April 7th, 17th year of the reign of King Edward
Esmerelda has found a really good hiding place because I can't find her. I know she hasn't gone home yet because she still eats meals in the great hall, but it's not a place to tell one another secrets. I haven't seen any signs of the frog, but wherever she is hiding, it must have something to do with that frog. I can't think of any other reason unless she's jealous of the attention I'm receiving from Prince Patrick and Prince Richard. She can't hide whatever this secret is forever, and someone may find out about it before I can help her continue to hide it. I miss her company, I know that we live in different kingdoms, but she is a sister to me. Both Helen and Esmerelda are like sisters. They filled an empty hole when I needed them the most. I let them fill my brother's place because I knew I was missing something, but until recently I didn't know what it was. I'm going to lose Helen in a couple of months, and I'm not ready to lose Esmerelda, not just yet.
April 20th, 17th year of the reign of King Edward
I'm beginning to wonder if either of our guests will return to their homes. Both of them have been here for three weeks. I wonder if my parents keep extending the invitation, I wouldn't put it passed them to do something like that. At least a lot of those formal ceremonies have stopped since court has been formally closed for a few weeks. I love this time because I actually have free time, and I don't have to be in several places at once!
Since I now have some free time, I was finally able to corner Esmerelda, but she didn't tell me anything useful. Any time I mentioned the talking frog, she abruptly change the subject. She managed to get me talking about Prince Patrick, but I couldn't get her to talk. She doesn't want me to know something about that frog. I'm surprised that she's managed to keep a secret for this long because the servants are quite prone to gossip even when they don't think anyone is listening. There is only one place that is safe from everyone and I should have thought of this place ages ago. There's a secret room which has entrances from several places in the castle, and one of them is in Esmerelda's room. That must be where she's been spending all of her time, and now I don't remember why I ever showed her that room, or even if I did.
After my not so informative chat with Esmerelda, I found Prince Patrick in the library again. He was looking at the family tree, and I couldn't hide anything about my missing brother. I wonder how he was able to convince someone to let him look at it since that is the most protected book in the library. I think he realized that I didn't know a lot about my missing brother. Then suddenly, Patrick kissed me! It was completely unexpected and I believe he acted on an impulse. I felt like I was in a different world and I didn't want him to stop. We only stopped after we heard someone enter the room who turned out to be Prince Richard. I don't think Prince Richard saw anything since there was a bookshelf in front of us. I really have to be careful around Prince Patrick because I think I'm in love with him, and I can't stop thinking about him. I am completely under his spell, but why does life have to be so complicated? Could I convince my parents to change a law that has worked for centuries? Is this really what I want or am I just a love struck sixteen year old? Is this just a fantasy and will I really have to marry for the welfare of my kingdom? I really don't know what I want anymore or what my future will be.
A/N: I'm happy people are enjoying this story. I have fall break this weekend so I won't be able to post chpt 8 until next Wed, internet access is not that great at home. Until the next update then.
