Still, it didn’t change what I’d done. How much I’d hurt her, and how I’d betrayed her friendship.
Safiya was escorted out of the room and the Queen stepped front and center. Our attention shifted to her, and she smiled, saying, “Celebratory dinner will be had at Luxuria’s most beautiful restaurant tonight. I ask you all to go to your rooms to collect a present waiting for you, then meet Prince Olivier down here for dinner.”
Excitement flowed through my veins, instantly replaced my guilt and regret for what I’d done to Safiya. It wouldn’t be easy to move on from that.
But I decided to try and move on for the time being, and I followed the other girls to our rooms. What could the gift be? I wondered silently. Only one way to find out.
Chapter Seventeen
Amber
I arrived at my room a few moments later and found two beautiful packages waiting for me on the bed. One of them was a small light pink box, embossed with the court’s herald, and the other was a black matte box with a large pink satin bow.
I unwrapped the pink box first, gasping when I saw what was inside. I slipped the note out and started reading with my eyes glowing.
Enjoy your custom-made bottle of perfume, created just for you by his Highness Olivier Bellamy. Please wear it to dinner tonight, with the Prince’s compliments.
I unveiled the perfume from the box. It was a translucent bottle, the glass thick and heavy, with a golden topper. It was beautiful but simple, and the real treasure was the scent inside. I pulled the topper off, smelling the fragrance and letting it take over my senses.
It was perfect. As if Olivier had managed to bottle everything I loved, everything that felt beautifully familiar yet at the same time, daringly different. I grinned at the thought of him picking out the perfect scent and sprayed my pulse points with the stunning fragrance.
As I sprayed the scent, I was enveloped in a thick cloud of orange, vanilla, honey and jasmine. It was divine, the kind of perfume I wanted to wear every day for the rest of my life.
My expression darkened when I realized Olivier must have done this for the rest of the girls, too. Surely, they all had a custom perfume waiting for them. But what’s in the second box, then?
I put the perfume down, moving on to the little black box. Unwrapping the ribbon, the box fell open by itself and I stared in confusion at its contents. When I finally realized what it was, a blush crept over my cheeks.
It was a small fuchsia toy, and it took me a moment to realize it was supposed to be inserted between my legs, with the thinner end sticking outside. When I brushed my hands over its smooth surface, it vibrated, and I gasped at the feeling, a smile creeping onto my lips.
A look at the clock revealed I had mere minutes left before I had to be in the main hall to leave for the restaurant. I bit my bottom lip tentatively, then, before giving it too much thought, pushed my black lace panties off my ass and spat on my palm. I spread my own juices over my pussy, letting out the smallest of moans when I realized how aroused the package had made me.
My hands trembled as I held the toy, gently forcing it into my cunt and gasping when it found its sweet spot. It was rubbing a tender spot deep inside me, and I just hoped it wouldn’t vibrate during dinner. I was already turned on. How the hell would I be able to hide my arousal from the other girls?
Then again, if this was a gift from the Prince, the other girls must have gotten one too…
I knitted my brows together in worry, but I didn’t have a moment left to think. I pulled my panties up over the curve of my ass and smoothed my dress into place, then left the room with my heart pounding.
Most of the girls were already in the hall, but I couldn’t see Zara. Fleur was there, though, and she divided us into groups for the ride to the restaurant. I was paired with Camellia, Monica and Eva, and I wasn’t close enough with any of them to ask if they’d gotten the same present as me.
They were all gushing about their custom perfumes though, and jealousy gripped its fingers around my heart as I realized each one of us got a different, custom-made scent. I could just imagine Olivier picking what would fit each girl, and it filled me with envy.
The three of us got into one of the lacquered Rolls Royces, just like the one that picked me up from the airport.
In the car, a mix of enticing, unique scents enveloped us, and the girls chatted about their perfumes created by Olivier. Once again, my jealousy got the better of me, eating away at me as we drove to the destination.
The sun was setting as we drove, and the picturesque landscape outside the window was bathed in gorgeous autumn colors. I gasped at the sight as we drove away from the castle. I hadn’t left the grounds in so long I’d nearly forgotten about the exquisite beauty of the property.
The drive didn’t take too long, and after driving up a long winding road, we got out of the car at our destination – Luxuria’s most famous restaurant, L’Étoile.
We were escorted out by suited-up drivers, and I marveled at the sights as we climbed the narrow stairs leading up to the restaurant. We were shown to a large room adorned with gilded decorations. I didn’t dare ask whether they were real gold. The room was embellished with fairy lights, the interior sparkling and the roof made completely of glass. Now, I understood where the restaurant’s name came from. Through the glass, we’d be able to see every star on the night sky soon enough.
Slowly, the other girls trickled in, and the room filled with beauties I knew I could never compare to. Self-doubt ate away with me. I’d nearly managed to forget about the toy between my legs until the smallest vibration made me jump.
“You okay?” Camellia asked me, her hand touching mine, worry etched on her face.
“Yes,” I replied with a blush creeping over my cheeks. “Sorry, just got a bit… Excited.”
My eyes scoured the people in the room, but I couldn’t see Olivier. Not all of the cars had arrived yet, but I assumed he would be there soon.
Will Bruno be here too? I found myself wondering, trying to force the thought out of my head. Why was I so fixated on the royal bastard? He’s an enigma. Unpredictable… and exciting.
“Amber?”
I turned in the direction of the voice, coming face to face with a beaming Zara. I smiled back, and we embraced before pulling apart and gushing about the beautiful restaurant. The whole time, I was aware of the toy between my legs, reminding me at whose mercy I was.
Moments later, we were ushered to stand on the sides as Olivier entered the room. I bowed my head in respect but couldn’t stop myself from glancing at him out of the corners of my eyes.
He was looking dashing in a custom-cut tux. That boyish charm he had was all man that night, filling me with desire I couldn’t put into words. And he was looking right at me, smirking when he caught me looking.
I was surprised to see the Queen wasn’t with him, but my heart jumped in my chest when Bruno walked in a moment later. He was wearing a matching tux, just like Olivier’s. Excitement flowed through my veins at the sight.
We were all shown to our places. I was sitting to Olivier’s right-hand side while Bruno was on the left. I knew it was a good seat, and if I hadn’t, the other women’s jealous looks would have told me as much.
I sat down on my chair when the toy vibrated faintly yet again, and I let out the smallest of moans. I glanced around the table, making sure no one had heard. Olivier gave me a knowing smile.