I WANT to make a move, but I can’t. The halfwit Peter is always with her whenever she has free time. I really hoped that she hadn’t said a thing about how I was still there, especially in front of Peter. I suddenly heard a knock at my door. Pausing my nervous pacing, I went to open it. Zarola was standing there, tears welling in her eyes. I raised my eyebrows at this sudden appearance. “Where’s Braden?” she demanded. “Uh… Doing me a favor.” I answered. “What favor?” I glanced around the hall, and let her come in. “I… I can’t tell you.” “You told Braden, didn’t you?” “Well… yes, but he’s the one doing me the favor.” Zarola sighed. “Just tell me!” I nodded, unable to get my words out. “Well, come on!” I cautiously pulled out my ring, whispering as I placed it into her outstretched hand. “I’m the prince,” Her eyes widened, and she hurriedly placed the ring back in my hand. “P-prince Vigilius?” I nodded. “Prince,” she said, bending down in a curtsy. “What brings you to this school dressed as a servant?” “Please rise,” she did. “I forbid you to act like that around me.” She straightened and tried to relax. “What did you ask of Braden?” I panicked. Zarola wasn’t going to like this. And just like that, I told her the whole story. Why I was here, about Peter pretending to be me, and what a jerk he was. When I finished, she just stood there, horror-stricken. I coughed nervously, waiting for a response. “Wow… all this trouble, just for Hana?” I nodded timidly. “Yes,” I whispered. She smirked. “We’re going to have to show Peter our wrath.” I smiled smugly, mapping it out in my head. “It is a shame, though.” she said. “You and Hana would have made a perfect pair if it weren’t for that Peter.” she spat. I nodded. “What are we going to do after they find out they have an imposter?” I shrugged. I hadn’t planned that far― “That’s… a good question.” “Ugh!” she groaned. “You really need to sort out your priorities!” I shrugged again. “Fine, what do we know?” “Peter’s a jerk,” I offered. “Yes… other than that. What do we know about him?” “First of all, I haven’t given you permission to help yet. Second, nothing.” “Well you should give me permission!” she snapped. “My beau is helping you― putting his life on the line. I want to help too.” I rolled my eyes. “Alright, you can help. What do you know about this whole… situation?” “Well, I know that the prince is getting married to the Simrieg princess next week―” “WHAT?” I interrupted her, thoughts bouncing in all different directions. “You didn’t know that?” “NO! I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW SIMRIEG HAD A PRINCESS!” “Your parents need to tell you this stuff―” “YES THEY DO! IT DOESN’T AFFECT ANYONE MORE THAN IT AFFECTS ME!” I stormed out of the room, clunking to the kitchen to sort my thoughts out, figuring Zarola would let herself out. “Poppe’,” Fiona said when I was inside the kitchen. “Wha’s wrong?” I rolled my eyes, ignoring her, the ‘Poppet’ really nagging at my thoughts. “Poppe’?” she persisted. “WHAT?” I yelled at her. She was taken aback. “Poppe’, wha’s wrong?” “Nothing,” I answered contemptuously, setting myself in front of the oven to watch the bread that happened to be baking. “Are yeh sure?” I nodded. “Quite,” She looked as though she was questioning my statement, but went back to her work. “I’s okay if yeh don’ wan’ to tell me,” “My parents don’t tell me anything.” I muttered, a single tear rolling down my cheek. “I’m sorry ‘bout tha’ poppe’,” “It’s not your fault,” I answered. She bent down next to me, and placed an arm around my shoulder. “Maybe they’re just tryin’ to protect yeh.” “I doubt it,” Fiona shook her head. “I gotta get back to my nighttime duties,” she stood. “Yeh’d better get some sleep.” I nodded, and went back up the stairs to my room. The next Monday was when I had decided to make my move. Braden had been playing me for a total of five days. I hardly gave a thought to him, however. He’s fine! I assured myself whenever he would come up in my thoughts. I went into the hall, figuring I’d do my chores, and get away from those thoughts. Just before I walked through the door, I saw Peter emerge from his room, a smug look on his face. I decided once again to wait in my room for a few seconds before following him. He went down the stairs, pausing before raising the drawbridge gate, and walking through the door. I remained hidden behind the door until I heard his carriage start to go off, then proceeded to follow it. It oddly went all the way to my castle, where I hesitated before following it further through the stone arch in the wall surrounding the grounds, and over the drawgate bridge. Peter was greeted at the door by soldiers, who grabbed him roughly by the shoulders. Protesting, he was dragged into the castle. Surprisingly, another figure came out of the carriage. I guessed it was Kieser. My stomach writhed as he, too, was pulled into the castle. My move would just have to wait.
I'mma just say: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I'm so not caught up rn- I'm really writing chapter 30 rn. I NEEEEEED TO GET CAUGHT UP WITH THIS. 143 pages! And counting! HAPPY DAY I GOT RECOMMENDED FOR ALL THE HONORS CLASSESSSSSSSS!!!! OH. MY. GOSH. NEXT YEAR, IMMA BE SUPER BUSY. Ignore the notes from c1, I just needa get through this. -OREO
