I sat on the edge of my bed, trying to gather some strength — not an easy task after a full day of gardening. Every tiny movement hurt. By the prince's command, a guard had kept a close eye on me the entire time as I planted the designated patch of soil with colorful flowers. The other girls were sent elsewhere, which meant I was left completely on my own.
No matter how much I dreaded the evening, it came nonetheless. The clock's long hand crept closer to ten, but I couldn't bring myself to move. Every few seconds, I turned toward the door, which Julia must have noticed — she looked at me with a mix of confusion and concern. She had been kind to me from the very first day, yet I couldn't bring myself to fully trust her. The thought crossed my mind to confide in her about my meeting with the prince, but I decided against it. If I didn't speak of it, maybe it wouldn't feel real.
