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Erika walked slowly into the grand throne room, careful to not gawk at the sheer size of a singular room, ensuring to act as though this was her home, to act as though she were Anneliese. Ignoring the way the blonde wig made her head itch, she was careful to walk as Julien had taught her, straight back and head held high. She had an audience, although small, their eyes boring into her made her heart beat harder in her chest; she felt sure they could hear it racing, echoing in the large room.
The Queen stood looking delighted to see her daughter again, a look that sent a wave of guilt through Erika. And two men she didn’t recognise. One was a short, older man, the ambassador Julien had spoken about, she assumed and the other man… he was young, his eyes a piercing blue. Erika almost forgot how to breathe.
And then she fell.
She quickly gathered herself and stood again, finally making her way to the Queen who enveloped her in a hug - she hadn’t felt a hug like this one since she was young. It was nice, it was full of love and at that moment Erika truly envied Anneliese.
Dominick had decided that honesty would be the best, he didn’t want to marry a stranger and he was sure Princess Anneliese wouldn’t either, but after the debacle of the last couple of days and after seeing her for the first time, he didn’t want to lie any longer.
When he’d first laid his eyes on her, she looked nervous, walking towards her mother, many pairs of eyes watching her every step - perhaps there was a fear she’d turn and run away again, to escape marrying him. He didn’t believe in love at first sight, but she was beautiful.
She tripped on the edge of the rug and Dominick couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, sure that the Princess would feel embarrassed; he didn’t want her to be, and although he rushed to help her back up onto her feet, she did so herself, making no scene.
So now he made his way to her chamber, knocking lightly on the door before opening it just a crack after receiving no answer. “Princess Anneliese?”
“Hey feline, you fetch just fine, to thine ownself be true.”
Anneliese was singing. It was a heavenly sound, soft and calming. Dominick opened the door further to hear her better, staying quiet so as not to disrupt her nor alert her of his presence. He was intruding on a personal moment, Dominick could tell, and yet as much as he wanted to turn away and leave the Princess be, her voice kept him there.
Dominick leaned against the doorframe, a soft smile playing on his lips and a quiet ache settling in his chest. She was singing to her cat, he recalled the scruffy brown animal from before, the one that… barked. The words themselves were simple, almost childlike, yet they held a profound depth.
“There is not one hair of you that I would rearrange, I love you the way you are and that will never change.”
Dominick hesitated for another moment, caught between politeness and a sudden, inexplicable desire to bridge the gap between them, to speak to this woman who sang lullabies to a cat and spoke of self-acceptance. And yet, he walked away, quietly pulling the door closed behind him; he would find a better moment later to tell her the truth.
Erika was pulled towards the throne room by Preminger, his grip was harsh on her arm, and the sneer that seemed permanently glued to his face made her feel uncomfortable. He announced her as Princess Anneliese and the whole situation felt very much like the previous day was repeating itself. And then the Queen introduced the handsome man with the blue eyes as King Dominick… King Dominick! The man Anneliese is to marry.
She began to introduce herself, forgetting her act, forgetting everything she was supposed to know and do as her eyes met his. Erika almost introduced herself as Erika, catching herself partway through. “I mean, Anneliese, Princess Anneliese… That’s my name.”
It was awkward and Erika was thankful when Wolfie barked, cutting through the tension.
The Princess turned down singing a duet with Dominick at first, and Dominick would be lying if he didn’t feel even just a little bit hurt by her refusal. Hadn't he heard her sing just the other day with such apparent joy? Did she dislike the idea of singing with him specifically?
He pressed gently, hoping to break through whatever reserve she held. He managed to convince her, a subtle shift in her eyes, a slight nod, and he felt a flicker of success. Leading her towards the grand piano, the silence in the room felt charged, the expectant gazes of the few courtiers amplifying the moment.
And the world narrowed to the two of them and the music.
Her voice, the one he had overheard the previous day, was even more beautiful up close. It wasn't the polished, trained voice he might have expected from a princess, but something richer, more natural, filled with an unexpected warmth and depth. It wasn't powerful, but it was pure, clear, and carried an emotional resonance that caught him off guard. It was the voice of someone who sang because she loved to, not because she was expected to.
Their voices blended surprisingly well, his deeper tone providing a grounding for her lighter, ethereal notes. He found himself watching her as they sang, no longer just listening. Her eyes were closed for a moment, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration, and then they fluttered open, meeting his for a fleeting second before she looked away, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
“If you love me for me.”
It felt ironic; the song the two of them sang together speaking of looks being deceiving when one, Dominick, had originally come to the castle disguised as a simple page, and the other, Erika, was still acting, playing the part of the Princess whilst Julien searched for her.
Around them, a smattering of polite applause broke the spell. Dominick offered Erika a small, genuine smile. “Your voice is… remarkable, Princess Anneliese.”
Erika managed a shaky smile in return, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Thank you, Your Majesty. You as well.” Her voice sounded breathy, even to her own ears. She wanted nothing more than to flee the room, to escape his intense gaze and the suffocating weight of the lie. Singing with him had been exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. Exhilarating because his voice was strong and complemented hers beautifully, and terrifying because in those moments, lost in the music, she had almost forgotten she wasn't Anneliese. Almost forgotten the real Princess was still missing, and that this handsome, kind king was supposed to marry someone else entirely. The guilt gnawed at her, sharp and relentless. Every compliment felt like another thread tightening the knot of her deception.
She saw his smile deepen slightly, and a confusing warmth spread through her chest, quickly followed by a cold wave of dread. He was looking at her, Erika, but seeing Anneliese. It wasn't fair to him, or to the real princess.