Duchess In Disguise

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Her walk with Prince Alexander had left her more confused than ever. His words, his intensity-it was as if he saw straight through her, past the carefully constructed walls

what makes you extraordinary. But she also knew that his interest in her would only complicate things further. The t

ce with royal duties, and she was still learning the intricacies of her new life. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming

rieve was s

*

ore. The room was grand, with towering shelves and plush armchairs, a space designed for quiet contemplation. Yet her mind was far from quiet. She had taken to hiding in the libra

softly through the hallway. Amelia looked up, expecting one of the servants to appear, but instead

ow. His voice was low and quiet, but he always had a

ing her book aside. "What brings

arching for something beyond the rows of books. "There is nothing wrong, Mis

to the idea that her life could change in a moment, of

is eyes narrowing slightly as he watched her reaction. "An invitation

re clear. This would be no ordinary social event. The prince, after all, was not one to host many g

ve her, and the very thought of it filled her wi

ince's reasons are his own, but I suspect you've already drawn his

n just a curiosity to Prince Alexander. Her presence at the ball would signal that she was a serious contender for the

a said, trying to keep her voice st

efore departing, leaving Am

ntion had been subtle before, but this ball would change everything. It would put her in the centre of society's mos

*

selected, and Amelia's lessons in etiquette were ramped up to ensure she was ready for the high stakes of the evening.

the ton once before, but this time felt different. This time, the stakes were higher-not just for her rep

the night sky. Her hair had been carefully styled in an elegant updo, with strands of pearls woven through the curls. The reflection staring back at

one of the more senior maids in the household, entered the

look in the mirror before turni

he world of the ton awaited her once again, and this time, the eyes of

*

and entrance of Weymouth House, the prince's London residence, Amelia's breath caught in her throat. The building

ed in their most luxurious gowns and jewels, making their way inside. The women's eyes fli

erwhelm her. This was the moment she had been dreading-the moment when the to

asting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests. Nobles mingled,

igh-ranking lords, his dark eyes scanning the room with a casual ease that belied the intensity of his pre

eemed to fade away. He excused himself from the group and beg

ld feel the weight of the room's attention on her, and though she wanted to appea

, his voice warm and familiar as he r

ling slightly. "Thank you, Your

is eyes. "I'm glad you think so. But I must admit, the e

ced herself to remain composed. She couldn't afford

ould you do me the honour of acc

nt before taking his hand. "I wo

ges of the room, eager to watch the prince and his chosen partner. The weight of their eyes was almost unbearable, but

he floor for a few moments. The music swelled around them, and

exander murmured, his voice low as they danced

of what he was saying-Prince Alexander had deliberately chosen her in front of the ent

lied softly, her gaze steady even as her nerves fluttered bene

m yet reassuring. "And you are doing just that. But I suspect the atte

watching them for a moment, the whispers spreading like wildfire through the ballroom. His presence, his confidence-it was mag

d quietly, though the sincerity in his v

mured, his voice dropping just enough fo

s, gowns, and etiquette, nothing could have prepared her for this-this connection she

go unnoticed by the ton, and while some might envy her, others would see her as a threat. She was still the daughter of a maid, no m

a moment, she allowed herself to forget the scrutiny, the judgment. She felt somethin

*

d hear the whispers beneath the polite clapping. She curtsied to Prince Ale

ed, his voice still low and intimate

Stepping outside with the prince would undoubtedly fuel even more speculation. But the weight of the e

ftly. "I think I c

of the ballroom, which opened onto a spacious balcony overlooking the gardens. The

the stone railing and the manicured gardens below. For a moment, they stood in silence, t

nder said after a moment, his tone thoughtful. "

"It is overwhelming," she admitted. "But I'm learning. Every day,

u do?" he asked, his

my whole life outside of this world, watching it from a distance. Now

he people in that room," he gestured back toward the ballroom, "are all the same. They follow

this before, and certainly not someone like him. She had always thought that her differences-the fact that she hadn't been born in

t of it that way,"

e commanding, yet a gentleness in his voice caught her off guard. "Don't let them m

rmth of his body, the intensity of his gaze pulling her in. Her mind raced with the implicati

to me?" she asked, her vo

istful smile. "Because I see something in you, Ame

oment, Amelia wondered if he might lean in, if the prince might ki

pproaching footsteps shattered the quiet. Amelia stepped back, her pulse rac

eeply. "Forgive the interruption, but the D

red with something unreadable

ily longer than necessary. "We'll continue this convers

o the ballroom. The cool night air suddenly felt too sharp, too overwhelming. She lean

w, with his words still echoing in her mind, she felt a mixture of exhilaration and fear. Exhilaration because she had never felt this kind of con

w. The weight of her position, her newfound place in society, and her feelings for th

ead, she knew it wou