Chapter 15: The Great Escape
Melody walked down one of the hallways and decided to go on a little tour of the palace. She walked around the palace for what could have been two or three hours before she decided to go out side. Her first destination was the gardens. She barely recognized any of the flowers or plants that grew there. Some, however, resembled some of the plants on earth, but their numbers were few.
"Hey Mel!" Melody turned around and smiled as Iris jogged towards her, trying not to trip over her dress and high heeled shoes. "I've been looking all over for you!"
"Awwww........poor baby!" Melody said in a mocking tone. Iris glared at her friend. "I spent forever looking for the swimming pool."
"You could have asked someone to tell you-"
"I tried but no one was around."
"Sure Mel . . .So, how was your afternoon with the 'lovely' princess Millerna?" Iris asked with a smirk.
"Don't get me started on that! I wanted to shoot her in the head! She was so annoying! She was so preppy and prissy it was sickening!" Iris chuckled while Melody vented. "Hey! Stop laughing! It's no funny!"
"Sure it is Mel!"Iris replied, still giggling. Melody glared at her friend and turned away frowning. "C'mon Mel, you know I'm just kidding."
"Ya, ya, sure you are." melody said in a somewhat sarcastic tone. Iris grinned and gave her friend a big bear hug. "Ah! Hey! Not so tight! I can't breath!" Iris loosened the hug and Melody hugged back.
"My lady," a maid approached the two giggling friends and bowed. "Dinner is to be served in a few minutes."
"Thank you Claira." Iris said and dismissed the maid. "C'mon, we should go back inside. A few minutes is usually a lot less than what you would probably think."
As the days went on Melody tried desperately to avoid Millerna. She hated going on shopping sprees with the blond princess. When she was found by Millerna, Melody made up quick excuses such she had made plans with Iris or wasn't feeling well. Merle however wasn't so lucky. Millerna dragged to every shop and booth in sight. Merle had tried to make an excuse but Millerna would always put on her puppy dog face to guilt Merle into going.
Millerna did try to get Iris to go out with her but she was only successful once. Iris kept herself busy so Millerna couldn't force her to go shopping. Iris did fib once or twice but she really was busy. Her parents and tutors were constantly teaching her how to become a successful monarch for when she would become queen.
"Stop slouching!" the stern old graying woman shouted as she smack her walking stick og the wooden table. Iris jumped slightly in her seat and immediately sat up straight. "Much better." the woman said as she paced back and forth in front of Iris. Good posture will make child birth easier my dear."
"Ch-child birth!? I really don't think I'll be having any children anytime soon Madam Asbury."
"Well whether or not you're having them now or later, it's always good to have good posture."
"But it hurts." Iris wined and slouched down in her seat again. Madam Asbury stopped her pacing and narrowed her eyes at the princess.
"Princess Iris I have seen children as young as 5 years of age wine less than you! Now, sit up straight. The quicker we can get this done, the quicker we can move onto the next lesson." Iris sighed and sat up again. She chewed on the inside of her cheek to take her mind off of the sharp pains shooting up and down her sides and back.
Iris skipped dinner that night and spent most of the evening soaking in her private bath tub. The hot waters soothed all the aches in her body. Around the room were dozens of scented aroma therapy candles lit. she had brought with her when she went to Gaea over a year ago. She sighed and shut her eyes, taking in all the relaxing scents and falling into a blissful state.
When morning came, Iris woke up extra early. She dressed herself in her casual attire which consisted of a pair of brown leather pants, a black long sleeved shirt and a brown leather vest buttoned up. She tied her long golden blond hair back in a loose pony tail and put on a deep blue hooded cape.
She tip toed through the hallways, making sure not to make any sounds whatsoever. Iris sighed in relief as she made it outside of the palace and to the stables. The sky was still dark but shades of oranges and pinks could be seen as the sun slowly began to rise. A few stars were still scattered across the serine sky, only to soon disappear.
Iris looked around carefully, making sure no one was in sight. Her breathing was quiet and rhythmic. She walked to the far end of the stable and opened the gate to her horse. A large chestnut brown mare which had a white diamond shaped marking on its head that went from its mane to the tip of its nose. "Shhh.....It's alright Cleo. There, there." Iris coed as she began to saddle up her horse.
Within minutes, Iris was galloping on top of her mare out of the castle walls and towards her freedom.
A/N: OMG! I updated! Can you believe it!?!?! Sorry about the shortness of the chappie and the long wait. I've been so tied up with school work. I have two projects I'm working on and it's not easy. *sighs* I can't wait for semester two to start. Well please review and if ya have any questions or personal comments, you can e-mail me at my new address: esca_chick@hotmail.com I changed it cuz my old e-mail was getting full.
