by A. W. Cross
William waited on the outside, stargazing.
“Mother, are you here?” she asked, crossing the threshold from the kitchen to the living room.
“Who is there?” Mother called out from the bedroom.
Claire entered her parents’ bedroom.
“Who are you?” Mother squinted from the bed.
Claire hurried over. “It is me, Mother. Can’t you recognize me? I must look different dressed like this and with this makeup, but can’t you recognize my voice?”
Mother’s eyes grew wider. “Claire? You look like a princess. So beautiful and shiny in my dark, little room.”
“Flattering as always, Mom” Her eyes filled with tears. “I just wanted to see you and prove to you that I’m doing well.” Claire took her hand. “The prince and I are getting along and guess what?” She whispered in her mother’s ear, “He’s with me in disguise, waiting out front.”
Mother gasped. “He came with you? That has to mean something. I knew you were meant to be queen. My daughter and the prince of our kingdom.”
“Oh, Mother! I will tell you everything if you stop saying that. It makes me extra nervous,” Claire shared.
She told her mother about the palace and listened as the feeble woman recounted what happened in her own life. Both had shed a few tears when they finished talking, and Claire readied herself to leave.
“Goodbye, I promise to return.” Claire kissed her forehead.
“You will as queen,” Mother boasted. “Goodbye, my daughter.”
Claire went out to meet the prince. She searched for him and, to her surprise, wandering down a nearby path was a drunk Myka. Her friend was singing an old tune and chugging more alcohol in a bottle. Myka didn’t enjoy drinking.
“Be careful, Claire. That person seems a dangerous drunkard.” William blocked her.
“No, William. That’s Myka, my friend: He is harmless,” Claire explained. “He looks sad. May I talk to him?”
“Do you really need to?”
Claire looked behind the prince and nodded. “Please. He’s my best friend.”
“He’s going to ask you a lot of questions. How will you explain your presence here?”
“I’ll tell him that the prince allowed me to visit my family and you are my escort.”
“Fine. Go talk to your friend. I’ll be here if you need my help and he isn’t a gentleman with you.”
Claire grinned at him and place her hand over his white mask. “Myka is the kindest person I know. You don’t need to worry.”
“You’re the kindest person I know,” the prince said with a husky voice that made Claire grin wider.
Shivers ran up her spine with the closeness between them. Myka’s out of tune singing sounded closer and brought her back to reality.
“Wait here while I see what’s going on with my friend.” Claire brushed past William. “Myka! It’s me, Claire. What happened?”
Myka stopped. “Hi there, beautiful maiden! Want to hang out with a handsome lad tonight?”
Claire’s cheeks reddened. “No Myka, it’s me, Claire.”
“Claire?” Myka hid the bottle behind him. “I didn’t—” He squinted. “Is that really you?”
“Yes.” Claire hugged him despite the smell of alcohol. “I’ve missed you.”
Myka didn’t move. “Am I hallucinating? How much did I drink?”
“You’re not hallucinating, silly.” Claire stepped back to look at him. “Did something happen to you? Why are you drinking? Is auntie sick?”
“No, Mother is healthy.”
Claire frowned. “I saw you alone in the capital. Were you with Tanya? Is she still working for the wealthy family? Have you married? You haven’t been writing.”
Myka rubbed his elbow and looked at the ground. “I don’t know exactly what to write to you, Claire.”
“Mother hasn’t said anything about your marriage, either. Are you hiding something from me? Did you choose someone else to be your godmother?”
Myka took a sip of the bottle and chuckled. “Stop with the questions.”
“I’m sorry. I let myself carry away. I’ve missed you. I want to know everything about you.”
Myka hiccupped and chuckled again.
Claire frowned at his attitude.
“You look good. Life must be amazing at the palace, and that’s why you haven’t come back yet.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Woman are all the same. Flash them a bit of money, and they are all over you,” Myka accused.
“Myka, why are you saying all these things?” Claire tried to hold his arm.
He pushed her away. “If you have to know. I’m not marrying anymore. Tanya left me for a butler. He works for a rich family and promised her a better life. Happy?”
Claire raised her hands and covered her mouth. “I am so sorry, Myka. You must be devasted.” She moved closer to hug him.
“No one wants to marry the poor shoemaker,” Myka complained, pushing Claire away.
“Enough of this.” William walked up and secured Claire’s shoulders. He looked at Myka. “You better don’t do that again.”
“Who are you? Why are you touching my friend?” Myka questioned, pointing the bottle at him. “Take your paws from her.”
“Myka, calm down,” Claire asked, looking back at the prince and then at her friend.
The prince circled her and grabbed Myka’s bottle. “I think you had enough drinking for today. Just go home and sleep.”
“Give me back my bottle.” Myka lunged at the prince but ended up falling on the ground when William evaded him.
“William,” Claire protested. “Don’t hurt my friend.”
“I didn’t touch him,” the prince retorted.
Claire hurried to help Myka get up.
“I’m not feeling well,” Myka mumbled as his legs wobbled and he sat on the ground.
“Tell me where he lives, and I’ll take him home,” the prince proposed, leaning down to grab Myka’s arm.
Myka pushed the prince’s hand away. “Don’t touch me, noble bastard. I don’t want your kind to touch me. You’ll all the same, looking down on us and making fun of our struggles.”
“Myka.” Claire folded her arms, placing herself between the prince and her friend. “Stop insulting my friend.”
“I’m your friend, not him,” Myka slurred, pointing at himself and then at the prince. “I’m your best friend. You’re my only friend, Claire. I have no one to talk about what happened to me. Did you know that? You’ve been partying in the palace, and I’ve been here, suffering on my own.”
Claire crouched in front of Myka. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry that Tanya left you. But drinking won’t fix your problems. She didn’t deserve you if she cheated on you.”
“I know. I know. When are you coming back?”
“There’s still a few months left.”
“She’s not coming back,” the prince said, placing an arm around her shoulders.
Claire looked at the prince with widened eyes before removing the arm from around her shoulders. She smirked at Myka. “This is my escort from the palace. The prince let me visit my family, but I need to get back today.”
Myka nodded with a tired expression and waved away. “Go back to the palace then. Go make everybody happy by melting the heart of our royal monarch. If someone can do it, it’s you.”
“Yes, let’s get you back home,” the prince agreed, showing her his hand for her to hold.
Claire looked from the prince to Myka and then back to the prince. “Give me just a few more seconds.” She faced Myka. “Do you know where my father is?”
“He’s with my father playing cards at the tavern,” Myka replied. “They often do that now that there’s less work in the mines.”
“I really wanted to see him,” Claire said.
“I’ll tell him that you were here.”
“If you can remember anything that happened tomorrow morning,” the prince said.
> Myka smirked at him. “I’m perfectly able to hold my liquor, mysterious Claire’s new friend.” He tried to get up. “I’ll prove it to you by standing—” he fell back on the floor.
Prince William shortened the distance between them and offered him his hand. “Some women are just not worth our sorrow.”
Myka reluctantly accepted the prince’s hand and stood up. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Myka grabbed his hand harder and pulled him closer instead of letting go. “You take good care of my friend. Don’t let the prince take advantage of her. She’s innocent and just sees the good in people.”
“I’ll take good care of her.”
“Myka!” Claire protested.
Myka let go of the prince, twirled around, and grinned at her. “I’m good. I’m good. I’m going home now to sleep. I’m sleepy.”
Claire moved to grab him, but the prince grabbed her hand. “We need to go.”
“He probably doesn’t even know where home is,” Claire said.
“I know where it is. Third home on the left,” Myka assured. “Go back to the palace, Claire.” He put his hands on his hips. “And save our kingdom!”
Claire shook her head while smiling at his goofy face. “I’ll do my best.”
“Goodbye.” Myka waved.
“Stay sober,” Claire said before leaving with the prince.
18
Going to the capital had been fun. Seeing her mother made Claire happy. She was still upset for not being able to see her father. Knowing that they were living a good life, was enough to make her feel better about the time she had been away from them.
On the other hand, Myka’s situation left her worried. She wrote to him a few more times, but he didn’t write back. Claire’s happiness decreased, and she often sighed and thought about home.
Her absence mind didn’t go unnoticed to the prince. He tried to cheer her up and spend more time with her. Claire appreciated his preoccupation and care. She was also aware that her sadness might affect his recovery. Therefore, she tried to go for walks, talk about books they read, ice-skate on the lake, and select new plays for her and the fairies perform. The prince seemed pleased and often gave her presents to show his gratitude. Yet she couldn’t help thinking that the more she opened up to him, the more the prince hid from her. Not being allowed to enter his part of the palace without being requested was still a rule. From time to time, the fairies asked Claire to take food to the prince in the library. The corridor to the library had many closed doors and only one with a glass panel. This door seemed to give entry to an extraordinary garden made of crystal. She often peeked, but it was hard to see from the outside. The prince never invited her for a walk there. They usually walked outside and spent time in the common areas. That room was mysterious and forbidden. A bit like the library where he read, studied, and meditated. That part of his life was closed to Claire. He wasn’t ready to share.
With only one month for her to go back home, Claire wondered what more she needed to do for him to understand how she felt about him.
We are more than friends, aren’t we?
“Talking alone again?” Ming asked from the counter where she was seasoning the fish.
Claire looked at Ming. “I’m leaving in a month.”
“You’ve been saying that for the past week,” Kara said, flying past her and landing on the counter next to Ming. “That smells good.”
Claire stopped chopping the vegetables, grabbed a chair, and sat back. “What will happen to the prince once I’m sent away?”
Ming and Kara shared a look and then shrugged.
“Do you want to go back home?” Ming asked.
Claire folded her arms. “I have a family that needs me. A friend that’s depressed.”
“You could ask the prince to revisit your family,” Kara proposed. “Maybe even spend a couple a days before returning to the palace to live with us for a few more months.”
“Visiting isn’t the same than spending quality time with my mom and dad. They must miss me. I also miss my home even if it’s tiny and poor compared to this palace.”
“Do you want to go back home and never see the prince again? See us?” Kara asked, flying and hovering in front of Claire’s face. “Aren’t you going to miss me?”
Claire grinned. “Of course, I’m going to miss you. But the prince—”
“Yes?” Kara smiled.
“He doesn’t seem—” She pursed her lips. “My presence here can be replaced by someone else to keep him company in his strolls and to read to him.”
“Do you think so?” Ming asked from her spot.
“He’d rather spend his days in the library than with me,” Claire accused.
Ming giggled, and Kara flew back to her former spot.
“I believe Claire is feeling jealous of the library,” Kara teased.
“What if I am?” Claire countered.
“Then, you should cut a slice of cake, make some tea, and take it to the library where he’s meditating,” Kara replied.
Clara unfolded her arms and smirked. “That’s a great idea.”
“Yes. You should probably sit beside him and ask him if he wants you to stay,” Kara added.
Claire shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare. That would be embarrassing.”
“Being in love isn’t embarrassing,” Ming claimed.
“Who’s in love?” Claire asked, folding her arms again.
Kara and Ming giggled.
Following Ming and Kara’s advice, Claire prepared a tray with food and tea. She happily strolled her way down the corridor with her heart fluttering by the notion that she was going to see William for the first time that day.
As she turned to the prince’s aisle, she noticed that the door to the garden opened and the butler exited. That door was always locked, and she had no idea the butler had a key. Maybe he was there to clean. Not even the fairies were allowed in that part of the palace. Claire had asked them about it, and they clamped their little mouths and looked at each other with an alarmed expression.
Claire rushed past the prince’s bedroom and proceeded her way. She was going to ignore the open door to the garden, but her curiosity took the best of her.
Placing the tray on a table near the wall, she peeked inside the forbidden room.
Her mouth dropped with the variety of beautiful flowers that seemed made of crystal and glowed in the sunlight peeking from the skylight.
As she ventured farther, all the plants, including the trees and vines, looked formed from crystal. They were too beautiful to have been sculpted. Someone with such talent was beyond her dreams. Who would be able to make such perfect plants out of crystal? She continued to walk around, touching and wowing at the details.
The atmosphere suddenly changed, and the air became heavy with the cold when the statues came into sight. If not for the sun’s reflecting light, she might have mistaken them for real people. They were all female and tilted in different poses with one commonality—their lips puckered for an unanswered kiss.
Claire’s heart raced, unsure of what to think about the statues and their strange head angle.
Cold snaked around her arms and shoulders, and she hugged herself with the sudden drop of temperature.
“What are you doing in my garden?” the prince’s voice hissed.
Claire’s body shook with the startle. She slowly turned around, aware of her shameful act.
“I’m sorry for breaking the rules, William,” she apologized in a shaky voice.
The floor was covered in mist, and the prince’s eyes were glowing blue. He looked unpleased by her presence there.
With hands folded behind his back, he shouted, “You have no business being here. Can’t you respect my privacy?”
“I can, but … the door was open and …”
“You couldn’t resist the curiosity and had to take a peek?” he asked. “Are you happy now?”
Her voice shook. “Happy for what?”
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He pointed at the statues behind her. “You found them.”
Blinking rapidly, Claire questioned, “Did you make all this? The trees, the flowers … the statues. They look like statues yet seem so lifelike. Did you sculpt them yourself? Why is everything made of crystal? Why there aren’t real flowers here or outside in the gardens?”
“Why do you want to know?” the prince deflected. “Do you really believe I have to explain myself to you?”
“No.” She swallowed dry. “I’m just curious.”
“Yes. That’s your problem, Claire. You’re too curious.”
“What does that mean?”
“How did you open the door? Where did you find the key?”
Claire frowned and stepped back. “The door was open. I was bringing you something to eat and…”
He raised his hand for her to silence herself. “That’s impossible. This door is always closed.”
“No. I swear.”
“Silence.” His voice thundered inside the room. He rubbed his forehead with closed eyes. “What am I going to do with you now?”
“What do you mean?”
“You saw them, and your curiosity will only increase,” William claimed.
Claire looked back. “The statues? The girls in pretty dresses and pouting lips? Is that what you do in your spare time? You are extremely talented.”
William opened his piercing eyes and aimed them at Claire. “Do you really believe that these were made by a sculptor? Are you so naïve?”
“Aren’t they? Like the plants outside in the gardens.”
William shook his head. Then, tilting his head to the right, he added, “I made them. You are right. But not the way you think I did.”
Claire nibbled on her lip and looked at her shoes. “Can I go to my bedroom now? I didn’t mean to pry. I’m sorry if I made you mad.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me how I made them?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to know.”
“You’ve seen my powers. You’ve seen how I can manipulate water and ice.”
Claire nodded as tears prickled her eyes.