“Someone should,” I said. “From what I've heard of your exploits, someone should have told you long ago that such behavior is unfitting of a prince.”
“She has fire, this one,” Weston edged closer. “What was your name again?”
“See?” I huffed. “You can't even remember a name you heard mere moments ago because I'm not beautiful enough for you to take note of.”
Weston gaped at me.
“Who said that you're not beautiful?” Ashton was looking closer at me, and he lifted his hand to brush away a smudge of dirt from my cheek. “I think your beauty lies hidden, little Madelyn. You've masked it on purpose.”
I pulled back, surprising him again.
“And you three only notice obvious beauty,” I huffed. “You need something primped and polished before you know its worth. What kind of man is that? Who can't see beyond the surface of things? It's not a man who should rule a kingdom, is it?”
The men all gaped at me.
“Goodnight, Your Highnesses,” I said primly. “I wish you luck in finding your missing flower.”
I hurried into the house, my single slipper clicking on the pavement. As soon as I closed the door behind me, I breathed a sigh of relief and reached down to remove the slipper. I smiled at it and tucked it into the pocket of my apron.
“Maybe they are worth the effort.”
Chapter Seven
“Did you see her face when she ran from the castle?” Ava asked her sister. “I wonder what they did to her.”
“I wonder what she did to them,” Hazel huffed, “to get them to go chasing after her naked.”
“All three of them,” Kaylee said with a note of wonder. “And they're still searching for her.”
“I heard that the princes didn't return home until early this morning, looking weary and sad,” Hazel added. “Sad! Those men have never been sad a day in their lives.”
“Hush!” My stepmother said. “Don't you see? This is our opportunity. If they don't know who this woman is, she could be anyone. She could be one of you.”
“Not me.” Ava grimaced. “Braxton kicked me out of the auditioning room when that woman walked in. He'll know it's not me.”
“Fine, then we'll focus on your sisters,” Stepmother said harshly, and Ava's face fell. “Hazel, Kaylee, today we will begin primping you to appear more like the mystery woman. What did she look like?”
They looked blankly at their mother.
I poured their tea and backed away, hiding my smirk. I busied myself at the side table, too interested in their conversation to leave.
“Did neither of you see her?” Stepmother screeched.
“We didn't get a good look,” Kaylee huffed. “You were there, Mother, you saw how quickly she was taken in the back room, and then how she ran out. Did you get a good look?”
“Do not be disrespectful to me, girl!” Stepmother slapped Kaylee hard.
Kaylee held her cheek and cringed in her seat.
“I saw her,” Ava said smugly.
“Well?” Stepmother looked to Ava.
“As if I'd help you after you tossed me aside.”
“You will help me because if you don't, I will have you whipped!”
Ava paled.
