The heavy throne room doors opened with a loud squeaking sound. As soon as I entered, all conversations stopped. The silence in the throne room was deafening. My footsteps were loud and echoing off the walls.
The queen was just as marvelous as I expected. The painting did her beauty and elegance no justice. Her cold, calculating stare bore into me. She intimidated even the air with her presence. I forced myself to look away so as to not be rude.
Standing next to her was the advisor that I had seen in the garden. No wonder he was in such a rush. I wouldn't want to be late in his position either. He and I made eye contact and he gave me a small smile and a wink as if that would bless me with good luck. I'm not complaining though I'll take what I can get.
As a member of a royal family myself I've met plenty of dignified nobles but I've never stepped foot off of my own kingdom's soil. Me being in this dream-like realm and not knowing proper customs left me at risk. I don't know what these people do to foreigners but I wasn't willing to find out.
The queen set down the cup of tea she was holding on the platter held by her servant. She sat up and gave me her full attention which didn't help my nerves one bit in fact it made them worse.
I bowed my head and greeted her with a respectful smile. "Your majesty, thank you for giving me your time in your limited schedule." I prayed that all my etiquette classes and social meetings paid off, even in a different world. "My name is Alex Lavaigne, second prince of the Cenia kingdom. I've come here today requesting help. It seems I've lost my way. I've decided it would be best for me to locate a nearby village till I find my way home." At this point I had straightened up and was trying my best not to trip over my words.
"A prince? It's my first time meeting other royalty in Iondah besides myself." She looked me over and I suddenly became very aware of my dirty image. I really wish I took the opportunity to bathe in that river near the trail. "Well this isn't the first foreigner we've had." She paused and sighed as if bored. " Well Alex, it seems I have no choice. I can't have royalty sleeping in the streets. You will have to settle here." Well, that was certainly not as I expected.
I went to protest that it was unnecessary when the throne room doors burst behind me creating an echo. The bang made me jump and turn around to the sound. When I saw who it was my whole body clenched up in alarm, my senses were flooded with fight or flight, and my breath caught. It was the weird rabbit guy from the meadow. The one who dragged me here to begin with, the one who stole my pocket watch. Anger suddenly flooded me. My fists were shaking as I started to stomp up to the rabbit himself.
"YOU!" I yelled. I drew my fist back and swung fully intending to knock the guy out.
He dodged and ducked under my arm. His speed was insane, I didn't even realize he was behind me till it was too late. He was hugging me from behind and I could feel his breath on my ear. The closeness made my face heat up but I still struggled in his grip. Despite my ceaseless struggling he only tightened his arms around my waist. I tried reaching for my arrows that hung low on my waist but he noticed and grabbed my hands and maneuvered them behind my back, grasping them In a bruising grip. I could only blame his agility and speed on the fact that he was part bunny or maybe I'm just slow.
"Alice! It's so nice to see you're here! I was so hoping you would come. We've been expecting your arrival. I wasn't expecting an attack but it's certainly welcomed as long as I get to have you in my arms like this." I cringed at the hinting tone in his voice. Suddenly the audience became very clear as there was a sound of a throat clearing. I looked back at the queen and her second advisor that I still haven't gotten the name of.
The queen spoke first. " Well it seems you two are well acquainted." If that is what this is then yes I'd say we were well acquainted.
I stopped struggling and instead kicked the bastard in the shin as hard as I could. He yelled out in pain and loosened his grip. That gave me enough time to twist away from him. I huffed and scowled in his direction before straightening up.
"Apologies, your majesty. We didn't exactly meet on good terms. In fact, he's the reason why I'm here." I took a deep breath trying to regain my composure. "This bas-…man stole something of mine that's very important to me and I ask that you overlook this. Only this once. I'm sure." I put on my best smile and hoped she was benevolent despite her appearance.
"Hunter, did you steal this poor boy's watch?" Hunter, who was still groveling over his injury, stood at attention.
"Yes, in fact, I have it with me." He said in an enthusiastic voice that grated my nerves.
I rolled my eyes and turned to him.
I watched him ruffle through his coat pocket and pull out the watch. I snatched it out of his hand and checked to see if it was damaged.
"Well, now that everything has been sorted…hunter do you mind escorting our guest to the red room. He'll be staying the night." I tucked the watch in my pocket and looked back at hunter and his stupid starry eyed smile.
"Of course you majesty, I would be honored. Alice, come along dear." He grabbed my arm and pulled me to follow him.
"Hey! hold on i am perfectly capa-" but it was already too late. I looked back at the man I had seen in the garden earlier but he only smiled and waved.
~~~*~~~
The room was exactly how you would picture it. Red, royally obnoxious, and vampiric. Hunter let go of my arm only to put me into a crushing hug.
"You and I are going to have so much fun, Alice." Now he was getting on my nerves. I pushed him off with a sharp elbow to his gut and brushed my hands down my clothes. Not like that would do anything since I'm filthy.
"Listen here thumper. My name is ALEX not Alice. I can't believe how many people I've had to have this conversation with today." I huffed and turned to face the room.
I walked in and saw another door that probably led to the washroom which I desperately needed. I could already feel the warmth of the bath sinking in my bones.
"Listen, I'm exhausted and I'm disgusting and you need to leave." I pushed him harshly out into the hallway.
He pouted in protest.
"Ali-Alex, I wouldn't mind sta-" that was the moment I promptly slammed the door in his face. My back thumped against the wood and I didn't relax until I heard his footsteps start down the hallway. I sighed and rubbed my sore neck.
"Finally…" I walked into the bathroom to see the tub already filled with hot steaming water. There were rose petals strewn in and around the tub. glass bottles and vials sat sitting on a stool next to the leg off the tub. It seemed I had a guardian angel. I peeled off my still damp clothes and tossed them on the floor. The moment my body hit the water all my muscles melted and my body relaxed onto the back of the tub.
About an hour later I felt fresh and smelled like rose and citrus.
I walked into the room and jumped on the bed with nothing but a towel on my waist. Until i got clean clothes these would have to do. I crawled under the covers and slept a not so dreamless sleep.
My eyes drifted open and I was laying back in that grassy field. I sat up and looked around to see my sister sitting next to me reading out loud.
"Honeslty Alex. Can't you ever pay attention." She laughed at my dazed expression. Her smile was slowly fading to black as she disappeared in the darkness of my mind.
When I woke up tears were streaming down my face and I buried my head into the pillow in frustration. Would I ever go home?
~~~*~~~
I had once thought that dreaming was better than living in reality but now I would give anything to never sleep again. That crushing hope and the faint smell of home that my dreams would bring me would do nothing but bring me misery. So while it was only barely dawning, I decided to get up. Clothes were already sitting on a chair sitting in the corner of the room. Oddly enough as I got closer there were two pairs of similar looking outfits. I held the first one up and blushed in embarrassment.
'A dress. I wonder who could have possibly left this.' I rolled my eyes at the thought. I was gonna rip the ears off that stupid bunny's head.
The next set was definitely more suited for me. Royal blue and white. A loose white button down white a cool blue waist coat. The pants were dark black. There was a top hat included but I never had an interest in hats. Since I had gone to bed naked it did make me a little self conscious about who had come in but I brushed it aside in favor of putting on the tailored suit. I don't know how they got my measurements but it fit me perfectly. The sleeves and neckline felt loose and comfortable while the waistcoat felt snug and fitted. I smoothed my hands down the material and made my way to the door. It was now or never.
The hallway was long and winding. Its took me 45 minutes give or take but I had finally made it to what looked like a dining hall. The man from the courtyard was already sitting and enjoying breakfast as I made my way to the seat opposite of him.
"Alex, good morning." The man said in a bored tone. It wasn't fair that he knew my name but I knew nothing of him.
"Er- good morning. I didn't quite catch your name the last we met sir." The slight silence after made my heart skip in anxiety.
"That's because I never gave you my name. I didn't expect you to make it to the castle. Did that stupid cat help you?…" he drifted off in thought and as I was about to reply he cut me off.
"Well, it doesn't matter. You're here and that's done. Your methods don't matter to me." He paused to take a final bite of his breakfast before he finally made eye contact with me. "I guess if your staying you should at least know my name. I'm Jax. Jax hare. Please don't say it too often. If I hear it too much it'll give me a headache. People always want something when they speak it." As he finished speaking he walked off to the door and out into the hallway before I could get a word. What a weirdo….though I suppose hare makes sense. Longer ears. After I finished breakfast I decided it was time to meet the queen. It was already well into the morning and I needed to get back home.
So I made a descent back down the hall and of course I had to get lost. I took a first turn and ran into the one person I loathed to see.
"Hunter…"
PPlease enjoy. Its been a long while and after moving into my first apartment i wanted to pick up this back up and actually finish it. I promise this is a spicy romance but itll take a minute to build and introduce all the characters that im sure you familiar with 👀. Any guesses on the love interest? Im sure there are but i might surprise you…..