Ethereal [h.s]

Chapter Fifteen

"C'mon, you've already had three extra hours." Mabel says in an irritated tone. I groan, rolling over. "Fia, do I look like your mother?" She snaps.

"I couldn't tell you." I say as I sit up with a yawn, rubbing my eyes with my knuckles.

"Shit, I'm s-"

"You're fine." I cut her off, shaking my head a bit with a joking smile. "I'm just fucking with you."

"You're a bitch, you know that?" She asks, picking up my hamper from the corner.

"I know." I grin.

"Don't go back to sleep, I'm not coming in here again."

I give her a salute, and she rolls her eyes, exiting with the hamper. I glance over in search of my breakfast, but it isn't there. I look over at the clock.

11:27.

I sigh, pushing the covers away and standing to my feet. We didn't get in until it was almost five, so getting up feels like hell. I quickly change into a simple dress and brush through my hair before I exit my room, deciding that I should fetch an early lunch.

I walk down the halls, feet tapping lightly against the marble floor as I do so. The nearer I am to the kitchen, the more people I see filling the halls. Plenty of maids and footmen carrying around different things, seeming to be preparing for an event of some sort. Have I forgotten about something? An event this large couldn't just be decided upon out of the blue, there has to be an extensive amount of planning. I turn down a different hallway, swapping my original destination out for the ballroom.

The more people that I see, the more I figure that my hunch is correct. They must be readying the ballroom for an event. I enter, watching as people hang different things up along the walls, different stands being prepared for flowers, and banquet tables being set up. Off to the side, I see Delphi, Lavender, and Marielle conversing with a planner of some sort. I approach them, and Delphi glances over with a warm smile.

"Lady Fia!" She greets with a small wave.

"Your majesty." I reply, curtsying swiftly before I speak. "What's going on in here?"

"We're setting up for the engagement gala tomorrow night." Lavender says.

"We're just helping the princess make a few last minute decisions." Marielle adds, motioning to the blonde.

"Yeah, by myself." Lavender states bitterly.

"She wanted Harry to be here." Marielle clarifies.

"He said he would be! It's supposed to be bonding time. He was supposed to be here half an hour ago." She whines, crossing her arms.

"Excuse us for a moment." Delphi says to the wedding planner, and they nod, stepping away. "I'm sure he'll pop in eventually, dear. I wouldn't worry too much." She coaxes as she turns her attention to Lavender, placing a comforting hand on her back. "Plus, you're the bride. You're supposed to be making the choices." She reasons. "Lady Fia offered to help out around the palace recently. Would you be willing to go see if Harry will be making an appearance, Fia?" She requests, looking over at me. I ignore the way that Lavender scrunches her nose up, likely put off by the fact I had offered to help recently.

She does think that I'm only here to take advantage of the royals, afterall. In a way, perhaps I am, but certainly not in the way she believes me to be.

"Of course. I'd be happy to." I say with a smile.

"Perfect. Thank you, darling."

I turn around, exiting the ballroom. It's rather crowded in there, anyways. Plus, things haven't been terrible between Harry and I lately. I'm sure this will be fine.