioned earlier consisted of a white dress shirt with a strangely large flicked up collar, which was worn beneath yet another dress shirt, this one red. A thin black jacket was worn on top of that. The first few buttons on both of his dress shirts hung enticingly open, and a very loose black tie hung under that, the end of which was tucked into his breast pocket. A black belt with a golden clasp was worn a bit farther up than I deemed necessary, and he even wore a golden ring around his neck. He looked extravagant to say the least.

The man noticed my staring, and sent a rather flirtatious grin in my direction. I smiled coyly back before averting my gaze. Hmm... Maybe I should break into the palace more often. It seems there's no shortage of handsome men wandering about.

I spun around to leave once again when-

"Ladies, thank you so much for gracing us with your presence." A majestic voice resounded throughout the hall with musical clarity. Facing the throng was a young man of bewitching elegance. He was rather tall and skinny, adorning a very long black trench coat, buttoned so as not to reveal anything but that coat. Even his hands were covered with black gloves. He must be sweating up a storm in that getup. His black hair was short, but a small area in the black was worn much longer, and hung over his right shoulder. His eyes were a deep amber brown. A bit too old for my taste though.

"Oh, it's Giles!" Giles... Giles... The name sounds familiar- isn't he the chamberlain and advisor to the the King?

"He's so dreamy," I rolled my eyes. Women. I am ashamed of my own gender.

"As you know, today is a momentous day- for one of you shall be chosen as princess elect. There are, however, some formalities we must attend to, the first of which is welcoming you with some proper palace hospitality." No sooner had Giles finished his sentence than a parade of servants carrying trays of sumptuous food entered the room. Wow, everything looks amazing...

I really did want to leave, really, but who in their right mind turns up free food when it's offered? Hell, I've never even turned up free food that wasn't offered to me! The women around me swarmed the trays, happily stuffing their faces with the delicacies. I took a sweet roll myself, holding it in my mouth as I left the room with great reluctance. And boy, was that thing delicious!

"Well, well. What have we here?" Aveline White had failed to escape two things that day. The temptation to indulge, and the power of Giles' observation.

"Maybe it's here?" Those flowers might not even exist. But if they do, they'll be in this courtyard. I crouched over a nearby flowerbed and began my hunt, kneeling in the dirt. As I recall, the flowers in the storybook were small and white. I gently parted the vegetation, searching for my prize. Then, without warning- footsteps. Someone was behind me. Wonderful, who is it now!?

I turned my head, looking up, and was a bit shocked to be honest. Standing before me was a man of striking elegance. He wasn't quite as tall as the three other handsome men I'd encountered on my palace escapade, but elegance must have been this one's middle name.

He wore a white scarf, knotted neatly and perfectly in place. Underneath that gorgeous blue jacket he wore a violet overcoat, and a white dress shirt which was barely visible beneath that. But his face was the several pounds of icing on top of the cake. Piercing icy blue eyes gazed coldly down at me. A head of soft, true blonde hair made my head swim. Damn... I think the aura of royalty is starting to make me delusional.

I quickly readjusted my facial features from that of surprise and drooling woman to become just as emotionless as this man's face was.

"What are you doing here?"

"Me? I, um..." Apparently I hadn't recovered from the shocking good looks of this man as much as I had thought. I was actually growing quite upset with myself; it wasn't everyday that I lost my cool like this. And besides that, the man's detached tone was a bit unnerving. I suppose making up a lie now would be useless. "I'm looking for something is all."

"I see. And what's that, exactly?" Sighing, I ran my fingers through my thick hair, which was more yellowy blonde than the true baby blonde this man wore.

"A white flower, from a storybook." The man's hardened expression gave way to surprise, but only briefly.

"Are you truly foolish enough to believe in a fairytale?" I scowled sourly, not meeting the aristocrat's cold gaze. I know it's stupid, but I made a promise, and he needn't be so cruel about it... I'm not leaving without searching properly anyways.

I sat on the ground in silence for a while, only brought back to reality as the mysterious man's cold tone sounded once more.

"So I'm to understand you came here for a flower and not the princess' tiara?" At that, I laughed aloud, finally looking towards the man again. It seemed as though I'd surprised him again. I smiled lopsidedly.

"I would rather search for fairytale flowers for the rest of my life than become princess... Sir." I added as an afterthought, still smiling. The man might have been confused, but I couldn't know. He was very accomplished at hiding his emotions, more so than most. He did sigh however, and continued to speak.

"You'd best leave immediately after finding your precious flower. The palace is no place for the likes of you." The blue-clad nobleman turned his back to me and started to walk away. My face turned sour again. Psh, nobles. Always so high and mighty.

"Typical..." I mumbled under my breath, shaking my head. I was faintly interested when I saw the man stop after hearing me. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to push his buttons just a bit harder. "My lord, may I have your name- if you don't mind me asking?"

"Louis. But you needn't remember it, for I doubt we'll ever meet again." I smirked at his tone, even harsher than before. Strange guy... I shrugged, watching Louis disappear into a shadowy passageway. Then, I resumed my search, gently pushing aside the gorgeous vegetation.

"Excuse me, Miss?" Great, what is it now?! A different man's voice echoed through the courtyard, making me even more irritable than I previously had been. Turning to face it's source, I found none other than Giles standing before me. Giles?! I thought he was still in the parlor with all the princess candidates. What in the name of Wysteria is he doing here?

An elegant smile floated across Giles' face as he observed me becoming more suspicious by the second. "If my lady would be so kind as to follow me, please." I narrowed my green eyes.

"Why?" I asked cautiously. "Where to?"

"I assume you wouldn't want to return to the parlor with your clothes covered in mud." I stood slowly, glancing down at my mud covered dress. It was an old thing, it had gotten far worse treatment than this and I wasn't worried about it now. What game is this guy playing?

I didn't personally know the man, but I did know that Giles was no fool, and had to have some reason for approaching me like this. I just got caught- but then why hasn't he called someone to escort me out?

"I do believe you have the wrong idea-" Giles' look gave the impression I would have more luck budging a boulder than trying to argue. I knew that look all too well. For the most part it was all my own. And for once, it was being used against me. I crossed my arms, refusing to give in to whatever the much taller man was after.

"Please Miss, come with me. I'd rather not have to ask again." It seemed that neither of us was willing to back down. It was silent for awhile, as I thought up a storm as to what I should do next.

Do you think he would stop me if I just walked away? I asked myself. Probably. He is the King's right hand man, I don't think he's too used to being told no... Maybe it'd be best to go with the flow on this one...

"Alright, fine." Giles extended his arm to me. "I can walk by myself, thank you."

"Oh but I insist my lady, it would be so ungentlemanly of me not to offer my arm." His smooth smile remained unaltered. It was... disconcerting. Finally, I took his arm, and Giles lead me through the castle. "I have already arranged a fresh change of clothes for you my lady. I hope you find that they are to your liking." I didn't answer him, only observed the elegance of the castle as we made our way through it.

Eventually we ended up in a fitting room, complete with a restroom, makeup area, hair area, and gorgeous dresses took up nearly every available space in the room. Most of them looked to be more expensive than my entire house back in town.

Giles lead me behind a changing curtain, then left me to change and wash up. He had provided a dress even simpler than the brown and white one I had on before. It was purely a cream white, with ruffles on the skirt and small puffed sleeves which hung slightly off of one shoulder. It was ruffled around my chest as well. The whole thing was a bit big, but I rather liked the feel of the silk.

As I looked at myself, twirling in the mirror, I made the decision right then and there to not allow my liking of the dress to be shown to Giles.

The door to the hallway creaked open, and I saw Giles standing near the wall, waiting.

"Done." Giles looked me up and down quickly before shaking his head and tsking at me.

"Not quite yet, my lady. I do believe we still have some work to do."

"What?! I look fine!"

"You're not even wearing shoes." I frowned. I had sincerely hoped to get away with that.

"I admit, you are better than I thought." He sighed, but Giles' smile remained as he lead me back into the room. He picked me out a pair of pristinely white heels, which I flat out refused to wear. Giles tried for several minutes to change my mind, but succeed he did not. I can not and will not walk in heels. They make me lose my balance and when you are not balanced, you do not win. Eventually he instead picked me out a pair of the lightest pink flats he could find, and then put them on my feet against my wishes.

Afterwards, Giles helped me to rearrange my mane, as he referred to it. When he attempted to do my makeup, I nearly tried to break his arm. Finally though, we were through.

"You look ravishing." I gave a small smile. I wasn't much in the mood for thanking him though. I stared off into the distance. "The entirety of the outfit is my lady's to keep." I nodded lightly, not really hearing the man.

"Thank you."

"Are you alright, my lady?" I sighed, running my finger habitually through my hair. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Giles flinch and blink. I raised an eyebrow, but didn't mention it.

"I'm fine, just feeling a little-" I struggled to find the correct word.

"Yes?" I fidgeted, still unable to answer.

"Constricted, I suppose."

"Do explain."

"I'd really rather not." I replied bluntly. I need to get back to those flowers. Now. It seemed that it was my destiny to become a sighing, messy haired tutor for the rest of my life, as I ran my fingers through my hair, and let out another puff of air. Suddenly, a slender arm wrapped itself around my hips.

"Wha-"

"Stand up straight. And mind the sighs, they're not becoming. You're the princess elect, after all." What did he say? I blinked. My mind had gone blank. "Is something the matter, Your Highness?"

"I'm sorry, I think I'm going crazy. Could you repeat that?"

August 19th