The King's Mistress

Chapter 51: One Step Ahead

For the next activity, all the princesses returned to the Celestial Lodge. They were to rejoin the queen in less than an hour for a trip to the Royal Gardens. Everyone was changing their clothes into something a little more outdoors appropriate. Sierra was tempted to wear her casual clothes, but she knew better than to do so.

"Here’s the dress you ordered, Princess Sierra," Ida held it up to her from a hanger.

Sierra turned to see it, She was brushing her hair, changing her hairstyle to include a floral-themed hairpin. She gave Ida a smile and a nod. The dress was pastel pink with floral-themed accents. Walking over to the closet, she also brought out a straw woven hat that would match perfectly with it.

"You’ll look like a fairy," Ida praised.

Just as Sierra was about to reply, she could hear soft whispers coming from beyond her room door. The corridor had been unusually quiet as all the princesses were busy prepping. Sensing something was wrong, Sierra signaled Ida to remain quiet as she carefully made her way down the stairs.

When she got to the door, she pressed her ear against it to listen closely. Her new heightened senses came in handy today. Opal, who was coiled on her wrist, also perked up to listen in.

After gathering all the details, Sierra grinned. She carefully walked back upstairs to face Ida. Her maid was confused by Sierra’s instructions but she never once questioned them.

"Is everything alright, Princess?" she whispered carefully.

Sierra nodded in response before leaning forward to whisper in her maid’s ear. Ida understood the plan perfectly. She too shared Sierra’s grin. There was a change of plan, Sierra decided not to change into the dress. She was leaving the room in riding boots, a pair of pants and a loose white blouse. She kept her hair the same, not wanting to mess it up.

Looking at her own reflection, she could not help but sigh.

"What a waste of a beautiful hairstyle," she sighed.

"Why not wear the hat, Princess?" Ida suggested.

Sierra shook her head, "We will need it for later."

Once she felt like she was presentable, Sierra got up on her feet and declared loudly to Ida, "I think I’m ready, let’s go." freёwebnoѵel.com

Ida got the signal.

"You look absolutely stunning in your new dress, Your Highness. I’m sure you’ll be the center of attraction, all the servants and princesses will be talking about it!"

Both of them looked at one another, before making their way toward the door. Sierra took a step out of the room door to see Myra just up ahead. Myra turned to see her, ready to greet her when Sierra sensed someone coming towards her from the left.

The look of horror explained everything. Myra did not even have time to warn Sierra as a maid bumped straight into her with a basin of dirty water. Sierra closed her eyes and braced for impact. She stood still while the maid fell to the ground.

The basin of water splashed all over Sierra. The water was murky brown and it stained all her clothes. Her white blouse was ruined. It happened to be her favorite one too. There was no way she would ever be able to get the stains out.

Lucky for her, her pants were made of leather and so were her shoes.

Ida covered her mouth in shock and horror. She had half expected something to happen, but she was most certainly not expecting this. The maid who was holding the basin of water immediately scrambled to her knees apologizing to Sierra profusely.

Myra was in shock too. The water ruined Sierra’s entire outfit. At this time, some of the other princesses came out to see what the commotion was. All of them gasped in shock and horror when they saw what happened.

Sierra glanced over to Cassandra, who was standing at her doorway with a twisted expression on her face. It was exactly what she was hoping to see when the princess realized her plan had failed.

"Sierra! Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Myra asked with great concern as she came over to Sierra.

"Don’t come closer, Myra," she stopped her friend as she got closer, stopping her in her tracks, "I don’t want your dress to get dirty. I just need to get cleaned up that’s all."

Ida rushed up to Sierra with a clean tea towel to help wipe off the colored water. It was paint water. Cassandra walked over to Sierra. She pulled on the ear of the maid who spilled the water. The poor maid was squirming in pain while still apologizing for her mistake.

"You clumsy little maid! Look at what you’ve done! You bumped straight into Princess Sierra with the paint water I asked you to get rid of. You ruined her outfit!" Cassandra yelled at the maid who was at the brink of tears.

Sierra knew this was all an act. She had heard through the door moments earlier that this was all part of Cassandra’s plan. She was going to wait for Sierra to come out of her room in her new dress and have the maid bump into her with the water.

It was all in an effort to ruin Sierra’s dress. But she was now one step ahead of her. However, the tides have not changed for Sierra. She still needed time to get changed.

"It’s alright, Princess Cassandra. It was an honest accident. I’ll change out of my outfit into something else," Sierra responded with a wide smile.

Before this, Myra had not noticed what Sierra was wearing. As she took a closer look, she realised what was going on. There was no way Sierra would have worn her casual clothes to the next event. She must have foreseen what was to come.

Just then, a handbell rang from the first floor. It was time for the princesses to gather to head off for the next event.

"My humblest apologies, Princess Sierra. I will punish this useless maid personally. I hope you can forgive her," Cassandra said as she placed her gloved hand over her heart.

"No need for punishment. It was an accident, that is all. I think you better run along now. You wouldn’t want to be late," Sierra replied with a smile of her own.

She knew Cassandra was lengthening their conversation on purpose in an effort to delay Sierra.

"You are right. I will get going now. Shall I tell the Queen you’re unable to join us?"

Sierra let out a chuckle as she shook her head, "That would not be necessary. I wouldn’t want to trouble you with such a minuscule task. Ida here will run along to inform them that I will simply join shortly after."

Ida scurried off to do so at once, not stopping for anyone else. Cassandra was livid. She wanted to use this opportunity to teach Sierra a lesson but she failed. Before she could say anything else, Sierra cut her off.

"Have fun, Princess Cassandra. I’ll join you shortly."