---------------Alter-Ego---------------
Chapter 6
Kel peered over the many heads and marvelled at the size of the crowd squashed into the room. Finely dressed nobles milled around, chatting as they waited for their turn to be announced. As she stepped through the small doorway to wait with them, Kel felt the rise in temperature and suddenly found it very hard to breathe (although that could also be attributed to the choking whale-bone corset Lalasa had forced her into earlier that evening).
For that night's ball, Lalasa had created a periwinkle blue gown of plain muslin and a delicate surcoat of a paler blue with silver embroidery. Kel's maid had looked absolutely exhausted as she stood behind Kel and half-heartedly tugged at her corset laces. Concerned, Kel had admonished Lalasa for staying up so late to finish the dress. "Don't work yourself so hard," she advised. "It's only a dress."
From the expression on her face, Lalasa clearly didn't agree. Then she had seemed to remember that Kel could see everything in the mirror, and all emotion was quickly wiped from her face. "But tomorrow is the last ball, my Lady. Your last dress should be better than all the others." When Kel had continued to look disapprovingly at her maid, Lalasa had looked back stubbornly. "It's just one more dress, my Lady."
Sighing, Kel had given in, concentrating on the more urgent matter of trying to breathe through her strangled lungs.
Looking around the room, Kel couldn't see anyone she recognised. Before she could even begin to worry about being announced alone, however, someone appeared at her side. Neal greeted her and expressed surprise at her being alone.
"I don't know many people here," Kel said in way of explanation.
Neal looked at her. "You know me."
Kel paused as if she hadn't been expecting that reply at all. In truth it had been obvious to Kel that he would prod at the idea they were announced together. Although severely tempted to say she'd rather go in alone, Kel smiled and went along with his idea. "In that case, we could go in together."
Neal grinned. "Sounds like a logical solution," he agreed, despite obviously being the one to initiate the suggestion. While they waited for their turn to be announced, they talked to Neal's friends or important people who somehow managed to worm their way into Kel and Neal's conversation. While Neal seemed eager to keep her interested and insert witty comments every few moments (to which Kel feigned laughter at), she couldn't help but find her attention waning.
When they eventually descended the stairs, Kel was dismayed to see a sea of heads turn to look up at her in perfect synchronisation, their eyes glinting eerily. They gathered and swarmed to the bottom of the stairs, ready to engulf her and feverishly announce their names and status in the Tortallan court. Kel was overwhelmed, not sure how to dissipate the crowd without seeming unlady-like. Neal just looked on, scowling.
Kel could only hear fragments of their sentences as they all struggled to speak at the same time. She restrained a frown. "I'm sorry, I can't hear. Can you not all speak at the same time?" she pleaded, though none of them appeared to hear. She looked across to Neal for help but he was still scowling into the distance, making no effort to rescue her. This is the perfect moment to get into my good books, you fool! she thought, narrowing her eyes at him. Do something!
Someone grabbed her arm. She moved to shake them off, impatience getting the better of her, then realised who it was.
"Excuse me," Roald said loudly. The crowd of men backed off instantly, most clearly irritated at the interruption. They begrudgingly cleared the way to allow the prince to move to Kel's side. "Sorry to interrupt, but I've been meaning to have a word with Lady Mia. We won't be long." Kel followed gratefully as he led them away to an uncrowded side of the room, fetching drinks from a servant along the way. He grinned at Kel's relieved face as she sipped from her glass.
"I thought you looked a bit overwhelmed, so I decided to step in."
"Thanks. I'm glad you did," Kel said. She glanced back at the crowd of men, who were shooting undisguised looks of fury at the prince. "Neal didn't seem particularly motivated to help me out."
Roald's face lost all amusement at the mention of Neal. He hesitated. "About Neal..." he began, then stopped again. He swilled the sweet, exotic fruit juice around in his glass. "You should be careful. It's... quite clear that he likes Mia. Maybe you like him back, that's none of my business, but being in your position it would be... advisable to think twice about - becoming involved with him. Romantically, I mean. Or with anyone else, for that matter. Not that you can't if you want to, I just think it might make things awkward for you after the balls are over."
Kel digested what he'd said. I guess I understand where he's coming from, she thought to herself. Roald was still observing his fruit juice. If I... kissed Neal. As Mia. Then... I would be thinking about it when I'm with him in page lessons, but he wouldn't know it was me, unless I told him. Which would be awkward. She wasn't quite sure how to approach a reply, so she tried to laugh it off, albeit rather nervously. "Oh, don't worry, being Mia is enough trouble as it is. I don't plan to do anything more than dance with everyone," she said. "But thanks for your concern. I'm glad someone's looking out for me. And... I'm glad you found out. Lalasa is the only other person who knows, and she's not much support back in my rooms while I'm here."
Roald appeared to have recovered from his earlier hesitation to his more distant, regal self. This time his attention was focused on the crowd of nobles near the stairs. "I can't stay long, though. I have the duty of introducing the Tyran prince to everyone here, and he's due to arrive soon."
"It's alright," a voice said behind them. Roald stared, wide-eyed, as a young man dressed in a regal tunic of green and gold stepped around Kel. "I am already here." He bowed slightly to Roald. "A pleasure to see you again, Prince Roald."
Roald returned the bow at almost the exact same angle. "And you, Prince Ozen. You're earlier than I expected."
Prince Ozen grinned, mischievousness dancing across his handsome face. "I wanted to surprise you." Then his gaze slipped to Kel, indicating he'd like Roald to introduce her to him. The Tortallan prince was quick to oblige.
"This is my friend, Lady Mia of Polar's Cliff. Lady Mia, Prince Ozen of Tyra."
Kel curtsied as low as she could on her aching legs, at the same time offering her hand so that he could kiss it. He must be quite the ladie's man back home, Kel thought discreetly, unable to stop herself admiring his dashing good looks. "It's an honour to meet you, Your Highness."
Prince Ozen just smiled. "If I had known such a beautiful lady is staying at the palace of Tortall, I would have persuaded my father to arrange a visit sooner." Kel suddenly found her admiration melt away. It seemed he was just another man complimenting Mia, judging her for her looks and nothing else. Kel's discontent at all the attention Mia was getting became stronger. Ozen hadn't noticed that she wasn't listening to him at all, but Roald was watching her sharply. Kel quickly tuned back into the conversation.
"I'm afraid your regrets are wasted, Prince Ozen," Roald was saying, with a hint of satisfaction. "Lady Mia arrived at the palace only a few days ago, and she'll be leaving again in a few more."
Ozen looked surprised. "You won't even be staying until the end of my visit?"
"I'd like to return home to Galla as soon as possible," Kel replied. Now that she had told this lie several times it came a lot easier to her. "I'm afraid I didn't realise the embassy was visiting until I arrived, and now, unfortunately, it is too late for me to change my plans and return home later."
"Ah," Ozen said, mirroring the disappointment Kel had seen on the faces of everyone else when she'd informed them she was leaving soon. "Then I had best fit in all the dancing I can before you leave. How would you like to be my first dance partner in Tortall?"
Kel moulded a smile onto her face. "I am honoured," she said humbly. "I would like that very much."
Ozen grinned, taking her hands to lead her away to the dancefloor. Kel caught a fleeting glance of Roald, face blank, disappearing into the crowd of nobles and important scholars, and then he was gone, and dancing demanded her attention. Ozen was keen to lead the dance all around the dancefloor as if to show as many people as possible that he was dancing with Mia. After Kel had settled into the steps of the dance, they made a second circuit of the floor and Kel kept an eye out for people she knew. Neal and his gang were watching enviously, and the crowd of men who had attacked her at the bottom of the steps, though dispersed, were all looking her way.
Kel couldn't see Roald at all. She was a bit concerned; she felt guilty that she had abandoned him to dance with Ozen, but what else could she have done? He was a Prince. She could hardly refuse a dance with him. Maybe it was just her imagination, but she could swear that Roald had looked a bit irritated as he retreated to the crowd of nobles after Ozen had dragged her to the dancefloor. Kel knew that he probably understood she couldn't turn down Ozen, but decided that she would apologise to him later anyway.
Ozen's voice broke her thoughts. "For someone who has only been at the palace a few days, you seem to be very good friends with Prince Roald."
Kel tried not to look surprised. "What makes you say that?"
"Just an observation I made earlier," Ozen answered smoothly. He looked at her expectantly, still wanting an explanation to his first statement.
"I... Prince Roald has been very kind to me. I've never been to the palace before, and he helped me out a little..."
Ozen didn't seem convinced. "I see," he said. He abruptly changed the subject. "So, tell me about Galla and -- what was it, Polar's Cliff?"
"Yes," Kel said calmly, though inside her heart was pounding like a drum. Why was everyone interrogating her about Galla? "My fief is very small... most people haven't heard of it, even in Galla." (That was her safety net, in case anyone asked of Polar's Cliff: then hopefully they wouldn't be too surprised if they were told it didn't exist.) Her sentences seemed to get shorter and shorter as she strained to think of something to say. "It's pretty and tranquil. There aren't many people in the village, but I like them all. They're kind."
"I thought there's quite a big rift between nobles and commoners in Galla?"
Kel froze. Now that she thought about it, she remembered Daine saying something about how you couldn't even pay nobles to talk to commoners back in her home country. "There is, but my father has worked hard to make the rift smaller."
Ozen's face was gentler. "It's a shame you have to return home to him so quickly. The embassy won't be leaving for another five days."
Kel perked up. No one had told her that. She'd thought that they would leave on Saturday, after the last ball. "Really? Why not?"
"The officials need longer to talk with King Jonathon and Queen Thayet. I think some other events in the evening have been arranged, but I've no clue what they might be. A banquet, maybe."
Ozen suddenly let her go. With a start, Kel realised the song had ended. He bowed, and she replied with a curtsy.
"I hope we can dance together again before the ball ends," he said, smiling. "I'll come and find you when I can escape all the nobles I'm supposed to be sucking up to."
"I'll look forward to it," Kel replied. As Ozen walked away, she turned and was met by the sight of a dozen men, strolling towards her purposefully. Kel sighed and gathered all her strength. Her feet were aching already.
An hour later, the flow of men asking for a dance had not slowed, and Kel was in the middle of a large crowd consisting of seemingly hundreds of men all fighting for her attention. She'd already danced with half of them and therefore felt there was no reason for them to be clamouring over her when they'd already had their turn. Kel's irritation was slowly mounting. If it went on much longer, she was sure that she'd end up doing something extremely rash. Like storming out the room, or revealing that she wasn't really the pretty, demure lady they all thought she was.
Another person waded into the crowd. It turned out, however, to be Prince Ozen. He quickly explained to the other men that he had promised to dance with her again. Kel made sure to call him "Prince Ozen" in a very loud voice so no one would try to bother them as they left again to the dance floor. Funny, thought Kel, this is the second time I've been rescued by a prince today.
It took half a minute for Kel to realise Ozen had veered away from the dance floor and they were now headed for the exit.
"These Tortallan men are a little enthusiastic," he remarked as they walked. When they reached the doors, he stopped and turned to look at her. "They've worn you out. Rather than make you even more tired by dancing with you, I think I'll suggest you retire for the night."
"But--"
Ozen shook his head, amused. "If you go now, you'll have more energy tomorrow. Then you can make up for the dance I'm missing now."
Kel had to reluctantly admit to herself that she was really tired. Climbing into bed was, in fact, the only thing she'd been thinking about all day, and trying to stay attentive while daydreaming of sinking onto the soft, cool mattress of her bed had been becoming more and more difficult as the ball went on. "I suppose you're right," she agreed eventually. "Thank you."
He grinned. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Don't be late." Kel curtsied and stepped out into the significantly darker, quieter hall. When she looked back, Prince Ozen was still at the doors, watching her go. She waved and hurried on. A little energy returned to her step as she anticipated the bliss of finally slipping under the sheets and feeling her whole body tingle in relief. Even the knowledge that she'd be returning to the ball the next night didn't dampen her excitement; at least it was the last one. One more night, and then she could completely forget about the whole nightmare experience: pretending to be Mia, dancing with men who stared a little too avidly at her cleavage as they danced, making up details on the spot about places in Galla that didn't actually exist, and avoiding Neal like the plague because he annoyed her by complimenting Mia all the time...
Come to think of it, Kel had been so annoyed with Neal recently that she had barely thought about him in a romantic light. Suddenly she thought, maybe I just don't like him like that anymore. Kel was so startled she almost tripped over her skirts. After so long, it seemed odd that her crush might have finally disappeared.
Kel was so absorbed in her thoughts that she forgot all caution and didn't bother looking round to check no one was watching as she walked back to the pages' rooms.
"Lady Mia."
Kel panicked. She knew only one person who owned such a cold, stinging voice: Joren. Inside she scolded herself for her ignorance; if she had kept a lookout and noticed him tailing her earlier, she might have been able to escape or at least hide in the women's baths until the coast was clear.
She turned and pretended not to recognise him. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
Joren just ignored her. "Where are you going? This is the way to the pages' rooms." Kel knew straight away that he was suspicious. The tone he used was malicious, and he was walking towards her swiftly as if she might turn to escape, even though Kel was glued to the spot in panic.
"It is? Gods, this palace is so large, I wonder how anyone learns where everything--"
"I don't think so," he interrupted, sneering. "You didn't look at all lost before I approached you."
What in Tortall does he think he's doing? she thought. He was closing in on her, forcing her to back up towards the wall behind her in order to keep some space between them. Inside she was more terrified than she'd ever been in her life. Fighting and war didn't faze her, but this did. What if he knows? she thought, petrified in fear. What if he knows I'm Kel?
"In fact," he continued, "you looked quite confident that you were going the right way."
"I thought I was," Kel stammered wildly. "I--"
"Shut up," he ordered. "There's no point lying about it." By now he had her pressed right up against the wall, the cold stone making shivers run up her spine. He continued to close in until she could see every fleck of colour in his icy eyes. "Look at me." Kel refused to, squirming away when he tried to grip her chin so he could turn her head.
Even though he was only stopping one of her arms from moving (he'd let the other go to grab her chin), Kel couldn't bring herself to retaliate. He clearly wasn't expecting her to attack so even just a kick in the shin would probably get him off her. But for some reason Kel was finding it extremely difficult to move her limbs, despite the fact that they weren't being restricted at all.
And what is he doing anyway? Even if he knows I'm Kel, he knows I'm still a noble. He knows I still have rights. He could be seriously punished if he does anything to me. A small amount of determination returned to Kel. I won't let him do anything. I'm a page, not a court lady. I can fight back.
He moved even closer.
"Stone Mountain," someone said coldly.
Joren looked at Kel threateningly and then spun around to face the newcomer. "Got a problem, King's Reach?"
Faleron. Kel sighed with relief. Suddenly it was a lot easier to breathe. With Joren distracted, Kel edged out of his grip.
"No, I don't have a problem," Faleron replied. "I was just observing that Lady Mia doesn't appear to be enjoying your attention."
"Maybe you observed wrong," Joren shot back.
Faleron didn't skip a beat. "Maybe you should leave her alone."
Joren considered for a moment, his face murderous. Kel was expecting him to fly at Faleron with his fists, so when he didn't it surprised her. Instead he stalked away in the direction of the ball, his arms shaking in anger and his fists clenched. He didn't look back.
Kel leaned against the wall dizzily.
"Are you alright?" Faleron asked, walking towards her. When she didn't look up, he touched her arm. Kel realised he was expecting a reply.
"I'm fine," she said, looking up at him. His brow was creased in concern. "Thank you."
"Joren is rotten," Faleron told her. "You should stay away from him."
"I know, Neal told me. I didn't think he'd be following me."
Faleron's gaze moved to the corridor that Joren had disappeared down. "He's probably taken a detour to the guest's rooms. He'll be waiting to catch you again, I bet. I'll take you to your rooms - just to be safe."
"Oh," said Kel, taken by surprise. She was running out of excuses to refuse being escorted to her rooms.
"That won't be necessary," someone refused for her. Kel and Faleron turned to look at the newcomer. Roald was striding down the hall towards them, his regal face on. He barely glanced at Faleron. "You can go back to the ball now," he said dismissively. "I'll take Mia to her rooms. We'll have to be quick, though." When he reached Kel's side and she still hadn't moved, he grabbed her hand and began to propel her along the hall. "I have to be back in five minutes or they'll notice I'm gone," he explained to Kel, who was barely keeping up.
Faleron was still standing there, watching her being dragged off. "Thanks again for helping me," Kel called to him. He waved and began to walk away.
"Sorry I didn't get there earlier," Roald apologised. He was looking ahead instead of at her. "I saw Joren leave after you, and didn't think he could be up to any good, but it took me a while to extract myself from my conversation."
"It's okay. I could have handled it," Kel lied. It wasn't strictly true as she'd been paralysed in fear. "Faleron turned up anyway."
They'd reached the page's wing. Kel's room was right at the other end. "What did Joren do?" Roald asked.
"He backed me up to the wall, asking me about why I was going to the page's wing. He said he knew I was lying." Kel paused. "I'm not sure, but I think he might know."
Roald's hand suddenly tightened around hers. "I'll have to keep an eye out, then," he said. Kel looked at his face, but it betrayed little emotion, only determination. "Be careful tomorrow." They had reached Kel's door. He dropped her hand quickly. "He might be waiting for you here. I could come to pick you up from your rooms, and then he won't have a chance to do anything to you."
"Oh," Kel said. Her whole body felt uncomfortably warm. "Thanks."
"You'll have to be ready early, though," he warned. "Otherwise the other pages will start coming out, and we can't let them see you come out your rooms."
Kel laughed. "This is getting complicated. I'm glad it's nearly over."
Roald was smiling too. "It will be quite an achievement if no one else finds out. Maybe we should celebrate."
The faint sound of footsteps interrupted them before Kel could reply.
"Well, I'll meet you here tomorrow, then," Roald said shortly. He was already walking away. "Sleep well."
Kel fled into the safety of her room before the owner of the footsteps came round the corner.
Once safely locked inside, she breathed a sigh of relief and began to remove the wig. Lalasa looked up from her seat near the window and asked why Kel was back early. Kel didn't think she had the energy to explain. "Help me out of this dress, will you?" she asked. "I think I'll drop dead if I'm not in bed soon."
Even though Lalasa was staying up to complete the last dress with the aid of a bright lamp, Kel fell asleep almost as soon as she clambered into bed.
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So, once again I disappeared for a bit. It was exam season, got pretty stressful. But now it's nearing the end of the school year, not much work to do so updates will be speeding up probably. Anyhoo, thanks for all the reviews and stuff for last chapter. We broke 100 reviews. I've only broken it once before (on Euphoria), so it's still a big deal. Maybe I can break 200 this time? Also since the introduction of the new email alerts I've been noticing the people adding my story to their alerts and favourites so thanks for that too. Thanks for pairings votes as well, I think it's quite obvious what the majority want... So, I'm not going to make any promises about updates, but please review to inspire me for chapter 7 :)