It had been a month since I had been sentenced to a life in the Palace, but I couldn't be more pleasantly surprised with how my life was unfolding here. I was enjoying my time with Una; we had grown close rather quickly and I am so grateful for her every morning that I wake up. I'm getting used to the running of the Palace and what each servant does and what I can ask them for, with the help of Anton. I also thank the stars for his guidance too.
Even the Prince's weren't as terrible as I had feared. Yes, there was a few of them I wasn't keen on. Perhaps that's unfair to say, maybe weary of would be the better term to use. Of course, there was one especially who I didn't give the time of day too and he reciprocated. As much as it frustrated Una, that friendship was just not meant to be. I enjoyed the company of Quintas, Quartus and Primus, they are how you would expect Prince's to behave.
I hadn't given much thought to my old life, which seems like a terrible thing to say. I was beginning to feel as though as I lost my father on the day my mother died and I would keep those memories with me as opposed to his betrayal, knowing he continued to live his life without feeling any guilt to what he had done. But that's something he would have to live with.
The Palace had been preparing for a masked ball this week. Una had to explain to me that we had to make sure our costumes left us unrecognisable. None of this mask on sticks that others do but completely covered so everyone would be complete strangers for the night.
"Besides us of course, as we are helping each other get ready" Una smiled.
"But there aren't that many young women in Court so surely people will know it's us?" I questioned, I know I would find it quite obvious who everyone was by their body language alone or their voice but then Una told me "We are so serious about masked balls, the gentlemen will not ask you for a dance, they will simply take your hand and lead you to the dance floor. Don't get me wrong, the gossip the next day will be outrageous with guesses on who was dressed at what and so on".
"Wow, this really is quite thorough!" I laughed at all their efforts, they really had thought of everything to make sure that no one could be identified.
We were working on Una's peacock costume which was all different shades of blue and green colours she usually wore so again, little bits of where you could tell who someone was would slip out. There was a knock at the door as Una called "One moment!"
As I quickly found some blankets to cover her dress to keep her identity safe since everyone took it so seriously. Once Una was satisfied everything was out of sight she called "Come in!"
To my dread, I should have guessed by the knock really that it was Septimus who strolled in and raised his eyebrows as he looked at the pile of blankets on the ground.
"Busy working on your costume, Una?" He nodded his head over to the blankets.
"Yes, I imagine yours is all ready? You are always so organised" tutted Una.
I was trying hard to look like I was making an effort to get along with him in front of Una so in my politest voice I asked "What are you dressing as Prince Septimus?"
He turned and looked at me, I knew he was trying to act like I wasn't there. But this is the first time I detected some smugness from him as he sarcastically replied "It wouldn't be much point of a masked ball if I told you".
I wanted to disappear on the spot. Why did I ask such an obviously stupid question to him, of all people!
"I guess you're right" I muttered, not wanting to look at the smirk appearing across his face.
"Oh wow, you two agreed on something!" Una added to the fire as she laughed. I politely laughed along with her, but I was still so angry with myself.
Septimus stood and rolled his eyes "Well, I will leave you to it Una. I will see you at dinner".
"Actually, we won't be at dinner, we need to get our costumes sorted before tomorrow" Una announced to him, I hadn't realised this was the case but we could all do with an early night before the ball tomorrow.
"Why don't you join us, Septimus?" Una smiled sweetly at him.
"Us?" Questioned Septimus
"Yes, Septimus, 'us'" Una almost sounded like she was snapping at him as pointed to herself and then me.
'I would rather not" he declined her invite, which made me feel guilty. You could they wanted each other's company, but Septimus clearly despised me so much that he couldn't bear the thought of being so close to my company.
"Una, I'm not very hungry so I will most likely skip dinner. Enjoy dinner with your brother instead. I can carry on working on our costumes" I offered.
"Do you mean Princess Una?" Septimus raised his eyebrow at our familiarity. This man was insufferable, and I regretted removing myself from the picture so they could dine together.
"No, she meant Una" the Princess insisted "And that's very kind of you Bella, if you are sure you aren't hungry?"
"Not at all" I smiled to her.
"There you have your way then Septimus. I'll see you at dinner" she said to her brother, but I have to say, she sounded quite short with him. I think she was still frustrated at our inability to form a friendship.