Page 63 of Glass Hearts

“What the heck is going on, Win?”

She lets out a frustrated sigh. “I have no clue, but I am glad I got to see you before I was so unceremoniously told to pack up my bags and leave within the hour.”

“Why the rush?”

“No idea, but we were told that if we weren’t off the premises within the hour, we would be thrown into the dungeon for trespassing. We are all waiting for transport.”

“The princes wouldn’t do that.” My brow furrows.

Winona wraps me up in a tight embrace. I returned the hug, desperate for her not to go as we had only just become friends.

“Ella, be careful. Something feels wrong. Please take care of yourself, and send a note my way as soon as you can,” she whispers into my ear.

“Stay safe, too, Win. I will give Bri and Lo a big hug for you.” Her carriage rolls up.

“For Miss White?” A finely dressed man calls out for Winona. After he put her luggage in the trunk, she gets in the carriage; her lingering look conveyed more than words, a silent farewell.

Until next time, friend.

* * *

As the afternoon passes, the castle feels grimmer, echoing with an unnerving emptiness. All the ladies and their chaperons have left, and I still haven’t seen the princes. Not even finding them in their rooms. Jett is nowhere to be found either, hoping I could ask him where his masters are. The only room in the castle that seems to have people is the kitchen as they prepare for the impromptu multi-course dinner event.

Not being able to find anyone, I went back to my room in the servants’ quarters. The first thing I see is a black dress, very similar to the one I wore at the ball, hanging up near the window. Where the dress from the ball sparkled and had theback covered, this one has a silken matte fabric with an exposed back. A note appears to be pinned onto the delicate strap.

Dinner in the dining room, 7 pm sharp. Wear this dress.

I turn over the note to see who left it. Nothing.

Kip and Bert pop out of their nest.

“Hey, Arabelly!”

“Hey, boys, did you see who dropped this off?”

“It was the strangest thing! A person, we think was a man, wearing all black and a mask, came in here and dropped this off, then disappeared.”

“One of the princes?”

“We don’t think so. He was shorter than them, and not as muscly.” A chill creeps up my spine.

Something feels off about all this. My hopeful heart wants to believe it’s a romantic gesture from my princes. Finally deciding to stop the games with me and the council. But the realistic side of me knows a girl like me can’t be that stupidly sanguine.

By the time I look at the clock, it is already 5:30. So I head to the bathrooms for a quick rinse and get ready as fast as I can.

“Boys, something feels wrong. I need you to find Lo and make sure she is okay. Come find me if she is in trouble.”

“You look beautiful, Arabelly!”

“You got it, Arabelly!”

I strap my gold dagger to my thigh, just in case.

The walk to the dining room feels like it takes ages. The silence in the air is palpable, and not a soul wanders the desolate halls. My heart pounds as I make it to the dining room double doors. I hear talking and laughing on the other side. With a deep breath, I open the doors to find dinner already started.

My stepfamily and the princes are here. Including Councilman Hendrickson. The other council members are oddly not present.

Then I catch the glint of an enormous diamond on each of the Quadias slender hands. Queasiness fills me as I note each prince holding their hand with the large rocks.