Beyond Nervous

“How long do I have again?” I ask Rae before I gulp, trying to avoid looking in the full-length mirror that stands in the corner of the room. I am wearing one of the many nice dresses that Mrs. Lynch owns, but as I touch the blue lace, my nerves cringe throughout my entire body.

I thought getting the interview would be the hard part, but now I realize I have to crush it. I’ll have to stay true to the person written on that application; that may be more challenging than I initially thought. While most of what I wrote is fake, I tried to stay true to who I am, but I am not a Noble-- I am not sure I can pull them off the etiquette one would possess.

“You’ll have till dinner, Belle,” Rae reassures me. “That’s way more time than you need.” She says with glassy eyes as she scans me. “You look absolutely stunning! King Madden will definitely choose you,” she says, finally placing her hand on my shoulder and urging me to face the mirror.

 I slowly turn around to see myself as a proper Noble for the first time, but as I gaze into the mirror, my mouth opens wide in shock as I see my reflection. I have never worn make-up or an elegant dress like this. I look so different; I barely even recognize myself, “Wow,” I whisper.

“Wow, is right,” Rae sniffles beside me. “You look gorgeous!”

I nod, my hand slowly touching my face—is this really me?

“I look,” I pause. “Different,” I finally stutter out, and Rae smiles, grabbing a pair of heels from Mrs. Lynch’s closet.

“Here, put these on.”

I place the heels on my feet and fasten the buckle, making sure they aren’t too tight, but when I stand up, I begin to lose balance. “Rae,” I gasp as I fall into the wall, “I can’t wear these!”

Rae giggles beside me, shaking her head. “No, I suppose not. Wear the black maid shoes.”

I shake my head quickly, “No, then they’ll know!” I gasp, but Rae shakes her head.

“Belle, no one is going to be looking at your feet, and the dress is long enough to cover your shoes,” she reassures me, but my head is spinning. What if they do see my shoes? Will that give me away? Will they know I’m lying!? “Hey,” Rae says softly beside me. “If you have changed your mind, you don’t have to go…” she says with understanding, but my head quickly snaps towards her.

“No, Rae! I am doing this! We are doing this! It’s the only way to save you, and I won’t disappoint you!”

Rae smiles faintly before her arms wrap tightly around me in an embrace, “I know, Belle, but if you can’t or if the plan fails,” she says softly, pulling back so her eyes meet mine “It’s okay.” But I fiercely shake my head.

“You are the only family I have, Rae! I don’t know what I would do without you! This IS going to work!”

Rae nods, but I can see she has doubts. I do, too, but I push every ounce of fear I have away! I will nail this interview and save her life!

There isn’t a world for me without my sister…. Not one I want to live in.

A car horn blares outside, and I sigh, reluctantly pulling away from her, “That’s Kira,” I say, looking into Rae’s eyes and she smiles, wiping her tears.

“I know, now go. I’ll be here when you get back.” I smile faintly, grab my black maid shoes from the corner, and quickly slip them on.  After, Rae hands me the envelope that will signify everything on the application is true….

I quickly head for the door, my heart pounding in my chest. A sleek black car waits out front, and I quickly run to the passenger side, opening the door, “Wow, Annabelle, you look incredible!” Kira gasps, doing a double take as she looks at me.

“Thanks,” I say, taking a deep breath before I get in the car. “And thank you for doing this,” I say as I fasten my seatbelt.

Kira nods, putting the car in drive, “It’s no problem. I work at the castle; it’s on the way anyway,” She pauses, “Plus, you and Rae are like sisters to me. I promise to keep my mouth shut and be your ears on the inside when you land the surrogate position,” she says confidently, and I chuckle softly as she grabs my hand.

 Kira is an orphan, just like Rae and me. We all grew up in the same orphanage and looked after one another the best we could. After Kira aged out, she got a job in the castle as a maid.

In fact, she’s how we found out about King Madden needing a surrogate.

I sigh heavily as we reach the castle, and Kira smiles, “Just be you... but like boujie you,” she grins. I nod, opening the car door as I walk to the castle gates, ensuring no one sees Kira and me together.

 As I get closer, two guards approach me, making me take a deep breath and push the fear away, “Are you here to interview?”

“Yes,” I smile bravely. “I have an appointment at 12:15,” I say proudly. Both guards nod before the taller one opens a door.

“This way,” he says, guiding me inside and down a long hallway. My heart is racing, and everything feels like a dream as we reach a bench. “You may wait here,” he points. “I will let King Madden know you are here.”

I smile, trying to contain my fear before sitting, making sure to pull the dress over my shoes, “Thank you.” The guard quickly disappears as I go over the story in my head—I can do this, but the longer he’s away, the more I panic!

What is taking so long!? Do they know?

I swear I may have a heart attack when the guar’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, “This way,” he says as I stand. “They are ready for you.” I smile faintly as I follow him down a hallway and then to another door. “Knock when you are ready,” the guard says, smiling, “And don’t worry, they are both very nice,” He whispers before walking away.

Both? Who else is in there?!

I take a deep breath, mustering every bit of courage I have.  This is for Rae! I can do this!

I softly knock, and a low voice answers from inside the door, “Come in.” I open the door slowly, my eyes glued to the floor, but then I remember I am of Noble blood and quickly look at the two men in front of me.

As much as I try to show I am not afraid, I think I am failing.

“Come sit, please,” an order rings out, and I smile nervously before walking toward them.

“Of course, your Highness,” I say, with a proper tone, but the man laughs, making me halt.

OH NO! Do they know? Is this it?! Is this the end?

“I am not the King,” He smirks, standing. “He is,” he says as King Madden stands beside him. My entire body is frozen, and the world begins to shift.

How did I not know who King Madden was?! That’s surely a red flag!

 My heart is racing, and before I know it, my world goes black as I faint, but when my eyes open again, honey-brown ones greet mine, “Are you okay, Miss Mason?“ King Madden asks as he stands over me…… but as I try to compose myself,  I see my black maid shoes peering out from beneath my dress!

Oh no! I definitely blew this!