Hi guys, I know it's been a long time. I'm sorry. I hope you still enjoy this chapter.
Shelby finished applying make-up over the red marks on her neck. Good thing she brought foundation from her time. Looking into the round hand mirror, she decided what still showed could pass off as an allergic rash. Either way, it would have to do. Not joining her friends again would be far more suspicious than sunden marks on her neck. With that thought, she put down the mirror on the desk and went to find the others.
Passing in the kitchen, she asked the staff where the rest of the gang was. Of course, not in those words. She always had to think twice before speaking here and she wasn't used to that. Shelby had a tendency to speak before thinking which is what got her in trouble with Sebastian in the past.
Heading towards the patio where her friends were gathered, Shelby shook her head at her own train of thoughts. Why was she thinking about him again? She was slowly becoming crazy and each meeting with him only speeded up the process.
Arriving in the courtyard, she put on a smile. Naldo was the first one to notice her.
''Hi Shelbs!'' he said still holding Cyd's hand. The rest of her friends turned to greet her too.
''Shelby, what happened to your neck?'' asked Barry before everyone joined his concern.
Shelby was surprised at how quickly they noticed it but then again the were outside and the sun was shining brightly so they couln't miss it.
''Don't worry, it's just an allergic reaction to the perfume I tried on that was in my room.'' she replied calmly.
Being quite proud of her quick thinking, she decided that her blabbering mouth had its perks sometimes. Especially that there was indeed a bottle of perfume in her room that she decided against trying knowing her skin was sensitive to some perfumes.
''Are you okay? Do you need us to go back to treat that?'' asked Cyd.
Shelby knew going back meant going home to their time.
''NO!'' exclaimed the blonde before realising that her outburst had been a little too loud.
Clearing her throat, she tried again.
''No need, I brought allergy relief pills with me, I took some and I washed the perfume from my neck. It's okay now, it doesn't even itch anymore.'' she said convincingly.
''Okay but if there's anything, just tell us alright?'' ordered Barry more than asked.
''Of course!'' she replied before sitting down on the white wrought iron chair.
Daisy signed elegantly to a servant nearby to approach. The said servant bowed before listening to the request of her majesty.
''Go order the kitchen staff to prepare us some refreshments.'' asked the queen without looking at the servant.
''Certainly your Highness!'' replied the young woman about Shelby's age before hurrying to the kitchen.
Shelby frowned at the exchange. Obviously she knew Daisy was acting as she was raised and things in this century were undeniably different. Nonetheless, had her time spent in the 21st century taught Daisy nothing? Looking around, she was surprised that no one else seemed annoyed by that. Her friends seemed on the contrary quite content with the status they felt they had except for Naldo who didn't seem aware of the situation.
If Daisy was acting this way towards hard working people, what would she do to the people who had made mistakes in the past? No wonder she didn't verify if all the prisoners got their food. Realizing she was still lost in thoughts, Shelby tried to focused on the conversation the others were having.
''So, what's the plan for the 3 days we have left?'' asked Cyd to Daisy.
Shelby had to refrain from gasping. She hadn't realised she only had 3 days left here. That meant Sebastian only had 3 days left of food. Then what? She knew what was gonna happen after. His evil brother was going to let him starve to death in that blasting dungeon.
Shelby could only catch some words as Daisy described the next days' events such as 'horse rides, picnic, ball, etc'. Wait, did she say ball? She shook her head as she waited impatiently for her to finish before asking the question that was bugging her.
''Daisy, I've been wondering...how long do you keep prisoners in the dungeon?'' she bluntly asked.
Everyone looked at her with surprise and confusion. Maybe she should have been more subtle but the urge to get an answer had prevented her from doing so.
''I'm sorry, I fear I do not follow.'' replied her royal friend.
''Well, how long are their sentences?'' rephrased Shelby getting even more worried of the answer.
Letting out a small laugh, Daisy replied with a perfect pearly white smile.
''They are permanent of course!'' said the brunette.
Shelby felt like she was loosing it at that moment.
''You mean that you will let humans rot in darkness down there for the rest of their lives?'' she exclaimed trying to refrain from yelling.
''Well, duh!'' replied Cyd. ''It should be like that in our time too!''
''Are you serious?'' asked Shelby with disbelief. ''People can change! We can't just give up on them!''
''Shelby, I have to agree with them. Studies have shown that ex-prisoners tend to go back to their old ways once they're free.'' replied Barry.
''Well, I, agree with Shelby.'' said Naldo letting go of his grilfriend's hand clearly in oposition to her statement. ''I believe anyone can change for the better.''
''Thank you Naldo!'' continued Shelby calming down.
''The dungeon is where criminals belong.'' continued Daisy with authority. ''I need to protect my citizens.''
''Yes, of course!'' agreed Shelby. ''But can't you try to rehabilitate them after a few years?''
''Okay, what's with the fiery debacle Shelbs?'' Cyd shouted at her best friend. ''You just turned a nice little afternoon into a feud between best friends with your stupid question.''
''Stupid question?'' replied the blonde. ''Excuse me for asking a very serious question about human rights here!''
''Enough! This discussion is over!'' decided the queen.
''I hate this place!'' murmured Shelby scoffing and crossing her arms.
The awkward atmosphere was broken by the nice servant bringing the refreshments. After putting them down, she asked Daisy if she could do anything else before getting dismissed with a 'That will be all.'
As she passed by Shelby, the last gave her a smile with a nice thank you.
''My pleasure Milady'' replied the servant with a bow and a smile, happy for the recognition.
As she walked away, an arm-crossed Shelby gave Daisy a pointed look that spoke volumes.
So, what did you guys think? Things just took an awkward turn, didn't it?
Guest : Thanks for reviewing and enjoying my story. We didn't get to see Sebastian at all in this chapter but we saw more of Shelby's inner thoughts. I hope you liked it. Please tell me what you think.
TayCole : Thank you for reviewing twice! Haha. I hope you liked Shelby's explanation for the red marks. We didn't see Sebastian in this chapter but we went deeper into Shelby's character. I hope you liked that. I really enjoyed your reasoning about Andrew because we're gonna see more of him eventually.