Chapter 11
But the moment that thought crossed my mind, it faded away just as quickly.
Even if they uncovered the truth, what difference would it make?
Maybe they'd punish Rosalind.
Maybe they'd cry.
Maybe they'd regret it.
But they had truly loved her.
And they had truly chosen her over me.
And they never believed me.
That, more than anything else, was the truth.
I was already dead.
The truth had come too late.
But who could it possibly make whole now?
A ghost?
*****
Since then, my soul stayed by Father and Mother's side.
I watched the entire manor bustle with preparations for the welcome banquet.
The servants were polishing every crystal chandelier until they sparkled.
The gardeners were up all night, trimming the gardens to perfection.
Fresh flowers from the Royal Capital filled the hall.
The finest chefs were brought into the manor, and casks of wine aged for years were brought out from the cellar.
They said the candles alone for the banquet cost enough to feed hundreds of people in the slums for an entire winter.
Floating above the hall, I suddenly found it a little ironic.
So this was really the welcome banquet they'd thrown for me.
It was so beautiful.
So grand.
But I had never seen any of it.
On the night of the banquet, Winterbourne Manor was lit up so brightly that it was like daylight.
Father wore a black coat embroidered with gold thread, the lion crest of the Winterbourne family pinned over his chest.
Mother was decked out in a full set of sapphire jewelry.
The largest gemstone hung at her chest, larger than any apple I had ever scavenged from the trash.
Adrian and Cedric were both dressed in their most formal attire.
Adrian stood beside Father, looking every bit the heir to the dukedom.
Cedric wore a silver knight's uniform, a sword hanging at his waist.
Then there was Rosalind.
I barely recognized her when she appeared.
She wore a white gown studded with pearls.
Her long golden hair was swept up into a flawless, elegant updo.
Mother placed a diamond tiara on her head with her own hands.
The tiara sparkled in the candlelight.
Mother looked at her, her eyes shining with pride as she smiled.
Mother said, "The royal family will be here tonight.
"Rosa, remember, relax."
Rosalind nodded demurely.
"I understand, Mother," she replied softly.
She looked every bit the true daughter of this family.
No.
She always was.
At least, that was how everyone saw her.
I was the only one who didn't belong.
I drifted beside them.
Suddenly, I wanted to ask.
Wasn't I supposed to be let out today?
Had they forgotten about me?
Outside Winterbourne Manor, carriages kept arriving one after another.
Noble after noble arrived with their families and entered the banquet hall.
Marquises.
Earls.
Barons.
All those powerful figures I'd only ever heard about in the slums had come tonight.
Everyone was talking about the same thing.
"I heard the Duke of Winterbourne finally found his daughter, the one who's been missing for eighteen years," someone said.
"Tonight, he's officially introducing her to the whole Royal Capital," another one chimed in.
"After all these years, the Duke finally got what he wanted," the third one added.
I listened to all this talk.
There was this strange feeling in my chest that I couldn't quite name.
Turns out, everyone knew I was supposed to show up tonight.
Everyone but me.
Soon, the sound of hooves outside Winterbourne Manor grew more orderly and rhythmic.
Every knight stopped in perfect unison.
Father and my two brothers headed for the entrance.
A carriage with the royal crest rolled up to the steps.
Out stepped Prince Leonard, the third prince.
The whole banquet hall went dead silent.
I'd never seen a real royal before.
He was young.
He wore a deep blue formal coat, with a royal medal pinned to his chest.
Father went up to greet him.
"Your Highness, thank you for honoring us with your presence tonight," Father said.
Prince Leonard flashed a smile.
"After so many years, Alistair, you have finally found your daughter. I naturally had to come and see her," he replied.
I floated nearby, already knowing why he had come.
A few days ago, I had heard Father talk about it while I floated beside him.
The old king's health was getting worse by the day.
All the princes needed the support of powerful nobles.
The Winterbournes controlled vast lands and a formidable army.
Marrying Alistair's daughter would mean gaining the support of the entire House of Winterbourne.
So...
Tonight could even decide my marriage.
But I had no clue about any of it.
Father smiled as he led Prince Leonard into the hall.