Chapter Eleven

"You want me to what?" Erika looked upon her visitor with shock. When she had met this man, she had gathered many things: his name was Julian, he worked for the palace, and he was a teacher; foolishness hadn't even crossed her mind.

"I want you to pose as the Princess. For just a short while, I promise." Julian rose from his chair as he said this. Erika could tell he meant business. It wasn't all a joke; he wanted her to imitate royalty… for real!

"This is crazy!"

"But it'll help. Anneliese has been missing for several days now and there has been no clue as to who has taken her. If we can trick the bad man into thinking she had escaped, he'll hopefully make some mistakes… or try to kidnap her back."

"Oh no! Kidnap me?" Erika shook her head. "No go, Julian. I do not want to be kidnapped."

The worried teacher began to pace the floor. "That's just a very very small possibility. I'll do everything I can to keep you safe, I promise."

Yet, she wasn't sure if this were enough. "I can't believe you'd even…." She let her voice trail off, as she remembered. She had begged him to tell her what he had begun to say. He had banished the thought earlier, but she had persisted. Julian had come to her, liking her singing. Julian had come to her for help. Who was she to turn him away?

"Look, I know it sounds bad, hard, maybe even a little bit scary, but I wouldn't be asking this unless I thought it would help…"

It would help? She supposed it would. After all, as he said, the kidnapper would start to make mistakes if he thought the princess had escaped.

"…I mean, I guess there will be some things we'll have to expect, like getting you a wig and a little bit of etiquette training …"

Yes, there would be that too. She questioned her ability to learn all these things so quickly. Could she truly pull this whole thing off? Julian seemed to think so. He was so desperate. He needed her. The whole kingdom needed her. Even if she wasn't princess material, she was the only one who could help. "Okay…I'll do it."

The teacher paused in his contriving, looking up at her as he spoke. "W-what?" He seemed to have either not heard her, or was just in shock at her answer.

"I said I'd do it." Erika stood as well. "As a subject in this kingdom, it's my duty to help the royal family. What help would I be if I said no for my own selfish purposes?"

Julian paused to look at her, thinking for a short while. "I wouldn't hold it against you. You have the option to refuse."

"But I want to do it. Deep down I know it's the right thing."

The handsome blonde man adverted his gaze for a moment. Was it just her, or was he perhaps wishing she would say no?

"Alright." When he looked back at her, he was smiling. "In fact, thank you."

Erika shrugged. They both milled around nervously for a bit and the young seamstress reclaimed her seat. She had long ago lost interest in the dress she had been working on. Sighing, she set it off to the side. "How long do I have?"

"Excuse me?" He had been lost in his own thoughts.

"I was wondering how long I have before you want to take me back with you, to be your princess?" There were many things she needed to do: packing, saying goodbye to Bertie, and finding Wolfie were all on the top of her list.

"How soon could you be ready?"

"Um… well, I'll need to pack and say my goodbyes…. May I bring my cat along with me?"

The young tutor shrugged. "If it suits you, I see no harm in it."

"Then I'll need to find him." But as she rose to her feet, she couldn't help but feel she was missing something important. She had listed all she needed to do, hadn't she? Madam Carp may miss her, but perhaps Julian would share the Princess's safe-return-reward with her? The large sum of money would surely soften the old woman's cruel heart.

"Is something wrong?" Julian must have noticed her hesitation, for he was at her side in a moment.

"No." She adverted her gaze quickly. "No nothing's wrong. Just give me a few minutes to pack and say my goodbyes."

"You needn't pack anything. I'm sure everything the princess owns will fit you just fine."

She nodded slowly, looking down at her old dress. "Okay."

"Woof!"

When she turned, she saw Wolfie walking towards her.

"Did that cat just-"

Erika smiled as she picked the cat up off the floor. "Bark? Yes." She pet the feline's silky coat. "This is Wolfie. Wolfie? Julian."

Wolfie wagged his tail as Julian reached over and patted his head. "He's charming."

"Thank you." Erika nodded, her heart glowing with unknown warmth when she realized that Wolfie approved. It comforted her to know that her precious pet agreed that she would be in good hands.

Goodbyes went quickly for Erika and it wasn't long before she was sitting comfortably in an extravagant coach. Wolfie sat beside her, his claws testing the fancy upholstery.

"Comfortable?" Julian smiled at her through the window as he closed the door.

Erika's heart beat faster. "I sure hope I can do this."

"You'll be fine. I have faith in you." He patted her hand reassuringly. "Make a wish. I'll wish one too."

Erika paused. "Make a wish?"

"What? You don't believe in wishes?"

She paused again. Of course she believed in wishes. Her only cause for hesitancy was that she hadn't heard that phrase used in years. It had been commonly used by her father. They used to wish on stars when she was little. Make a wish, Erika. Good, now I'll wish one too.

"Erika?"

She smiled slowly at him, her eyes misting over. "Of course I believe in wishes."

"Good." He patted her hand. "You'll be fine."

She waited until he had climbed up top and the carriage had started before returning to her reverie. How did Julian know about the phrasings used by her father? Did they once know eachother? It seemed so strange to her. She made special note to ask the teacher about it later.

"Oh, Wolfie." Leaning back in her seat, she paused a moment to close her eyes. "What am I getting myself into?" She reached over to pet her cat and he nuzzled her hand. Smiling slowly, she thought about everything that lay ahead, everything that scared her, and then one by one, she wished each one away.

Princess Erika? Oh yes. She was ready now.