Meeting the Royal Family

A pair of guards stared at me with fierce eyes as we walked toward the hallway. I looked away from them and at Cassius. He looked back at me, but had no expression as he gazed back into the distance. The high, metallic arches framed the entrance. I couldn't help but stare at the various paintings against the ornate walls.

The floor was marble, shiny enough to see my reflection, and the walls were covered in tapestry with rows of gold embroidery. Every corner had a small painting or sculpture. 

We had been walking through the main entrance for nearly twenty minutes. As I looked up, I saw the ceiling was painted in designs of cherubs under golden beams. The ceiling glittered, and the clouds drifted as if they were real.

I never thought I’d see such a place. It must be heaven.

“Wait here,” said Prince Cassius.

He has quite a commanding tone sometimes, as I expected.

“But, of course,” I said.

I curtseyed and smiled, moving my orange wig strand out of my face. The prince walked off, straightened his back, and puffed up his chest.

“I wish to speak to our King,” said Cassius.

"Yes, Your Highness."

He went through the door as the guards uncrossed their pole-axes for him. Meanwhile, I looked at the garden with red roses outside the tall windows. Each of the windows had tall, burgundy curtains that framed them. The sky was a bright blue, just like the hue of my dress.

A minute passed. Soon, I started counting the vertical lines on the wall.

What's taking him so long?

I began walking in circles in the spot that the prince had left me, with my hands behind my back.

Cold winds filled the stagnant atmosphere. I got goosebumps as a shadow was behind me. My eyes widened as I looked behind me and then in front of me. Alas, no one was there.

However, it was as if I felt a touch on my hand that I couldn’t see. I gasped and flinched my hand away. Still, I couldn't see anyone.

Once again, I stared behind me, but no one was there. Neither was anyone on the right nor left side.

What’s going on? This place better not be cursed!

A soft screech of what seemed to be a creature echoed in the hallway.

When will I awaken from this beautiful dream? It’s turning into a beautiful nightmare.

The sound gradually became louder until someone screamed in my left ear. I covered my ears at once, shrieked, and crouched to the floor.

“Janessa?!” cried the Prince.

I looked for the source of the sound. Instead, all I found was a piece of sculpture of a man with soft features. It stood right in front of me, perched on a table, staring at me, with unblinking eyes. Its eyes were unpainted.

Is that a bust of Cassius?

“Janessa. Come with me, I will guide you.”

"Prince Cassius..."

I turned and saw he wasn’t looking at me, but rather the sculpture.

"Back off," he said.

It stayed in place, and the Prince slammed his fist on the table. It moved its head 90 degrees away from us, very slowly.

He sighed and gave me his hand. I stood up with his support.

“Thank you, I think we should stay away from it…” I said.

My mouth was still open as I stared at the statue that was turned away from us.

What the hell was that?

He sighed deeply and pressed his lips together.

“I will explain.”

Please don’t tell me that the castle is cursed!

My hands went clammy until I got up and locked eyes with him. His silvery eyes glinted as he blinked and smiled.

I’m starting to feel drawn toward him. Is it a bad thing? Maybe.

We walked away from the main entrance, and the Prince let my hand go. Someone began to sing a soft song from afar. I frantically turned my head to every corner.

“Your Highness, what's that noise?” I asked.

“Janessa, it is a weak spirit, nothing more.”

“A weak spirit? Is it in that statue? Your highness, it looks a lot like you.”

“Well…”

I blinked several times, but he only flinched and looked around everywhere except for my face. His gaze was on the floor when I cleared my throat several times, loudly. Cassius fumbled with his hand, and then he held the back of his neck.

“It’s okay, hehe. You can tell me,” I said, grinning.

My hands were behind my back, and I tilted my head, smiling. We remained in the middle of the hallway. Cassius arched his back and looked into my eyes.

“I’m not sure you can handle it,” he said.

“If I could handle your lap so easily…”

That sounds way dirtier than what I wanted to say. I meant to say the fall. What a Freudian slip, hehe.

“Janessa, your mind is in the gutters…” he said.

“Oh! I must apologize…”

Not knowing what else to do, I curtseyed.

“No. No, please tell me more,” he whispered in my ear.

My face was flushed, but I was smiling and quite ready to whisper back. Alas, the door burst open!

Cassius jumped back, crossed his arms, and looked away from me.

“Why, hello. Lovely day, is it not?” he said.

“Yes, your highness,” said a woman in a black maid uniform with her hair tied back.

The maid grabbed the broom and swept away, staring at me every few seconds.

“Alright, your highness, you haven’t told me about the spirit.”

His Adam’s apple moved as he stared at the floor and then at me.

“It is my own soul,” he whispered.

“How?”

“A few years ago, I made a deal with the demon to save my mother from the illness if I gave my soul."

"Oh?!"

"However, soon, the queen passed away. A day later, I demanded my soul back. That worthless demon laughed and tossed me the sculpture! He says it contains my soul. Hmm.”

He clenched his fist and began walking away.

"Wait," I said.

He turned around. I stared into his eyes, which kept focusing on the statue behind me.

“You must think I am so foolish, right?” he said, walking forward.

“No, I think you must be very caring! Few people would do such a thing for their loved ones,” I said, smiling.

“Janessa.”

“Prince Cassius!”

“You are simply saying that to flatter me.”

My smile disappeared.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. The only person I ever flatter is myself.”

The Prince broke out into a chuckle.

“Speaking to you is rather refreshing,” he said.

“Thank you, I thought so.”

I winked and gave him a thumbs up, but all he did was smile a little. Soon, he walked faster. I felt an urge to hold his hand, but didn’t bother doing so.

Strange, I’m more focused on looking at the prince’s hand rather than his behind. That’s a first.

We walked through the red carpeted halls, with wide, white walls coated with red borders.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“His majesty asked me to place you under the care of my darling sister, Princess Amelia.”

“Okay.”

I wonder what she’s like. I hope she’s not overprotective of Cassius. Peter did say she was his elder sister.

“Amelia,” said Cassius, knocking on the door.

The door opened, and we were greeted by a blonde woman.

She said, “Oh, Your Highness, do you wish to see Princess Amelia?”

“Yes, that is why I called her name.”

“Alright, I will ask.”

Cassius said, “She is her lady-in-waiting.”

“Thought so,” I said.

“Come in, Cassius,” said a deep, yet feminine voice.

“Play along with my words,” he said to me, aside.

I nodded profusely.

“Dear Amelia, how long has it been since I last saw you?” he said.

“Cassius, it has only been a day.”

She had purple hair tied in a sleek bun and wore a pale green dress. In her hands, there was a folded fan.

A grey cat slept in the corner. The tapestries, curtains, and furniture all had cobalt blue trimmings. Many of the decorative pieces had crystal details on them.

“Who is that maiden behind you?” she asked.

I flinched, gazing at her from the corner of my eye, as a child would when reprimanded by their parent.

Yikes! She’s going to interrogate me now.

“She is a young woman who was abandoned on her way to the neighboring Kingdom of Alaine! Peter and I have successfully rescued her from the library ruins. The King has given her permission to lodge in a guest room. Under your care, she will become quite a proper lady,” said Cassius.

Wow, I never expected him to say that I’m not a proper lady. Ah, he probably caught me looking at his crotch a few times. Can’t risk looking at him now.

“Very well. I hope you have no ulterior motives. No need to formally introduce her until it is the time of her debut," said Princess Amelia.

She stood up and circled around me, scanning me.

"We may find a use for her and even arrange a suitable marriage for her,” said Amelia.

Huh?! I ain’t marrying anyone right now.

“She will choose who she wishes to marry.”

“These are the decisions that lead one to bankruptcy.”

“Indeed,” said Cassius.

The princess stood and walked up to me.

“My dear, what is your name? You must keep your posture in check,” said Amelia.

“I’m Janessa, your highness.”

I straightened my back, but looked away from them both.

“Laura, please fetch the maid and see to her lodgings. Prepare the bath, she must have come a long way.”

The maid from before curtsied, and her eyes widened as she took me away from the room.

We were in the rows of various rooms when the maid burst out, “Ensnared by a woman of red hair? I will see what the King will say about this! We will have you burned at the stake!”

“What the hell?”

Red hair? This is a cosplay wig! My real hair is black…

I pulled on my hair several times, only to realize that it was my real hair.

Oh no! They might think I’m a witch! What are my options? Should I go bald? Or maybe… I could wear a wig over it. That would make me seem suspicious, though. Now I know why this red wig is so light and doesn’t give me a headache. It’s my actual hair now.

The maid led me to a door and unlocked it. As she opened it, light poured inside. In the center, there was a huge bed in the shape of a circle with a lot of pillows and a sheer canopy.

To my utter surprise, there was a monitor screen in front of the bed.

“May I know what this is?” I asked.

“A magic screen, of course. Which village do you come from? It must be some poor village that cannot afford magic gems. I am sure you must have stolen the dress just to impress the Prince.”

“You’re accusing me of things I didn’t do.”

Annoying little… At least she thinks my costume is good enough to steal.

“Well, carry on. I have left you a fresh set of clothing.”

“Thank you.”

“Here is the key,” she said, slamming the door behind her.

The bed sheets were navy blue and white, there was a long whiter rug, and a full-length mirror with a vanity table. On the table, there was a comb, a toothbrush, and some lotion. The curtains were made of gray silk and the wallpaper was a ballet-slipper pink.

After undressing, I entered the bathtub, which resembled an enormous clam with pink bubbles and a gushing shower head on top. I blew the bubbles across the bathroom.

I don’t understand. That was a TV. Am I in the past or the future?

The water smelled like lavender oil.

Ah, this feels so amazing.

I dried myself with a fluffy towel. Afterward, I put on what seemed to be a plain chemise accompanied by a plain brown linen dress.

This is even worse than the crinkled apron and dress that the maid was wearing. I have to do something to get back at her!

I threw my fluffy towel on a chair and sat on the other, sinking into it.

I am kinda curious about the magic screen.

Drawing near, I touched the flashing screen with my index finger. It rippled as if it were made of water and made a splashing sound. A piano jingle sounded as the screen lit up.

A tiny, doll-like girl appeared. She had curly pink hair and butterfly wings. She fluttered up and down. Her black outfit shimmered in the light.

 “You may ask me any questions!” she said, raising her arms.

She tilted her head, closed her eyes, and smiled. Her voice, although soft and high-pitched, caused me to step back on the bed and quiver.

“Do not be scared. I am here to assist.”

“Ah. I was only startled. I do have a lot of questions for you,” I said.