Decided to make it present tense for everything but her dreams.

Gyeh, now I put in a little Prince and the Pauper in here... sort of... snap. I gotta stop stealing storylines. (I don't own that, by the way.)

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CHAPTER THREE

Mission of Marriage

I wake before the race of dawn. The sky is still dark and the air still hangs with a certain chilliness. My blankets are covered in dew, and I am a little wet as well. Grunting, I hoist myself up, rubbing my temples, as the dreams return to me. I cannot even escape the memories of castle life while unconscious!

I quietly make a promise to myself that I shall not fall asleep tonight, in case the dreams shall live once more. Looking behind me, I see nothing, I hear nothing; hopefully no one is on my trail.

Quickly, I fold the blanket and put it away before immediately starting again. My stomach grumbles slightly in protest. I have not yet had breakfast, but I push the pain of hunger aside and journey on. I must recall hunger. I must recall the life of the poor.

My feet drag along the untrodded path of broken branches as I continue onwards. My eyes droop down slightly and I am tempted to fall asleep once more; one full day of tedious travel and no more than five hours of sleep did not do well with me.

I look down at my grimy clothes and a wane smile crosses my face. Certainly he will not recognize me as this!

Once again, I find my mind wandering to the palace life. I shake my head free of those thoughts and concentrate on my hometown. My first memory is Aquien. Would he recognize me as this? This foreign person who he hadn't heard of in years? I recall sending a few letters in the beginning, but they dwindled down to nothing. Perhaps he believed me dead.

He could not believe me to be so. With this thought, I pick up my pace for no apparent reason. It is a while yet before I get anywhere close.

I soon find the day setting again, but I trek onwards anyways. However, it comes to the point that my eyelids grow too heavy that I am willing to fall asleep standing that I finally relent my body to rest, lying on the floor with uncomfortable branches and stones poking at my back.

But too weary I am!--I do not mind at all. In fact, I hardly feel it.

However, it appears to be a mistake, for the moment I close my eyes, I fall into a deep sleep.

And all too soon, the dreams begin.

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"I apologize; did you say that you are relieving me of my duties with Jonathan?"

I was in absolute shock as I stared--dumbfounded, no doubt, to which I would be embarrassed by later--at no other than His Majesty, the king. I could not believe my ears; I had not been stripped away of my work!

He nodded from his high throne, not seeming to notice my appalled state. "Yes, I have said as thus," he said.

I sputtered slightly before continuing. My mind was swarming with confusion. "B--why, Your Majesty?" I said.

He sighed as the grave subject began. "I have heard of your accomplishments," he started, choosing his words before he continued. "It takes a great strategist and a brilliant mind to do what you have done."

I felt adventure at the very tip of his tongue and of my fingers, tingling with excitement. I was suddenly yanked back, however, when I recalled Jonathan. No doubt he would be mistreated by the next man who attempts to "cure" him.

The king continued in his graces, as he always did. He likely did not even know of my troubles. "The prince is aging, and without a wife; I wish you to aid him in having the Princess of Aigesworth's hand."

I contemplated the idea--or more so, appeared to do it. The truth was that I had no intention of meeting the king's challenge; I would much rather tutor young Jonathan with great potential than to deceive a princess to marrying a haughty pig. How could I deny the king of his wishes in the most polite manner? Was it even possible at all? For an odd reason, I doubted it.

"Your Majesty," I started, my voice slightly strangled. It did not pass by the king; his brows furrowed. "I have enjoyed working with the youth, and I believe I always shall; it brings me delight to give to them what I didn't have as a child." I could tell by the look he cast over me, quickly scanning me from head to toe, that he understood what I had missing in my own childhood. "However, what you have assigned me to do--"

He predicted my next words before they slipped from my lips. Overriding my words with his powerful voice, he said, "I will ensure that you will return to the position that you are so fond of once this task is complete; I fear only for my son, whose time is running short before matrimony and does not seem to be interested in any."

I wished to be able to say that I did not want to serve his son, but I knew that it could not be done. I forced myself to look brightly; after all, was this not what my mother had wished for? That I serve the king? Biting my lip, I dared to say, "Under one condition, Your Majesty."

The king scrutinized me, trying to find my next words in my expression. "And what may that condition be?" he requested.

I hesitated before speaking. "You are aware of Jonathan, of whom I am looking after." The king nodded. "I find nothing wrong with him, though many say his interests are displaced. If I am to do this mission that you ask of me, then I require that Jonathan be sent to study at a medical school involving herbology; I have great faith that he will exceed in the curriculum and prosper there."

The king considered my idea and nodded, thinking it a fair price to pay. "That is no request at all," he said after a moment of silence. "I shall have it done, upon your recommendation." I smiled in thanks before he dismissed me once more.

Joy hit me; Jonathan would be able to do as he wished and not be ridiculed for it, but be praised. No doubt he would be excessively pleased to hear the news. My smile grew in delight as I made my way down, forcing myself to remain at a steady walk, excited to tell him the news.

But at what price? My own happiness. Forced upon the dirty work of the ever-obnoxious prince to deceive an innocent princess (or haughty, though I doubted she would ever be as haughty as the prince). I could not be honest; a trickery, a way with words. Though on one side it sounded exciting, the purpose was cruel.

As predicted, Jonathan was more than pleased when I told him of the exchange. I had left some bits out, including my lying position, only stating that I was to leave and I had given him an education. Naturally, he was upset at my leaving, but I promised him a new and better life than one that I could ever give him.

I doubted it helped the departure, however. I couldn't promise to see him again, for I did not know what the job would bring me. Would I stay in the castle? Would I go to the other country? Then I realized; I was not only selected for my wit. I was also female, and I likely knew how the feminine mind works. However, I was hideous enough not to cause any suspicion or jealousy.

This newfound light on the subject upset me greatly. Though I was not entirely materialistic, I still held some feelings and was a bit self-conscious over my appearance. I bit my lip. But I could not deny the king, of all people! And if I were to succeed in this mission, my mother's will would be complete and I would be able to depart. My curse would be lifted, though I did not care for that minor detail.

And, as I entered my room and locked the door behind me, I fell upon the bed and let my torn feelings fall out. For the first time since I arrived, I cried, relieving the stress and weight placed upon me.

I was self-conscious of my appearance, but I hated showing it. I hated it so much that I didn't even let myself know about it. And now, to be chosen because of my ugliness, condemned to a deed I wished not to do--but what could I do but to follow the king's order?

I hated it.

----------------------

I left the next day. Apparently, the king did not want to lose any time in seeking the princess's hand, and had even gone to the lengths of having prepared a wardrobe for me to depart with. I wondered briefly what would have happened if I'd declined his generous offer--where the gowns would go. However, he likely never thought of that prospect, for who would dare turn down a king?

Sighing, I boarded the carriage, seating myself on the soft, plush, cushioned seats. And, to my ultimate surprise, the pig was already on the carriage, waiting for me. I had expected that he would be completely irresponsible and arrive late. When I was proven wrong, I supposed his anxiety to be married had pushed him on the carriage earlier than what he would have otherwise done.

He stuttered slightly as he caught sight of my face. "You!" he said, surprised, insulting my very being with his shocked appearance. "You're that--"

"--one person your father deemed would be clever enough to help you along, but ugly enough as not to cause jealousy," I finished bitterly, crossing my arms and eyeing him coldly. "Do you have an issue with that?"

"No," he said hastily, understanding my cold manner immediately and fell silent on the whole ride. I sighed inwardly. At least the prince wasn't as much of an idiot as he was of a pig, though an idiot still, nonetheless.

The ride was long and rickety, making us jump while the thin wheels rolled over bumps in the road. I was lulled to sleep several times, only to be rudely awoken later by those particular bumps. And, by the time we rolled to a stop in front of an inn, I was quite refreshed and not at all needing any sort of rest.

However, they lodged me in for a room anyways, though I persisted that I did not need one, for I would not use it anyways. However, when the prince suggested that they do leave me in the carriage for the entire of the night, I was upsetted. Though I would have been pleased some other time, his tone was of exasperation that clearly read, "Let us heed to her wishes to have her silenced."

Naturally, I was not satisfied.

The footman, though, refused to see that I would sleep within the carriage and paid the sum for my room, and, naturally, with this kind insistence, I had no choice but to smile, thank him for his generosity and ascended to my room. When I was quite certain that he was asleep in the carriage, however, I departed my bedroom and walked around the inn's small lands, breathing in the fresh air.

The sky was a royal velvet blue, covering the world with a clear beauty. The stars poked through, twinkling merrily as they played games and laughed with each other, some laughing harder than others. I smiled at this calming scenery. Though there was no bench to sit on, I sat on the soft, damp grass. Nine more days, I thought. Nine more days until the real torture begins.

And nine days passed too quickly. The carriage rides passed in absolute silence, without a word between the pig and me. But that was just the way I wanted it, and I could not complain.

I was startled when the carriage suddenly rolled to a stop, despite its broad daylight. Had we broken an axle? Only after a few seconds of thought did I realize that we had arrived to the neighboring country at long last. Under the days of the travel, I had lost track of the days, and a week's events merged into one day.

The door opened, revealing the face of the footman. "Prince Adrian, Lady Kiersina. We have arrived."

I was startled and flattered of his reference of me as a lady. I was not even close to being a noble; I was simply an educated servant, maid, call it, brought in to teach the noble children. I pointed this out lightly as I climbed out; he only smiled and said that I was lady enough. Naturally, I did not protest against this.

The pig, however, only wrinkled his nose and said nothing. We arrived at the large doors which were pushed open to acknowledge us in. A tidy uniformed maid came in and curtseyed before us. "Prince Adrian? We have been expecting you."

"I did my best to make haste," he said charmingly, and I suppressed a roll of my eyes. He did nothing of the sort. He did not even seem to be excited on the entire trip over.

The maid smiled. Her eyes then fell upon me and she hesitated. After all, a prince bringing a woman--however unsightly--while seeking a princess's hand? "And--err, who might you be?"

"I'm his chaperone," I said loudly before the pig could say anything. The maid looked confused at my response; was I being sarcastic or serious? To compromise, she offered a small smile which seemed to be more of a grimace. The pig, however, knew exactly what to do. He shot a glare over at me.

With a bit of hesitance, the maid acknowledged us and let us enter, still slightly suspicious about me. What was I to say, however? That I was his advisor? It sounded bad enough in the mind; no doubt it would sound even worse when spoken.

We were introduced to the royal family, and I tried my best to keep out of sight and stay in the shadows. However, my efforts were futile as the princess--who turned out to be a beautiful sight, complete opposite of me--caught sight of me.

"And what is this?" she said as she stepped closer to me, examining me from every angle, as though I were an item waiting to be bought or sold. I held in my breath of annoyance. Already I disliked the girl. Not only did she insult my foul appearance by her interest, but she had called me by the name of an item or a barbarian animal. Not a who, but a what.

"My name is Kiersina," I said, trying my best to keep my voice polite. It was awkward enough to be here; what was the king thinking? Did he want to rid his kingdom of such a hideous beast? "I am sent from the king to monitor the pi--pardon, prince's actions." I inwardly let out a breath of relief; what would have happened if I had let 'pig' slip out?

The King of Aigesworth frowned at me. "A mistress?" he interpreted.

"A chaperone," I corrected, trying my best--which was clearly not enough--to keep my look of disgust and horror from my face.

The king caught sight of my expression and nodded slowly, still slightly confused. Clearly, he still did not understand what I had meant. "A servant?"

"An advisor," the pig said, speaking before I could.

The king was caught off guard. "An advisor?" he repeated, thoroughly surprised. "A woman? As an advisor?"

The prince nodded, keeping his eyes on the king. "Yes, Your Majesty. She has proven herself worthy through skill and wit to convert the noble children who were heading awry back to the path of nobility, especially in the circumstances in which more experienced and older governesses had failed." I bit my lip. Only earlier this month, he had insulted my success. But of course he spoke of my triumphs now that it boosted his own status.

"A governess?" the queen suddenly interjected, trying to figure out my position just as the king was. She focused her attention on me. It was clear that she did not think much of governesses.

I hesitated slightly before responding, searching for the right words to say. I felt awkward under the intense gaze of the entire of the royalty. "With all due respect, Your Highness," I said slowly, "the children that I have been gifted to required just as much wisdom and thought as love and patience--qualities that are necessary in any advisor."

I looked at them, somewhat anxiously, to see their reaction to my response. I was rewarded with a slow nod of the head in an approving manner. I felt the knot in my chest unclench slightly in relief. They approved of me. They approved of me. I was filled with a relieved warmth and a small smile made its way to my face.

"But she's quite an atrocious thing to look at, isn't she?" the princess suddenly said, voicing her thoughts. My grin slowly disappeared as I watched her, my face emotionless. I knew she was intelligent. I heard about her studies previously, but I have never heard of her materialistic preferences. "Such stiff hair," she said, criticizing my appearance, "and such white, scratchy complexion! It's a miracle that it isn't covered in red splotches."

I had never thought of that. I suppose, in a manner, I should be thankful and relieved that I was not allergic to much, giving me rashes, which surely would have conflicted with my skin somewhat terribly.

"Anisa," the queen said sharply with a pointed look. "Where are your manners? Quiet now; you can't accuse our guests in front of them!"

I frowned slightly at the wording. Did it mean that it was perfectly fine to accuse me behind my back? Personally, though it bothered me immensely to have them gossip before me, it was worse in secret. I preferred the princess's method over the queen's.

The queen then smiled as though nothing had happened. "Come, now. Let us now dine."

They led us to a large dining hall, with a beautiful, heavy chandelier hanging from the dome ceiling, with beautiful paintings of angels battling dragons. They fought in what seemed to be heaven and hell combined, with clear blue skies and dazzling, soft white clouds and spurting flames grasping and licking at their feet. Combined into the picture were stormy red clouds which magically seemed to blend into the pearly white ones. Never had I seen such a combination, and it was fascinating. So fascinating, in fact, that the delicious meal was lost upon me.

"You enjoy paintings, Kiersina?" the king said, noticing how I constantly turned my neck up to gaze at the enchanted life-like ceiling.

I snapped my head back down and offered a feeble smile. "Yes," I admitted, nodding slowly. "I love trying to decipher the messages and stories the artist intends for the viewers to interpret when viewing his masterpiece." Then, thinking that perhaps they would rather me enjoy the meal than the ceiling, I blushed slightly and ate a little more, tasting the food for the first time.

The king, however, thought nothing of the sort. "That is very interesting," he said. Then, nodding toward his daughter, he continued, "Our Anisa is quite creative when it comes to the sport."

"I never was quite so talented at anything of the sort," the pig said, a casual smile on his face. "I prefer action myself."

At this, the king laughed, though I found nothing so humorous. "All princes do," he said. "I was so myself in my youth."

"You still are, dear," the queen corrected.

The king sighed in defeat. "Yes, I suppose I am," he agreed. "Pity, though, there's no time for me now to take action. Adrian, before you assume position as king, you must live life as a prince to the fullest first."

I kept my comments to myself. I believed that Adrian was already living his life as prince to the fullest, taking advantage of his power and using it in haughtiness. Naturally, it would be rather awkward to voice a thought such as this, so I kept silent.

I did not pay much attention to the remainder of the light conversation they held. I found it quite boring and not interesting at all; I recalled those conversations I had with Jonathan, where we had true laughter and observed things. Not this polite, distant conversation.

And I was quite relieved when it was over with and they rose for the servants to take the silver platters away. I walked slowly, caught up in the beauty of the castle. Paintings and portraits decorated and lined the corridors. However, I made sure that I was within ten paces of the Princess of Aigesworth, who was the last one in their line.

I didn't notice when the princess mentioned that she had to go pick something up.

I didn't notice when the remainder of the party went on ahead at her insistence.

I didn't notice until the princess was right beside me.

I turned around, startled, finding the dazzling blonde before me, looking furious. My brows knitted in confusion and surprise. "What--?" I started, but I was quickly interrupted with her answer.

"Do you really think me that dumb?" she snarled, advancing toward me, giving me no choice but to step back. "Governess, you say. Advisor, you claim. What kind of a man needs an advisor to succeed marriage?" Her lips tightened. "My father was right to begin with. You're a mistress. The nerve of it!"

I only stared at her in absolute horror and shock. Not so much that she was correct, but as for how horribly wrong she was. Yet, my horror was misinterpreted by her.

"Get out," she demanded angrily, her eyes flashing furiously. "Get out, and take that prince of yours with you!"