The notes poured from the grand piano as my fingers tapped over the keys. The tactile sensation of my fingertips pushing against the smooth ivory brought back bits from the distant past, of my fingers rubbing against the slick plastic squares of the Rubik’s cube, mashing worn-down controller buttons, and clicking keyboard keys.

  That long lost boy that I once was. Did he play music as well?

  The rich, clean timbre of struck strings resonated through me. It at least flowed together into some semblance of a chained melody.

  As Joan, I had tried to become a ‘Bard’s Apprentice,’ or a Jovencel to a Trouvère. My voice passed for a young boy easily enough, but my verses were awful, and my knobby fingers kept stumbling over the lute strings.

  “Faux, Jehan! Garde le ton!”—Wrong Jehan! Stay in Key!

  He’d constantly shouted at me.

  “Jo, you’re drifting again. Now, stay with my beats. One, Two, Three…”

  Mama counted for me. She never yelled. And as always, the sound of her voice sent numbing waves through my scalp. My fingers moved on their own to the rhythm of her words, my eyes following the score drawn over the fine sheet of paper before me.

  “You got it. That sounds pretty good. Keep going.”

  It was someone else’s words, a different voice.

  Another memory trickled in.

  Ally stood over me pointing to a musical score drawn in a completely different style. I followed the dots dribbling over the bar lines. My fingers pressed down upon the plastic keys and electric, synthesized notes played instead of the natural timbre.

  “This doesn’t sound quite right, sis,” I complained, tilting my head at the sheet as my fingers punched the keys mechanically.

  “It’s good enough. Just keep it up.” Allison plopped down on the couch and pulled out her favorite manga.

  Mom’s voice shouted from above.

  “Ally, you’re finally practicing?! See! you’re getting better.”

  She winked over at me.

  The memory faded as the last few notes rose from the glossy-black lacquered frame of the grand piano. My fingers came to rest on the white ivory.

  “Very good.” Mama lightly clapped her hands. “You should be ready to move up to the next set.”

  Ally… I had left her alone for too long. I even have presents ready for them.

  “Mama. After the party, there’s somewhere I wish to go for a couple of days. Can you cover for me while I’m away? I don’t want others to worry.”

  Mama turned to study my face. “Is it dangerous?”

  “No, but it’s a little disturbing. I…” I met her gaze, then looked around us. It was just me and her in the music room.

  “I kind of adopted a daughter.”

  —

  Mama didn’t have much time to interrogate me after that, but she agreed to cover for me after I assured her again that I would be safe. She constantly shot me worried glances while the girls dressed me.

  Elise had taken one look at the backless dress that Leticia had picked out for me and instantly said, “No. Especially not with your figure. Can you imagine the scandal that would cause?”

  Both the Mama and the girls murmured their agreement, while I was left to puzzle over what she meant by my figure.

  Elise wagged a finger at me before she left. “Do not trust that girl.”

  The girls picked out a standard ballroom gown for children, sky blue with white frills, edged with intricate lace and silver trim.

  It didn’t look like something that would draw too much attention, I think.

  This time, I rode in a carriage with my family. Ben sat beside me, while Father was with Elise facing us.

  It was a smooth ride, with the carriage hardly jostling even as the wheels rumbled over the cobblestones.

  The suspension in this one must be superior.

  Ben told me about his days at school, all the new friends he had met, and the classes he had taken. Excitement tinged his voice, and his eyes sparkled; he was obviously enjoying the environment there.

  I tried to think back to Steve’s time at school, and was greeted with fragments of hazy memories. I had friends, I was sure. I remembered playing and laughing. I remembered fights. But they were all just bits and pieces. Frayed and faded visions.

  Joan never went to school, though I did run about with the village kids. I did apprentice work, but it wasn’t the same. There weren't classes with kids chattering, or gatherings in the playground.

  “Don’t worry, Jo. You will be attending in no time. It’ll be great! I can show you the Academy Library. They have more books than our House. I know how much you love them,” he gushed. “And I can’t wait to introduce you to my friends.”

  I nodded absently to him. “That would be nice, Brother.”

  His hand covered mine. “Jo, are you worried about the dungeon? I really do want to protect you.”

  I shook my head. “No, it’s not that, Brother. I’m not afraid.”

  “I am just trying to figure out what I truly want in this life,” I admitted honestly as I looked into his eyes.

  “But you have to go to the Academy.” He paused, catching himself. “If you decide not to, I will help you get away.”

  “Don’t encourage that,” Elise chastised Ben. She shifted her gaze to me. “A proper Lady must finish at least the High Academy. Don’t you wish to set a good example for little Cecilia? She still clings to you.”

  “I’m sure Josephine has her reasons. She has already proven her willingness to sacrifice for this family.” My father’s voice cut in, startling everyone. “But you do not need to run away, Daughter. I will support whatever decision you make.” He leaned forward. “And defend you to my last breath.”

  “Thank you, Father.” I dipped my head in reply.

  Elise rolled her eyes out toward the window, exhaling wistfully. “The two of you…”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  —

  We entered yet another grand ballroom with high ceilings and intricate relief walls, carved by countless artisans and laborers. A full orchestra played, the notes from string and wind instruments drifting over the din of the crowd while the bass of the drums kept beat.

  Again, we were met by tables stuffed with excess—fresh fruits and roasted meats sat, untouched by the bloated nobles passing them by, too engrossed in themselves and their own voices.

  An ache from the past protruded against my chest: hard bread, crunchy with sand, overly salted meat that dried the mouth, and my little sister crying as she attempted to chew. But they were just memories. I was no longer that village girl.

  The herald announced our entrance, his voice booming. Given that we were a ducal house, the titles were, of course, long and plentiful. But in reality, it could be distilled to one for each of us:

  My Father was The Duke. Elise, The Duchess. Ben, The Heir.

  And me? The Intended for the Second Prince.

  That last title made Ben’s eye twitch.

  My introduction detonated a wave of murmurs that rippled through the sea of silk and lace. Everyone here had to be at least upper nobility.

  “Why doesn’t she cover that up? It’s like a ghastly crack over fine porcelain.”

  “So she’s the one mixing with the help?”

  “I saw them at the cafe. She even dressed them up.”

  “Heard she wrestled one of the Westerly boys.”

  “Hurt him, too. Even though he’s going easy. A rabid dog in a dress.”

  “Heard she seduced both princes with that body of hers. Shameless.”

  I ignored the voices and followed my family, the crowd quickly parting before the icy gaze of my father.

  An informal border of tables and the dance floor served as the demarcation line between the East and West factions.

  It was easy to tell which side was which. The East, ever the traditionalists, wore over-the-top high collars and drowned themselves in a sea of frills and lace. The West was more progressive; their clothing sported sleek curves, sheer silks, and exposed skin. Their jewelry sparkled less, but boasted complex designs that screamed of their own subtle extravagance.

  Their souls swirled with flavors. Prideful, peppery spice inundated the room. Salty lust rose like a pungent mist at the tables where couples sat staring into one another’s eyes, or at points where secret lovers or admirers gazed across the informal border. Savory greed rippled over both sides like rendered fat.

  I hadn’t come across much, if any, sweetness. Instead, sour and bitter notes spiked at the spots where various nobles stepped forward to introduce themselves to us.

  The vices were abundant here.

  A hand grabbed my arm just as a grey-bearded Count finished his proclamation of my beauty. “Dear Sister. I’m hurt!” Leticia exclaimed with an exaggerated pout. “Why didn’t you wear the dress I gifted you? I wore this in the hopes of the two of us matching.”

  She spun around, her gown a cascade of shimmering black scales. It wasn’t backless, but it hugged tight to the contours of her body from her chest down to her ankles.

  “I’m sorry, Lady Leticia.” Elise’s voice cut sharply between us. “But such a dress isn’t appropriate for someone of her age.”

  Leticia hugged my arm tighter, pulling me slightly away from Elise. “From what I saw in our time together, her body is very much mature enough for that dress.”

  Her fingers picked through my frills. “I would even go as far as saying that forcing her to wear something like this is a crime against what she could actually be. Come, sister, there are friends that’d love to meet you.”

  She pulled me around, and I was faced with the rest of her retinue. Esther was standing there with her head drooped, staring down at the ground as if trying to disappear.

  I noticed Leticia was trying to pull me across the border to the other side, where the backless dress she had given me would have fit right in amongst the sleek, progressive fashion.

  When I turned to protest, Leticia’s bright blue eyes smiled innocently up at me.

  Elise was right. She was dangerous, especially for someone naive like me.

  Ben stepped forward to block our path. “Excuse me, My Lady. But I had already promised to introduce my sister to my classmates.”

  “They are my classmates as well, Benjamin. I’m coming too!” Leticia snapped back.

  Ben’s classmates were a group of normal-looking kids. Well, normal for upper nobility. All of them had impeccably done up hair, and sharp suits or pretty dresses.

  The image of these well-dressed beautiful looking kids standing by a fountain table was oddly like a cut scene from a game.

  It disturbed me until the characters within the cut scene began to talk.

  “Oi Ben! So that’s the little sister you’ve been telling us so much about.” A tall red-head barked at Ben.

  Another, shorter boy laughed and elbowed him. “Yeah! Not that little.”

  Ben must not have another growth spurt since I had shot past him by a couple of inches. It was noticeable when we stood side-by-side.

  “She is younger!” Ben shouted back, and then they were wrestling, or at least shoving each other.

  The other children glanced awkwardly between the boys, me and Leticia, who was still clinging to my arm. Her entourage was still behind us as well, so we made a rather imposing sight.

  I waved politely. “Hello everyone, I’m Josephine de Bloomcrest. Ben’s younger sister. A pleasure to meet you all.”

  The kids introduced themselves, all of them friendly and graceful. It seemed Ben was a popular boy.

  A lanky boy with a serious face bowed to me, and spoke in a suave voice. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Josephine. My name is Darren Brightown. Ben had told us a lot about you, but I didn’t realize you’d be so… beautiful.”

  A couple of the girls beside him clasped their cheeks and squealed, but I caught the inflection on that ‘beautiful’. After all, I had that open cut on my cheek.

  “Thank you, Lord Darren.” My eyes were drawn to the green bar floating over his head.

  He is a love interest? But isn’t he a bit old? Though, Anthony and them are the same age.

  It made me realize how little I knew of the game.

  I should have asked Long more questions!

  “Darren, you’re such a flirt, and to someone so much younger.” Leticia teased him in a lighthearted tone. “Unfortunately for you, she’s already taken.”

  “I knew that. I was just saying hi,” The silver-haired youth protested, feigning innocence.

  Leticia grinned back wryly. “Really? Do you greet every girl by telling them how beautiful they are?”

  A burst of warm laughter erupted from the group. It seemed all of them knew each other well.

  Was this the kind of camaraderie you can get from a school? It didn’t feel that different from the banter the men had, but I was always on the outside looking in.

  I could never be one of them.

  “You’ve gone sad again, like you always do,” a boy’s voice whispered against my ear.

  “Your Highness. You should go to your betrothed instead.” I gestured over to Leticia and the others laughing together. “Aren’t they your classmates as well?”

  “How did you know it was me? I thought the music and crowd would mask me pretty well. Was it that scary spell you used before?”

  I didn’t feel like dignifying him with an answer, and turned away. The truth was, I could not only sense his presence, but I also could tell from the taste of his soul as he got close. His brightness and mixture of flavors formed a rather distinctive combination that I had gotten to know all too well.

  The Twin Stars stood a few steps back from us. Samson inclined his head respectfully toward me while Simone huffed and jerked her head away.

  “They are still sore about losing to you. But I’m looking forward to our time in the dungeon together.” He closed in on me so that his breath brushed my cheek. “Too bad it’s delayed.”

  “Like I said before, it’s not something you do for fun.” I shoved him back with a hand against his chest.

  Several gasps rose from the crowd and the group of students. I looked from my hand to Anthony, who still had an awful grin on his face.

  Technically, laying hands on a royal is a crime. That’s what had set off the Queen the first time.

  But the grizzled guard captain standing behind the Twin Stars didn’t even bat an eye, and neither did Samson and Simone. In fact, Samson snorted an amused chuckle.

  A shorter, grey-haired boy ran in between us and pushed Anthony further away. The only one who could, actually.

  “You leave my betrothed alone!” Tomas shouted at him.

  He then offered me his hand. “May I have the first dance?"

  Before I could answer, Ben stepped up beside him. “Excuse me. Your Highness, but you two are only promised. She, however, is my true sister. The first dance should be mine.”

  “Nope, it’s my birthday, and she’s mine!” Anthony swept past the two of them and grabbed my hand, pulling me away.

  As we moved away, I saw Leticia, fixing her fury-filled eyes not on me, but Anthony. Bitterness clouded her soul.

  We passed Long Aotian, who had lost that smugness on his face. He stared at me, his soul a nauseating mixture of salt and sweetness in equal parts.

  Up on a raised platform, the Queen sat on her throne resplendent in a regal golden gown, and bright jewels encrusting the braids of her green hair.

  A hunched old man, an advisor maybe, was whispering to her, but her amber eyes were locked fully on me as Anthony guided me onto the dance floor.