There was a small gathering in Jizelle’s room the next day. It was a private tea party, with the same ladies Emeria had bumped into rather quickly upon arrival at the palace.

Delilah was seated at the vanity, kicking her legs back and forth, unable to touch the floor. A grin on her face, she watched the reflection of Zaya and Adele behind her. The two of them were smiling as well, discussing the braids they were going to put in Delilah’s hair. When they came to an agreement, they brought it up to Delilah, who nodded happily. It was then that the two of them began to work, gently combing through her hair.

It was a sight full of warmth as they asked the young princess all sorts of questions, and did their best to keep a smile on her face. It was clear to them how loved the princess already was, the stories of new books and expensive treats shining a bright light on the girl’s expression.

Jenny and Camile along with Mara and the other women that served the ladies gathered in the room, fitted with smiles, aided them when needed, pouring tea and grabbing more simple desserts to set out. Meanwhile, in the middle of the room, Jizelle and Emeria were sitting at the round table, side by side, sharing silence as well as a few words as they watched the ladies interact with their Princess.

Shortly after Delilah showed off her finished hair, thanking to two ladies and grinning wide, a knock was heard at the door. Each of their heads turned to the door. Jizelle smiled and nodded to Mara. Stepping aside with a nod, she walked to the door, opening it wide when she confirmed the right guests were waiting on the other side.

A few people marched in, two holding cream colored boxes while one held a bright measuring string carefully in their hands. Zaya picked up the first box and thanked them as they turned to leave, their job done. Adele grabbed the other, also showing her gratitude before returning to the table. Once the two left, the third introduced themselves, bowing to the group respectfully, a serene look on their face.

“I am Alex Matthias, owner of M Designs, here to acquire clothing measurements for Princess Delilah, if I would be allowed the honor.”

Jizelle turned to Emeria.

“My gift. I want Felshare’s Princess to pick at least one dress. If you’ll allow.”

Rather than answering for her daughter, Emeria turned to Delilah.

“Will you accept Jizelle’s gift?”

Delilah nodded before skipping over to Alex Matthias, holding her arms wide. He gestured to one of his assistants to enter and began writing down the measurements she called out. He expressed his thanks for allowing him the opportunity to make a dress for her and complimented her red hair, being as respectful as he could possibly be, maintaining a distance while speaking to her, using formal language to show recognition of her position which was far above his own. Even so, he wasn’t cold, taking the time to hear Delilah’s wishes for her clothes, asking questions to further cater to those desires.

Once the initial questions were done, he looked to the women in the room.

“I brought a few dresses that fit close to her size with me today.” He turned to Delilah. “If both you and your mother both agree, you could try a few of my latest designs on.”

“Really?”

They both gazed at Emeria, who addressed her daughter first.

“Do you want to try a few on?”

“Yes!”

She nodded. “Then go ahead.”

Zaya and Adele, with a subtle confirmation from Emeria, took her behind the fitting screen in the back corner of the room once the first dress was brought. They, along with Camile, Delilah’s personal maid, helped her into the first of many outfits.

“They are quite excited, aren’t they?” Emeria remarked, seeing Zaya and Adele’s bright expressions when Delilah came out from behind the screen, spinning in a few circles with some giggles. It was as if their excitement was triple that of the young girl’s.

Jizelle smiled.

“None of us have children. Being in the presence of such a bright girl is nice.” She nodded to the two of them. “Zaya, before becoming a mistress… she had a fiancé. They were planning to have at least three kids after they married.”

“I see.”

“With Delilah… it’s a nice reminder of her hopes for the future. She’s quite young yet, having only been here for a few years.”

Before Jizelle’s next words came, Emeria could guess what they were. She turned to the woman with long blond hair that shone with a golden hue in the light of day, looking wistful as she picked up her teacup, all while watching the parade of dresses with a subtle smile.

“Maybe when things become more stable, she can leave with prospects.”

“Will you not?”

Jizelle turned to her at the question, surprised. “Oh, well, I’m…” Her words trailed off. “I’ll leave. It’s… more a matter of my own heart.”

“Is he married?”

The woman shook her head, a few strands of her hair falling in front of her shoulders as she smiled.

“No.” She sighed. “He’s not.” Her hands cradled her cup as she looked down at the unsettled water, moving back and forth slowly. “Sometimes, I wished so.”

Emeria couldn’t find a response. At first, she’d wondered if it was Owen, but as she was certain in the stance of marriage, it couldn’t be him. For some reason, she got the feeling that it was someone close, possibly someone she’d already met.

Recovering from the topic rather quickly, she gave Emeria a conspiratorial grin.

“What fake name did you give him?”

“Hm?” Emeria’s eyes widened as she realized what Jizelle was referring to. “I– that’s– I’m not certain I should say…”

Rather than pressing her for an answer, Jizelle’s grin brightened. She laughed happily. “The two of you keeping secrets. He didn’t tell me either when I worked up the courage to ask. Though, he did mention the name he told you.”

“He… mentioned it?”

It was hard to fathom. Somehow, it was disappointment in her heart. Was she a story, she wondered, a good time to share about with others? Emeria couldn’t help but think about the secrets she kept from her own friends. Those were the same ones he was telling others.

“Let me tell you this before you get too lost in those thoughts,” Jizelle’s words broke through Emeria’s descent into a deep contemplation on Owen. She took her hand carefully, holding the hand rough from work with both of her own. “You’re the only woman who has truly caught his eye.”

“What?”

Her eyes widened as she stared into Jizelle’s.

“He treats us well, maybe better than anyone. But you should have heard the way he spoke about you, back when you were still a mystery woman to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just before the trip that brought you to the palace is when he told me your story for the first time. He called you an angel with enlivened eyes and a wistful little smile on his face. You were the first thing he thought of when I told him he needed to find someone he loves.”

Emeria couldn’t ignore her feelings deep inside either, it seemed. It was nice to see him again after all the time that had passed. However, they hadn’t made promises of love or anything similar, as there had been no reason to. That was where her own flurry of confusion and worry at Jizelle’s comment had come from. What she’d had with Owen was a strong like at the time, not love. They’d been closer to a fling. If anything, the promise kept was one to stay away and not look for her. She was grateful he’d let her go, and now, she was glad he had come back into her life, even if it would end up hurting her in the end.

Not to say hearing such words about Owen’s thoughts of her didn’t make her heart swell and skip a little. It did, a warmth rising to her cheeks.

It had been ten years, Emeria though to herself. These thoughts had been unrealistic from the start, no matter who said them. He’d been with more than just her by now. There were ladies at his beck and call.

She almost laughed at the her from a moment ago who was concerned about secrets.

Why should he keep it hidden from the beginning?

Why would he be insistent on a woman he barely knew? One he met for just a day? Had nobody else made a worthy impression?

Jizelle had to be mistaken.

But, what if she wasn’t?

Rattled by her own mind on the matter and the hope that flickered, lit by that old short romance, Emeria struggled to get through her reply.

“He… Are you serious? But doesn’t he care for someone else within the castle? I mean, it– it can’t be just me. All that time ago? We only spent one day together… Even if it isn’t the Queen, then someone–”

With a gentle smile, Jizelle squeezed Emeria’s hand gently to stop the flood of words.

“No.” She was certain. “First of all, he despises the queen. All of us do. Second, the fact that you knew you gave him a fake name the day you met him first, that small detail, it means you’re the same woman he was speaking so fondly of.” She smiled again, but this time with lowered brows, her eyes curving in the saddest way. “And I understand that it may not truly be the love of fairytales that he found with you, or how he feels for you now, but you gave him something that nobody else ever did.”

Gave him something?

Only one thing, or rather, someone came to mind.

“Do you mean Delilah?”

“No. You gave him peace – in his heart. Hearing that story for the first time a short while ago, meeting you now… I think I know how he was able to marry that witch of a Queen and take the throne.” Jizelle didn’t care to hold in her words, not with Emeria. Not about the Queen. Not here. Not for this. There was something far more important she needed to tell her. “It was because he’d met you.”

Jizelle watched Emeria take in what she said, the conflicting emotions flickering across her face, the uncertainty. There was something about her, about this woman that made sense. When she considered Owen’s stance, she could understand how he’d come across his purpose, his plans for the future, actions to help those less fortunate than those in the palace.