“OUR RELATIONSHIP with the other countries hasn’t been holding up.” “I understand, your majesty,” I replied. “Then you know that we don’t have the best army. An ally helping us would improve our military status.” I nodded, looking down. “Yes, I know.” “Then you know how much we need this marriage,” King Vigilius said, eyebrows raised. “Yes, your majesty,” I admitted. “Very well. You are to pack your things and go tomorrow morning. You are dismissed.” That was all he wanted to tell me? I thought. I could have been— I stopped in the middle of that hope. I couldn’t have. I don’t want to get Louie in trouble. “Yes, your majesty.” “Where’s the prince?” I asked Louie’s bodyguard. I had taken everything I had brought to the palace except my grandmother’s watch. That, I would be giving to Louie in case anything happened. “He’s in his room, not to be disturbed,” he grunted. “Can you give him this?” I showed him the pocket watch I had wrapped in my handkerchief. He thought for a moment, then grunted, holding out his hand as though he were annoyed. I took that as a “yes,” placing it in his hand. I thanked him and left. I’m never going to be able to see him again, I thought. Unless I accept the king’s offer of marriage to a noble, I’m not going to be allowed anywhere near the palace. I shook the tears out of my eyes. It doesn’t matter what was in the past now. You can stay an old maid if you have to. “Are you leaving?” Princess Alexandra said, coming up to me. “Yes, I’ve been ordered out.” “Figures,” she mumbled, “Prince Vigilius and I were just about to help you two.” “How? I’m sorry, your highness, but it’ll be hard to do that. The king is set on having me out.” “First, call me Allie. It gets on my nerves when my friends call me ‘your highness’. Second, you’ll just have to see.” She winked. I shook my head in despair. “Whatever you two are scheming, it’s not going to work. King Vigilius is set on kicking me out!” I laughed nervously. “You’re starting to sound like my father. Too cowardly to face your mistakes.” I took a deep breath, trying to avoid an argument. “I guess so. What are you planning? I want to know.” “Would you really like to know?” I made a face. Didn’t I just say I did? “Yes. Louie is my—” I choked up, unable to say it. “Beau?” I nodded. “I’d like to know how it’s going to play out.” Allie sucked a breath in through her teeth. “Alright. Meet me at my chaimbers at eleven fourty. Second floor, first door.” “Allie?” I whispered. “I’m here.” “Good. Follow me,” she said, coming out from behind her door. “Where are we going?” I asked. “Shh! The theater room. Stay in the back. Someone else is going to be there. I don’t want you to know in case someone asks for him in a way you’ll have to tell them.” “Louie?” She gave a sly smile. “I can neither confirm nor deny. We’re here. Sit in the back and keep your head down,” she ordered. “Alright,” Fifteen minutes later, a figure came through the door. “Alexandra?” Louie. I wanted to stand and call his name, but resisted. “Come here!” she called. “I have evidence for you.” Looking up, I saw a projector sitting on a table facing a white screen. Allie fiddled with the reel for a minute, and it started. “How do I stay in the castle?” I asked when it was over and Louie had left. “I’m still figuring that out. Go find a uniform.” I nodded, took a deep breath, and obliged. I walked the maze of halls until I entered the kitchen. The rickety wooden hatch leading to the dungeons was open. I concluded someone must be down there, and left it open. The table I had found a uniform on before was now filled with fruits and vegetables of all kinds. The red tomatoes were at the peak of being ripe, the perfect shade of red. The bunches of bananas sitting on the table didn’t have a spot of brown on them. There were dozens of varieties of apples, plums, peaches, and potatoes all piled onto the table. My mouth watered. If only the food at WWP were this good… I shook myself out of it. Where are those uniforms? Sucking a long breath in, I left the kitchen. If I were a uniform, where would I be? I pulled a door open, stepping through. The darkness inside was surprising, taking several minutes for my eyes to adjust. I stuffed my hand into my pocket and pulled out the candle and match I had placed there earlier that morning.
The poor girl. One last hill to get over, though. Goo-bye. Nutin to say, actually. -OreO
