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Besides, this is my last stop before I head back home to Los Angeles. I’ve never taken a vacation before, but after I graduated last year and found a job as a librarian, I promised myself my first major expense was going to be a European getaway.
Granted, it’s not the lavish vacation some might aim for, but I’ve never cared much about staying in the fanciest hotels or going on guided tours. I’d rather go on an adventure and discover the land for myself. Plus, this way, I saved money on room and board by staying in hostels along the way.
Which is a good thing, because the money I saved went straight to sampling all the food in this region. The delicious meals, drinks, and snacks I’ve had might be my favorite part of this whole trip. My body is definitely showing that. I’ve gained at least fifteen pounds since I got here but, despite all my walking. Totally worth it.
I have a feeling I won’t be splurging on restaurants or takeout when I get home. The library is making budget cuts, and since I was the last person hired, I wouldn’t be surprised if I was the first one let go. The logic makes sense, but tell that to the dread twisting my stomach into knots.
I’m trying to look on the bright side though. I now have something to put on my resume besides my relevant college courses. Maybe the next place I work at, I could be a children’s librarian.
I love kids. If it were up to me, I would have a dozen kids of my own by now. Unfortunately, you need a guy and money for that to happen and those are the two things I’m in short supply of.
I’m still determined to make the most of the last few days while I’m on my vacation. Thanks to my new friend at the bakery, Ella, who told me all about the castle being open today.
What Elle hadn’t mentioned was the dress code. Everyone here is in silky evening gowns with glittering jewels and crystals draped around their necks. Some girls are even wearing tiaras. And don’t get me started on their perfectly applied makeup and elegant updos.
My hand automatically goes to my hair, as if I could somehow hide it or shave it all off. I haven’t exactly been using luxury shampoos or conditioners while hiking through the countryside on a budget. My hair definitely shows it, especially compared to these flawless European princesses.
I stand out like a sore thumb with my jeans, sneakers, and hoodie. Throw in my frizzy hair, lack of makeup, and dirt under my nails, and yeah, I think everyone is going to know who the American is who crashed their royal party.
Closing my eyes, I give myself a little pep talk. So what if I’m underdressed? Who am I trying to impress, anyway? I nod at my own wise words, then flinch when my father’s voice joins my inner monologue.
You’re trash. You’ll always be trash.
My eyes snap open, and I banish that thought, not wanting to go down that road. It’s taken years to get out from under his gaslighting and constant insults. His words still haunt me sometimes, though.
I look around, hoping to spot Elle so she can tell me more about the history of this place. There are too many people here to focus on any one person, however. I’m barely five foot four and I can’t see over the crowd. I’m not even sure where we’re going, only that the swell of people seems to be inching toward what I assume is the main entrance.
Someone bumps into me from behind, and then I get elbowed in the kidney by a woman in a strapless, sparkling red dress. She’s more beautiful and elegant than I will ever be, but I try not to dwell on that.
I’m getting lost in the shuffle and I can’t see any of the castle that I came to gawk over, so I weave my way through the crowd, heading for an empty corner. I’m almost to my destination when I get stabbed in the foot with a black, six-inch stiletto heel. My mouth hangs open in a silent scream, but the culprit doesn’t even spare me a glance as she sashays her way through the room.
Giving her my best glare over my shoulder, I begin hobbling forward, needing a secluded spot even more so I can tend to my wounds. I don’t make it very far before running into something hard. I scrunch up my nose as it bounces off the solid object, then take a step back to see what I ran into.
"Oof!" I grunt, frowning as I stare at what appears to be a tuxedo-clad body.
I tilt my head up, and then up some more so that I can make eye contact with the man who just cut off my path.
Those eyes.
They’re the lightest blue, almost teal in this light. They’re sharp and cold like ice, piercing me through and through. I can’t blink, can’t hardly breathe as we continue to stare at each other. He’s so… imposing. Standing tall and proud, as solid and strong as the stone of this castle.
A wave of something unfamiliar washes over me, prickling my skin and tightening my chest. Right before I’m about to ask the stranger’s name, he opens his mouth.
“Excuse you,” he grunts in a deep voice.
I raise an eyebrow at him and he raises one back. I can’t deny that the man is attractive. His face is all hard lines and angles. His dark brown hair is perfectly styled, not a hair out of place, and he stares down his straight nose at me, those pale blue eyes analyzing me like I’m an insect under a microscope.
I should be used to others’ judgments by now, but something about this man thinking less of me makes my hackles rise. Who does he think he is? Is he really so much better than me because he cleans up nicely?
The man seems tense like he's on a dangerous ledge and he's about to fall off. I frown when I see his hands curled into fists and the hard look in his eyes. He seems almost disgusted to see me here, and I glare at him harder. Another asshole who thinks they know me from one passing glance.
I can tell right away that this guy is going to be a problem. I try to sidestep him, but there’s nowhere to go. In fact, the crowd seems to be turning and converging on us.
The man looks away from me, sighing as he sees everyone behind me. I try to tear my eyes away from him, but they won’t obey. Instead, I drink down the outline of his silhouette, his strong jaw, sharp nose, and furrowed brow.
The entitled ass grits his teeth, somehow deepening his frown to show more disdain. I smirk at him when I see how upset he is that all of the people are staring at him. At least I’m not the only person who makes him grumpy.
A break in the crowd appears to my right and I dart toward it, relaxing once I’m away from that guy. I can’t resist looking back at him once I’m a safe distance away, and when our eyes lock, I glare at him.
