Prince Wilifred didn't just 'take care of arrangements'. Quarter to six a small army of maids, pretty excited looking maids, had me eat, bathe - not just shower but quite literally bathe in a bath that was scented with roses- and polish me with brushes, makeup, hair dryers, spray, and perfume. A pair of matching ballerina shoes- probably the only kind of shoe they'd get on the foot with my bad leg- that matched the dress.
The dress itself...
It was impossible.
It was impossible in that it fit. I didn't know how they'd done it but they had, and it fit, soft snug fabric clinging where it flattered and skilfully avoiding the places that I wasn't so proud of. Being a 'softer' woman I wasn't used to staring into a mirror and only liking what I saw. The length went to my knees, the neckline a soft scoop that went just low enough to tease, but not formal. Smart casual was probably closer to it.
With my hair teased, blow dried, and lightly curled so that it formed long loose ringlets, I barely recognised myself. Makeup hid the pale skin that I hadn't quite shaken from the past week's ordeals. I smelt like a rose garden... but a subtle one. On crutches.
Otis nibbled on my foot, wriggling about, grunting with his usual 'I'm loving life' grunt.
"You'll have to use these, I'm afraid, as the paths aren't wheelchair friendly." The maid held out the crutches.
I nodded and took them. I had to practice anyway. Hesitating, I gazed down, and suddenly felt bad. He might have been a happy puppy right now... but he was a baby. I felt so bad already for leaving him even just for a few hours... "Otis might be a bit lonely... he's very little, very young... probably used to company..."
"Would you like me to take him with me tonight?" She seemed to get what I was hinting at straight away.
The maid had fallen in love with him too. Three hours and he had a small army of devoted followers. I nodded and she smiled, almost relieved, adding, "He'll be in here when you wake up tomorrow. Just press the button before bed. When I help you get ready for bed I'll bring him back."
"You won't be disturbed with other work?"
"His Highness has requested I remain as your private maid for the time being- so no. A few of the maids have wanted to meet the new puppy. He won't be lonely in the servent's hall." She shook her head. "I'll take a little time off till later."
"Fair enough. Um." I grasped her arm, hesitating, as wave of nerves filled me. "I ...don't really know what to do tonight. Do you know … what to expect?"
"Me, my lady?" The maid hesitated.
"Maids know everything. Plus. I'm Sophia. Not a lady."
She laughed at that. "Yes, of course. Sophia. I believe it's an informal dinner under the stars for Prince Roberto and his ...guests. The other Princes will attend, as will you."
Oh. My heart sunk at that but she'd already turned away. What was I invited to? To watch Roberto's ladies prance and preen around like overstuffed peacocks?
I squared my shoulders. Right. Into battle we go.
I found myself between two incredibly handsome Princes, Prince Edward on one side, Prince Wilifred on the other, each with a hand gently resting on each arm. It was bizarre to say the least! They were so gentle, so careful, Prince Edward offering me a necklace of tiny gemstones- not valuable, he assured me, but apparently their subtle hue had reminded me of the subtle warmth in my own eyes … or something. Prince Wilifred had been the one to offer a flower from the garden for my hair.
I wasn't sure what they were up to. I suspected they had to be up to something... but as they escorted me through the garden they gave nothing away.
The gardens couldn't ignore my notice for long. Hundreds of little fairy lanterns had been strung along the path to the party, some of them with the visible fluttering of moths already in the twilight, roses and flowers elegantly entwined along lamp posts. The 'picnic' was visible down a slope, not quite what I'd pictured, but with multiple blankets and cushions thrown against the grass, candles flickering all over the place, strings of lights marking a dancing area, and a music band. I could see servants down there, serving food and drink, as beautiful dresses caught the soft light of the candles.
I paused to stare down, aware even from this distance which one of those figures was Roberto, feeling incredibly stupid all of a sudden. What was I doing here? He must have been having the time of his life there- there was a small gathering of women around him on one of those blankets. There was a dark lake beyond them, dotted with floating lights, making for an incredible sight.
"Sophia?" Wilifred's hand tightened on my arm. "It's all right."
"You're our guest." Prince Edward added. "It's our duty to ensure your lasting happiness beyond tonight."
"I... know. But Otis. He's a baby. He needs..." I flailed suddenly, trying to find an excuse, not quite ...ready to face that. They didn't move, just continued to hold my arms, as much keeping me there as they were supporting me.
"A few hours isn't going to hurt your new baby." Prince Edward reassured me gently.
I wanted to bring up the excuse that they were all upper class, Princes and so on, but I knew that they weren't going to let me back off. I sighed, giving in, and saw the smiles return to the Princes on either side of me.
"Take this part slowly, my Lady. I'll walk ahead of you in case you fall." Prince Edward moved to my front and took a step down.
It was now that I saw the winding steps down the hill and understood what they'd meant by 'not wheelchair friendly'. A path had been cut into the hill side, long stones that had been set between gentle slopes of gravel, and it had to go for at least a hundred metres or more. It wouldn't have phased me beforehand but right now...
My leg started to throb a little more than usual as if it was picking up on my hesitation.
Plus, I knew we were being stared at, several of the women down there … they were looking up. My heart started to pound hard in my chest.
"It's all right." Wilifred encouraged. "We're here."
I had the feeling that he wasn't just encouraging my descent down the steps.
I had to move slowly, I hadn't used the crutches yet, and my brain couldn't quite shake the fear of falling backwards. It'd already happened once, almost, except for Prince Wilifred's quick and gentle push back in the right direction.
It had to be quite a sight. Two Princes guiding and guarding a woman on crutches down the hill. We got only a third of the way, very slowly, before the entire party had noticed us. I could feel it.
Again I nearly skidded and fell forward, the end of my crutch finding a rolly piece of gravel, this time nearly falling forward. Prince Edward had spun around and caught me, arms closing around me, smiling down at my flustered face. Ow. That really hurt.
"I think we may need to think of a better way to do this." He said softly, eyes going up to Wilifred, who nodded. Before I could ask what he was talking about, Edward had lifted me up in his arms, and Wilifred had taken the crutches.
"Woah, hang on."
"Trust me." Prince Edward turned and started down the hill.
The funny thing was... I did. Even though it was gravel, even though he had to keep taking heart stopping steps down stones, it was pretty obvious how steady and calm he was on his feet. But his heart was pounding hard against my face. Maybe deep down he was afraid he'd drop me? His arms seemed to tighten every time he had to take another step down the hill, eyes forward, Prince Wilifred moving behind lightly with the crutches in his hand.
Roberto had moved by the time we got to the bottom of the hill. He was standing there, waiting, looking angry as he tried to help me out of Prince Edward's arms. "That was dangerous!"
Prince Edward gently lowered me down, hands keeping me steady until my good leg was taking my weight, an arm still under my shoulders. "She's our date. We'll take care of her."
Several of the women were glaring daggers at me, one of them with her arm across Roberto's shoulders, suggesting. "Let's leave them to it..."
"Why would you get her to come down those stairs?" Roberto shook the woman off and went to grab for the crutches.
Wilifred ignored him and offered them to me. "Here."
I stared at Prince Edward and Prince Wilifred, who both seemed a little too pleased with themselves right now, and Roberto's face grew redder and redder. He was starting to resemble Prince Keith a little bit. Finally he turned and stormed off, women flocking after him, heading for the bar.
"What are you two doing?" I muttered as I carefully slid the crutches under each arm. "He's angry now."
"I don't think he felt much better before your arrival. Don't worry too much for him." Wilifred gestured towards a blanket. "Would you like to rest? We'll bring you a drink and something to eat."
"I … guess." I nodded and let them lead me towards the blanket. They both helped me down, working perfectly as a team, and Prince Wilifred sat beside me as Prince Edward went to find something for me to drink. This was weird. I was on a date with two Princes at once. "Do you two do this often?"
"Only for you." Wilifred responded, a hand closing over mind, and I swore I saw his lips twitch as this motion once again brought Roberto over.
"Wilifred. I asked you to come to dance." Roberto had managed to escape his flock of women for the moment, his face still red, and clearly tense. He glanced behind him. "I ...can't dance with all of them." They seemed to notice he'd given them the slip and were regrouping and charging across the grass, heels sinking into the dirt, several of the women not bothering to hide their own dislike of me as they stared at me.
"I'm here with my date. Sophia. Ask Ed." Wilifred wrapped an arm around my shoulders and gazed calmly up to Roberto.
I swore I smelt something fishy now.
"Ed said he was on a date with Ph..." Roberto met my eyes, hesitating, and he frowned. Then he was turning again and heading off in another direction, away from the women again, back towards the drinks. This time I saw him take a wine and drink it all. In one go.
Oh boy.
"He's an adult. He has to learn things." Wilifred said softly, squeezing my shoulder, adding, "Sometimes it's like supporting a younger brother."
"Isn't he older than you?"
"I was born several months before he was." Wilifred responded. He gazed up as Edward returned, offering three drinks, and took a glass of something light and bubbling.
Edward sat on my other side and offered me the other. They toasted with me before I drank slowly. The sweet bubbles filled my mouth.
"Please," Edward called to a Butler who had appeared almost as soon as we had, "Bring us three entrees."
He bowed and moved away.
"New Butler. I haven't seen him before." I watched him, a fairly young Butler, and was amused at how innocent he seemed compared to someone like Alberto and Claude.
"My Louis." Edward smiled.
His Louis? What was he suggesting? Or was I reading too much into that statement?
I suddenly found myself locked in a staring contest with Claude, who must have heard my brain think his name, only seemingly having noticed me. He frowned as his eyes went to Wilifred, and then to me, and then to Edward, the frown increasing...
Yeah. This probably did look bad. I had selfishly borrowed two Princes.
"I know you're both here with me-" I tried, trying to be diplomatic, and they both looked to me, "-but you probably should take turns dancing with the others."
Or I'd keep getting cold looks from Claude.
Edward followed my gaze and laughed. "I see. You're most generous to share your dates with others."
"No... practical." Roberto seemed to be in the dance floor again, dancing with a woman, but he didn't seem as happy as he had before. His smile was strained now. Some part of my hurt and anger faded at that. Poor Roberto. "He must be tired out already if he's had them all afternoon."
"Indeed. Then-" Edward stood up suddenly. "-I will dance until the food arrives."
Wilifred nodded and leaned back, relaxing, a warm summer breeze teasing our hair in the darkening night. "I am just glad to relax like this."
He'd said something like this earlier today, I remembered, and I asked, "You must work pretty hard."
"My life is my duty. This has felt like a holiday to me."
He glanced around, loosened his tie somewhat, and relaxed.
Claude appeared two seconds later and whispered, "Your Highness, your tie appears to have come loose, and several of the women have requested a dance with you..."
"I know." Wilifred sat up slowly, reluctantly tightening the tie on his suit once again, and he slowly stood up. "I'll dance for a few minutes as well. When the food arrives... I'll return. It won't be long."
I nodded and Claude's cool smile returned. Yeah. He got his way. Wilifred headed into the dance floor as several of the women made a sudden beeline for him.
They were popular. I'd never seen anything like it. There were only ten women and yet they somehow managed to crowd each Prince. Prince Joshua was there as well, hiding behind the drinks, with only the bravest women approaching him. Prince Glenn wasn't left alone for a second, even though he clearly was in no state to dance with the ladies, there was one particular young woman who didn't stop doting on him with food, drinks, she even tried to give him a massage at one point. I wondered if she was already drunk.
As I watched If elt a little isolated from it, from that whole game of flirtation, dancing and big batting eyelashes, somehow more content to ...drink this champagne.
Claude hadn't budged, I noticed, he stood just a few metres off. His attention may have been on the dance floor but I had the feeling his mind was on me. It gave me the shivers. I wasn't sure what to make of him.
Several of the women finally seemed to have decided I was alone and helpless, because they approached, gazing down their noses at me, open dislike showing.
"You." One pointed at me. I stared calmly at her long bright red fingernail. "Lazy maid. Bring me wine."
"Oh, no... she's a cripple. Why would Prince Keith have a cripple for a maid?" The other laughed, a high pitched laugh she pretended to hide behind her hand, her voice in a loud whisper. "She cannot be a guest. Look at her!"
"And to think she had the audacity to think herself good enough to date Prince Edward and Prince Wilifred..."
"It must be pity. A charity date. Are you dying, little one?"
"You look as if you are. So plain."
"Unless you somehow tricked Prince Edward and Prince Wilifred into inviting you, a fake pregnancy, or-"
"Are you questioning my choice of guests?"
A cool voice cut across their fake giggles and their smiles returned, just as fake, just as innocent. They curtsied as Prince Keith appeared from the bottom of the steps. He didn't return their smiles and within seconds they'd muttered excuses about 'being called for a dance' and had vanished back into the more crowded areas.
He crossed his arms, scowling, shooting me a glare. "You're drawing attention to yourself alone here."
"Well, it's not like I can dance." I retorted. He blinked a moment then relaxed a little. Was that the secret? Don't give into his bad mood?
"You haven't brought your new friend, I see." Prince Keith seemed to be looking for Otis. I smiled at that. Maybe he secretly liked the puppy.
"Too many high heels. It's too dangerous for a puppy." I responded.
He didn't come closer, just stood near the blanket, arms crossed as he watched the dancing. Prince Keith's manner had melted towards me now. I wasn't sure why.
"We discussed you during the meeting." He said suddenly.
Me? I'd almost forgotten about their meeting beforehand. I had to assume it was about the problem in Oriens, if it involved me. "Oh?"
"It's not something we should discuss now." Prince Keith stepped forward one step. This single motion seemed to get the attention of three stray women who started for him. His scowl returned as his head turned towards me. "I have work to do here."
Work? Was that what he called it? Prince Keith vanished into the crowd, a smile appearing, but it was as strained as Roberto's smile.
I was starting to see a whole other side to these Princes.
As the night went on, it seemed to go in a blur, Edward and Wilifred returning both together. From that moment on they didn't let me spend a moment alone, the three of us eating, or drinking, or they took me on a short walk along this area of the garden as Edward identified every single rose. By scientific name.
I couldn't say it was something I'd ever thought as a 'skill'... but I was pretty impressed at his memory.
As they continued to show me around, eyes followed us. Female eyes. Male eyes. We ate dinner with Prince Glenn, who was sitting at a table and still hadn't moved all night, some incredible french dish that I couldn't try and pronounce. There must have been a chef nearby, cooking all this, because the dishes were steaming hot and perfectly fresh. The wine was cold and amazing. I barely had to look around before someone appeared to refill my glass.
I may have drunk a little too much.
I wasn't with the Princes all the time though. They had to dance, I suspected it was part of their 'duty', and I was starting to identify the difference between a forced smile and a genuine one.
And as the women got a little drunker, they stopped hiding their dislike of me, offering some little insult or another whenever I was left alone. It wasn't worth responding to them. I just ignored them, drank, and that only started up the 'She must be simple minded' whispers.
Sometimes I saw Roberto twitch at that, I thought, but he seemed to be overwhelmed with women.
"Will you dance?" A voice cut into my thoughts. I gazed up to Prince Wilifred, who bowed, and said quietly, "Please do me this honour."
"But... I can't dance." I looked pointedly at my leg and he sighed, shaking his head, holding out a hand anyway.
"There's a way. One dance."
"Huh? What way?"
Prince Wilifred tugged me up, his face still calm and expressionless, but his hand squeezed mine for a moment as he lifted me up into his arms. Carrying me to the dance floor, I went bright red, wondering if he intended n dancing with me like this... but he lowered me down and muttered, "Arms around neck. Please."
"What?"
A slow song started, slow and gentle, and I did what I was told. Prince Wilifred lifted me up easily, his head against my neck, whispering, "Just relax. I can hold you."
This was crazy. My face stayed warm, eyes on us from all directions, his breath tickling my neck as we danced in this intimate way. The wine may not have helped either, I felt my body easily relaxing, Wilifred's arms steady and unflinching as he let me lean against him. We barely moved... just seemed to sway there.
As this happened, we heard voices around us, several women... the same from before, I realised... muttering insults and suggestions that I was a prostitute, or something along those lines, because I clearly wasn't from 'society'.
Wilifred's breath would draw in, every time we overheard that, but he did what I'd been doing all evening. He ignored it. His arms just tightened as if to reassure me.
The song was just fading as one of the women exclaimed, "This prostitute has no shame!" to the laughter of her little gaggle of followers.
Roberto exploded. There was no other word for it. He turned suddenly, as I was lowered to my feet, and demanded they go to bed. Accused them of getting drunk on a 'date' or something, his voice low, smile slipping right off and staying off. Alberto was quick to gently 'guide' the women away.
Wilifred lifted me up and helped me back to my chair. I swore I saw his smile appear a moment, his genuine one, but then he was turning as several woman charged at him in the hope to be asked for a dance.
Maybe they were a little drunk. One stumbled as her heel got caught in the grass, complaining loudly about 'commoner dates', humiliation all over her face when she caught me staring at her. She could have killed me with that look.
I just smiled sweetly, drank a sip of wine, and enjoyed the sight.
Within an hour I suspected most of us were drunk or getting close to it. Prince Joshua seemed to be as sober as ever, despite his drinking more than most of us, but Roberto was gone and had quite literally ran for his life into the darkness, flinging shoes away, as Alberto gave chase. The women had looked pretty bewildered at that.
I wasn't surprised in the slightest. It was Roberto. I'd started to wonder how much longer he'd put up with pretending to be happy.
Glenn was red faced, leaning on his arm, and didn't give up any resistance when Yu came to his rescue and 'helped' him away. The women were also having to be helped away, one by one, vanishing up the steps or in another direction along a path that seemed to wind along the lake.
My own head was light now and I openly smiled at the women, who were making drunken digs at me, as I swayed on my chair to the music. I was having a great time and they were acting like cows. It was a great night. Edward and Wilifred, however gentle-manlike they were, were clearly also a little tipsy, and they bothered less and less with dancing and we spent more time sitting around that table, drinking together, toasting to random things. Roses. Flowers. Candles. The lake. The wine.
"You know," I said as I felt sleep start to draw on me, "You were right. This was fun."
"Yes, it was." Edward agreed. He had rested his head on his hands and looked increasingly like a boy now, his own cheeks rosy red, playing with a half eaten cake. "If only Louis would permit me one more drink..."
Louis had cut him off half an hour ago.
"Not in public. We can have a proper drink together when we're alone." Wilifred scolded Edward gently and he almost sounded like Claude a moment- the sternness in his voice amusing. He was drunker than Edward was though, stumbling as he stood up, and he gazed at me with sudden concern. "You're tired."
"A little. And relaxed." I admitted as I yawned. "I could sleep here."
"Outdoors! That... is not … will not do." Edward sat up suddenly. He stood up and swayed, laughing at his own lack of grace, adding, "I would carry you home but..."
"Your Highness." Alberto appeared all of a sudden, bowing low, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. "I have tasked several of the maids and servants to search for Roberto, so if you please, I can escort Miss Sophia home. Perhaps we'll lure Prince Roberto out of the garden."
"He's gone to sulk, has he?" Wilifred was teasing. I was sure of it.
"I believe so, yes. He was not impressed with your little... display." Alberto's face didn't change expression but he seemed amused. I wasn't sure. I went to drink from my refilled glass, and he grasped it quickly, easily taking it out of my grasp. "Miss Sophia."
"I'm thirsty. And sleepy." I complained and shut my eyes as I slumped down. Disappointment flooded me suddenly and I pouted. Now it was my turn to sound like a little kid. "Why didn't Robbie want to dance with me too? Or just say hi? It's so easy. Hi Phia. You're wearing a nice dress." I tried to mimic his voice and failed, words spilling out everywhere, and took another sip of the wine only to remember Alberto had taken it away from me. "Can I have... more wine?"
"Robb...ie?" Prince Joshua spoke up from his side of the table. Maybe I was wrong about him still being sober. He struggled a little with his words. "Prince Roberto?"
"Not to me. Just Robbie." I opened my eyes and frowned, sadness washing over me, as all the feelings I'd been hiding from all day suddenly washed over me. I wanted to cry. He didn't even want to see me. He'd been angry that I'd been at the party. "Don't tell him I called him that. He likes it too much and he doesn't deserve that. ...no, wait, he does. He deserves to be really happy."
My face made Edward look like he was about to cry as well. Oh god. I reached out to touch his face, protesting this travesty, informing him, "No, no, don't... don't look so sad! You'll never marry a woman with that face."
"Oh?" Edward reached up to grasp my hands, squeezing them, his face still sad. "Please, My Lady, if our antics tonight have saddened you..."
"You two were the best date I ever had. I think." I hesitated at Edward's face, his big sad eyes, silvery hair falling everywhere, and changed my mind. It was too cute. He'd seduce the world with that face. "Oh. Maybe you will. You should put that sad face on a dating site, Eddy, you'd make millions. Unless you already have millions. I... don't even know what I'm saying."
"Nor do I." Edward agreed. His head sunk back down on his arms and like magic Louis appeared.
Alberto lifted me up then with a soft, "All right, I think it's time for you to retire."
"Where's Robbie?" I protested as Alberto carried me up the steps, one by one, and away from the amused Princes down below.
"Prince Roberto was last seen vanishing into the lilac garden, peeling his suit off layer by layer, and we're tracking his movements based off lost articles of clothing." Alberto's expressionless face vanished. We were alone now and he didn't hide his amusement or exasperation. "I trust Prince Keith and his staff to search for him- I was more concerned with your safe return to your own bed."
"I have a new bedroom now. And a puppy."
"Prince Roberto told me. Did he tell you that he got a kitten?"
"No! What!" I was nearly dropped, my drunken state making me try and 'sit up', and Alberto had to stop and readjust his grip on me. I smiled at that. "Is it cute?"
"Milo is … cute. Prince Joshua has already requested to be moved to the other side of the Manse. Please rest, my lady, and allow me to carry you safely..." Alberto adjusted his hold once again. "I believe she is, as Prince Roberto described, the cutest creature known to kitty kind."
I sighed and shut my eyes, smile fading, sadness returning. I felt sick and light headed and weird. "He doesn't like me. Robbie was so nice to me. I had a friend. A real friend. Not a fake one."
"No. He wished to spare you the pain of those women." Alberto muttered, "As did I."
"Why are rich women so nasty?" I pouted, whining a little, face still sad. "They were really mean. They thought I was pregnant because I'm fat. Why does Robbie want one of them? He's too nice for them. I don't like them."
"You are not fat, Miss Sophia, and they are that way because it is what they were taught to be. I do not believe any of them really have a bad heart."
"You're such a sweetheart." I finally stopped wriggling around and flopped, shutting my eyes, somewhat soothed by his slow heart. "You should marry one of them. You could make any of them become nice people."
"I'll take your suggestion into consideration."
I whined a little more, Alberto soothing me the entire walk back, and as he gently tugged off my shoes, promised to make sure that Otis was warm and happy.
"Berty? Can you stroke my hair?"
Alberto twitched at my nickname, but he smiled, and came to sit on my bed, his large hand gently stroking my hair. "I'll wait until you've fallen asleep. I promise. Please, don't look so sad."
Exhausted, sad, and a little lonely, I curled up in bed as much as my leg would allow, and drifted off into an uneasy sleep. I was sure I heard Roberto's voice in my dreams, smelt him, but I was exhausted and sad to look.
For those who haven't seen Milo & Otis... just look on youtube.
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:)