DUSK'S POV
"Who sent you?" asked one particularly scary individual.
We tried to look as clueless as possible, but fear was evident on their faces. Their security was indeed tight; they could tell right away.
"We weren't sent by anyone," replied Dalia, and the man took a menacing step towards her.
"You must be spies. From which Kingdom?" he asked, and Dalia took a step back.
"We're not spies; we're travelers," she replied, and he gave her a nasty glare.
"We... We need to meet the prince," I said, and they all looked at me in alarm.
"They are indeed spies," they said, and I realized I had only worsened the situation.
They dragged us roughly, causing quite a scene. Everyone stared at us, whispering and murmuring. The guards dragged us, and it was impossible to resist or hold them back.
"What is all this?" a voice said, and the guards dropped us painfully. We fell to the floor hard, and I groaned in pain. We looked up at the guards all bowing. We sat up, then saw a man staring at us.
He had blonde hair that fell to his shoulders and piercing green eyes. He was the Prince. Those girls had spoken of him dreamily.
***
"Our Prince is the best man in all the land," they had said dreamily. "His hair is as bright as the sun, and those eyes are like the piercing leaves in the forest," another had said. "He's charming. He depicts royalty. You know him the moment you see him, and the Alpha dotes on him a lot."
"And the sweetest part about it is we actually have chances. He's so sweet that he doesn't keep to himself. Give Prince Sloan a good compliment, and he'll consider you."
"He once said it himself that he'll marry the lady who knows how to flatter him best."
"And that lady's me."
"Keep dreaming."
***
They all seemed to fawn over him a lot, and a plan was already forming in my mind. Although, it would only work if what those ladies said about him was true.
He raised a hand, and the guards straightened up. "Finally, I get to see you. This is my biggest dream," I said in a dreamy voice. Dalia looked at me in surprise but caught on immediately.
The Prince looked shocked. "What is going on here?" he asked, although I could see he was pleased. Dalia and I rushed to our feet and bowed.
"They're strangers. I've never seen them before, the maids too haven't seen them before. But they won't say anything. Instead, they had the audacity to mention that they wanted to see you," the scary-looking man said, and the Prince walked to us.
"Why did you want to see me?" he asked, but turned to all the ladies who were staring. They all went red and started smoothing their gowns and flashing him smiles.
He smiled and waved at them before walking away. "Follow me," he said, and Dalia, I, and the men followed him. He walked into a beautiful chamber and sat down, crossing one leg over the other.
"Okay, so why did you wish to see me?" he asked.
"Pardon me, Prince Sloan..." I was saying, but he interrupted.
"You know my name?" he asked.
"Yes, Prince Sloan," we replied, and he smiled as he nodded.
"That's quite impressive for outsiders, so go on."
"We heard that seeing you was a blessing in its own way, and it indeed is," I said, and he smiled.
"We wanted to see the lovely Prince up close, but you were nowhere to be found. So we felt that if we dressed up as maids, we might be called to serve you," Dalia said, and he burst into laughter.
"Am I that famous in the other Kingdoms?" he asked, and Dalia and I looked at each other.
"They say your beauty is unrivaled, and it indeed is," I replied, and he took a deep breath.
"If I let you stay, of what good will you be to me?" he asked, and I seized my chance.
"I can paint. I'll do anything to paint your angelic face on a canvas, although I doubt I'll be able to draw a face as beautiful as yours perfectly," I said, and he smiled again.
"What can she do?" he asked, pointing to Dalia. She took a step forward.
"I can help you with a perfect look every day. I can be your personal maid. I can choose outfits that would make you glow every day," she said, and he tilted his head in deep thought.
"Give them rooms," he said, and walked out. Dalia and I turned to each other with unbelievable looks. The men, however, did not seem pleased.
"Follow behind at a distance," the scary man said, and as he left, the other men followed him.
~
We were given dresses to wear and went out to attend the ball. We went to stand next to the Prince, who was amidst lots of ladies.
"Prince Sloan," Dalia called.
"Yes?"
"I think a flower would be beautiful in your suit pocket. It would be absolutely wonderful. I'll go find it," she said, and he smiled at her.
"Be more like her if you want to marry me," he said, and Dalia gave me a signal before going to find the flower we needed.
"And you. What's your name?" he asked me.
"Dusk, my prince," I said with a bow.
"We shall have a dance," he said, and to the disappointment of the crowd of girls around him, Prince Sloan and I found our way to the dance floor.
I showered him with praises and flattered him as best I could until he led me out of the dance hall.
"I want to get to know you more," he said, and I smiled.
"Why don't we go to the garden? I love flowers, and you would look absolutely stunning surrounded by flowers," I said, and he took my hand, smiling.
"Since you said so, I will show you a sight you have never seen," he said, and rushed to the garden, making me run to keep up with him.
The garden was beautiful, and I searched around quickly, but he didn't stop walking.
Then he stopped at a wall filled with leaves, roses, and vines.
He smiled at me, opened it, and went through it.
I followed him, and my eyes widened.
There were flowers that I had never seen in my life.
They all glowed, emitting soft, beautiful light, except one at the end which was dark.
It was the black flower we needed to save Lucius.