I CAME ACROSS Peter and Hana again. After my very friendly argument with Braden, I couldn’t get his words out of my head. “Then you don’ deserve her,'' he had said. I had stormed straight out of the room, still feeling angry resentment towards him and Peter. I walked all the way to Vigilius town until my steam had blown off. I had been there on various occasions, most for matters of state. Many secret meetings had been held there. Two years ago, when the war beween us and Gaeilge had gone on, we had decided that it would be better if we met further North — in the direction of our once allies — then the capital of Kemar, Thrapmeon, which was closer to the dense forest separating us from Gaeilge I knew the city like the back of my hand. I didn’t want to raise any suspicions with my disguise and whatnot, so I acted as though I had never been there. Forcing my eyes wide open to give a look of confusion and bewilderment at how large the town was. I didn’t know why my mind was so eager for a distraction to take it off Hana. Walking down the dirt road, the cool spring breeze playing with my matted, overgrown hair, the warm spring sun playing tricks with the temperature, made me want to get outside more. Not just in the courtyard, but really out-of-doors. If only the sunshine didn’t always make me think of Hana! If only the stupid thought that that stupid Peter would be with Hana for ever would go away! Hana didn’t need that jerk! This had been a moment of reflection for myself. Just thinking about how amazingly perfect Hana was, and how utterly ill—mannered I had been in the past made my thoughts go crazy. Have I been a jerk? Yes, yes you have. “Then you don’ deserve her,'' Braden's voice said in my head. Over, and over, and over again. How do I become deserving of Hana? I was in hysterics. Braden! Why did he always have to ruin everything? I can lead my own life. Princes are very capable of handling themselves. You don’t, a nagging voice in my head said. She already has someone. But why does she have to have someone who is a jerk?! I didn’t know the answer to this question, so I didn’t answer myself. How do you make her see how idiotic that numbskull is? Insult him, some rebellious part of me said. No, Hana would only think less of me. That’s true… Why was I having this conversation with myself? Because some pinheaded buffoon decided he loved Hana, and got in my way. “That simpleton! He doesn’t know he’s dealing with a prince!” I muttered to myself. Fairly soon, the tall stone entrance appeared. I stood there for a few seconds, staring at the gaping iron gates, wondering what possibly could have led Peter to Hana in circumstances like these. I gulped, hoping no one would recognize me from the poster, and pushed the gate open. “Just breathe,” I reminded myself, panting I walked down the main street, shuddering at the terrible memories it brought me. I was only sixteen at the time. At war with the Gaeilans, we couldn’t ever hold council meetings in the palace, or in Thrapmeon, which was being bombed. After a treaty was made bonding us and Simrieg, Gaeilage had revolted against them, and declared war. I didn’t know what the treaty entailed, but any treaty is better than no treaty at all. As long as my parents knew, everything would be fine. I had snuck out of the palace late at night after rudely not being invited to a secret council meeting. That was my first exposure to extreme physical exercise. I caught up to the carriage eventually, panting. I climbed onto the back, being careful not to make any noise. My feet dragged on the graveled road, making loud scraping sounds as I frantically tried to pull myself into the carriage. “Stop,” the person inside said. It oddly didn’t sound like my father. “I heard something.” The driver slowed, and the person stepped out. General Lambert walked out and turned towards the back of the carriage. I held my breath, knowing what would happen if Lambert found out. He walked straight past me. I slowly let my breath out, and closed my eyes. “Prince Vigilius,” he warned, leaning in to examine the back of the carriage. “General,” I said, coming out. I held my head high in case he dared to defy me. His eyebrows furrowed. “You aren’t supposed to be here.” “I was supposed to be invited,” I said innocently. “But for some reason someone didn’t invite me.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “You think the world is at your feet,” Lambert spat. “It is,” I shuddered at how rude I had been to General Lambert as I pushed the memory out of my mind, and onto the town I was in now. The houses on the main street were old. The stones were cracking, and ivy climbed up the sides. It gave each house a cozy yet spooky look.
Read ^ first! -------------------------------------------------------------------- The afternoon air was cool. I looked up at the clock on a nearby tower. It was only 3:42. My stomach groaned thinking of the wonderful foods that could possibly be inside the shops on either side of me. I caught a whiff of spaghetti sauce. My feet followed my nose, pushing my way through the tight crowd. “Halt!” someone yelled behind me. I turned to find — the now bald — General Lambert running up to me. I yelped and sprinted through the thick crowd, weaving my way around mobs of people, also beginning to recognize me. Sprinting to the sweet rhythm of the delicious smell, coming in wafts through my nostrils, I continued to follow my nose to the source of the food. I found myself once again in the restaurant of Haleina’s. I ducked through the double-doors, hoping General Lambert didn’t see me. Soft music played from a gramophone in the corner. The contraption was still foreign to me, only just coming from Simrieg as a gift. Hana and Peter were there, standing very close together. I stayed put. If they wanted to talk to me, they’d do so. Hana motioned to the table and said something. Peter laughed and sat down. My heart throbbed with jealousy at how much fun they looked like they were having. I muttered horrible words, and wildly glanced around for something to kick. “What are you doing out here?” someone said, grabbing me harshly by the shoulders. “No. You should be in the kitchen!” “But I’m—” “No buts. If you were on break, you wouldn’t be in here right now.” “But I don’t work here!” “You have the uniform, don’t you?” the person said, gesturing at my outfit. I looked at him slyly. “And who might you be?” “I am Dontrell Ulysses Haleina II, the manager of this fine eatery, as though you had not known before. Who might you be, young man?” “I,” I spat. “I am Elbert Javernick, and I work at Wildwood Preparation.” it took all my might not to just give my identity away. “Then why do you have my servants’ uniform?” he sneered. I glanced at my attire, and at the servant who was conveniently standing about eight paces away from us. They did indeed match. Flames shot up my neck, giving my face more color than I was used to. He nodded. “That’s what I thought,” he tipped his nose up in the air, and continued. “I expect you to be at your duty stations with no further delay.” “But I—” “I told you, no buts.” I could not have said anything more, the matter was closed. He shoved me into the kitchen despite my previous protests. “And… I’m stuck in here.” I muttered once I was pushed through the swinging doors. They continued swinging once I was safely on the checkered tile that was the kitchen. A cook gave me a small piece of parchment paper with four words scribbled on it. “Peach puffs & tapioca pudding.” I groaned in exasperation. I didn’t know how to make this stuff! “If you don’t know how to make these, the recipe’s in the back.” the cook gruffed, pointing to a tall cabinet. I groaned and started the trek to the cabinet. “If you don’t want to make these, maybe you should GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!” he bellowed. I didn’t take a second glance behind me. I sprinted out of the kitchen, and out of Haleina’s. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh. My. Goodness. I have 99 pages in this book. This is... crazy. I'm dying on this side of the screen/world. This is so amazing, I'm extremely excited to start draft two (in... a long time yet :P). AAAAAAAH! I told you, there were many things revealed in this chapter. M, if you want some more reveals, they're all in the comments in the document. MAAAANY things revealed there. So many... The rest of ya will just have to wait until the chapters come out. Sorry! -Oreo ACLDSFL:SDFJ:SDFJ:SDJF WE'RE SO CLOSE TO 20 CHAPTERS!!!! Things revealed down below.... mainly names :P Princess Maeryn Pritchard is an important character who will be introduced later on >:)
