Chapter 29 Midnight Shenanigans
The next morning, Cassandra awoke in an unfamiliar room she assumed belonged to a peasant. Judging by the potions and herbs, the place must have belonged to a witch or healer. Cassandra felt hot so she pushed the covers off and sat up.
There was a man in white robes standing on the opposite side of the room with his back turned toward her.
"Where am I?" Cassandra asked groggily.
The man turned around and hurried to the bed. He took her shoulders and lightly pushed her back down. "Rest," he said softly. "You have a high fever. Someone put a nasty curse on you to make you sick."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I'm Aeross the Healer," he replied. "Your friends brought you here late last night." Aeross handed her a clay cup full of murky liquid. "Drink this," he instructed. "It will break the fever."
Cassandra's hand trembled as she held the cup to her lips and sipped the medicine. She sat up again and searched the tiny room. "Where's my cloak?"
"You're in no condition to leave," he stated assertively, pushing her back down. "You need to rest."
She pushed his hands away. "You don't understand. I have to go home." Cassandra uncovered herself and rolled out of bed. She spotted her cloak and belongings on a chair across the room.
Aeross stood in front of the chair. "Promise me that you won't overwork yourself."
Cassandra reached for her belongings, but was stopped by Aeross placing his hand over hers.
"Please, my lady," he uttered. "I don't want you to get hurt." He gently squeezed her hand.
She stared at Aeross for a moment. His concern for her well-being touched her. The concern he felt for her was genuine, not because of her status as the crown princess. She reached for her rupee wallet and asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"Keep your money," he responded. "You've been through a lot. Consider it a gift from me."
Cassandra gazed into his brown eyes. His eyes showed kindness and a hint of weariness, possibly from the stress of his profession. "Thank you for helping me. Farewell."
Aeross opened the door. "Here, I'll lead you out."
Cassandra followed him through his shabby house. There were many potions and herbs throughout his home, all for casting white magic spells. "Do you possess magic?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, "but I only cast white magic. From what I can see, you're a powerful sorceress. Am I correct?"
There was no point in denying the truth if he could already sense her power. "Yes," she answered, "but please don't tell anyone I was here."
"I won't," said Aeross as he opened the front door. "Please be careful, Anna."
Cassandra was surprised to hear her stage name. "You go to the club?" she asked.
"Occasionally," he replied. "I've seen you there many times."
Cassandra pulled her cloak's hood over her head and stepped out of his home. She faced him and said, "Thank you, Aeross. Goodbye." Cassandra twirled around and vanished.
Aeross stared at the spot where Cassandra once stood. I hope we'll meet again, he thought. Hopefully she'll acknowledge me the next time we see each other. He stared at the early morning sky. Please be safe.
...
Cassandra appeared in her bedroom and took a moment to examine her belongings. She sighed. That was a close one, she thought, untying her cloak and allowing it to drop. The Princess kicked off her shoes and undressed. As she slipped on her nightwear, she thought about Aeross. He was so kind to me. I've never felt such genuine concern from anyone except from my family. Cassandra slipped between the sheets and rolled on her side. He said he goes to the club once a week. Maybe he'll talk to me the next time I see him. She stared at the window and then flipped on her other side. He looks much older, like at least ten—maybe even fifteen years. I like that. Besides, I need an older man. Cassandra stared at the door. The maids should be coming soon, she thought, shutting her eyes.
...
An hour later, Ganondorf and Sabrina were sitting at the breakfast table worrying about Cassandra. If Cassandra didn't make it back in time, they were certain the King would form a search party and possibly arrest Aeross or even figure out they left the castle after curfew. Ganondorf gulped every time he imagined his father finding out and punishing him. The only person he knew who could make him sore for days was his father.
Ganondorf leaned toward Sabrina and whispered, "What do we do if she's missing?"
Without making eye contact, she whispered back, "Pretend you don't know anything."
"But we do know and we helped her escape," Ganondorf countered.
Sabrina looked at Ganondorf. "Yes, but Father doesn't have to know that."
Ganondorf did not like the idea of lying to Creon. He met Creon recently and already felt a connection to him. Friendships were hard to come by for the lonely Prince, so why ruin it by breaking Creon's trust? "Sabrina, I don't know about this. Maybe we should tell your father the—"
"Good morning!" Cassandra greeted them as she walked into the dining room.
Ganondorf and Sabrina's jaws dropped. They glanced at each other and sighed.
Creon and Catalina walked into the dining room and stood in front of Sabrina and Ganondorf. "Good morning," Creon said pleasantly. "I hope you had a good night's sleep. Due to the meetings I have this morning, I won't be able to see you off, so this is where we say goodbye."
Sabrina and Ganondorf stood and walked over to the King and Queen.
Catalina embraced Sabrina. "Have fun at the Gerudo Palace. Queen Durga will take good care of you. I want to hear all about it when you return," she said warmly before kissing Sabrina's forehead. Catalina stepped in front of Ganondorf and embraced her nephew.
Ganondorf was surprised that a queen from another land he just met acted like an acquaintance of his. Regardless, he returned the hug.
Creon held out his hand to Ganondorf. "Take care of our daughter," said Creon.
Ganondorf took Creon's forearm. "I give you my word, the Princess will be safe with me," Ganondorf promised.
