“So Emery, What were you doing in the woods all by yourself?”
Desmond and Emery continued along the forest path side by side. The Prince had not thought of this before when he first met her. He was too happy excited that he had found the girl of his dreams to think about what she had been doing. The Prince noticed she was not like other girls he had met. She was just the opposite. Instead being stuffy and boring like the girls in Riverside who sat silently, Emery was outgoing, confident, strong, and most of all unpredictable which just made her exciting. And she also had a sense of hidden danger in her body language. She was special and she was beautiful. Her long brown hair shined in the rays of light that penetrated through the trees.
“I was just taking a walk,” Emery said back.
“So you must take walks here often since you know the area so well.”
“Ummm… yes.” Emery seemed a little uncomfortable with the direction the conversation seemed to be going in and she started to walk faster.
“Of which kingdom do you dwell?” Desmond asked while keeping up with her stride.
Emery’s face twisted in anguish for a split second and then answered in a gruff voice. “Why do you want to know?” The Prince was confused. What had he said?
“Well, I am on a quest to find a princess and I thought you might be one,” Desmond said, innocently prodding Emery into discussion.
Emery looked away. “It’s getting dark,” she said, quickly changing the subject. “I’m going home, I guess.”
“I’m coming with you.” The Prince was not going back to his home without his true love - Emery.
Emery led the Prince in the dark towards her home and Desmond had no idea where he was. They finally saw light up ahead. During their travel to town Desmond noticed that they had somehow started holding hands. They continued to advance into the town, still holding hands. The town was quiet and Emery led Desmond down a dark alley and slipped into a side door. It was really dark, but Emery seemed to know where she was going, and she led him up a winding staircase. As they grew closer to the top of the seemingly never-ending staircase they heard the sound of laughter, the clatter of dished, and music. It grew louder. Emery stopped and turned to Desmond.
“Shh.” Emery put a finger to her lips. They stared at each other in the darkness. The Prince was confused about everything that was happening. Does Emery like me? He thought. I wish she did. Emery took the Prince’s hand, and together they entered the upstairs.
They emerged out of the stairwell and were in a grand marble hall that led to another room full of people eating, talking, and laughing boisterously. There was also one man in elaborately blazoned robes, who sat at the head of the table. He was a short man, thick in the middle with a balding head somewhat hidden by his gleaming crown.
“Is this the castle?” Desmond asked.
“Shh.” Emery dragged him down into a crouch and gave him a seething glare. They tip-toed along the side wall of the hallway, towards the grand hall, hoping to slip past unseen. They were able to go past the people easily because the hallway was lined with great marble pillars, which provided them with camouflage from the already distracted people. Just as they rounded the corner, nearly out of sight of the grand hall, Desmond tripped over a suit of armor. It clattered to the marble floor and seemed to echo forever. Desmond cursed his clumsiness and felt awful for giving them away. They were so close. He felt ever worse when he saw the anger, fear, and even shame in Emery’s beautiful face.
“Emery! Stop right there, Princess!” came a booming voice.
They both froze.
Princess? Desmond was shocked. So she was a princess all along.
“Come here,” the voice demanded.
Desmond looked over. It was the man at the head of the table. The king. Emery’s father? Emery started to bolt away.
“Guards, seize them!” The king shouted. Two giant, bulky men came out of no where and held both Desmond and Emery in their iron grasps. They were dragged towards the king’s chair and Emery struggled. The Prince was stunned and was dragged like a rag doll before the king.
“Emery, where were you?” the king’s question was loud and demanding, but was laced with concern for his daughter.
“I was just out,” Emery answered.
“Where?”
“Just the Fanciful
“Because you disobeyed me for the last time, Emery. You are never supposed to leave Corivas and go anywhere near the
The Prince gasped. I’m in Corivas? He thought in awe. My father is not going to be pleased. This then must be King Gaius.
“I’m tired of you always forcing me to meet all of these suitors. You talk to them as if you were auctioning me off. I will not be treated as a piece of property. I refuse to marry someone I do not love!” Emery screamed at her father in defiance. The people in the hall quickly scurried out of sight.
“Well then, who is this boy?” King Gaius pointed at Desmond. “Do you love him?”
“No.” There was no hesitation, and her immediate response was like daggers to Desmond and he lowered his eyes to the cold marble floor.
“Boy, what is your name?” asked King Gaius.
“I am Desmond, Prince of Riverside,” he said proudly, knowing that this fact would lead to more trouble for both him and Emery.
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