chapter 3

Isabella's pov

“Aren't you excited?’ Linda asked with concern as my smile disappeared without a trace.

“I am,” I lied right through my teeth, not only was I unexcited I was pissed off. To her the Blue Moon banquet was a magical experience filled with sparkling dresses, rare delicacies and there should be at the center of it all holding everyone's attention.

For me it was a grueling experience, and now knowing that the Royal triplets were going to be in attendance everything would have to be done to absolute perfection meaning more work on my hands. So no, I wasn't excited, but I couldn't tell her that.

Didn't want to be ‘wet blanket’ especially since Linda had this obsession with the Lycan princes, she had gone to the palace regularly since she was a child and never really shut up about them.

“Ella, I have to start getting ready, this is the only chance I have to make them admit their feelings for me,”

“Admit?” I said with a raised eyebrow as I stuffed her dirty clothes into the laundry basket.

“Yes, silly! I've seen the way all three of them look at me. I've got them whipped but they I probably scared of ruining their brotherly bond by approaching me. Oh just thinking about it makes me squeal!”

My eyes remained on my hopeless best friend for a moment or two, she really put the D in delusion, but I didn't need to be the one to tell her that.

After that talk she went to request that her Uncle take me and some other maids from the preparation of the banquet so that we could focus on helping her.

“The more hands on deck, the better,” she said, and I was hit with a naive wave of relief, thinking that I was getting the better end of the stick, especially since there would be other maids but I couldn't have been more wrong.

“No, not that dress, it makes me look fat!”

“Can't you see this foundation is two shades lighter? Do you want me going out looking like a ghost?”

“Who brought me this nasty dish? Are they planning to give me pimples before my big day?!”

“Ella, you are the only one I can trust. The rest of them are trying to sabotage me! I know it!” She would say something along those lines before she dismissed another maid. In the end I was carrying the lionshare of the work, secretly wishing I could beg the Alpha to let me go back to banquet preparations. Anything–anything would be better than this!

Finally, the night of the banquet came, Linda had already promised me a small vacation, which was just a nice way of saying that I could curl up in my bed for a day or two before coming back to serve her hand and foot. I was wearing a simple black and white outfit just like the other maids waiting for her hair stylist who was carefully placing delicate flowers in Linda's hair.

I've been here for hours, maybe I could have slept and rested my aching muscles during that time but Linda needed someone to chat with so she wouldn't be bored.

“Ella, I hope you've started preparing…” she said with a giggle, “... After tonight we will be heading to the palace. I'll convince them to even pay you more than the regular maid, aren't you happy?”

“I’ll still be a maid?” I asked the surprise slipping out of my voice faster than I could catch it.

Linda held up her hand then in a thick voice dismissed the hair stylist, “come back in about 5 minutes,” then without looking at me just straight that time mirror she said; “Ella, do you ever remember your time on the streets?”

Her words hit me like a slap on the face, “I do–”

“Sometimes I think you forget,” she cut me off, “... It's funny because I still remember how you used to thank me everyday for saving you from that life; eating rotten food from the garbage can, wearing filthy rags…oh just thinking about it gives me goosebumps,”

She finally turned around to face me, my eyes couldn't meet hers because they were heavy with shame.

“Tell me the truth, Ella, have you forgotten?”

And with those simple words, she talked me back into knowing my place as pitiful and pathetic, as it was to know I'd probably be dead, or insane if she hadn’t taken pity on me all those years back.

“I'm sorry, I–”

“It's okay, I'll forgive you…after all, what are friends for?”

The hair stylist came back into an awkward silence but finished up her work anyways. Linda twirled in front of the mirror wearing a satisfied smile before she approached me.

“Before we go there's something remember what I told you before,”

I nodded, “Yes, for tonight I should forget that we are friends and only act as your maid.”

“Good job, I hope you're not hurt by that. It's just the standard of the capital. I don't really see the point of it but I wouldn't want my loving princes to think that I am classless,”

I wish tonight would end already.

“Of course, lady Linda,”

The banquet hall was beautifully decorated as always, and also plumped up with a larger turnout of guests, just as I had expected. I guess even if it's made no difference to me, members of The Royal family coming here was a big deal.

The presence of the first prince was announced with much flair just as the double doors were thrown open and he stepped in his hair stylishly messy, his frame tall built and elegant and there was this overwhelming charismatic air that permeated the air around him like thick perfume.

He smells nice too, really nice.

Suddenly he paused in the middle of the hall, then he made intentional steps towards the Alpha's table, which was not a surprise, since naturally that was where he was meant to sit.

His steps slowly but steadily grew more hurried, grew more hurried and frantic, like he was worried the Alpha's table would dissipate into thin air. As for Linda she was smiling from ear to ear but her smile sunk the moment the first prince, Ralph Blackwood walked past her cupped my cheeks with both hands and said with raspily; “Mate,”