Chapter 6: The Maiden
1023 A.D
The first few months of Leo's reign wasn't easy. It was a long adjustment period, but with the aid of Fergus, Leo managed to get the hang of running a kingdom. Before he knew it he entered his first year as king, then the second year, and now his third year.
The 26-year-old king was in his study when his captain of the guard entered his study.
"Your majesty! A situation has arisen."
"What is it?" Leo asked.
"My guards were doing their patrol where they found an unconscious woman in the woods. Judging by her clothing, she's most likely from the Real World."
Leo had heard stories of The Real World. The Real World was another dimension populated by humans. Every now and then, a human would stumble into the Mushroom World.
"Where's this woman?" Leo asked.
"She is being treated by the royal doctor as we speak," the captain said.
"Good. I would like to see this woman then."
"As you wish your majesty."
Leo followed the guard to where the woman was. Soon he entered the room and saw the woman, still out cold, on a bed while the doctor and nurse treated her.
The woman had blond hair, much like Leo, and had a red dress and a brown hood. She also had a few dirt marks on her face along with some cuts that doctors had cleaned. Looking at the woman, Leo fought the urge to thinking she was beautiful.
He snapped himself out of those thoughts when the voice of the doctor spoke to him.
"I see that you already met our guest, your majesty."
"How is she?" Leo ask.
"She has a few cuts and looks as if she hasn't eaten in a long while. But with rest and some food, I think she'll be fine. She should wake up at any time now."
"Have the chefs prepare some food for her, please."
"As you wish sire."
Just then, they heard small groaning coming from the woman, indicating that she was waking up.
"I think you should leave the room now. If she is from the real world, we don't want her to freak out at the sight of you guys," Leo suggested.
The toads in the room nodded their heads in understanding and left the young king the room alone with the woman. Leo pulled up a chair and sat at the woman's side as she woke up.
"Hello there. How are you feeling?" Leo said.
"I...I think I feel...fine. Who are you?" the woman said.
"My name is Leonard," Leo said, not wanting to reveal his King status yet. "What's your name?"
"Maida. My name is Maida," the woman said.
"Well. Nice to meet you, Maida. But can you please tell me where you hail from. As in country?" Leo asked.
"I came from England. Why do you ask?" Maida said.
Just as Leo suspected, the woman, Maida, was indeed from The Real World. He then took a breath decide to take things slow to explain.
"Well...where you are now, it's not the place you call 'England' per say," Leo said, "You see your in a land called-"
"Ah! Leonard! I see you have met our guest before I did!" came the sudden sound of Fergus.
Maida backed up to the corner in fear at the sight of the middle age toad.
"What...What is that thing!" Maida said fearfully.
Leo put the palm of his hand on his face and sighed. So much for taking things slow.
"Relax. It's alright. He's friendly," Leo assured.
"It seems that our guest isn't from around here. Well the milady, allow me to introduce myself. I am Fergus. I'm a what they call a toad, not to be confused with the frog. I am also the royal advisor to his majesty of The Mushroom Kingdom", Fergus said.
"Mushroom Kingdom? Where exactly am I?" Maida said in confusion.
"Please, calm down, and I'll explain," Leo said.
Leo explained Maida about the Mushroom world and how vastly different it was from The Real World, and this world doesn't have a huge population of humans.
"So that's basically what this world is like and how different it is from your world. I know it sounds confusing, but over time you'll get a better understanding," Leo concluded.
"And you're the king of this kingdom?" Maida asked unsurely.
"I am. But no need for formalities", Leo said.
"But the question still remains," Fergus said, "What brings someone like you here and how?"
"I guess I'll explain that", Maida said, "As I said earlier, I'm from England. My parents had put me into an arranged marriage with a powerful Lord. But the man I was betrothed to was horrible. My parents wouldn't call it off no matter what I told them. So the night before the wedding, I ran away. I was alone for quite a while till I fell into a green looking cylinder thing. I guess that's what brought me here."
Leo kept his expression neutral as he listened to Maida's story, but he felt sorry that she's been through that. He heard that parts of The Real World believed in arranged marriages in powerful families, but he didn't know how bad they could be. This kingdom, along with the other kingdoms, never had believed in arranged marriages, nor do they believe only marrying someone in the same class. They believe marriages formed by love.
"I'm sorry you went through that. But you're safe here now. And you're welcomed to stay here as long as you wish," Leo said.
"I don't want to be a burden," Maida said.
"Nonsense! You just went through a big ordeal and need to rest. We have plenty of room in this castle," Fergus said.
"Ok then...I guess I'll take up the offer," Maida said.
Leo smiled and was glad that Maida decided to stay at the castle. He didn't know why he was so happy to have here at the castle.
A few hours went by and Leo and Maida got to know each other and both ate dinner in the same room together. Leo learned that Maida was about 19 years old. They both enjoyed each other's company. But soon it was time for the King to turn in.
"I believe it's time for me to turn in for the night," Leo said.
"Right. Of course," Maida said.
"But I promise to come back tomorrow."
"Thank you again for taking me in, King Leonard."
"Maida, I told you earlier, no need for formalities. Just call me Leo. Ok?"
"Okay. Thank you again, Leo and goodnight."
"Goodnight Maida. Sleep well."
Leo then left the room to let Maida sleep in peace. He almost felt disappointed to leave her now, but he couldn't explain why.
"I take the rest of the evening between you two went well," Fergus said once Leo was far away from Maida's room.
"Yes. Everything went quite well," Leo said.
"I can tell you care quite an awful lot for Maida," Fergus said.
Leo groaned once he realized what Fergus was going with.
"Fergus, I know what you're thinking and I want to point out that I just met her."
"I wasn't thinking of anything. I was just pointing out that you show a lot of care to someone you just met a few hours ago."
"You would too if she was found alone in the woods and was on her own without food or water. Look it's late and I just want to go to sleep. It's been a long day."
"Very well then. Goodnight your majesty."
"Goodnight Fergus."
The pair then went to their chambers to rest for the night. Little did Leo know, the relationship between him and Maida will evolve.
So here we have the next chapter of Rosalina's Brother.
I'm not sure what England (or any European country for the matter) was like around this time, but I'm pretty sure some families (most notably the wealthier ones) did do arrange marriages.
I firmly believe that the royal families in the Mushroom World don't believe that sort of thing. I mean, Peach & Daisy (2 princesses) are seemingly with Mario & Luigi (2 plumbers), and no one seems to have a problem with it.
Anyways, hope you all like this chapter.
