Chapter Four
The gate was wide open, and lots of small, triangular torches lines the grey walls as we strode into the main gate.
Hearing voices, we slowed our pace until we arrived at a large bridge overlooking the great chasm in the palace. The Queen was talking to the Princess, in a seemingly high-spirited conversation, when I noticed another figure sitting in a chair on the spire. It was a kid, probably no older than I was, dressed in the same fashion as the Princess. His dark eyes were looking over at the mother and daughter, waiting for something. Black, sticky hair crowned his head, as he folded his arms and hunched over, his black boots tapping impatiently on the stone floor.
"Oh, what is it Gerald? You've been doing that for the last ten minutes."
"Can I go now, Mama? I want to see my new toy."
The Queen glared slightly at the young boy now named as Gerald.
"Fine, fine, be back shortly. I want you to have some ice cream with us later." She said it with a hint of annoyance.
The boy hopped out of his chair, and skipped out of the room through a tunnel behind the Queen.
"Oh what am I going to do with that boy…"she huffed.
"Helena….Helena..."Valentine whispered into my ear. "Perhaps we should follow that boy, I think he has my tower."
"Alright, you go follow him. Let me talk to the Queen first."
He snuck off, holding himself against the wall unnecessarily. Afterward he turned into the tunnel.
I coughed loudly to get the ladies' attention. "Excuse me, I'm sorry for interrupting…"
Both the Queen and the Princess twisted around to look at me. The Queen broke into a pleasant but equally creepy smile. The Princess pouted.
"Helena, darling. We weren't expecting you. Come in, come in."
Stepping along a rocky bridge, I ambled over to her, where she immediately gave me a warm hug.
"Hello…" I shyly offered to the Princess.
She didn't change her expression.
"How are you, child? I hope everything is ok." said the Queen.
"I'm fine. I just thought I would visit you, since I was in…the area..."