Page 19 of Glass Hearts
The old man looks cornered. He knows we can’t do much with a name now that we know where she lives. He sighs before giving us her name.
“Arabella.”
Arabella. A fitting name for the beauty.
Arabella
It’s the next day, and I’m alive, so it means they haven’t found me. Yet I can not help feeling as though everything has gone to shit. I find peace in knowing that there is nothing they can do to find me.
I am just a nobody, an insignificant flicker in everyone’s lives. They may have seen my face, but there are plenty of citizens. Many fellow boring-looking pale blonde girls. I am sure of it. And I am seriouslynotmemorable enough for them to chase me. Plus, they got their magical heart things back- it should all be good.
I will have to go back into town and check on Oliver, though. Prince Sylas was inside his shop. If they are out for my blood, I am sure they would have returned to him. The guilt spoils my meager breakfast of dry toast, from stale bread leftover in the kitchen.
It was surreal seeing the princes again. They are too attractive for their own good. It was one thing to see them in their royal finery at the ball. But something about the tight-fitting everyday clothes they wore had me feeling flustered like a young schoolgirl with a crush. And the muscles… Not hidden at all, as they had been during the ball with their many layers of clothing.
Prince Grayer’s sinful tattoos seemed to cover every inch of him if his rolled-up sleeves were anything to go by. Prince Sylas had his hair out of that bun; it made me want to run myhands through his brown curls. Prince Koi wore that charming grin, and I also peeked at a few small tattoos on his chest from the opening of his shirt. Prince Archer just looked pissed. If he weren’t a Prince, he could totally be a model with those sculpted facial features.
All I can think about is the feel of their presence when around me. I feel like a boat on the ocean, and they are lighthouses I couldn’t look away from. Or at least stop thinking about. Never has a man enraptured me the way they seem to have. I have had casual romantic encounters with other men. Decent men, though they had all been just that. Decent. None of them had that spark or pull I seemed to feel around the princes.
I must get my crush out of my head. Normally, I would use stealing to distract myself, but something tells me I should lay low for a while. Plus, they will soon be married, and definitely not to me. To probably stunning, accomplished women who come from wealth. Proper women who were destined to be queens. Women with flat stomachs and unmarred skin. Nothing like me. Never me.
* * *
“The princes will make their selections today, girls. I expect you all to be on the list. So be sure to start preparation. Belly, take these undergarments and wash them, please. They are delicate, so I better not see one lace stitch out of place.”
My stepmother hands me a bin of lingerie. Of all four colours for the Princes. They really felt confident that they would win their place on that list.
Perhaps it is for the best, but my stomach twists knowing this presents an additional problem I have been avoiding. If they get chosen, Bernice will have to go. Which means I will either needto be married off or go with them. Coming across the princes is not an option, nor is getting married.
I run the warm water. Readying the garments in the soapy basin, I contemplate my next steps. I had made quite a bit last haul, even after sending the cut of the money to the original victims. The mage who said he could try to help was looking for two thousand gold coins. I am just shy of that. But what if he were to scam me? Or what if it doesn’t work? It’s my only hope at this point.
I shriek as a bird flies into the window.Petra?
She taps on the window. “I can’t talk right now, Petra. The steps are in the other room.”
Before I can motion to shoo her away, Bernice enters the room. “Go shoot that bird or something, Belly. We would also like a spot of tea for the parlour. Perhaps add a few digestive biscuits.”
Petra is still pecking at the window, so I open it right as Bernice leaves.
“Arabelly!”
“I’m sorry, Petra, I really have to go or else she will have my head!”
“Bu-”
I shoot her an apologetic look after closing the window before heading towards the kitchen. Heavy banging sounds fill the hallway from the front door, stopping me in my tracks.
“Get the damned door, Belly!” one of my stepsisters screams.
“On it!” I yell back. It must be the milk delivery man, though he arrives in the late evening, rather than the early morning. I opened the door expecting Fred, the delivery guy, only to find four very attractive princes. I gasp.
Why are they here!?
“It seems our outspoken thief is speechless,” Archer glares.
“Belly!” my stepmother screeches. She must have made her way to the front door, only to push me out of the way. She plasters her fake smile on her face as she opens her arms in invitation for the princes to enter. “Belly, go put on that spot of tea. It looks like we will be entertaining some very important guests.”
All I can do is nod as I hear my stepmother continue, “You must be here for my lovely daughters. I didn’t know you were letting your selections know in person! Or are we just that special? I will get them to pack for the castle in haste.” Bernice leads them into the parlour where she sits with them.
