Chapter 8. An Offer She Can't Refuse

Corinne was dusting bookshelves in the library that morning. Completely lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice that she'd been dusting the same bookshelf for well over an hour. She was too worried to focus on her work.

Louis had been cancelling her lessons for a week now. The first night, she found the mirror wouldn't open and a note on her dressing table informing her of the cancellation. When she tried the following nights, the results were the same. Either Louis didn't wish to see her, or he was in some sort of trouble. Corinne disregarded the first option. He always seemed so pleased to see her and she was sure their time together was the only social interaction he got, so that couldn't be it. Right?

If Louis didn't want her around because he was in trouble, then what could she do besides wait? She shivered. She didn't want anything bad to happen to him. He was her friend and- Corinne felt her cheeks grow hot. She found it ridiculous that she had a crush on a man she hardly knew a thing about. Maybe if she didn't think about it too much…

"Corinne!"

She spun around to see Aramina rushing towards her.

"Aramina, what is it?"

"A ball, Corinne!" The red-head sighed. "A masquerade ball! Here! In two days!"

"You know this just means more work for us, right?" Corinne asked, but it was obvious Aramina wasn't listening. She twirled around the library and hummed a waltz. Corinne rolled her eyes and returned to her work.

"Mademoiselle?"

Corinne turned to see who was interrupting her this time and gasped, dipping quickly into a curtsy. "Your Grace."

Count Philippe smiled. "Good morning, my dear. I do not know if you've already been informed, but there is to be a masquerade ball in two nights' time and I would be delighted if you would accompany me."

"Me? Your Grace, I don't under-"

"My dear girl, think of this invitation as an opportunity to see what life as a princess could be like, also as an apology for nearly knocking you over while you were cleaning," Count Philippe said.

Corinne fought the urge to shudder. That happened nearly five months ago. She highly doubted he truly remembered bumping into her and hoped she was misreading his obvious intentions. But who was she to refuse royalty? With the prince gone, Count Philippe was next in line for the throne when the king passed. Plus with Louis continually cancelling her lessons, she would be free for the night. If he was doing so to avoid seeing her, then surely attending the ball would arouse his temper and he would demand she start training again. She smiled as at the thought of him possibly being jealous she was on another man's arm.

"Well, when you put it that way, I accept your invitation, Your Grace," Corinne said giving another curtsy.

"Excellent! Arrangements will be made for you tomorrow evening, mademoiselle, uh…"

"Corinne."

"Corinne," he repeated. "Until then, my dear." He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand before exiting the library. Corinne released the shudder she'd been suppressing.

An almost inhuman screech told Corinne that Aramina had heard every word she and the Count has said. Corinne looked to her friend and was shocked to find tears in her green eyes.

"Aramina, what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just so excited for you. You're going to the ball! You know how I am," she smiled, but something about her tone seemed off. Perhaps it was that she was not used to seeing Aramina cry.

"May I please go tell Viveca and Renée?"

Corinne nodded and Aramina dashed out the library doors. Alone once more, Corinne resumed dusting.

...

The masquerade chapters are some of my favorite chapters and I'm super excited to share them with you. Who else is super creeeped out by Philippe? Do you think maybe he suspects something or just wants to see the pretty blonde maid in his bed? What do you think Louis will do when he realizes Corinne's going to a ball with the person he hates most in the world? I say it's payback for cancelling Corinne's lessons, but he certainly won't think of it that way. What about you?