The Veils Of Lies

“Keep your chin up,” the old instructor ordered, with a stern expression on her face. She looked like she was moments from strangling us with the way she kept on screaming for us to raise our chins higher.

I swallowed.

Acting like a princess might seem easy, but it's far from that. When I left the base on this mission, I never knew what I was getting myself into until one of the guards identified me.

Well, they thought I was one of the princesses, who came for the princess contest.

As if.

Before I knew what was happening, I was already bundled up and thrust into a contest I didn't sign up for. The only bright thing about this is I get to enter the palace without sneaking it.

Right now, I can freely move around. And that means there is a high chance I will meet the king.

I smirked at the thought of completing my task.

I will leave before any of them knows what—

“You Avonite!” The yell, caused me to blink.

I focused on the woman who has been teaching us. Her dark eyes were trained solely on me. "Concentrate, we don't have all day,” she pointed at where the other girls stood, “stand in line.”

I stood out like a sore thumb.

The rest of the girls were red-haired, with me being the only brown-haired contestant. Well, that's not surprising. They are all from Bendagaza while I'm from Avon.

“Welcome to our first etiquette class. Most of you know the rules while some don't” She glared at me as she said the final words.

I shrugged, letting her know I'm not concerned about their so-called etiquette class.

I didn't come over to learn how to be a princess. I came for a mission, and that's to assassinate the king. However, being among the contestants gives me leverage.

“A future crown princess is among you, and you need to appear and behave as one wherever you might find yourself, irrespective of the situation."

As those words left her mouth, the princess wannabes adjusted their spotless gowns.

“The first step to being a princess is your posture.”

All the girls stood taller —a feat I thought, was humanly possible based on their stature. 

Back in the base, we underwent rigorous training before we got assigned our first task. However, none of them prepared me for this so-called etiquette class.

“Your turn,” the once noisy room became so quiet you can hear a pin drop.

I looked up to find their eyes trained on me like they were expecting something from me.

“Par …. Pardon?"

“Well, we are waiting for your highness to introduce herself to her humble subjects," Miss PP pursed her lips.

It's not a secret that the old woman hates my guts. Ever since the guard escorted me here, she has been glaring at me.

If only I can be allowed to use my weapons. A slice is all it will take to have her head rolling on the floor.

I curtsied. “My name is Fay Delin Alma. I was born to both Alma and Avon parents. As an Avon custom, I took my mom's last name,” I forced a smile.

All my life, I've learned how to introduce myself with fake names. Back in the base, I'm known as Rosita, but during missions, I go by the name Fay.

The other girls snickered, but none said a word as Miss PP instructed each of them to introduce themselves.

Overall, we are twenty-seven. The princesses were twenty-six until I joined their group.

The lesson room has the signature blue carpet which was littered around the Palace, a long table with twenty-eight chairs occupied the right side of the room, with thirteen chairs facing the other thirteen on the opposite side —one chair at the head and another facing it at the end.

To the left is a mini library, which I'm more than eager to go over to, to check on the books. So far, we have learned good posture and introduced ourselves.

“That will be all for the day, girls. Today is just an introductory class. Tomorrow, our real task begins.” She clasped her hands, “have a nice day, girls.”

I didn't wait for her to leave before I dashed out of the door, and headed towards my room, eager to remove the gown I'm putting on.

All my life, I've been used to short gowns which aren't restricting, this way, I can be able to fight should the situation call for it. However, for half the day, I've been forced to put on a gown so suffocating, it seemed like it was about to cut off my windpipe.

I strode out of the building which belonged to the other princesses. Oddly enough, I got a room in the same building as the royal family.

Well, I'm not complaining, am I? It's all to my benefit.

The guards by the door bowed to me the moment I stepped into the building. I made a beeline for the stairs and climbed to the second floor.

The royals live on the last floor, which is the one after mine. However, when I tried using their stairs, I was blocked by fiery-looking guards.

That's why I'm bidding my time until an opportunity strikes. I still have close to 30 days to complete my mission.

I glanced around the place I didn't get enough opportunity to admire when I was brought up the night ago.

The hall itself was a work of art, with a great staircase twisting up several floors.

Here on the second floor, oil paintings of beautiful country houses and a waterfall hung on the floor along with exotic collectables. I can probably see myself living out here with its beauty.

The floors were also carpeted with the signature blue —a colour I discovered was one of the colours of the Bendagaza's flag. The royals never seem to get tired of the colour. Everywhere is filled with blue —not that I'm complaining or anything like that.

I stopped in front of the last door in the corridor. A sight left my mouth as I opened the door and entered the room, gently closing the door behind me.

The room had ox-blood walls and dusky rose wallpaper, and a mirrored vanity sat on the left side of the room laden with what I assumed to be a make-up kit, a silver-backed brush and a golden corral comb. 

A cut glass vase of roses was on the nightstand, and near the vanity is a door, I walked towards it and opened the door.

I didn't get a chance to tour the room before I went to my class.

A gasp left me when I saw what lay behind the door —a real walk-in closet. Rows of gowns ranging from sundresses to winter outfits occupied the right part while the left side was adorned with shoes and bags. On the rear end was a jeweller's wet dream. Jewellery of every type were in designer cases.

I returned to the room after the tour.

The queen-sized bed with its golden bedspread beckoned me to its warmth and who am I, a simpleton, to ignore?

I plopped down on the bed and dozed off into a much-needed sleep. For now, I need to rest my limb. The mission can wait for a moment.