“I’M HOME, Mother!” I called in the doorway. “Psst!” I heard from below me. “Fidelity?” “Hana!” she whispered back, “get down here!” “Where are you?” I heard a screech, and the door opened. I yelped. She laughed. “Got you!” “What’s with you and this good mood?” She overlooked my comment. “Did you get the telegram from Mother?” Her face fell as she said this. “Yes.” “Good. So you know why we’re hiding?” “Yes,” I repeated. She nodded. “Where are Sammy and Tammy?” “They’re under here too… as well as Freddie,” she said, blushing. “Go back down, I’m coming.” Fidelity nodded, sinking back into the underground cellar. I stepped down the ladder into the safehouse that was required in all of the Kemarian houses in case of war or a weather emergency, which were both very rare. “Hana!” Mother said. She took a step towards me, her hand over her heart. “Is that my baby girl?” “Not so small anymore,” I said, grinning, holding my arms out. She ran the few steps toward me, folding me in the largest hug I’ve ever been in. Tears pricked my eyes. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her. “Where’s Father?” I asked. “Father was invited to the prince’s betrothal ball. Being the royal cobbler, he got an invitation,” Mother said, holding me out at arm’s length. “It’s not for another three days so he’s working on the prince’s shoes.” “The prince?” I said, hand flying to my mouth to cover how much my voice had cracked. “Yes. the prince! Who else rich enough would hold a party for their betrothed?” The tears that once pricked my eyes now flowed freely. “Hana, what’s wrong?” “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I cried. I love the prince! I screamed in my head. Fidelity strode towards me. “Who are you, and what have you done with my strong little sister?” The corners of my mouth twitched in a smile. “I’m still here,” I said as calmly as I could muster. She nodded. “I’d also like to introduce you to Freddie.” A tall figure stepped out of the shadows and into the dim light of the candle. I couldn’t quite make out the color of his eyes or hair; it was too dark. He smiled. “I’m Freddie, nice to meet you,” he said, reaching out a hand for me to shake. I took it, sniffing. “I’m Hana.” “I thought so,” he grinned. “What happened to you and that Peter character you were supposedly with? Did you do anything?” “He uh…” I trailed off. “Come on! Lighten up! You can tell us!” “He’s already betrothed already,” I said quietly. Freddie’s eyes widened. “And he still played it down for you?” “I guess.” “Who’s engaged to?” Fidelity intervened. I shrugged. “He didn’t say. One of the princesses of another country, I guess.” “Is that so?” Mother asked. “And here I was, thinking he carried a torch for you.” “I know,” I gulped. “Do you have someone else in mind?” Fidelity winked as she said this. “I don’t know,” I lied, voice cracking as my stomach turned into a knot. I heard the squeal of the front door being opened. “Father?” I mouthed. Mother nodded. “He’s been coming home early so he doesn’t have to worry about being ambushed.” “Ah.” The cellar door opened, and shoes were thrown in. Retreating down the metal rungs was Father. “Quick! Blow out the candle!” Fidelity ordered. “Get behind me!” Mother whispered as Father was just entering. I knew her next line and didn’t argue. We’ll surprise him. “Evangelyn?” Father whispered. “Freddie? Fidelity?” “Father!” Fidelity said, running up to him. “Where’s your sister? Wasn’t she supposed to come home?” Fidelity’s face fell the best she could make it. “She wasn’t able to come home. With all the bombings, the school thought it would be best for her to stay in one, sheltered, place.” Sammy and Tammy’s cries filled the silence. “Edward!” Mother said, rushing forward from the darkness, into the small square of light left behind from the cellar door being open, leaving me vulnerable. Freddie relit the candle and climbed the metal ladder to close the doors. That’s when Father saw me. “Is that my Hana?” he said. His nose turned red, and he smiled, obviously trying to hold back tears. I smiled. “Father!” I flung my arms around his neck as I used to do when I was younger. “How was it?” he whispered. I thought my Mother’s welcome hug was big, but this topped it all. “Wildwood was great!” I exaggerated, “Peter came mid-year, and was my beau for a while.” “That’s great!” Father let go of me. I wished to be in his safe arms, away from harm, forever. “What do you mean ‘was’?” he questioned, coming to his senses. I took a deep breath before explaining myself all over again. “I understand, honey. It must have been a hard thing to get over.” “Yes, it was,” I whispered. There was a beat of silence, Mother having calmed the young toddlers.
Read ^ first!! --------------------------------------------------------------------- An idea formed in my head. Father is going to Louie’s ball. I need to go, to see him one last time before he’s forced to marry her. “Can I go with you to L— the prince’s ball?” I asked. It took all my willpower not to call him Louie in front of my parents. Mother looked from Father to Fidelity as though trying to make a decision. They looked to her as though it wasn’t their decision. “Alright, dear. But don’t stay later than midnight unless something happens and you have to stay.” “Thank you, Mother.” “You’re welcome, Hana Katelyn.” I smiled, my tears finally coming to an end. “Three days, right?” Mother didn’t respond, looking at Father to answer. “Yes, we will leave around ten tomorrow. Do you have anything suitable to wear?” I nodded. “I got it from my best friend Zarola.” Father nodded at mother. “Good.” I hugged him. “Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me.” After being touched up by Fidelity, Father and I departed, walking to the palace. I carried the shoes I had worn to the servant’s ball, instead opting to walk in my leather boots. The walk was boring and silent. I looked at my feet as I held my pale yellow skirts up just barely below my ankles so they wouldn’t get dirty. “The receiving line is on the left,” a young duke said to us as we walked in, “but it will be another while before you will be able to greet our future monarchs.” “Oh, thank you,” I remarked. “Would you like to dance?” he continued. I held my breath, looking at Father. He looked away, not wanting to interfere with me making my own decisions. Not right now. Now, I want to get to Louie. I gave a shallow curtsy. “Why not?” He took me onto the dance floor. His graceful dancing evened out my terrible dancing, making my mistakes look as though he meant to do it. “What’s your name?” I asked. “I am Duke Elbert Ouellette, the prince’s cousin.” “So you’re—” I stopped, not wanting to give myself away. So you’re the person Louie named himself after. I finished. “I’m who?” “Sorry. You just remind me of a good friend of mine,” I said quickly. The soldiers stormed in. I knew it! I thought. When I had overheard Louie telling his father that creepy people were there, I just knew it had to be the king and prince of Albannak. What did surprise me was that he grabbed Maeryn’s hand, pulling her out of the room. My questions of why were answered as the bullets started shooting, most of them at the ceiling. “LOUIE!” I screamed. I was on the other side of the room, having lost sight of him in the rubble falling from the ceiling. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi!! Sooooo... happy 200 pages................... Unless I already celebrated that with you. Because I've been at 200 for a while now.............. But. Ye. So................ M, I'll have a character named after you pretty soon. It might be your last name... or... wait... what's your middle name again? Idk anymoreeeeeeeeeeeeeee Also considering renaming the twins Michael and Michelle. >:) Unless (this person) prefers to be an older kid/person in my book, and if I already have a character named after them. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee -OREO Lol... I'm too lazy to delete a few things from wayyyyyyyyyy back at chapter 1. *Ignores all grammar suggestions because I'll edit everything AFTER I'm done with draft one.*
