Disclaimer: I do not own Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper.
AN: And here is the next chapter! Huge thanks to Someone With A Pencil, Piano Player 47 and LavernaG for reviewing! I hope that you guys continue to enjoy the story and that I don't let you guys down :)
To be honest, Dominick had been toying with the idea of bringing up the issue of King Radius with Julian. They had just been getting off the carriage, however, before a messenger raced up to them, face red and panting as he tried to get out the message. Erika kindly placed a hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to slow down before reciting his message.
Blushing at the attention he was receiving from the four royals, the messenger, barely a boy himself, nodded and then started again. "The Queen requests your presence, your majesties. Princess Anneliese and Prince Julian."
Dominick frowned, wondering what was so important that the Queen couldn't wait until dinner and would interrupt their little outing. He noticed Erika and Anneliese shoot each other a worried look before Anneliese's shoulders set in determination and she shot her friend a smile. "You and Dominick enjoy yourselves. Julian and I will head back first, and send the carriage back for you."
"Don't be ridiculous." Erika chided. "We're coming with you, aren't we?" She glanced at Dominick, who nodded his support.
Anneliese's face was drawn in worry. "Are you sure? I know you were looking forward to this trip."
"The village isn't going to go anywhere." Erika replied. "Besides, this is still my home. Anything I can do to help, I'll help."
They reached the castle in record time, and hurried to the throne room, while trying to keep their composure. Again, Dominick noticed the portrait of King Radius that was slightly out of sight unless one knew what they were looking for. The man's kind smile confused him – what sort of scandal would a king as gentle as this one seemed be involved in?
He withheld a sigh, nodding at the guards who bowed and let them into the throne room. The Queen was alone, surprisingly, pacing in front of her throne while studying a list held in front of her. She looked up at their entrance, her face relieved.
"Ah, Anneliese." She hurried over to her daughter.
"Mother? What's wrong?" Anneliese asked, worried.
Queen Genevieve eyed Erika and Dominick a little uncertainly. Dominick exchanged a look with Erika. "If it is a private matter, Erika and I would not mind waiting outside."
"No," Genevieve shook her head, waving her hand. "I was being silly. You two have proven to be valuable allies in the past, so I don't see what that should change now."
Erika smiled in delight, dropping into a light curtsy.
Genevieve's face turned worried once again as she held the list out to Anneliese, who studied it, with Julian looking over her shoulder. "There have been reports," she provided, "about some miraculous recoveries that the royal doctor has recently been seeing in the villagers. We are not sure how they came about, or what exactly this miraculous cure is, but I would like you to find out."
"Of course, mother." Anneliese smiled. She looked at Julian, before looking back at her mother. "Do you think this has to do with your eyesight?"
"I don't doubt it." The Queen sighed. She smoothed out her expression, smiling at her daughter. "I would take a look at this myself, but I have a meeting with some finance ministers about recent trade with other kingdoms. I have faith in you and your friends, Anneliese."
Anneliese's smile grew, and she curtsied, taking her leave. Turning, she left with the others following her.
Erika hid a smile as Anneliese strode in what seemed like a familiar path to her, talking animatedly with Julian about whatever the cure was. She exchanged another amused look with Dominick, knowing that both of them had little idea as to what the two were actually talking about.
They were unlikely to be much help in the science department, but they could definitely help out in social situations, going down to talk to the villagers. Besides, Erika mused, it was a good way to catch up with her friends. Well…more like acquaintances. It would still be nice to hear from them, especially in times like these.
Dominick wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling gently. "How are you feeling?" He asked in a low voice.
"I'm good." Erika replied, smiling back. "I just hope that this cure doesn't turn out to be some curse in disguise. I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"We've gone through more than this." Dominick replied.
"But nothing as serious as this curse. It was dangerous, yes, but we don't even know what this thing is." Erika voiced out her worries.
"Point is," Dominick squeezed her shoulders briefly, "we've been through something horrible, but we can still get through this. Together."
"Together." Erika smiled.
Julian's mind was currently, probably like the others, clouded with worry. He wanted to know what on earth was so powerful that it could cure seemingly incurable illnesses and inevitable problems. Opening the doors to the library, he followed Anneliese to their table, where several books from previous sessions were still open, with parchment lying out. He quickly closed the books, returning to their rightful places on the shelves while Anneliese gathered the parchment together.
Grabbing a few books on past curses and spells in times of old, Julian laid them down on the desk, snatching up a chair at the side to sit beside Anneliese. The princess was already opening the first book, her eyes skimming through the text. Despite the serious situation, Julian couldn't resist a smile; this was what he loved about Anneliese – her hardworking determination and eagerness to learn.
He opened another book, only to stop as he realise that Dominick and Erika had nothing to sit on. Leaping up, Julian quickly scanned the library for any chairs, and spotted some by another desk. He looked to the two royals, who was standing in awe at the sheer immensity of the library. A surge of pride welled up in Julian, who knew that the kingdom's collection of tomes was one of the largest in the all kingdoms.
Erika laughed self-deprecatingly as she shook her head, noticing his look. "Sorry, I just haven't seen so many books in one place before."
Julian let out a small smile – this was one of the first exchanges he's actually had with Erika. While he didn't know her as well as he did Anneliese, Erika was a bright lady that he wouldn't mind spending more time with. "I'm glad. I'll get you a seat." He walked over to the desk, only to stop as Erika laughed again.
"Don't worry about it, Julian. Dominick and I aren't exactly the best at this research." Julian turned to see Dominick nod in agreement.
"We'll go and talk to the villagers, maybe they have an idea about what's happening." Dominick suggested.
Julian nodded, turning to Anneliese, who had barely looked up from her reading. "Go ahead. I'll tell Anneliese if she asks."
"Alright." Erika shot him a small smile before she and Dominick exited the room, closing doors behind them with a silent click. Relaxing for an unknown reason, Julian walked back to the chair and sat down, opening the book and starting to read.
Preminger was most certainly not sulking. The guards were the idiots who had served him the wrong slop, leaving it in a place that Preminger would certainly trip over and fall, thus rendering the slop even more inedible than before. He scowled at the still laughing guards, rolling his eyes as he ran a hand through his hair.
Hair – that he noticed – was becoming darker and darker with each passing day. It was honestly amazing that none of the guards had noticed it. Then again, they were idiots that he had hired under the Queen's service in order to get away with his own fools. He briefly wondered where they were, but banished that thought.
It was their fault that his whole plan had failed. He didn't need them.
He scowled to the corner of the wall, and walked to the mirror, noticing some sludge that had stuck into his hair. Even though his hair was now a light grey, the dark slop still sharply contrasted with the background, making it obnoxiously obvious.
Sighing, Preminger resigned himself to picking out the sludge with his fingers, grimacing every time his fingers got hold of some. He untied his hair, rinsing it in the sink, and then quickly grabbed his brush and started combing his hair.
Madame Carp scowled at her reflection in the grimy metal tray near the side. She had had to abandon her beautiful dress in favour of this dull cape in order to get past the guards. Honestly, they were absolutely incompetent. It was surprising just how easy it was to sneak into the castle.
From what the stupid owner had told her – when she had embarrassingly had to storm back through the backdoor and demanded who the cousin was – the guard was currently guarding the dungeons, and should be coming off shift soon.
She stormed through the palace, knowing that as long as she looked like she belonged there, no one would question her. All she had to do was to keep her face hidden from the servants that were scuttling by, trying to keep up with their master's rapid demands. She rigidly walked to the stairs that led down into the dungeons, waving her hand in front of her nose. The stench was overwhelming, and she wondered just how any of the guards stood it.
Holding her head high, she hesitantly walked down the steps, scowling at the sight of prisoners in the cells that lined the corridors. She cringed as the prisoners reached out to her, calling out lewd comments. Rolling her eyes, she steered clear of them.
Where were those damned guards?
Suddenly, from within, Carp heard the tell-tale clanking of armour approaching. Dammit – they must patrol instead of guarding each individual cell. Must be due to a lack of numbers, she thought cynically. Looking around, she noticed a small corridor tucked away from the main corridor, and quickly walked down the dark hallway, only lit up dimly by some torches.
Her heels clicking as she walked down, she wrinkled her nose at the grime that covered the walls. Inside, she heard the sound of boisterous laughter, and guessed that the cell was some form of special containment. She walked in, holding her head high, and noticed a small area that led to a rather large cell, guarded by two guards who was joking with each other.
She couldn't see who was inside the cell with the dim lighting, and didn't attempt to. The guards looked at her, drawing their weapons instantly. "What are you doing here?" One of them demanded. "And how did you get past the guards at the entrance?"
Guards? She mentally snorted. Must be lazing around somewhere, assuming that no one would go in.
"Which one of you is Frederick? Your cousin owes me a great debt, and he said that you could pay it off."
The stouter guard scowled. "And how am I to know you speak the truth and shouldn't arrest you right not for trespassing?"
"Because you seem like a smart man, and if you were smart, you'd pay me and I'll never bother you again." Carp promised. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a grey-haired man walk into the light, peering through the bars in interest. Carp's own interest was piqued – this was Preminger, a former advisor who had been imprisoned due to treason against the thrones.
She briefly wondered why on earth the Queen hadn't ordered his execution, but decided not to ponder on it and turned back to Frederick, who was sighing heavily. "Just like him." He mumbled. He looked up at Madame Carp, who was still staring at Preminger. Preminger shot her a sly grin, discreetly nodding at the key which was hanging off Frederick's belt, almost daring her to take it and break him out.
Carp didn't know why, but the thought allured her. Of being powerful once more. And it was clear that the only way to do so was to ally herself with Preminger. After all, he managed to work under the Queen's nose for years, and he would have powerful connections, no?
Smirking to herself, Madame Carp let herself be led away, eyeing the key dangling from Frederick's belt, her mind made up.
