Page 102 of Legacy of Glass
“My aunt packed my clothes for me, and one of the maids unpacked them into the wardrobe. I’m betting the other slipper is in the bottom somewhere.”
Marigold hurried over and dove into the wardrobe, unworried about her own outfit. She emerged triumphant, one glass slipper gripped in her hand.
Within seconds, she had the other one out of its display and was kneeling to slip them onto Olivia’s feet. Olivia wanted to protest that she could put them on herself, but the nervous knot in her belly made it hard to talk.
Marigold flashed her an encouraging grin and left the bedchamber, her lock picking hairpins back in her hands. Olivia stood and faced Daphne.
“Are you coming?” she whispered.
Daphne surveyed the remaining dresses, a gleam in her eyes. “I’ll get myself ready and come behind you. The two of you should make your grand entrance alone.”
Olivia nodded, swallowed hard, and joined Marigold.
“Success!” Marigold cried as the door lock clicked. She opened the door and peered outside. “And they didn’t even leave any guards.”
Olivia grimaced. “I’m sure they thought there was no way I could get out on my own. They were probably right, too.”
“Never!” Marigold cried loyally. “You would have found a way.”
The two girls wasted no time hurrying through the palace. The whole way, Olivia remained tense, watching for guards, but none crossed their path. They slowed as they approached the ballroom.
“Are you ready for this?” Olivia asked Marigold.
Her friend took her hand. “This is how it should have been from the beginning. I can see that now. The two of us entering together.”
Olivia smiled back at her, but half her attention was on the ceremonial guards placed on either side of the ballroom door. One of them shifted slightly at the sight of the two girls together and sent his comrade a questioning look.
The second guard shook his head. “I heard His Majesty myself. Lady Olivia is free to enter the ball.”
“Even in glass slippers?” the first guard whispered. “Bothof them in glass slippers?”
His companion shrugged. “The king didn’t mention footwear. He just said that she’s to be allowed in.”
Olivia drew a relieved breath. Just reaching the ball had felt like enough of an ordeal. She didn’t fancy fighting off two guards to get inside.
Her heart beat faster as she and Marigold stepped into the doorway, the double doors allowing them to stand side by side as they surveyed the ballroom.
A fanfare sounded from invisible trumpets, and silence spread through the ballroom as every head turned to stare at the two arrivals. Eyes skipped from Olivia to Marigold, whispers breaking out as people caught the flash of two pairs of glass slippers.
A path opened through the crowd, revealing Julius, tall and regal. Olivia’s breath caught.
She had already chosen Julius, and she would continue to do so every day, despite the difficulties that came with him. But would he choose her over the duty his parents demanded?
Julius stood for a moment, staring across the ballroom at the two girls standing together. And then he was moving—running—toward them, his smile wide and his eyes bright.
Marigold squeezed Olivia’s hand and tugged her gently down the shallow stairs to stand on the ballroom floor. They reached it just as Julius arrived in front of them. He gave no indication of even seeing Marigold, his eyes for Olivia alone.
He held out his hand to her.
“Will you dance with me, beautiful lady?” he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes and brightening his smile. “And then would you be mine forever?”
“Yes.” Olivia put her hand in his willingly this time, giving him her heart along with it. “And yes. I will gladly do both.”
Julius pulled her into his arms and onto the dance floor as the music swelled around them and the crowd broke into cheers. The crown prince of Sovar had made his own choice, but Olivia still felt the power of the Legacy giving wings to her feet. They would have their love and the future of the kingdom as well.
Epilogue
OLIVIA
