Amberly
'Why is there no one here yet?' I asked looking around the deserted marketplace where the festival was meant to take place. Store holders were readying their goods and street performers were practising their skills but there were very few other people around.
'The festival doesn't begin for another hour,' Anthony answered me as he smiled at some of the people who had recognised their royal family. Many were struck dumb but several seemed to accept that they would be walking around the deserted aisles well before the official festival began. 'My family has been coming to this festival since it began several decades ago.'
'What's it in celebration of?' I asked, watching a juggler as he tossed seven batons above his head with ease.
'Well, during the third world war there was a riot in the streets where the people were protesting for the end of the war, or at least the end of our involvement. This was before Buckingham was bombed and the war hadn't yet touched our shores.' He explained as Elliot ran ahead from his parents looking at a display filled with cringeworthy animals. I quickly averted my gaze when a snake slithered around in its tank, Elliot however, had eyes the size of saucers as he took in all the slithering and creeping reptiles.
'So, what does that have to do with a festival?' I asked, turning back to Anthony.
'Well, the protest lasted three days. Thousands of people came here, to Trafalgar Square and camped out. The first day they were avidly protesting until their voices were hoarse and they couldn't hold their signs anymore. On the second day they simply milled around the square waiting for something to happen. At least it appeared that way. As it turned out on the first night it had been terribly cold and the people had started fires to keep themselves warm. It was a logical solution, but my ancestors were trickster,' he smirked and I shook my head at his entire family line, obviously his family had been pulling tricks on this country for a long time.
'Why am I not surprised?'
'I know it's truly shocking,' he teased, giving my hand a squeeze.
'So what did your ancestor do?' I prompted.
'Well, the youngest son of the king, Jameson, snuck into the crowd of people. He visited every fire that night and placed something in them to burn. The next morning when the royal family came to address the crowd something was wrong. You see people were running around naked and other's were trying and failing to climb Nelson's Column there,' he said pointing to the tall structure in the middle of the square that stood between two fountains and had two golden lions standing guard at its base. 'People had even made makeshift rafts and were trying to race each other across the fountains.' He laughed and I looked at him like he was insane.
'What caused the people to act in such a way?' I asked.
'Well, when the king went among the people to ask what they were doing no one could answer his questions but when he came close to one of the extinguished fires the source of the trouble was clear.' He answered with a mischievous smile and then it finally registered what the young prince had placed inside the fires the night before.
'He drugged them,' I gasped as Anthony laughed beside me.
'To Jameson's defence he didn't know what he was putting in there was drugs. He had stolen it from some of the palace guards who obviously knew how to have a good time. They had caught sight him as he ran from the barracks and he sprinted to the square for cover and the fires allowed him to conveniently destroy the evidence. Unfortunately, for him he had hung around after he had deposited his little presents and was the highest of them all. When they finally found the young prince he had managed to climb all the way to the top of Nelson's column. The problem for him was he had no idea how to get down. It took all of the third day to rescue the prince, as most of the protestors slept off the drugs in their system.'
'And the war was still carrying on through all of this?' I asked a little shocked.
'Yes, surprisingly it was a time when we were having our greatest victories.'
'So you have a festival to celebrate getting high?' I asked, unimpressed.
'Didn't think we could get anymore irresponsible did you?' Anthony teased.
'I admit I didn't think it was possible,' I answered, shaking my head.
'It's called the Festival of Stranded Souls in honour of Jameson being stuck high above the people for nearly two days.'
'Does it last three days?'
'No, just tonight,' he chuckled at my disapproval. 'There's boat races, carnival games and stalls, but the main event is of course the climbing of Nelson's Column.'
'Of course,' I muttered.
'Don't act so unimpressed Amberly it's my second greatest achievement,' he smirked. 'I've won five years in a row.'
'What's your first?' I asked, unimpressed by my fiancé's standards.
'Getting you to agree to marry me.' He answered and I shook my head trying to suppress my smile.
'You're too charming for your own good sometimes Anthony.' I complained pushing him away, trying to hide the smile trying to break across my face.
'Can't resist me can you love?' He replied playfully, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close to his chest with only slight resistance from me.
'Amberly, come here quick,' Anthony groaned as his youngest brother drew my attention away from him to where he was bouncing up and down beside a man with an easel placed in front of him.
'What is it Elliot?' I asked, smiling at Anthony's frustrated look.
'He's drawing pictures,' he said excitedly watching as the man's pen skated across the page in fluid, purposeful strokes. 'Come on Amberly.'
'I guess I better go,' I smiled up at Anthony who seemed to want to do anything but let me go.
'But Amberly,' Anthony whined. 'I don't want you to go.'
'How old are you?' I laughed prying his hands from my waist.
'Depends on who you ask,' he shrugged, reluctantly letting his hands fall.
'And if I asked your mother?' I teased, my hands on my waist as I stared up at him.
'Probably best you didn't love,' he chuckled. I smiled at him and before turning to find Elliot I quickly leant up and pressed my lips against his, leaving him with a dumb look on his face.
'You can't do that Amberly,' he complained from behind me when he finally found his voice.
'I can do whatever I want Anthony, we both know who holds the power in this relationship,' I smiled smugly at him over my shoulder before Elliot pulled my attention back to him.
'Look Amberly,' he said excitedly pointing at the caricature the street artist had been drawing. It was a picture of Anthony and I in the street from moments before. I was looking away with a smile on my face as Anthony looked down at me with that look I had seen the first time we had met, the one I had been drawing when he found me on the roof and the one he had when he proposed this morning.
'Your highness,' the artist bowed slightly as I finally looked up from the drawing. He was a young man with long dirty brown hair and a body with very little skin that wasn't covered in tattoos.
'Can I have this?' I asked, motioning towards the image he had drawn of Anthony and I.
'Of course your highness,' he answered eagerly tearing the page from his book and handing it to me.
'I'm sorry I don't have anything to pay for it,' I told him guiltily looking down at cartoon Anthony.
'It is an honour that you appreciate my work Princess Amberly, your gratitude is the only payment I require,' he smiled, but I still felt guilty.
'How about I do something for you?' I offered and he looked at me a little puzzled by my offer. 'I'll draw a picture for you.'
'You are an artist?' He asked a little shocked.
'She is really good,' Elliot announced. 'Ask her to draw you on a stegsatraous.'
'Stegosaurus Elliot,' Anthony corrected finally coming over to join us and ruffling his little brother's hair. 'What are you doing love?'
'The man drew a picture of us and I want to repay him with one of my own,' I explained as the man bowed for Anthony, clearly awestruck being in the presence of his crown prince.
'No offence sir but she is a magnificent artist, it couldn't possibly be a fair trade,' Anthony said wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me against his side.
'Anthony,' I scolded.
'What Amberly? It's true,' he assured me. 'Right Elliot?'
'Yes,' Elliot answered enthusiastically. 'Draw a picture, please Amberly.'
'Do you mind?' I asked sheepishly of the poor man who didn't seem to care that the three of us were taking over his stall.
'Of course your highness,' he gushed getting up from his stool and handing me his pen.
'What should I draw?' I asked Anthony and Elliot as I sat on the artist's recently vacated chair.
Anthony
Amberly and I spent the rest of the time before the festival opened with the street artist whose name we learnt to be Henry. She drew pictures of Elliot and I goofing around and even managed to draw one of my family which my mother insisted on taking with her. Amberly and Henry were speaking about their shared interest as I simply watched her when she was at her freest. Her smile was radiant and her entire body was relaxed, making her look twice as beautiful as usual. This made it almost impossible for me to keep my hands off her, despite her protests whenever I tried to steal a kiss.
When the people started to build throughout the festival Amberly and I left Henry so my father and I could prepare for the announcement. Amberly stayed close to my side, holding my hand tighter than before but I could sense she was far less startled than the first time she had faced a crowd with me by her side. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face, knowing I was the reason she felt safer.
Throughout the announcement just like my mother stood beside my father Amberly stood beside me. Looking out at the crowd I saw that several of the women were looking up at Amberly with envy, whilst others looked at us with happiness. The people were excited to have a new princess, even if others resented where she came from.
Finally, formalities were over and the crowd began to look around expectantly and I knew why. It was tradition, only this year, it was my brother's turn. He just didn't know it yet.
My father looked over at me and I nodded my head slightly, releasing Amberly's hand. She looked at me in confusion but didn't object to my odd behaviour.
'I guess you're all wondering what stunt my father and I will pull this year,' I announced to the crowd and they murmured their agreement as two guards positioned themselves behind Jared without him realising. 'Well, this year there will be no stunt between my father and I,' this was met with a chorus of disappointed people as I motioned for the tank to be wheeled out on stage. 'This year we have decided to join together, with Jared as our target,' I grinned just as Jared realised what was about to happen. However, it was too late for him and the guards had already grabbed hold of him and were dragging him towards the tank. They efficiently fastened him into the seat above the tank as he tried to break free without success.
'As a special treat,' I said turning back to the crowd. 'My fiancé will bring about my brother's demise.'
'Anthony,' Amberly scolded from behind me as the crowd cheered, eager to see my bother dunked in a large tank filled with water.
'Come on love, I know you want to,' I smirked, turning back to look at her as she glowered back at me.
'Anthony, I am not going to dunk your brother. I refuse to be part of one of your pranks,' she said defiantly, crossing her arms over her chest.
'I told you she wouldn't do it son, she doesn't have it in her,' dad came over holding the balls we intended to use to sink my still struggling brother.
'That will not work king Frederick. You will not trick me into having any part in this.' She said adamantly.
'I'm not trying to trick you Amberly, I'm merely telling my son that I was right,' he shrugged innocently, however just like me it wasn't a look that suited him. It wasn't one he was able to pull off either. Amberly was able to see through his tricks easily and I rolled back on my heels to watch the exchange, eager to know the true extent of my father's persuasive abilities.
'Good, because I will not be doing this,' she answered firmly.
'Thank you Amberly,' Jared shouted from where he was still strapped into the chair above the ice cold water. Unfortunately for Jared, the sun had set so the chill of the night air had already started to set in as lights flickered on throughout the festival. The crowd below us eagerly awaited the downfall of their prince and I was excited to see my brother fall as well.
'Come on love, he deserves it,' I tried to convince her but I was unable to hide the smirk from my face as she walked towards me, determination in her eyes.
'I will not be a part of this-' She was cut off by the startled yelp of my younger brother who had just taken his tumble into the water beneath him. Amberly looked down at her foot in alarm realising the true trigger had been beneath her feet.
'I knew you could do it love,' I laughed as Jared tried unsuccessfully to pull himself out of the tank.
'I didn't…' She trailed off looking up at Jared in confusion before it finally shifted to anger. Anger which was directed solely at me. 'Anthony,' she growled and I tried to suppress my laughter because I knew it would only fuel her anger.
'Love,' I answered her taking a step towards her, my hands raised as if she were a wild animal who could strike at any moment.
'Anthony, don't you dare come a step closer,' she warned, pointing an angry finger at my chest as I bridged the gap between us. I wrapped my arms around her quickly, crushing her arms between us as she tried, but didn't succeed in escaping my hold.
'Come on love, it's just a little water. Jared's going to be fine.'
'Anthony, let go,' she demanded, but all I could do was join in the laughter of the crowd behind my back as they enjoyed the sight of one of their princes climbing out of a tank filled with water.
'Amberly you have to admit it was terribly funny,' I tried to placate her motioning towards Jared who had finally managed to escape his watery prison only to look like more of a fool, standing before the people in a wet suit. My enjoyment only intensified as he tried to make his way to us and slipped in a puddle. The crowd roared with delight but all I was focused on was Amberly trying to hold her laughter back.
'Anthony, this isn't funny,' she complained, taking deep breaths to settle her laughter.
'Don't lie to me Amberly, I can tell how much you're enjoying this,' I answered as she finally allowed a smile to escape across her face.
'I'm not,' she answered adamantly, twisting so she could hide her face from me.
'Oh really love?' I asked, raising my eyebrow as my brother tried to wring out his jacket.
'Shut up Anthony,' she groaned, looking back up at me with a reluctant smile before burying her head in my chest. She mumbled something into my chest and I laughed because there was no way I was ever going to be able to hear her.
'What was that Amberly?' I asked tightening my hold on her.
'You corrupted me,' she accused bringing her eyes to meet mine.
'I know love,' I smiled down at her as the chaos continued to reign around us.
'Amberly!' My brother's shout was the only warning we got before he ripped her from my arms and wrapped her in a tight hug. She let out a startled squeal trying to push off my soaking brother but it was too late.
'Jared, please let me go,' she gasped around her body crippling laughter.
'Yes little brother, I suggest you let my fiancé go,' I laughed, walking up beside the two of them.
'You going to let him call you that Amberly?' Jared challenged, not knowing what had happened this morning.
'I can't deny it Jared,' Amberly shrugged, pulling out her hand and showing him the ring. 'I did allow him to put this on my finger this morning.'
'What?' Jared asked, looking between the two of us in shock. 'But…but…'
'The english language never was your strong point Jared. You should probably quit while you're behind,' I smirked, taking Amberly's hand and pulling her from my brother's relaxed arms.
'Come on you three,' my mother called and I looked over to find them surrounded by guards, waiting for us to join them.
'Where are we going?' Amberly asked as Jared continued to look at us is shock.
'We're going to walk among the people to Nelson's Column, then we will do the climb,' I told her, walking toward my parents. Jared quickly caught up and fell into step on Amberly's other side.
'I'm going to beat you this year,' Jared promised over Amberly's head, water still dripping from him.
'You are delusional Jared, no one has beaten me in five years. What makes you think this year will be any different?' I laughed.
'Something's different this year,' he smirked, looking away from me as we walked out into the crowd. As usual the crowd was charged with excitement and over exuberance, desperately trying to capture our attention.
'Amberly, will you walk with me?' Elliot begged letting my parents hands go and running back for Amberly. I watched the guards grow nervous with the sudden movement of my youngest brother and my parents were equally unsettled.
'Of course Elliot,' Amberly smiled, missing the tension and releasing my hand and instead taking my younger brother's. I let her go reluctantly as my father's words from earlier played in the back of my mind. What if the people who wanted hurt her were here now?
I watched nervously as her and Elliot walked in front of me and behind my parents. We moved slowly through the gathered crowd and each step filled me with unease.
'Anthony, why do you look like our mother whenever Elliot does something dangerous?' Jared asked but I couldn't pull my eyes away from Amberly.
'I don't want to lose her,' I answered absently as Elliot stopped to talk with a little girl and her father. Amberly smiled down at the little girl, then at the father. He smiled at her extending his hand for her to shake, which she returned willingly.
It all happened so quickly after that. One minute she was there, only steps in front of me and then the crowd surged between us and I couldn't see her anymore. My heart dropped clear out of my chest and my breath left in one quick gush, leaving my lungs empty.
'Amberly!' I shouted, pushing through the crowd trying to get to where she was but they wouldn't move.
'Anthony, it's fine calm down,' Jared assured me from my side as he shook the hands of the people, trying to cover for my panicked behaviour. Quickly, I turned to the guard who was still beside me.
'The princess, we need to find her,' I ordered and he nodded his head before speaking with someone in his earpiece. I anxiously tried to separate the crowd but I still couldn't see her.
'Anthony, you need to calm down,' Jared hissed but I ignored him. I couldn't be calm until Amberly was by my side. What if they took her? What if that father was one of them?
I was close to hysteria when the crowd finally parted and relief flooded my body. She was standing where she had been before, still smiling and talking with the man as Elliot spoke with his daughter and I finally felt the air rush back into my lungs. She was safe. I barely even registered Jared muttering something beside me as I moved towards her.
I rushed to her side and wrapped her in a tight embrace, breathing in everything that was her.
'Anthony,' she laughed as if the world hadn't just shifted on its axis. 'What are you doing?'
However, I didn't answer her because I was too busy just holding her.
'Anthony?' She asked a little concerned and I finally pulled back to find a confused look on her face.
'You walk with me the rest of the way,' I instructed, gripping her hand tightly.
'All right,' she replied, her brow furrowing in confusion. I nodded my head but offered her no more explanation as she said goodbye to the father and daughter and I quickly moved her on. Elliot complained but when I levelled him with a harsh stare he quickly quietened and ran to catch up with our parents who had been watching us closely.
Jared fell into step beside Amberly again and looked at me curiously but I didn't offer any explanation.
The rest of the journey to the Column was uneventful but it didn't stop my nerves from reacting to every sudden movement. Amberly kept throwing concerned glances at me but I couldn't tell her why I was so unnerved because I didn't want to scare her.
'Ready Anthony?' Jared asked stepping forward to be with the other competitors but all my enthusiasm for the climb had been lost when Amberly had disappeared in the crowd. I didn't want to leave her alone, even for the few minutes it would take me to climb to the top.
'Anthony?' She prodded from beside me. 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing,' I answered quickly, too quickly. From her stance I could tell she knew I was hiding something from her.
'Anthony,' she warned, stepping away from me, placing her hands on her hips impatiently.
'It's nothing love, I just don't want to climb this year.'
'I don't believe you,' she shot back.
'I don't want to leave you, we can watch together as my brother fails to win yet again,' I offered, trying to muster up at weak smile. She eyed me for a long time before shaking her head at me.
'Anthony, go and climb that column. I don't need you by my side all the time. The crowds don't scare me anymore.' She sighed. They may not scare her anymore but they terrified me. There were too many unknown variables, too many chances for her to be ripped away from me in seconds.
'Come on Anthony,' Jared whined as they attached him to the wires that would stop him from plummeting to his death when he would inevitably fall from the Column.
'Go,' Amberly encouraged.
'I'll stay with Amberly,' Elliot announced, taking hold of her other hand but it did little to settle my nerves.
'I don't know,' I answered anxiously, looking around at the crowd.
Suddenly, Amberly stepped up in front of me letting go of mine and my brother's hands before cupping my face gently. She quickly brushed her lips against mine, then stepped back allowing Elliot to take her hand again. I stood in front of her, shocked, not able to tear my eyes away.
'I'll be fine Anthony,' she assured me as I tried to recover.
'I don't know love,' I answered a small smirk playing on my lips. 'I think I need a real kiss just to be certain.' I stepped towards her but she held up her hand stopping me from going any further.
'You can have your kiss,' she announced before a devilish smile spread across her face and I knew I wouldn't like where this was going. 'After, you win the race.'
'You drive a hard bargain love,' I smiled before running up beside my brother and allowing myself to be attached to the Column.
'You're not winning today little brother,' I smirked at my open mouthed younger brother.
'She's impressive,' he breathed looking back over at Amberly who was lost in conversation with my youngest brother. Probably discussing a world filled with dinosaurs and pirates.
'I bet she could convince you to walk off a cliff if she wanted to,' he mused fiddling with his straps.
'I'd gladly walk off any cliff as long as I knew she was mine and I hers,' I admitted looking back at her again as she looked up at the same time, blowing me an evil kiss. 'Ready to race Jared. I have a lot riding on this.'
'You aren't going to win today Anthony,' he answered challengingly, returning his attention to the column as the other racers readied themselves as well.
'You're right Jared,' I answered as he looked at me in surprise. 'I've already won everything I've ever dreamed of.' He was still staring at me as the whistle went to start the race, but nothing was going to stop me from getting to the top first.
Aisling
'Alice we can't use giant tea cups as chairs,' I sighed at another one of Alice's wild ideas.
'Why not? The princess would love them,' she assured me as I looked out of the women's room window where Harmonia was walking excitedly around the garden with a boy who must have been injured in the last attack. He moved slowly and held his arm close to his chest where a sling held it in place. Yet he smiled like he was the luckiest person on the planet.
'He loves her,' Alice said softly following my gaze.
'How do you know that?' I asked irritably, looking back at a thoughtful Alice.
'The same way I knew you and Adam were meant to be together,' she answered without elaborating. Shaking my head I looked back out the window to see Harmonia jumping beside the boy excitedly as they walked towards the stables. He was smiling at her brightly as she spoke nonstop and he appeared content to listen. However, no matter how long I watched the two I still couldn't see what Alice did. Although, I was almost certain no one would ever see the world the way Alice did.
'What about a fancy hat ball?' Alice suggested drawing my attention back to our task. We were in charge of the theme and the decorations. Melody was meant to be helping us but she had never returned to the women's room today after breakfast so instead it was just Alice and I. Which really meant that it was just Alice suggesting crazy idea after crazy idea.
'Hats?' I asked flatly.
'Hats,' she confirmed excitedly.
'And how do you decorate for a party that's centred around everyone's elaborate headwear?' I asked unenthusiastically.
'We have a tea party of course,' she answered, as if that were the most logical option.
'Of course,' I answer sarcastically.
'It's going to be amazing,' she sighed losing herself to her crazy plans and I shook my head at my crazy friend.
'Ladies,' Anne announced from the doors of the women's room, directing all attention to her. The other girls looked up from their own plans as Anne continued. 'I know you're all busy with your preparations for the party but I have some very exciting news for you all. The prince has asked that you all invite your families to join us for the celebration of the princess's birthday.' The girls started to murmur excitedly to one another about finally seeing their families whilst I sat uncomfortably amongst the excitement.
Alice was watching me silently from my side as I tried to ignore the other girls. The only person who seemed uncomfortable about the prospect of their family attending was Medea. When I caught her eye across the room instead of the joy I found in the others eyes I found fear. When she caught me watching her she quickly shifted her expression to a sneer and I could almost tell myself that I had never seen the previous one.
'The other guests will be arriving within the week, including Queen Nicoletta who is very close with her majesty, Queen America. It's an important thing to remember girls,' Anne continued but my attention was drawn from her when I heard the door open and a beaming Melody strolled in. Just before the door closed I caught sight of a familiar pair of blue eyes and my heart skipped a beat before my mind caught up with it.
As my mind tried to process everything I had just seen, Melody had made her way over to us, sitting on the chair opposite me and next to Alice.
'Good afternoon Melody,' Alice smiled as Melody continued to glow beside her. As her smile widened it only caused the strange feeling in my chest to intensify. 'Where have you been all morning?'
'With prince Adam,' she sighed, resting her chin in her hand. I felt something twist inside of me and Alice must have realised what was happening because she shook her head warningly at me. I caught my breath and dammed my emotions, keeping them behind a wall so no one else would see the feelings swirling inside of me.
'I trust from that smile you had a nice time then,' Alice continued, keeping an eye focused on me.
'He's wonderful,' Melody gushed. 'I never thought I had a chance with him before,' she answered looking at me meaningfully. Since that day in Adam's office I hadn't thought about the other girls. I never knew I needed to.
So, no Adling, more of a focus on Antherly this chapter. Anthony's a little paranoid, isn't he? Wonder if he really has any need to be? As always, Alice knows exactly what's going on :)
theoneforever, so glad you enjoyed the last chapter, I was afraid it would be a little boring. Hope you enjoyed this one too :)
Lola5147, I love that you liked the humour in the last chapter, hope you laughed in this one as well :) You know whenever I find out someone is a twin I freak out. I think it would be epic to be a twin. I'm constantly pulling pranks on my younger brother, poor kid. Even after all these years he never sees them coming. I promise there shall be more Harmonia in upcoming chapters because it is her birthday celebration. She was in there slightly but she will feature more soon, obviously :) I'm excited to hear you like Adam and Aisling and sorry I couldn't include them in this chapter, there will be something in the next chapter... Thank you so much for your reviews :)
T, glad to finally be able to call you something other than guest, I feel bad referring to you guys as just guest. I'm so excited you like where the story is going and I'm sure you aren't a terrible writer. I always thought I was, still do sometimes. If you guys could see some of the things I have written, they make me cringe when I look over them. I adore reading obviously, I carry a book with me wherever I go and can't walk in a bookshop without buying several books. It's a serious problem, for my bank account :) Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter and thank you for your wonderful reviews :)
As always wonderful readers thank you for reading and reviewing my story. Happy reading beautiful people :)
