Undercover Princess

by Connie Glynn

  There was scepticism in her voice, as if she were convinced Lottie wasn’t telling her the whole story.

  ‘No, Ellie, you didn’t see him before we fell in the pool. He was … weird.’ Lottie buried her face in Mr Truffles, feeling the blush creep on to her cheeks as she remembered just how odd he’d been. ‘He said …’ She paused. All evidence was pointing to Anastacia but Lottie still couldn’t understand why she’d do it. ‘He said again that we can’t trust Anastacia.’

  Ellie nodded soberly, then wrapped an arm round Lottie and nuzzled into her hair, making Lottie giggle as she felt her breath tickle her neck.

  ‘At least I can trust you.’ She exhaled the words slowly into Lottie’s ear and Lottie’s whole body lit up. Lottie turned so they were face-to-face, tears streaming down her cheeks and her nose running. Ellie held her against her chest until she stopped crying.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Ellie repeated, though this time it was unclear what she was apologizing for.

  They remained tangled together, sharing the warmth in their marshmallow cocoon, like two cubs in a den. Lottie’s eyes and throat ached from crying, but gradually she began to relax in Ellie’s arms, her friend’s heartbeat pumping softly against her ear. Eventually Ellie climbed out of their den, switched off the lights and went back to her own bed.

  That night, as Ellie slept soundlessly in her bed, Lottie awoke in a cold sweat from a terrible nightmare of Anastacia drowning Jamie.

  She tried to get back to sleep, but her mind was too drained and frantic to rest again. A shiver ran through her body that she couldn’t get rid of. She sat up and checked her clock. It was an hour into the new year. The chill ran through her again and she shuddered; it was too cold to try to sleep again.

  She eased the door open as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Ellie, and turned the corner to the storage room where she could get more blankets. On her way back she passed her post box and had to do a double take when she realized hers had something inside. It was a golden envelope with a delicate black pattern round the edges, winding up from the corners like smoke. She opened it carefully and found herself struck by the scent of peppermint. She pulled the card out slowly. It was black, with gold writing. It read simply:

  See you at the summer ball, Princess.

  xx

  Lottie clutched the card to her chest, then quickly tiptoed back to her room and hid it in her bedside table under the box Ellie had given her. Jamie and Ellie would be furious if they knew.

  Edmund has finally sent me a message.

  Her heart was beating uncontrollably. She was sure this one little secret would be OK. What’s the worst that could happen?

  Part Three

  * * *

  PRESENTING THE PRINCESS

  38

  Spring term started on 9 January and with it came a soft sheet of snow over the school grounds. Everyone had switched to the thick, fluffy winter uniform, which made the whole school look as if it were filled with colourful sheep. The enthusiasm of a fresh start buzzed through the corridors, but for Lottie, Jamie and Ellie it was time to get serious about the mysterious threat to their lives.

  They sat in the main hall waiting for the new term’s opening speech to begin. It was far too cold to have the event on the field, but Lottie found that since the pool incident she felt a little claustrophobic in a crowd.

  ‘I still think their plan must have gone wrong,’ Jamie said. ‘I think they intended to incapacitate both Lottie and me, but it’s unclear why.’

  ‘I don’t think they intended for anyone to get badly hurt.’ Lottie wasn’t sure of this but whatever had been put in Jamie’s drink had had no long-term side-effects and he’d pretty much recovered instantly. ‘Otherwise they would have used something worse.’ Lottie felt sick at that idea.

  ‘Either way, we can’t let Anastacia think we suspect her. We need to keep her close,’ Ellie added, checking no one was listening.

  Jamie chewed his lip in thought. ‘I just wish we had a sample of whatever it was so that I could get it analysed.’

  ‘What exactly did it make you do other than pass out?’ Ellie asked curiously.

  Jamie and Lottie froze. They both turned to look at each other and a stern expression appeared on Jamie’s face. He had claimed a million times that he didn’t remember anything and yet every time it came up he went rigid.

  ‘I don’t remember,’ he said again.

  ‘Well, Lottie must remember,’ Ellie said helpfully. ‘Was he manic or mellow or confused? It could help us figure out what it was.’ Jamie gave her another sharp look and his words from that night pounded in her head.

  ‘I can’t stand seeing it taken away from you.’

  Lottie gulped at the memory. ‘He was straightforward,’ she said at last.

  ‘Straightforward?’ Ellie’s eyes narrowed, but before she could say more a cheery voice came from behind them.

  ‘Good morning!’ Binah, Lola and Micky took up the space next to Lottie, halting their conversation. Jamie let out a small breath as if he were actually relieved by their arrival.

  ‘I heard about what happened over the holidays. Jamie, I hope you’re all OK,’ Binah said, real concern etched on her face.

  ‘We’re fine.’ Jamie’s eyes remained on Lottie as he spoke.

  ‘I can’t believe you dived in and rescued him, Lottie,’ Lola said excitedly.

  ‘You’re like a superhero.’ The twins spoke in unison.

  Lottie wasn’t sure how this rumour had started, but she could see it was making Jamie’s lip twitch.

  They all turned as Ms Kuma approached the podium, dressed in a fluffy yellow coat and matching hat that reminded Lottie of a daffodil. It seemed fitting with her bouncy and colourful presence that she would be doing the opening speech for spring term.

  ‘Good morning, everyone, and welcome back to a fresh term at Rosewood. I am pleased to see such enthusiasm among you even with this dreadfully cold weather.’ She shivered to accentuate her point. ‘I hope you have all had a pleasant break and are ready to take on this term with even more passion and determination. Those of you in Year Ten and above will have the added pressure of preparing for next term’s exams. It can be tempting to lose momentum in the spring term with no immediate examinations looming, but I have the utmost faith that all of you will rise to these challenges and face them head-on.’ Then her cheerful smile turned rueful and she cleared her throat before continuing. ‘On a less pleasant note, due to an incident over the holidays, the nine p.m. curfew will be upheld to the strictest order. If any student is not signed in to their dorm by this time, they will face an appropriate punishment; we would rather you didn’t have to find out what that punishment is.’ She looked over the students with pursed lips, making it clear that this was not something to be taken lightly. Lottie could sense something burning the back of her head and she turned to see Anastacia a few metres behind with Saskia and Raphael. Anastacia quickly looked away when Lottie caught her eye.

  You can’t trust Anastacia.

  Lottie felt a shiver run up her spine. She couldn’t get Jamie’s ominous message out of her head.

  She leaned over to Ellie. ‘Anastacia is behind us. We should make sure to say hi to her later so she doesn’t think we’re avoiding her.’

  Ellie nodded, resisting the temptation to turn round.

  ‘Now before we let you get on with your day we have one final bit of news,’ Ms Kuma continued. Lola and Micky let out a little squeal and she wondered what could be so exciting. ‘This year the Tompkins Confectionery Company will be sponsoring our Valentine’s Day celebrations so you can thank them for the extra-special displays. If any of you would like to get involved with the decorations, please do come and find me in my office this week.’

  The twins turned to Lottie, Lola smiling giddily. Lottie attempted her best smile in return but the truth was she really didn’t like Valentine’s Day and she certainly didn’t want to have to explain why to anyone.

  Another thing
to worry about.

  The speech ended and everyone began making their way out of the main hall. Lottie could see Anastacia a little way in front of her and wondered if she should approach her. Ellie must have had a similar idea because as soon as they were outside, she ran past Lottie and grabbed Anastacia’s arm to get her attention.

  ‘Hey, Anastacia, we just –’

  Anastacia turned abruptly, her bag falling off her shoulder, and the contents spilled over the floor. ‘Mon dieu!’

  ‘Crap!’ Ellie and Anastacia both cursed in unison.

  Ellie and Lottie immediately kneeled down and began helping her pick up her stuff.

  ‘Don’t!’ Anastacia cried, reaching to stop them.

  ‘I’m really sorry, Anastacia – we just wanted to come and say hi. We didn’t mean to –’ Lottie’s hand brushed over a photograph and she froze.

  The photo was slightly fuzzy, but it was clearly Anastacia, grinning with a red bow in her hair. The Eiffel Tower was in the background and a huge ice-cream sundae was on the table in front of her. Next to her stood a girl with a large mop of tight blonde curls and caramel skin. It was Saskia. She was plaiting Anastacia’s hair and the two were grinning. Lottie had never seen Anastacia look so happy.

  ‘Don’t touch that!’ Anastacia snapped, pulling the photo out of Lottie’s hand. ‘You two do nothing but cause trouble.’ She grabbed her bag and pulled it close to her, marching off furiously to catch up with the other Conch students.

  ‘Wow!’ Jamie chimed in sarcastically. ‘That really could not have gone worse.’

  Lottie barely even took in the words. She couldn’t stop thinking about the photo and Anastacia’s reaction. ‘You two do nothing but cause trouble.’

  Anastacia was usually so composed. For her to react this aggressively definitely wasn’t a good sign. Lottie looked at Ellie who gave her a shrug.

  She couldn’t help feeling like she was missing something important.

  39

  Lottie buried herself in her studies over the next few weeks, all the while feeling like there was something she was not understanding, until finally the worst day of the year came around: Valentine’s Day. Or, as Lottie knew it, the anniversary of her mother’s death.

  Lottie awoke on the dreaded morning of 14 February and, as it was a Saturday, made her way to her early-morning princess lesson with Jamie and Ellie. She was grateful, at least, that she was able to sleep again, and that getting more sleep was helping her to keep calm, which she desperately needed to do, today of all days.

  The whole school was thick with the oppressively strong smell of chocolate and red roses, while heart-patterned streamers forced their romantic agenda on everyone. Lottie was glad to have the lesson as a distraction. Jamie had picked the glasshouse in the rose garden by the main hall that morning, meaning they had a clear view of the Valentine’s Day preparations. He had obviously picked it as a compromise to them missing out on the decorating, not realizing that Lottie wanted no part of it.

  ‘Lottie?’

  Jamie’s voice jolted Lottie back to reality. ‘Sorry! Could you repeat the question?’

  Both Jamie and Ellie scrutinized her for a moment, Jamie’s eyebrow lifting in muted concern.

  ‘I asked you what your favourite story from Oscar’s diary was, and how you’ve found it useful.’ Jamie stood over her expectantly.

  ‘Oh, that’s easy,’ Lottie replied. ‘The story of Sun Dao and Shau Zu because – Have I said something wrong?’ Lottie took in Jamie’s face. His eyes had widened as if he’d heard something surprising.

  ‘No, no. Not at all, it’s just … That’s my favourite too.’ Lottie was overcome by a sudden inner warmth – it was so rare that he shared anything about himself and she felt like she’d just won a prize. He cleared his throat, bringing her out of her thoughts. ‘Would you care to elaborate?’

  Lottie nodded, happy to take her mind off Valentine’s Day. She took a deep breath and prepared to plunge into the tale of Prince Shau Zu.

  ‘It was 300 AD in China, a time when Portmans had become so accepted that you could assume most of the dynasty were not who you thought they were. Prince Shau Zu and his Portman Sun Dao were guests in the palace of Emperor Qin Shi Xiao, a powerful warlord and terrifying force. But their stay turned sour when it became clear that the emperor had invited them to his home to capture the prince. But Sun Dao was too smart for the emperor. Knowing that it was a great dishonour to harm a Portman once you knew their role, he double-bluffed and persuaded Qin Shi Xiao that he was the prince. The emperor unwittingly kept the real prince, Shau Zu, as a “special guest” within the palace, one who was not permitted to leave. Sun Dao, posing as the prince, endured eight whole days of deadly “games” – from crossing a tightrope over boiling oil to dodging arrows in the garden – until finally the prince’s army arrived to rescue them. Once they’d escaped from the evil Qin Shi Xiao, the prince asked Sun Dao, “How do I reward such loyalty?” To which Sun replied, “Allow me do it all over again.” ’

  Lottie had been looking at the roses as she told her story, doing her best to recall the details. When she turned her gaze to Jamie and Ellie, she was taken aback to find them both staring intently at her. Pride filled Lottie as she took in their enthralled expressions. It reminded her of how she used to look at her mother when she read her fairy tales and suddenly she felt a heavy ache in her chest.

  Ellie blinked a few times before letting out a whistle. ‘I need to read this diary!’ she exclaimed.

  Jamie’s lips curved slightly and he gave Lottie a sideways glance. ‘And why is this story useful?’ he asked.

  ‘Well …’ Lottie looked down, feeling embarrassed by her answer. ‘It shows that there’s strength in loyalty. There’s power in the duty of a Portman.’

  Ellie snickered at the response, earning her a harsh glare from Jamie. Lottie felt herself getting annoyed: she was just too sore to find any humour in anything today.

  ‘Hey, Lottie, you’re not going to have to walk over boiling oil!’ Ellie cracked up as she said it, and Lottie felt her brows furrowing.

  Jamie glared at her. ‘Ellie, that’s –’

  ‘You have no idea what we might end up having to do!’ Lottie interrupted before Jamie could finish.

  Ellie stopped laughing but a grin remained on her face, not realizing how distressed Lottie was getting.

  ‘But that’s insane! Don’t get me wrong. I wish my life was that exciting but –’

  ‘You wish your life was that exciting?’

  Lottie couldn’t believe Ellie had said something so ridiculous.

  ‘Well, yeah! Being a princess for me has always meant I was just stuck inside all day and –’

  ‘Ellie, you have no idea how exciting and amazing your life is. Most people will go their whole lives only dreaming of a world like the one you live in.’ Lottie could feel her hands clenching in frustration. She couldn’t seem to stop herself getting upset.

  ‘Well, most people don’t know how horrible it is. Lottie, what’s wrong? You know how distressing my family can be –’

  ‘At least you HAVE a family!’ Lottie immediately covered her mouth as the words escaped but she couldn’t stop the tears spilling from her eyes.

  Now you’ve done it, she thought. Now you’re not going to be able to stop crying all day.

  ‘Lottie …’ Ellie’s voice came out strained.

  Lottie knew she’d overreacted, but it was too difficult for her to get her thoughts straight. She rubbed her eyes aggressively and stood up. She didn’t want to cause any more damage.

  ‘I’ll see you both later.’ Her words came out in a little sob that she hated herself for and she ran to the garden’s exit. She didn’t look at Jamie as she ran past; she couldn’t stand to see what he was thinking.

  ‘Lottie, wait!’ Ellie called after her, but she kept running.

  She ran until her lungs were aching and she thought she might be sick until she finally reached Ivy Wood, but she didn’t stop the
re. Her feet wouldn’t let her.

  And she ran straight into the Rose Wood.

  40

  Lottie’s eyes and cheeks stung with the salt from her tears, and her nose was bright red, not just from crying but the biting cold. She stopped to catch her breath and found that she couldn’t see the school buildings at all – she’d run deep into Rose Wood. She was covered in a sheen of sweat, but she realized too late that she’d left her coat back in the rose garden.

  She walked on a little further until she found the biggest tree she’d ever seen. It was an ancient oak with a trunk large enough to build a home inside, its branches extending out in a huge circle. Lottie plopped herself down under the tree, letting her body absorb the cold to try to stave off some of the bad feelings. She felt embarrassed for being so melodramatic. Since her mother had passed away, she always got upset on this date, but usually she was alone in her room in Cornwall, able to deal with her sadness privately. Being at Rosewood somehow made her mother’s passing seem even closer and more vivid than usual.

  ‘Lottie.’ She could hear her mother’s gentle voice in her mind. The image of her in the hospital bed, skinny and weak but still smiling, pierced her thoughts. ‘I’ll be proud of you whatever you do in life, as long as you promise me –’

  ‘I will be kind, I will be brave, I will be unstoppable.’

  Her mother had laughed, the sound coming out in a pained wheeze. ‘Yes, Lottie, I know you will be, but promise me you will also be happy. I want you to say it.’

  Lottie had stared at her mother, knowing they didn’t have much time left together. ‘I promise I will get into Rosewood Hall and be happy.’

  She couldn’t do it. Lottie couldn’t promise her mother she’d be happy because she wasn’t sure she could be without her. But Lottie had been sure that getting into Rosewood would fix that. If she got into Rosewood, she would be happy and fulfil her promise to her mother. So why wasn’t she happy?