So hey again everyone! Here is the second chappy, I am MUCH more happy with it than the first one. I hope everyone read on after the fail first chapter, I know I probably wouldn't have. So read, and enjoy! I promise I'll write a Kel chapter soon!
The Darkest Side
Chapter 2; Welcome to the Royal Palace
Elizabeth awoke in big, soft bed, wrapped in silky blue sheets. The glowing morning light was streaming through the windows, landing right in her face, effectively waking her up, like nature's alarm clock.
What time is it? She thought, as she rolled out of bed, groggy and sleepy.
The night before had been quite crazy. She was attacked by vile man, and then saved by another. He charged in like a knight in shining armour. Turns out, he kind of was. The man that saved her was King Jonathan. KING Jonathan. And on top of that, he invited her to stay a night at the castle! He let her eat and bathe there, without even knowing her! He must of just assumed she was a street urchin, and took pity on her.
She hadn't told him her story yet, and certaintly didn't plan on it. In fact, she didn't plan on staying for very long anyway. The more exposure she got, the more likely it would be that someone would recognize her, and she would unfairly be thrown into jail. They didn't know everything.
She quickly walked down the vast halls of the royal palace, her shoes tapping loudly on the gray marble floors. She passed by several fancy looking doors, which no doubt contained some stuffy nobles or princes or princesses.
Suddenly, she collided with a person, and smacked her head on his. They both fell to the ground, and Elizabeth hit her head once again.
"UUhhhh..." She groaned, feeling the back and front.
Great. TWO bruises.
"Milady! I am so sorry!" A friendly male voice called out to her, as a hand reached down to help her to her feet.
"It's okay... My fault... Wasn't looking where I was going..." She slurred her words, suddenly feeling quite dizzy. Maybe a doctor would be a good idea.
Now where was I going... To the latrine? Or to go see King William... Wait that's not right... She questioned herself.
She looked up into two big, green eyes, framed by thick lashes. He was the most handsome man/boy she'd seen in years! He had shiny, wavy, coal black hair.
"My name is Roald. I don't believe I've met you! What is your name?" He asked her.
"Elizabeth..." She swayed a little on her feet, and not because he was so handsome. He seemed to realize her condition, and put his arm around her waist, supporting her.
"I need to get you to a healer! Come on!" He gushed. He urged her forward, and as she took a step, her knees felt wobbly. The last thing she thought was 'wait... isn't Roald the Prince's name?' before everything went dark.
She awoke on a cot, in a dark room that smelled like smoke. A kind looking man was sitting in a chair next to her. She sat up in the bed.
"Oh, good! You're awake! Gave us quite a scare, fainting like that. You hit your head pretty hard!" He explained to her, as he helped her take a sip of water.
"Huh... That's strange... Wait, who are you?" She questioned him.
"Oh, dear, I forgot to introduce myself! I am Duke Baird of Queenscove, palace healer." He informed her.
"I'm Elizabeth. Nice to meet you!"
They shook hands. Right then, a rather worried looking Roald and King Jonathan walked into the room.
"Oh my gods, I am so sorry! This is so horrible!" Roald profusely apologized to her.
"No, no, it's really my fault, I wasn't paying attention." Elizabeth reassured him.
"Well..." He chuckled. "This isn't usually how I like to introduce myself to pretty girls."
Elizabeth blushed and giggled a little.
How sweet... He thinks I'm pretty! And he's a prince too... She thought as he stood up, and let his father come over and speak.
"Elizabeth! How are you feeling?" Jonathan asked her politely.
"Much better, thank you." She replied.
"Well, I would like to speak to you in private for a moment, if you don't mind." He requested of her.
"Of course, anything, My Lord." She began to feel a bit nervous, but tried not to let it show.
He gave her a warm smile. "Please, call me Jon."
They walked down the grand, sparkling halls for a few paces, until they reached a large, golden door.
He pushed the door open for her, and held it open for her.
"After you, Milady." He gave her a little wink.
She began wondering if he meant to be flirting with her, or was just always like that. How could he be consciously flirting with her, she was only fourteen!
The room was large, and grand. There were three soft looking, red velvet chairs, surrounding a small mahogany table. There were beautiful, shimmering gold drapes adorning the large, arched windows.
King Jonathan began to speak, as they sat down on two of lovely chairs.
"This is the Red Room, it is completely sound proof and spy-free. I bring people here, when I want to talk without being overheard. I know that is a bit overly cautious, but I wanted to be sure." He explained. Elizabeth began perspiring, this did not seem like a good sign. What could he possibly have to say that was this secret?
"I am guessing you have no place to go home to? I assumed you are an orphan, seeing as you didn't object to staying the night at the castle. Am I correct?"
Elizabeth nodded, confirming his suspisions.
"And your name is Elizabeth?"
She nodded again, worrying a little more than before. This was not looking good.
Jonathan looked almost... Curious, as he continued.
"You see, Roald has friend, Faleron, I believe, whose parents were friends with Elsa and Marc of Eldyra. They had a daughter, whose name was Elizabeth. She was described to me as looking like... you."
She paled as she heard this, a sheen of sweat shining on her forehead.
"I was also told she brutally murdered her parents, before running off into the streets of Corus, never to be seen again. That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"
Elizabeth was scared, sweating like it was in the middle of the summertime. She couldn't take the stress.
"It was me! Please don't arrest me! I promise I didn't do it! They were thieves that killed my parents! I only ran away to protect myself! I promise, I sw-"
Jonathan cut her off.
"Elizabeth, it's okay! I believe you! I don't think any child could murder their parents like that. I won't arrest you, you poor girl. How have you managed, all these years, on your own?"
She felt incredibly relieved. She breathed a big sigh of relief.
"I have the gift, to some extent. And I have always been street savvy... But I'd rather not share that much more. Those years were not pretty. You do not want to know my darkest side."
Her eyes darkened, and she felt angry, and sad, as she thought about her stolen innocence, and the years she lost living that horrible life on the streets.
Jon tried to lighten the mood.
"Well, I will respect that. So, Elizabeth. Can I call you Lizzy? Elizabeth is a bit of a mouthfull."
"Of course, your Maj- Oops! I mean Jon."
He gave her a warm smile, and began to stand up. He offered her a hand, and then they began to walk towards the door.
"So, Lizzy, I know this is a little, I don't know... forward, but, since you have no home, feel welcome to live here at the palace."
Lizzy's mouth dropped wide open.
"I can live here?"
"Of course, we have plenty of extra rooms here. You are completely welcome! I will make sure everyone knows it wasn't you who killed your parents. You can go to school here, eat with the pages if you want, maybe you can even be introduced in court when you come of age, and get the life of a noble's daughter you would have had, and-"
He paused to take a breath.
"I'm sorry, I get a little over excited sometimes. I do love children, and my wife would love to have another girl to spoil."
"OF COURSE I'LL STAY!" She shouted with joy. This would be fantastic! So much better than living on the streets, selling herself so she wouldn't starve to death.
"Well, I suppose it's settled then. Why don't we go figure out the best room for you, then?"
Better? I hope it was! Please favorite, alert, or review! Constructive criticism is welcome, just no flames please! I hope you enjoyed!
-Josiane Rittevon