BEHIND THE door was a dusty room with a few simple cots lined up in a row. Each had thin cotton sheets that had evidence of mice. There was a washbasin in the far corner, holding nothing but cobwebs and growing bacteria. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust. I picked up my skirt, placing it over my mouth so the dust didn’t aggravate my lungs. How long ago was this room used? I thought. Inhaling a breath, I continued exploring the small room I had just entered. I guessed it was — or had been, rather — a servant’s room. I hoped a uniform would be hidden underneath the dust and grime coating the air and items in the room. I moved the top sheets off the first bed, uncovering more evidence of mice and a cloud of dust. I coughed it out. Who’s taking care of this place? I stuck my hand back into my pocket to make sure the matches hadn’t fallen out when I jerked the sheet off. When my fingers closed around something round, I eagerly pulled it out. The item almost fell out of my hand when I realized it was Louie’s ring. Tears formed in my eyes. I blinked them away, but it was to no avail. Slowly and silently, tears cascaded down my cheeks. He gave this to me. I remembered, smiling at the sweet memories it brought while I wept. I recalled the first time we had met that fateful day six months earlier. He had been so shy and unsure of himself. I didn't know he was the prince then. I didn’t even know Peter was really the prince of Albannak. How could I have been so foolish to “fall in love” with the prince of the enemy country? I thought to myself. A waterfall continued flowing down my face. What would have happened if he hadn’t shown his true colors? I wiped my eyes on my sleeve. How did Louie change from being a spoiled prince to… I didn’t finish the thought. Why did he give up his life to dress up as a servant? To meet you, part of me thought. He wouldn’t have done all of… that just for me. Yes, he would, I scolded, he loves you. I know, but… I sat back on the dusty cot, not realizing I had stood. Even more tears fell down my face as I didn’t finish the thought, knowing the answer. We aren’t going to be allowed. I gulped, my stinging throat relaxing slightly. Louie will find a way for us to be together. He promised. I heard the door creak. I had left it open, resulting in the draft coming from the hall to move it. I stood and closed it. Louie visited me… even when he was still recovering, I thought, sitting back down. I placed my hands on my face, wiping my eyes. Braden’s words echoed through my mind: Stop snivelin’! Do yeh think the prince would want yoo to be cryin’ over ‘im right now? I stopped crying and got up. My breath shook as I regained my smile. My eyelids felt heavy as I realized how late it must be. No, I thought stubbornly, opening my eyes wider. I need to find a uniform so I can stay here. Louie needs me to stay here. Suddenly, the door creaked open. My breathing turned heavy as I tried to cover my tears further, wondering who it might be. “Is anyone in here?” they whispered, poking their head in through the door. Alexandra. “I’m here,” I spoke up, my voice choking. “Hana? I thought you were supposed to be finding a uniform.” “I tried, but…” “You got distracted?” she guessed. I sighed. There was no point in lying, I would only feel worse. “I guess.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Of course. Meanwhile, I’ve come up with a plan…” I yawned as she went through the details. “And… you don’t look too good.” I jolted my eyes open, unknowing that I had fallen asleep. “What?” Allie blinked. “Just get some sleep. I’ll find a uniform for you.” “Where am I supposed to sleep?” Allie rolled her eyes. “Are you blind?! Here would be a good place.” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “That’s true. I’d just need different sheets. These are pretty mangled.” “I’ll get them to you. Just sleep on the floor for now.” “Alright.” I slowly slid off the cot I was sitting on, gathering what little energy I had left. I rubbed my eyes and stretched, sinking against the wall. I curled up on the floor, pressing my cheek against the cold stone. Shivers ran down my spine as I fell into a deep sleep. ~•~ I woke with a silken sheet over me. I sat up, reaching for my pocket watch. It wasn’t there. Where is my watch?! Where did I put it? I thought, slightly panicked. Louie has it. It’s safe. I relaxed and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I found a uniform laid on the cot nearest to me. I sighed reassuredly. Allie kept her word. I stood, yawning. “Finally! You’re awake,” someone said from the doorway. “Took you long enough.” “What time is it, Allie?” I asked groggily. “Almost noon,” she said, glancing at the clock. I moaned and gently sat back down on the cot with the uniform. “You have to get up! Louie’s waiting…” she bribed. Tears filled my eyes again as I recalled the events of the previous day. “I can’t…”
---------------------------------------------------------------------- “At least put on the uniform. We can wait to get you registered if you want, but for now, you’ll have to fake it.” She rose from her position against the doorframe, stepped out, and closed the door. “Is the king allowing you into council?” I asked through the door as I pulled off my dress and pulled on the uniform. “Yes.” “When? “Tomorrow.” “That soon?” “Do you think I’d be lying to you?” “I guess not.” I finished tying the corset and opened the door. “Precisely.” “You really think you’ll be able to convince the king?” Allie nodded. “Yes.” “Why are you helping Louie and me anyway?” She shrugged. “I don’t want to be at war as much as you don’t.” “I guess,” I hadn’t thought about it. People who start a war don’t want it either, but the other country doesn’t know why they started the war until it ended. “I sometimes wonder if this war will ever end. It’s been going on for two years. I hate being careful about where I go and always being scared about what happens.” I nodded in agreement. If we didn’t have the war, me and Louie wouldn’t be in this state. “If this war didn’t happen, Louie wouldn’t have given up his princely life just for me.” “Hm?” “You haven’t heard the story yet, have you?” “What story? About you and Prince Vigilius?” “Yes,” I said, and continued to recount everything that had happened. I was breathless when I finished. “Wow,” she said. “I didn’t know you… I… Wow… That’s…” she bumbled. “I know.” “He changed that quickly?” Allie managed to ask. “Yes,” I whispered. “That’s amazing.” I smiled. “I know.” Someone came around the corner. When she glanced at Alexandra, then me, lines of anger pulled at her face. She came up to me and grasped my ear with nails that dug into my skin. “You commoner,” she hissed into my ear, “don’t you know how to act around your betters?” I held back a scream. Where she was pinching burned with unseen fire. I grit my teeth. Princess Alexandra looked equally as shocked. The woman didn’t let go of my ear as she pulled a gruesome smile in Allie’s direction. “I apologize a thousand times for her ignorance, your majesty. Trust me, this runaway will be punished accordingly.” The huffy woman pulled at my ear as she started to walk away, practically dragging me with her. Alexandra didn't protest. Smart. If she had, we would be in a much different position. I learned quickly to keep up with her pace from fear of her ripping my ear off. ~•~ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Lol This took SO LONG TO FINISH. I am not kidding. It took me over 2 weeks to write. I am... baffled I've gotten this far. Lol my goal of being done by "Tuesday" is LONG GONE and now my goal is by the end of the month. I've got *I think* 15 days left. Just over 2 weeks. - 0re0
