No Rest

For

The Wicked

Moving on.

And, "That's what girls do" was and is still one of my favortie songs. LOL

And Gry19 thanks for the idea. I was stuck and about to skip it. Thank you so much

xxx

The Golden Wing Circus performance was absolutely spectacular. The entire palace was alive with cheers and encores and pleas for more. James, Amber, and Sofia, earning the forgiveness of their parents, lavished in the phenomenal display performing just for them. Fireworks alighting the afternoon sky. Unicorns, dragons, and one particular array refurbishing the ruined stained glass window. James was beaming with excitement. The explosions beckoned him. Dancing elephants, and monkeys in tutus strutting on stage, acrobatically crossing tight ropes. Trapeze artists somersaulted on set, riding unicycles while juggling plates. Or were those the jugglers flipping on a trapeze. A nuance for later. Adelea and Lydia transformed into little kids, throwing fits over the tiniest explosion and the grandest of dancing animals. Alauna and Gwen were having an amazing time as well. Roland and Miranda, though astonished by the show, relished in their children's enthusiasm. Baileywick, the Servants, Constable Miles, and even Cedric and Wormwood couldn't take their eyes off the show. Ubos commended the circus folks for their grandeur. A real marvel of science and acrobatics merged to put on death defying feats. Serena and Eezeyal were enveloped by how humans gracefully flew across the air. Who says humans can't fly...for longer than a few seconds. Truly breath taking.

Like with all good things, the circus came to a grand conclusion. The Ringmaster scooped a handful of cotton balls from his hat. A flick of the wrist and a trick of the hand, doves took to the skies. A type of sparkling dust sprinkled to the courtyard, coating the animals and fireworks in a calming dew. The jugglers and trapeze artists flipped to the Ringmaster's side. And with one last bow, the circus came to an end. Applause roared for their outstanding performance. Whistles encouraged them to put on one more act. Unfortunately, their annual visit to Enchancia was done. As were James, Sofia, and Amber. Those three were out like lights.

Roland shushed the aweing servants, urging them to go home for the night. He lifted James onto his back, supporting him by the thighs. Miranda and Lydia hoisted Amber and Sofia. Boy can those three snore. Lydia's room was the closest. She didn't mind letting her siblings borrow her room for the night. Sofia loves window seats, and was tucked in. Amber was placed on the bed. James was set to the couch on the upper wing. Roland and Miranda decided to follow the children's lead and head off to bed themselves. Serena, Eezeyal, and Ubos were already a mile ahead of them. Lydia, Adelea, Gwen, and Alauna wanted to stay up a bit longer. Too jazzed by the circus to sleep right away. Roland permitted it, so long as they didn't stay up too late. Work begins again tomorrow.

Alauna knew the perfect place to relax. There is a lounge just through her clinic. A parlor of sorts for her to relax in after a long day. Potted plants for scenery, a flowing fountain arrange by spiritual rocks for serene. Cushions arranged on the floor for...well...she wanted to be different on that one. A plush stool in the center.

Gwen made the hot chocolate and light snacks while Lydia and Adelea double checked on the kids, pets, and Ubos. Snug as bugs in rugs. All was quiet in the castle. Not a creature stirred. Except for the mice who have their poker nights. They were going to be a while.

The lounge was impressive. Alauna put a lot of thought and heart into it. Gwen, Adelea, and Lydia felt right at home. The urge to start a pillow fight and talk about boys was too great to resist. Adelea and Lydia got the pillow fight out of their system. No one can blame them. It;s been too long since they could behave like moronic children. Let it be now while Gwen and Alauna laughed at their expense. It was a ploy for Alauna anyway. Lefty's betrayal kind of sapped her spirit. It was nice to hear her laughing.

"That's better..." Alauna wiped a joyous tear from her eye. "I really needed this." Adelea and Lydia slapped hands with Gwen. Mission accomplished. "You know, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to enjoy the circus because of Lefty."

"Why?" Adelea wiped off her chocolate mustache. "He's not worth the second thought."

"I know." Alauna fiddled with her apron. "We've just been through so much together. It kind of hurts me to know he was able to betray me the way he did."

"Sometimes it's the ones we trust the most who hurt us the most." Lydia tired to indifferently sip her drink. Adelea caught the message between the lines. Better to not comment.

Lydia came to regret her words. "Makes me afraid to trust anyone." Alauna slumped. Adelea elbowed Lydia hard, cursing her for letting past experiences overwhelm her courtesy.

"That's no way to live." Gwen protested. She disappointed Alauna let such distasteful words leave her lips. "Ups, downs, heartaches, and heart throbs are always going to arise. If you are going to let them affect you harshly, the only one who suffers is you."

"She's right." Adelea pat Alauna's back. "No one's gotten anywhere they are without going through what you have. Experiences like this are what help us grow."

"I guess so..." Alauna drowned her throat in warm, rich hot chocolate. "Speaking of growing experiences, where did you two disappear to today?" She wasn't the first one to notice Adelea and Lydia vanished for who knows how long to who knows where.

"Long story..." Adelea wasn't joking. Gwen and Alauna were dumbfounded and amazed countless times over hearing how Adelea lost Serena in a rigged bet. Then what should have been a snatch and grab turns into a rescue mission for an entire caravan. And now, Adelea and Lydia, accompanied by Gwen, are sneaking into gambling holes and exposing gambling rings. "It's been a heck of a day." And it wasn't even noon when most of it happened. Oh well. It was five o'clock somewhere.

"I'll say." Gwen's exhausting just thinking about it. "All that before you can enjoy the circus."

"Which one? The window or the show?" Lydia snorted. The trio gave her small chortles for that one. The window cover up was definitely a circus alright. If she's being honest with herself, Lydia isn't entirely surprised Sofia lied for James. She's been kind since the day she was born. And...she can't entirely chastise Sofia for lying for another person. After all, Cedric has her at his fingertip with his own lie. "Thank goodness that worked out."

"Thank goodness your parents are understanding people." Adelea breathed. King Roland and Queen Miranda are night and day from other Royals she's met. Visitors to the school and trips Animus Mal took her on. "Somehow, I can't get used to calling you Princess. It's too drastic a transition."

"You're not the only one." Lydia bashfully massaged her neck. "Every time Constable Miles or Baileywick calls me Princess I think Amber's in the room. I tell them they can just call me Lydia."

"You'll have to forgive them on that one." Alauna giggled. Gwen blushed herself. "As servants and subordinates to your titles, it's become second nature."

"I really don't mind everyone just calling me Lydia while it's us." She insisted.

"Cedric sure seems to toss your name and title around like a ball." Gwen remarked disgruntled. Lydia blew air, frowning at Cedric making it into their conversation. An impish smirk spread to Gwen's cheeks. "Speaking of Cedric, Lydia, you two seem to be getting along well."

"A facade, I assure you. We hate each other." Then those had to have been the meanest hug she and Cedric shared. Or the conchshell was secretly a bomb. Lydia coughed nervously, fighting the heat rising in her cheeks.

"Cedric does seem like he's sly character." Adelea commented. If only she knew the half of it. "But I think he has a soft spot for you." Lydia gurgled bubbles in her hot chocolate. "And...you...like him?" She poked Lydia's reddening cheeks.

"NOT EVEN IN HIS DREAMS!" She slapped Adelea's hand away. "That Royal Pain in my Butt does nothing but give me headaches! And he still hasn't returned my Bunsen Burner!"

"So...let me see if I've got this right." Alauna stopped her there. "You two hate one another...but you borrow each other's things."

"Get's him out of my hair for a day or two."

"Or maybe you don't dislike each other as much as you want people to believe." Adelea winked.

"OKAY! THAT'S IT! I'M GOING TO GET A COCO REFILL!" Lydia let Adelea have her hot chocolate, and stormed out of the lounge. "Good night, ladies! I'll see you tomorrow!" Gwen, Alauna, and Adelea sniggered watching her fume. It was almost too easy.

"Has she always been this boisterous?" Gwen giggled.

"Nah!" Adelea perished the thought. "Sometimes she gets upset." The trio giggled. Adelea can hardly believe how transparent Lydia has grown to be. Maybe her new family is having a profound influence in her. "Oh well. At least it's mutual."

"What is?" Gwen arched a brow.

"Cedric and Lydia. They both like each other."

"You think so?" Alauna doubted. "With how often they argue... "

"Trust me. When the time comes," She bounced her brow, "Those two will be holding hands and making out names." She'll bet Serena and win that one. Luckily, their romance will take a while. Stubborn makes need more than a little push.

To be continued.

Short but sweet. See you soon.

And thank you for pointing out the last half. That's for the next chapter.