by Kelly Blount
“Oh, of course!” Clapping again, Charleton appeared within a matter of seconds.
“Yes, my lady?”
“Charleton, please prepare the guest rooms, our company will be staying with us tonight.”
“Consider it done, Lady Gwendolyn,” he replied.
Gwendolyn sighed contently. “Ryder, seeing as you arrived with only a small pack, shall I see if I can find something for you to wear? I think you may be the same size as my son.”
“Yes, I would be ever so grateful,” replied Ryder.
“I will see to it first thing in the morning. I assume you’re all tired from your adventures? You look as though you could stand a bath and a good night’s sleep,” said Gwendolyn.
Everyone exchanged looks then nodded in agreement.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but Pidifer, I can smell you from here,” said Lant joked, grinning broadly.
Like clockwork, Gwendolyn clapped her hands and Charleton instantly stepped into the room.
How does he get here so fast?
“Ah, Charleton, are the rooms ready?” asked Gwendolyn.
Ryder watched the two interact. Gwendolyn’s chubby arms moved as she talked and her extra chin wobbled as she spoke to the peculiar looking man. He’s so tall, Ryder thought to himself. Charleton was easily seven feet tall with a severe bend in his back, yet he moved around with ease, showing no signs of distress or pain.
Gwendolyn leaned close to Charleton and whispered something Ryder couldn’t make out. Then he turned and left the room as quickly as he had appeared.
“This way, please,” said Gwendolyn, her arms jiggling as she waved for Ryder and his companions to follow.
They walked up two flights of stairs, past antiquities, strange sculptures, and countless rooms.
Gwendolyn abruptly stopped in front of a large wooden door. “Here you are,” she said as she swung open a heavy wooden door.
Ryder’s eyes widened. This place is massive! The room held six beds with matching dressers and a large ornately carved mirror stood in the corner.
“The accommodations are amazing, as always,” said Pidifer.
Gwendolyn smiled. “I’m pleased that you’re pleased! Now good night, everyone! I shall see you in the morning!”
Ryder was the first to wake up. The rising sun dimly lit the room and the air was chilly.
Shrugging off his covers, he slipped out of bed as quietly as possible, hoping not to wake the others.
Brrrr! The floor was freezing! I wonder if there are any socks in the dresser?
He attempted to open the first of three drawers as quietly as possible. Thank goodness! Ryder pulled out a pair of heavy charcoal grey wool socks. Hmmm, I wonder if there’s anything else in here? Pulling open the second and third drawers, Ryder found a warm sweater to throw on over his clothes.
As he slipped out the bedroom door, he could hear Albie snoring and the rhythmic breathing of the orvbas. Stepping into the hallway, he looked both ways, before a heavy hand landed on his right shoulder.
Oh crap!
Out of instinct, Ryder reached for his sword, but quickly realized it wasn’t there. He had left it in the room. What am I going to do?
Ryder turned around with such force that he knocked the hand off his shoulder along with the body that it belonged to.
“What do you want?” he hissed.
Before the person could respond, Ryder felt his heart sink and his cheeks turn red. Charleton was lying on the floor, struggling to get up.
“Oh no! Charleton, I’m so sorry!” said Ryder as he reached down to help the old man off the floor.
“Pretty quick reflexes, son.”
“I’m so sorry, I thought you were attacking me! I’ve been really stressed out lately and I guess I’m just a little extra jumpy. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be just fine. These old bones have seen much worse,” chuckled the old man. “Since you’re up, would you like to visit with Lady Gwendolyn? I believe she has something for you to wear tonight.”
“Yes, thank you, and again, I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s fine, dear boy, better to be safe than sorry these days,” Charleton replied.
Saying nothing further, Charleton escorted Ryder to Lady Gwendolyn’s personal sitting room.
He knocked lightly on the door four times and waited for a reply.
“Come in,” rang Gwendolyn’s voice.
Wow, I didn’t think it was possible to sound so cheery this early in the morning.
Charleton opened the door and motioned for Ryder to enter.
“Lady Gwendolyn, Ryder is here to try on a suit for the ball tonight.”
“Thank you, Charleton. You may be dismissed.” Gwendolyn looked at Ryder. “You’re up early.”
“I guess I was just anxious about today.”
“That’s understandable, dear boy. Now, how about this? Will this fit?” she asked, holding up a black tuxedo with bright red trim and a white dress shirt.
“Ah, yeah, probably.”
“Here, take it into the next room and try it on.”
Gwendolyn thrust the clothing into his arms and added a pair of black dress shoes that shined brightly.
Changing into the clothing felt funny. Ryder had always worn simple, yet comfortable, clothing that blended in with nature, not flashy tuxedoes and pressed white shirts.
Without looking at himself, he turned around and pushed back through the door.
“Oooh! You look absolutely marvelous!” cooed Gwendolyn.
The rest of the morning passed by in a blur, and before Ryder knew it, they were waiting in line to be greeted by the King.
When it was finally their turn, the King smiled warmly. “Ah, Lady Gwendolyn. How lovely to see you here!”
Curtsying, then rising, Gwendolyn said, “My grace, the pleasure is all mine. Please allow me to introduce my father’s sister’s nephew, Royce.”
The King nodded at Ryder. “Are you married, son?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
The King laughed heartily and slapped his legs. “Well then, there are plenty of beautiful girls here tonight. Make sure you don’t leave without one of them by your side or in your bed! Ah ha ha ha!”
Plastering a smile on his face, Ryder thought, the only girl I care about is pretending to be your daughter right now and I’m certainly planning on leaving with her by my side!
Ryder bowed before the King, then said, “I’ll do my very best, Your Majesty.”
After paying their respects, Gwendolyn and Ryder entered the massive ballroom through two thick wooden doors that reached from the floor to the ceiling.
Whimsical notes and heavenly scents floated through the air. A dainty creature plucked the delicate strings on a large golden harp in the middle of the room.
Waiters wearing black pants and pressed white shirts milled around the room carrying large trays with mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres and brightly colored drinks.
Gwendolyn’s plump hand flew to her mouth and she gasped. “Oh, isn’t it just marvelous?”
Ryder’s eyes widened and he could actually feel goose bumps popping up on his arms. He had never seen anything so grand in his entire life. “It’s amazing.”
Grabbing his arm and stepping in close to him, Gwendolyn whispered, “She isn’t in here yet. They will probably have a grand entrance after the guests have arrived. You probably have less than an hour to find Brooklyn and the others, escape the castle, and get out of Necoh.”
Ryder nodded and kissed a chubby cheek. “Thank you, Gwendolyn, for everything you’ve done.”
Slipping through the crowd, Ryder looked for a safe way out of the ballroom.
Shit! There are guards at every door. How am I going to get out?
Suddenly, an idea hit him. He slipped into the corner, took off his tuxedo coat, and threw it under a nearby table. His eyes scanned the ballroom for a nearby waiter carrying a tray. As soon as he saw one, he rushed up to the waiter and said,
“The chef needs you right away!”
A look of panic swept across the man’s face. “What?”
“You are Coban, aren’t you?” asked Ryder.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the man said, “No, I’m Jasta.”
“Oh, well then, you better hurry, he’s been looking for you all night!”
Shoving his tray into Ryder’s arms, the worried waiter ran toward the kitchen and sprinted through the open doors.
Poor guy. So gullible!
Donning a fake smile, Ryder held up the tray carrying an assortment of delicious appetizers and made his way toward a side door, flanked by two armored guards.
“Excuse me, please,” said Ryder.
“Where do you think you’re going?” demanded one of the guards.
“The King requested that someone bring Princess Sophie something to eat.”
“I didn’t hear anything about that!” said the other guard.
“Okay, well why don’t you two go get in line and wait to be greeted by the King. Then you can explain to him why his daughter is still waiting in her room, starving to death, because you two imbeciles didn’t believe me!”
“Um, well, ah…” one of the guards stammered.
“Are you sure you’re telling us the truth?” asked the second guard.
“Of course, now please let me pass before the food goes cold!” said Ryder.
Before they could say anything further, Ryder pushed past them and headed out of the ballroom and into a busy hallway.
In front of him, two maids were frantically attempting to scrub a stain off a white piece of fabric. To his left, someone was arranging vases of fresh flowers.
“Pardon me, which way to the Princess?” asked Ryder.
No one even looked his way.
“Excuse me! King’s orders! Now where is the Princess? I’ve been ordered to bring her food!”
One of the young girls scrubbing the carpet glanced up.
Ryder froze.
“I’ll show you,” she replied.
He followed the girl out of the hallway and up a staircase. As soon as they were alone, he whispered, “Brianna, is that you?”
Chapter Fifteen
BROOKLYN’S HEART POUNDED IN HER chest. “I said, I’m not doing anything until someone tells me what the hell is going on!”
“Princess, this isn’t the way you were supposed to find out,” said Lenora.
“If you weren’t so damn nosy, it wouldn’t matter!” snapped Adeline.
Lenora placed a comforting hand on Brooklyn’s shoulder. “Sit down, dear. Adeline, go fetch her a glass of water.”
Adeline spun on her heel and stormed out of the room.
“Please, Lenora. Please tell me what’s going on,” Brooklyn pleaded.
“Sweetheart, your father, the King, has decided it’s best if you marry Prince Algid. It what’s best for the two kingdoms.”
“Prince who?”
“Prince Algid from Dratun, the Frozen Lands. His father is a formidable ally to our kingdom and to ensure that peace continues, your father feels it would be best for you two to marry.”
“But I just returned! Why would he want to marry me off so suddenly? Plus, I’m too young!”
“I’m so sorry,” said Lenora shaking her head. “The King, well, let’s just say he has a particularly influential advisor who feels that it would be best.”
“Oh really? Any chance this advisor is Grishma?”
Lenora gasped loudly. “Child, how is it that you don’t remember anything, yet you know of Grishma?”
Uh oh! Over share!
Before she could respond, the door opened and Adeline walked in with a glass and a small pitcher filled with a cloudy, lemon colored water.
With a terse expression on her face, she poured a glass and handed it to Brooklyn. “Here you are, Princess.”
Looking Adeline straight in the eyes, Brooklyn asked, “Why are you being so bitchy?”
Putting one hand on her hip and pointing another in Brooklyn’s face, she shouted, “Because I know you aren’t Princess Sophie! You’re a fake!”
Lenora looked absolutely shell shocked. “Bite your tongue, Adeline, or be gone to the dungeons!”
Brooklyn’s jaw dropped and she could feel her heart thumping wildly in her chest. Okay, remain calm. You can fix this. She took a deep breath and a big gulp from the heavy crystal glass Adeline had handed her moments ago.
“I can explain everything.” She looked at Lenora first, then Adeline. “It’s… it’s just that… I fell into a bumblebee and then the kitten purred. I couldn’t possibly be a burglar. It’s the jack hole’s fault,” slurred Brooklyn.
“What are you talking about? Are you okay, Princess Sophie?” asked Lenora.
Before she could sputter one more ounce of nonsense, her vision blurred and the room began to spin.
“There, there, Princess Sophie,” Adeline purred with a wicked grin on her face.
“Hand me the hot rods, I need to curl one last section of her hair.”
“I think her makeup is done. What do you think, Mora?”
“She needs more sparkle! This is her wedding, after all. She’s supposed to glow with happiness!”
“Glow with happiness? Ha! She doesn’t even know there’s going to be a wedding!”
“Yes, she does. Pinga let it slip. She has such a big mouth!”
Brooklyn’s eyelashes fluttered. “Where am I?”
“She’s awake! Quick, give me the last dose!”
Brooklyn felt a slight prick on her shoulder and everything went black again.
“Princess Sophie, it’s time to wake up.”
Her head felt cloudy and her arm ached.
“Who are you? What did you call me?” she asked.
A pretty young woman with auburn hair and emerald green eyes gazed at her and smiled. “It’s me, your best friend, Adeline, and I called you Princess Sophie, silly! Now come on, it’s time to get married!”
Shaking her head, Sophie said, “Oh, right, sorry, I was just confused for a minute.”
“I managed to sneak a peek at Prince Algid! He looks so handsome!” Adeline squealed. “You’re so lucky! Your father and Grishma picked out the best looking prince in all of Necoh!”
“Oh? Wow, yeah, I guess I am,” replied Sophie.
“Snap out of it, silly!” replied Adeline.
Just then, someone knocked at the door and Adeline rose to answer it.
“Um, I’m here to bring some food to Princess Sophie,” said a voice from behind the door.
“Please come in. You can set the food over there,” said Adeline.
A waiter came in holding a tray full of delicate appetizers that made her mouth water.
“Mmmm, smells delicious!” said Sophie.
The waiter set the tray down per Adeline’s instructions and then stared at the Princess intently.
“Do I know you?” she asked.
“I suppose not,” replied the strikingly handsome waiter. “Oh, before I leave, here is a message from Prince Algid. He wanted you to read it before the wedding.”
Sophie accepted a thick folded piece of white parchment. “Thank you.”
He bowed and kissed her hand lightly. “It’s my pleasure,” he replied.
After he exited the room, the Princess giggled. “I hope Prince Algid looks like that waiter!”
Adeline smiled. “He was really cute, wasn’t he?”
“Totally gorgeous! I love guys with dark hair and green eyes!”
“Anyway, enough with the help! Let’s read your letter from Prince Algid!”
Sophie grinned and unfolded the paper.
Brooklyn,
I haven’t much time. Please know I have been trying to find you since Grishma took you! I’m so sorry! Tonight, before the wedding, please meet me in the royal gardens. I have a way for us to escape!
Ryder
“Um, I think that waiter gave me the wrong letter,” said Sophie.
“What do you m
ean?” asked Adeline.
“Well, it definitely isn’t from Prince Algid and it definitely wasn’t meant for me! Here, look,” she said, and handed Adeline the letter.
“What a fool! He must have mixed up the letters!” said Adeline. “Excuse me for just a minute.”
Sophie simply shrugged and fixed herself a small plate of hors d’oeuvres.
A few minutes later, Adeline returned without the letter.
“So what happened?” asked Sophie.
“Oh, just a silly mix up. Everything is fine now and here’s the letter you were meant to get from Prince Algid,” said Adeline with a devilish smile.
“Ooh! Let me read it!”
Sophie unfolded the second letter and immediately began to giggle.
Dearest Princess Sophie,
Although we do not know one another yet, word of your beauty and kindness has travelled to Dratun. I am honored to become your wedded husband and I hope to become your best friend, lover, and confidant.
Forever Yours,
Prince Algid
“He already loves you!” squealed Adeline.
Her cheeks turned red and she reread the letter. “He really sounds wonderful, doesn’t he?”
“Absolutely! Now finish your food so we can get you into your wedding gown!”
Sophie looked at herself one last time in the full-length mirror. The dress Lenora had designed was magnificent and truly fit for a royal wedding. Wow, I look stunning!
“Are you ready?” asked Adeline. She was dressed in a simple, yet beautiful, indigo silk dress.
“I think so,” replied Sophie. “But I’m really nervous!”
“Just think of the letter he wrote you! He can’t wait to marry you!” encouraged Adeline. “Now come on, you can’t be late to your own wedding!”
Adeline and three others helped Sophie out of the room while two little girls in white dresses held up the train in the back.
Walking through the hallways felt strange, as if she were experiencing déjà vu. Everything felt familiar, but still a bit foreign.