Returning home

When the ball ended, it was almost midnight. Many of the guests had rented nearby inns to spend the night and would be returning to their various destinations the next day.

Jess was glad that the ball had finally ended as she had experienced varying emotions within a short time that left her drained. What she wanted at this moment was to go home and crawl into her warm bed.

She had a long day ahead of her tomorrow.

She bowed to Robert and bade him farewell with a promise to make time for him when she was less busy, which she was not sincere about.

Jess returned to where her parents were while her sister continued partying, showing off her dance skills to the cheers and applause of many admirers. Some girls looked at Mia with envy, while others did not like how a new arrival had taken over the dance floor.

When Mia finally came to sit with her family, leaving another couple to take the empty spot she had left. Vera Smith said:

Alexandra and a couple of other men came to our table and had nothing but praise for your beauty and noble character. One even asked permission to visit you at home to get to know you better.

Mia could tell that her mother was pleased with the number of suitors planning to visit their home to ask for her hand in marriage, and the thought that she would soon be with a man of nobility made her smile.

Mama, all the men I danced with today are from good and noble families, and it seems that I might have caught the attention of the king’s nephew. He told me he has two houses and travels to other lands.

Is that not amazing? Mia asked excitedly.

That is good, her mother said. She could not be any happier, but Mia still did not look satisfied. Her eyes searched for one person, hoping it would be the crown prince.

She overheard a courtier mention something about taking a tray of wine to the crown prince in his private chambers.

She had hoped to tail behind the maid and have a peek at the mysterious crown prince, but seeing two hefty men with swords in the scabbards around their waist and the look of death on their faces guarding the door the maid had entered in made her change her mind and turned back.

She took a handkerchief and dabbed her forehead to clean the sweat that had formed on her face from all the dancing she had done.

Did you see the crown prince, Papa? Mia Quizzed and Michael Smith shook his head.

I did not hear anyone announce his arrival, so maybe he was not in attendance like all the previous balls we have heard rumors of. Michael Smith chimed.

It seems like the palace wanted to create enough intrigue and have people hoping they could catch glimpses of him.

It is sure that we did not get to see him, murmured Mia.

Mia, filled with so much excitement after dancing and having spent time with men flattery her every few minutes, said-

He could be scared and did not want to be here.

Mia and Jess immediately shushed her.

Jess hoped the words would not reach the crown prince as it would put her sister in trouble with the local authority for speaking carelessly about the Royal family.

After what Walker Lane said about the crown prince, who was disciplined and someone who hated tackiness, she wanted her sister to be safe and not encounter his wrath.

When the time came to return home, Mia looked back at the castle with its massive stone structure, standing tall and proud before stepping inside the carriage after her sister. Mia was too excited to realize that Simon was the one who opened the carriage door for her to step in.

The Smiths thanked the man while Jess gave him an apologetic smile, which Simon understood.

If he were to be in her position, he would have misinterpreted and misunderstood the situation as well,

The carriage had pulled away and left the castle far behind when Mia, who had been curious about something, asked-

How was the meeting with Walker Lane? Mia asked curiously.

She remembered that Jess said she would explain everything after the ball, but she could not wait till they got home. Their parents turned their heads and gazed at Jess, as they were also curious to know who sent the invitation and how she knew them.

I met Walker Lane when she came to the local diner. She was the last customer to leave, and when I approached her to inform her that it was time to close, she made an intriguing offer that I could not refuse.

She told me that the Royal Hospital needed helpers and that I would be a good fit because she was impressed with how I handled the customers without much assistance. Jess explained joyfully.

What? Both Mia and her parents echoed the question at the same time.

She was the one who sent the invitation so that I could meet the director for a breakdown of my job description when I resumed duty as he would be traveling out of town for a few days, she added.

Jess did not mention the crown prince intentionally to her family, following the advice given to her by Walker Lane. The crown prince managing the affairs of the Royal Hospital was not common knowledge to the public, and he preferred it like that.

She knew her parents would keep the secret, but she doubted Mia could keep her mouth shut.

As confusion turned to disbelief and realization, a huge smile broke out on their faces as they engulfed Jess in a death grip hug that left her breathless. Her lungs were aching for air as she started coughing before they lost their grip from around her neck.

The look of pride in their eyes made Jess realize it was the right decision to keep it a secret until after the ball. She wished she could engrave their proud look into her memory forever.

That is such great news, honey. Vera Smith said. It was the best news she had heard in a long time.

I am so happy for you. Mia said and embraced Jess in another hug. Things were falling into place. Her sister worked at the Royal Hospital while she was getting married to Prince Alexandra.