I reach my wing easily enough. I didn't need to sneak at all. Everyone just pointed me to where I should be. I'll ready in my wings then go to the teleport stone. First ball is Warton. I doubt there is any real issue with it. I'm watching for concerns within the knights.
"Thomas!"
I freeze seeing William standing at my door. "William?"
"Yup." He offers a peace sign as if everything is fine. It's been six years though!
I am slow to walk to his side. "You aren't still marked allowed to join my wing."
"I'm not using your authority." William motions me into my room.
"Then how?"
"I'm part of your trip." He touches his chest pride welling. "I am your teleporter."
I stare at my old friend. He's a few years older than me. We both studied under Odin. William was used to help explain teleportation. That's his skill class. Can he do more magic than just that? Sure. But his easiest magic is teleportation. "Congrats."
"Same to you, white knight." William sits at my desk while I review the outfit they have for me. Will I have to get someone to help me? I hate complicated outfits. "I can dress you if you want."
I eye him. "You're Lord William Pennington... When did you learn to be a servant?"
William laughs. He casts a spell that switches which outfit is on me. "Teleport change."
I blink. "You... Can do that?"
"Yup. That's why I'm at your side for this mission." He pauses thinking it over. "The mission wasn't explained really. It was if you needed to wear your knight uniform, I was to switch it for you. I needed to mark the place they'll put your outfit." That's why he's in my rooms. They'll place my clothes to change into here. He'll bring it to me so I can change by hand or just change my outfit with magic. "We can dress this." He moves to where a dress form stands in my room. I didn't notice it before. "They'll place the new outfits on that one."
I look at the dress form where my outfit was. My knight uniform moved to my bed. It wasn't going to fit right on the dress form they had. "Why not use magic?"
"I would like to touch every piece. Magical items aren't as easy to transport."
I nod. That means the outfits I'll be given won't be the same level of protection I should be used to. The knight uniform is something else. "William?"
"Yes?" He's dressing the form.
"Why didn't you answer any of my letters over the last few years?"
"Wasn't allowed to. I didn't even get most of them." William shrugs. "Blockades around the royal family is normal."
"What happened?" I step closer to him.
William catches my eyes. "I picked you. My spell class was getting too dangerous for the crown prince."
"In what way?" Does William even have offensive magic?
He chuckles. "You were persuading me to teleport us somewhere out of reach of your parents. Don't you recall? I had agreed back then." William weighs things. "I wouldn't now. That would be called kidnapping even if you asked for it."
I sigh. "Once you were a threat capable of that-"
"I was removed." William nods. "Sorry. I passed all the requirements to return. But even then, I wasn't allowed to support you until you became a knight. I was very excited to be able to offer my services to you again."
Services... That doesn't comfort me. Like with Ryan. Didn't mind doing for me, supporting me... "Can you just be a friend?"
William looks at my uniform. It's nicely set on the dress form. Ready for if I need it. "I would like to remind you, Thomas." He focuses on me, frowning more than smiling. "You are the crown prince. I can be friendly, but friends is a hard ask."
I grind my teeth. I face the mirror looking at my outfit that they offered. I look like the crown prince.
"Question." William comes to my side. I only watch as he pulls the locket from out of my shirt. "What is this?"
I freeze seeing the locket in his hands. "How'd you know?"
"I dressed you. And be happy no one else noticed it." William eyes me. "Do you have a love interest?"
I shake my head putting the locket back under my clothes. "Tell no one."
"That love interest. Would she not make a good queen?"
"How are you certain it's a woman?"
William pats the place where it sits on my chest. "It has a woman's energy on it. Fresh energy. A spell of guard and protection. It's the type of magic a mage lover gives their beloved."
The idea has me shivering. Jessica wouldn't grasp that. I am being protected because... I sink. "She did it because I'm crown prince. Like you said. She desires to serve me."
"Don't try to suggest she isn't doing it because she's interested. I can guess the feelings found." William steps back smoothing down my sleeve. "I won't say anything to anyone, though. Be sure to seek a proper queen."
"Yeah." I turn from the mirror.
The door is knocked upon and opened. Abigail bows while holding the door open.
I'm shocked to see Ingrid walk in. "Ingrid?"
"Lady." William bows to her. "Welcome." He glances to me. "Should I step out?"
"No." Ingrid seems frightened over the suggestion. William only watches her. "I... I am only here to offer the curse removal. My uncle said I should manage it fine. We'll know right away if it'll work."
"To suggest you're good at curse removal at your age." William scans her. "You'll reach heights unimaginable to most."
"Thank you, but I am a Periwinkle. Our family tree can see the magic placed, so removals are best done by us." Ingrid offers a curtsy. William seems to understand. "I look forward to taking on the tasks my uncle has always done in the castle. I may not be the strongest mage yet, but I know there is hope for the future."
"Thanks, Ingrid." I watch her. "My looks curse, right?"
"It is suggested to remove it before you debut." Ingrid stands before me. "May I touch your forehead?"
"Whatever you need." I lower my head to give her an easier access.
The feeling of magic swirling around me has me realize what I always knew as my body wasn't it. But it wasn't far off. My height isn't changing. My looks will no longer be subpar. I allow myself to feel the magic settle before flexing my muscles. I will not look weak anymore. I'm musclar even if I'm more lean than many who can do what I can. I turn to the mirror again noticing broad shoulders clearly filled out. I'm not... Who I thought I was. I scan my face noticing little is really different. But the sharpness is there that I thought was dull.
"Wow." William stares at me. "You look completely different Your Highness."
"Thomas, please." I didn't think he's revert to 'your highness' so quickly. "I... I don't look much different."
"The subpar curse was meant to make you see yourself is less than you were." Ingrid bows to me. "You always knew you'd look like your parents, so you would've picked the worst of both."
"Which is minimal." William nods. "Shall we chat a little about magic, Lady Ingrid?"
She blushes and steps back. "I... I have things to see to. Thank you for allowing me to do this." She ducks out of the room.
"Strange woman." William scratches his head before looking at me again. "Well, I think it's time to join the rest who are coming with us."
"Thanks for joining my first ball, William."
He shrugs. "I'm technically debuting myself." He isn't dressed as well as I am. He's a noble, though. "Once we get to the Warton estate, I'm going to change based on what others wear."
"Oh. You know your entire wardrobe."
"Yes." William grins. "Don't worry so much. Right now, I'll be seen as your subordinate. We can travel the ball as friends once I know what is not too outlandish of an outfit."
I don't need to worry about that. As Crown Prince, there are specific clothes I must wear. "Thanks. Let's go."