After tossing restlessly in bed for the umpteenth time, Annabelle got up
and walked to her window. There she had a view of the clock tower. She
still had a good 3 hours until her servants came to wake her. Sighing, she
turned around to climb back into bed and try to sleep again. As she passed
her door, though, she noticed a creamy white envelope lying just inside the
room. Someone had obviously slid it under the door. Curious, she picked it
up and bounced onto her bed to read it.
Several minutes later she sat there in shock. Prince Cynric had abandoned her. Now what? He was possibly the only man that would ever be able to help her break the curse on the palace, and he was the only man that had kissed her. (Or maybe the kiss had been the result of the wine…?) Now he was gone. He'd stated in the letter that he might return, but how did he mean the word "might"? She flopped back on the bed and stared at the top of her canopy bed. She needed to think.
Two hours later, Annabelle reached her conclusion. It sent butterflies into her stomach, and she'd much rather be doing it herself, but she was needed at the palace, to keep order. Anyway, she doubted the palace's enchantment would allow her to leave. She wasn't completely positive it would allow her accomplice to leave the grounds, but it was worth a try. So, with a hopeful sigh, she snuggled up under her covers again to sleep.
~*~*~*~
Evil birds. Summer sent a glare of pure hatred at the creatures. There they were, perched in their trees, sitting in their little nests, singing songs and flying around. They tried to convince people that it was a great day for living. It wasn't, at least not for Summer.
Summer kicked open the door to the kitchens and immediately demanded some whiskey.
"You don't drink whiskey!" Scarlett exclaimed, confused.
"I do now," she replied fiercely.
"What for?" Mirra broke in.
"If I get drunk then I won't be able to think about what's happened."
"And what happened that is so terrible?"
"Cynric is gone." After those words everything went silent, and even the incessant birdcalls stopped. Looks of horror overcame the faces of Scarlett and Mirra.
"Are you sure? Did you look hard enough for him?" Scarlett exclaimed.
"I didn't need to look. He left me a note saying that he'd left and probably wouldn't be returning."
"But that can't happen! It's crucial for him to be here! If he's not here then what will we do? The curse will never be broken! We won't ever get out of here and live normal lives or see our families ever again!" Scarlett burst out in sobs and collapsed desolately into a chair. As that happened, a messenger came into the kitchens.
"Summer, your presence is requested by the princess."
~*~*~*~
As she was led to the parlor Summer wondered if Annabelle knew Cynric was gone. She really didn't care if the princess was mad or not. She was too mad herself about his sudden departure to care.
Summer walked into the room confidently, and waited to be told to sit.
"Is there something I've done wrong again?" she asked irritably.
Annabelle sat upright in a lavender armchair, staring thoughtfully into space.
"Summer, I think we both know right now what the problem is, and this time it's not your fault—at least, I hope it isn't. Prince Cynric has rather abruptly departed from the palace." Here the princess paused, waiting for the gasps of surprise coming from the servants occupying to the room to subside. After everyone had somewhat recovered from the shock, or at least stopped gasping, she continued. "We also both know that the two of you were rather close, and that he trusted you…" Here was another pause, and Princess Annabelle's cheeks went a little pink. "He would not have happened to have told you where he went, did he?"
Before Summer could reply, however, the princess started up again. "You need not tell me where he went…I just wondered… is there any chance you may be able to persuade him to come back, even if it is just for a short period of time?"
~*~*~*~
Three years later, "Lady Elaine" sat at the window of her parlor, drinking her tea while half-listening to the conversation going on in the room. As you can guess, she took up Princess Annabelle's offer. A little explanation here might be necessary. As you can also imagine, the curse on the castle and its occupants had made it impossible for Summer to leave at first. Both Princess Annabelle and she had been irritated and angry. Annabelle had gone into a fit, and refused to speak to anyone for a week. Everyone had been exasperated with her and distraught from his or her work. Annabelle had done it for a reason though, and her wish was soon granted. The fairy whom had originally cast the "curse" upon the castle had appeared, and was herself rather irritated. She had, the entire time, been paying attention to what went on at the castle over the years, waiting to see if Annabelle would learn her lesson and ever truly love someone (and have that love returned to her). She'd noticed Annabelle's disturbing behavior and decided to talk to her about it. Fortunately, she was willing to listen to the princess's pleas to allow Summer to leave to go find the man who had so wretchedly abandoned her. She pitied Princess Annabelle enough to allow Summer to leave and seek out the man whom the lady of the castle was in love with.
So, Summer had finally left and gone out in search of the kingdom of Uralby. She'd found it, and had had a great time trying to establish good connections with the nobility of the kingdom. After a while they accepted her and now "Lady Elaine", the name by which she was known, was a well- known and well-liked woman among the respective persons of the kingdom. Annabelle had sent with Summer, when she left, enough money and jewelry for her to get a good-sized, respectable home with the best furnishings available. Right now Lady Elaine was supposed to be playing the part of a good hostess, but the conversation right now was focusing on fashion, a subject she didn't particularly care for, so she gazed out at the landscape before her as she sat on the window seat.
She looked out into the distance a little ways, and noticed an approaching cloud of dust. A carriage was approaching the manor, and it wasn't an ordinary carriage. It was a white carriage, with gold bordering the doors and windows. Marvelously groomed horses were in front of it, and footmen dressed in finely tailored clothes hung onto the sides of it. It was a royal carriage, and it was coming. Lady Elaine got up from her seat and set her teacup and saucer on the table in the center of the room.
"I must excuse myself momentarily," she announced. "I believe someone is visiting for a little while and I need to go greet him." Just as she finished saying that, a servant came to the door and announced that a messenger had arrived and wished to speak to Lady Elaine. She curtsied and left the room.
When she went down the stairs, a royal messenger was standing just inside the doorway. They greeted each other with a bow and a curtsy. The messenger held a sealed envelope addressed to her.
"It's from the royal palace," the messenger announced. "The king and queen wish to hold a ball in celebration of Prince Cynric's return to the kingdom. All eligible maidens are requested to attend. I believe His Majesty is hoping the prince will find his future bride at the ball."
After that brief dialogue the messenger bowed once again and left. Lady Elaine walked back upstairs, opening the invitation as she did. The ball was to be held at the palace in a fortnight, beginning at 10 o'clock. Elaine recalled it was to be held for Prince Cynric.
She grinned at the thought of his name, and how he'd despised it. At least, that was when she'd known him. She'd been surprised that he'd signed his true name at the bottom of the note he'd left her explaining why he'd left the castle. She no longer cared for the prince the way that Annabelle did, but all feelings she had toward him were friendly and cordial. She had made herself stop loving him when she'd seen him kiss Annabelle from her spot on the balcony. The only reason she was here in the kingdom of Uralby in the first place was to get him back so that the curse over her own kingdom would be removed and all of her fellow servants would be free to live a normal life, though she didn't deny wanting to be able to talk to him again. And here was her chance, presented to her in the form of a ball.
She'd previously not been able to speak to him because he'd been traveling throughout the neighboring kingdoms. It was traditional for a prince to travel to his neighboring kingdoms to be taught their ways of life and government. Normally this trip lasted about two years, the time it had taken for Summer to establish herself in this kingdom and get lessons on proper etiquette. She was animated about seeing her royal friend once more.
There was a silence when she walked back into her parlor. She was confused about it, and looked at the women in there, puzzled.
"Well, what did the messenger have to say?" one of the girls asked anxiously.
"There's to be a ball at the palace in a fortnight, and all eligible maidens in the kingdom are invited," Lady Elaine announced, smiling widely at her guests. They all started chattering about the ball and what they would wear, and how they would act, and what they would say to the prince when they met him.
They all wanted to know: "Is he still a bachelor?" "What is his favorite color?" "What are his interests?", and other such things.
~*~*~*~
Several minutes later she sat there in shock. Prince Cynric had abandoned her. Now what? He was possibly the only man that would ever be able to help her break the curse on the palace, and he was the only man that had kissed her. (Or maybe the kiss had been the result of the wine…?) Now he was gone. He'd stated in the letter that he might return, but how did he mean the word "might"? She flopped back on the bed and stared at the top of her canopy bed. She needed to think.
Two hours later, Annabelle reached her conclusion. It sent butterflies into her stomach, and she'd much rather be doing it herself, but she was needed at the palace, to keep order. Anyway, she doubted the palace's enchantment would allow her to leave. She wasn't completely positive it would allow her accomplice to leave the grounds, but it was worth a try. So, with a hopeful sigh, she snuggled up under her covers again to sleep.
~*~*~*~
Evil birds. Summer sent a glare of pure hatred at the creatures. There they were, perched in their trees, sitting in their little nests, singing songs and flying around. They tried to convince people that it was a great day for living. It wasn't, at least not for Summer.
Summer kicked open the door to the kitchens and immediately demanded some whiskey.
"You don't drink whiskey!" Scarlett exclaimed, confused.
"I do now," she replied fiercely.
"What for?" Mirra broke in.
"If I get drunk then I won't be able to think about what's happened."
"And what happened that is so terrible?"
"Cynric is gone." After those words everything went silent, and even the incessant birdcalls stopped. Looks of horror overcame the faces of Scarlett and Mirra.
"Are you sure? Did you look hard enough for him?" Scarlett exclaimed.
"I didn't need to look. He left me a note saying that he'd left and probably wouldn't be returning."
"But that can't happen! It's crucial for him to be here! If he's not here then what will we do? The curse will never be broken! We won't ever get out of here and live normal lives or see our families ever again!" Scarlett burst out in sobs and collapsed desolately into a chair. As that happened, a messenger came into the kitchens.
"Summer, your presence is requested by the princess."
~*~*~*~
As she was led to the parlor Summer wondered if Annabelle knew Cynric was gone. She really didn't care if the princess was mad or not. She was too mad herself about his sudden departure to care.
Summer walked into the room confidently, and waited to be told to sit.
"Is there something I've done wrong again?" she asked irritably.
Annabelle sat upright in a lavender armchair, staring thoughtfully into space.
"Summer, I think we both know right now what the problem is, and this time it's not your fault—at least, I hope it isn't. Prince Cynric has rather abruptly departed from the palace." Here the princess paused, waiting for the gasps of surprise coming from the servants occupying to the room to subside. After everyone had somewhat recovered from the shock, or at least stopped gasping, she continued. "We also both know that the two of you were rather close, and that he trusted you…" Here was another pause, and Princess Annabelle's cheeks went a little pink. "He would not have happened to have told you where he went, did he?"
Before Summer could reply, however, the princess started up again. "You need not tell me where he went…I just wondered… is there any chance you may be able to persuade him to come back, even if it is just for a short period of time?"
~*~*~*~
Three years later, "Lady Elaine" sat at the window of her parlor, drinking her tea while half-listening to the conversation going on in the room. As you can guess, she took up Princess Annabelle's offer. A little explanation here might be necessary. As you can also imagine, the curse on the castle and its occupants had made it impossible for Summer to leave at first. Both Princess Annabelle and she had been irritated and angry. Annabelle had gone into a fit, and refused to speak to anyone for a week. Everyone had been exasperated with her and distraught from his or her work. Annabelle had done it for a reason though, and her wish was soon granted. The fairy whom had originally cast the "curse" upon the castle had appeared, and was herself rather irritated. She had, the entire time, been paying attention to what went on at the castle over the years, waiting to see if Annabelle would learn her lesson and ever truly love someone (and have that love returned to her). She'd noticed Annabelle's disturbing behavior and decided to talk to her about it. Fortunately, she was willing to listen to the princess's pleas to allow Summer to leave to go find the man who had so wretchedly abandoned her. She pitied Princess Annabelle enough to allow Summer to leave and seek out the man whom the lady of the castle was in love with.
So, Summer had finally left and gone out in search of the kingdom of Uralby. She'd found it, and had had a great time trying to establish good connections with the nobility of the kingdom. After a while they accepted her and now "Lady Elaine", the name by which she was known, was a well- known and well-liked woman among the respective persons of the kingdom. Annabelle had sent with Summer, when she left, enough money and jewelry for her to get a good-sized, respectable home with the best furnishings available. Right now Lady Elaine was supposed to be playing the part of a good hostess, but the conversation right now was focusing on fashion, a subject she didn't particularly care for, so she gazed out at the landscape before her as she sat on the window seat.
She looked out into the distance a little ways, and noticed an approaching cloud of dust. A carriage was approaching the manor, and it wasn't an ordinary carriage. It was a white carriage, with gold bordering the doors and windows. Marvelously groomed horses were in front of it, and footmen dressed in finely tailored clothes hung onto the sides of it. It was a royal carriage, and it was coming. Lady Elaine got up from her seat and set her teacup and saucer on the table in the center of the room.
"I must excuse myself momentarily," she announced. "I believe someone is visiting for a little while and I need to go greet him." Just as she finished saying that, a servant came to the door and announced that a messenger had arrived and wished to speak to Lady Elaine. She curtsied and left the room.
When she went down the stairs, a royal messenger was standing just inside the doorway. They greeted each other with a bow and a curtsy. The messenger held a sealed envelope addressed to her.
"It's from the royal palace," the messenger announced. "The king and queen wish to hold a ball in celebration of Prince Cynric's return to the kingdom. All eligible maidens are requested to attend. I believe His Majesty is hoping the prince will find his future bride at the ball."
After that brief dialogue the messenger bowed once again and left. Lady Elaine walked back upstairs, opening the invitation as she did. The ball was to be held at the palace in a fortnight, beginning at 10 o'clock. Elaine recalled it was to be held for Prince Cynric.
She grinned at the thought of his name, and how he'd despised it. At least, that was when she'd known him. She'd been surprised that he'd signed his true name at the bottom of the note he'd left her explaining why he'd left the castle. She no longer cared for the prince the way that Annabelle did, but all feelings she had toward him were friendly and cordial. She had made herself stop loving him when she'd seen him kiss Annabelle from her spot on the balcony. The only reason she was here in the kingdom of Uralby in the first place was to get him back so that the curse over her own kingdom would be removed and all of her fellow servants would be free to live a normal life, though she didn't deny wanting to be able to talk to him again. And here was her chance, presented to her in the form of a ball.
She'd previously not been able to speak to him because he'd been traveling throughout the neighboring kingdoms. It was traditional for a prince to travel to his neighboring kingdoms to be taught their ways of life and government. Normally this trip lasted about two years, the time it had taken for Summer to establish herself in this kingdom and get lessons on proper etiquette. She was animated about seeing her royal friend once more.
There was a silence when she walked back into her parlor. She was confused about it, and looked at the women in there, puzzled.
"Well, what did the messenger have to say?" one of the girls asked anxiously.
"There's to be a ball at the palace in a fortnight, and all eligible maidens in the kingdom are invited," Lady Elaine announced, smiling widely at her guests. They all started chattering about the ball and what they would wear, and how they would act, and what they would say to the prince when they met him.
They all wanted to know: "Is he still a bachelor?" "What is his favorite color?" "What are his interests?", and other such things.
~*~*~*~