Five

The sun shone brightly into the sky. A black silhouette stood out in the balcony, she was wearing a flimsy nightwear which had tightened most of her body.  She slurps away her wine which was poured into the drinking flute by the maids.

A lot was going through her mind at the moment. She has a lot to deal with, for example making sure one of the princes which she might end up choosing when she sees them doesn’t fall in love with someone else. Then she is yet to receive the invitation card for the welcoming party for Prince Arthur that will be held later in the night at the Hillsborough Castle.

Her parent did receive one for each of the two of them but yet, she got none. Her parent’s assumption was maybe the man who passed the invitation card didn’t get to give them hers but she knew the queen did it intentionally.

Her source told her that no lady who will be among the girls who the princes are going to choose from shall be present. Chloe wants to be the first among the ladies to set eyes on the princes. She couldn’t believe all those years that she had spent in the castle; she had never seen prince Archie who had always been within the palace. At least it is explainable for Prince Arthur, as he has been away from the country, so she had planned everything with her mother, The Viscoutess.

She made sure she had gotten the best ball attire in the town, after all she wants to be the star and she is also going against the queen’s order so nothing is going to stop her from stealing the spotlight.

Chloe grew up with a father who only cares for his advances, someone who only cares about what he will gain and also a mother who is only a puppet to her dear father who is the viscount and also a cousin to the queen.

When she was a child, her father made a deal with the queen and it was more of him selling her. And in that deal, it was said she will married off to one of the princes and then her father will be possession of Palace of Westminster. The place had been abandoned for as long as she could remember and her father knew it was quite a deal for him to be the one reopening the palace once more.

And since then, her mother only taught her how to go for the highest. She would teach her how to walk like a proper lady, how to seduce a man and also how to treat the queen. It is much to their advantage she learns all this as she is likely to put it into work some day.

Ever since then, Chloe had no other choice than to do as her father orders. She also wants to live in wealth and harmony, andthat will only be done when she follows her mother’s footsteps.

“My lady, you need to start getting ready as his highness will soon leave for the palace.”Her maid who also grew up serving Chloe said.

Chloe nodded her head and passed the flute to the maid whose name was Ruby. As she always said, a maid like her doesn’t deserve a name like that as it is precious. Ruby ignored whatever her master and her daughter will throw at her because she only came to serve them and get paid at the end of the month, nothing more.

With the help of Ruby, the maid, Chloe was able get dressed into her glamorous attire designer by one of the best unknown dress maker. As far as she could remember, they only have few walk in shops across the country and nothing more about the maker.  Even those working in the shop have no idea who their master is and Chloe cares less about that, as long as she gets what she desires then everyone is good to go.

After studying her facial expression in the mirror, she steps down the stairs to meet her father who was impatiently waiting for her. He had even threaten to leave without her but what will be of the viscount when he appears alone?

“Shall we?” she asked with a faint smile plastered on her face. For as long as she knows and can remember, she won’t let her father ruin her mood that night. She has been looking forward to this day and that is the day she will finally get to make a choice before her opponent will do.

The viscount said nothing to her as he took her hands in his and headed for the car. The drive to the palace was a short one except for the car queue they met at the entrance gates of the palace. It was clearly stated on the card that before entering into the palace, you must show away your invitation card and also your title or position in the royal family.

The viscount groaned as he fished out the cards from his tuxedo and passed it to the driver. He was looking towards the night as some of his friends from the states are going to make an appearance and he has been wishing to buy some shares from some of the companies in case things don’t work out great for him in the palace.

They finally reached to first oak door which was opened while the second which the party was taking place behind was closed. “The viscount, Taylor and his daughter, Chloe Taylor.” The guard announced.

All eyes fell on them as they know no lady who was going to be the diamond of the queen is allowed into the palace but Chloe wants to make a difference. Behind the queen’s face, was anger. How dare her cousin, the viscount bring his daughter when she is among those who might be chosen by one of the prince?

Chloe smiled more brightly as she bowed to the queen who paid no attention to her. For now, she will let the queen have her way but soon, she will release is not meant to mess with one of the season’s diamond.