Chapter 3. It's Been Such A Long Time
Curdie slowly went along the foot-bridge, until he saw a palace built mostly of yellow marble. Right then, though, it was all covered in black silk. Nevertheless, Curdie found it breathtaking.
A guard stopped him at the entrance:
"Sir, what's your name and what brought you to Her Highness?"
"My name is Curdie Peterson. I'm a good friend of Princess Irene's. I live far away. I heard about His Majesty's death, so I wanted to visit Irene. She must be desperate now."
The guard eyed Curdie suspiciously, but called for a lackey to announce Curdie's visit. The lackey ran away and appeared once more ten minutes later:
"Her Highness is eager to meet Mr. Peterson."
The guard's suspicious look was replaced with a respectful one. The lackey walked Curdie though several large salles, which were draped in black curtains as well. Curdie felt pretty nervous. Had Irene changed since they last met? What should he have said to her? How could he comfort the poor girl?
Finally, the lackey opened a small gold door and said loudly:
"Mr. Curdie Peterson wishes to meet Your Highness."
He stepped away, allowing Curdie to enter the room.
Curdie's eyes searched the room for Irene. At last, he saw her. She could be barely recognized. She was now a grown-up girl of sixteen. The golden hair she used to wear in braids have turned into long golden locks. The small turquoise eyes were bigger. They were full of indescribable sadness, and tears sparkled in them. The pale complexion of the princess was rosy now, because of the long walks in the Royal Gardens. Irene was much taller and more slender and elegant - the plump little girl was gone, replaced with a true princess. The black silk dress, despite being the dress of mourning and sorrow, fitted her, and Irene looked lovely in it.
"She has always been a true princess in her soul," Curdie realized. "But now, she even looks like a royal's daughter."
Irene, on the other hand, was amazed when the lackey told her about Curdie's visit. She suddenly felt afraid of her dear friend, the man from her memories and dreams. How he should have grown up! He was probably different from her childhood's Curdie. For a moment, she feared to look at the visitor.
When she did, she was impressed. Curdie had remained Curdie, but at the same time he had changed. The short dark hair grew longer, the face looked mature, and it was obvious that Curdie now had a big life experience. His eyes, though, were just the same. The clever hazel eyes, a look of kindness and care - everything Irene admired so much.
Irene smiled, finally acknowledging that it wasn't a happy dream:
"Curdie!" she exclaimed, feeling tears on her cheek. "Oh, it has been such a long time!.."
Though Lootie tried to catch her by her elbow, Irene ran to Curdie and took his hands.
"I've missed you terribly! Now that Daddy's d... d... gone..." she tried to say, but broke into crying. Lootie gave Curdie an unpleasant look. But Irene had already regained her bearings and continued:
"You, your parents, and my Granny are the only ones who really care about me!.."
"But, Prince..." Lootie started. Irene turned to her with rage:
"Lootie, it's true, as you well know! You're a kind woman, but you don't care. You look after me, you've raised me - nothing more."
She turned to Curdie again:
"Oh, Curdie, how did you get to the capital? How did you know when I longed to see you?"
"I heard a messenger, who brought us the news about... your father," Curdie said. "I felt very sorry for your loss, Irene, I... I felt like I needed to see you."
"Curdie, you've always understood me! I needed some true comfort so much!.." Irene silently cried for about a minute. She laid her head on Curdie's shoulder, which caused Lootie to frown. "But wait... I have sent no messengers to the Granite Mountains yet," Irene said with a hint of surprise. "How did one get there?"
"Two, actually, Louis Northern and Julian Forestleaf. They..."
"What?.." Irene was confused. "I don't know these names. These men don't work for me!"
EstrangeloEdessa, you can see the future indeed! :) Your guess was right again.
