Chapter 17 – Welcome Home
"Who do we have here?" Mother eyed at me questionably. She was referring to Count V, who was tied and gagged and was squirming.
"This is Count V of Amona." I told her. Then in whispers I told Mother about how he tried to lock me in my room and threaten me, and about his "secret" plan for my family. At this Mother's eyes widened, she summoned the guards and took the squirming Count away.
"This is John." I gestured to Mother, and then I lowered my voice so John wouldn't hear. "He helped me escape and kind of escorted me." I didn't want John to hear because I knew he would be embarrassed.
Mother nodded and smiled at John, "Nice to meet you. And thank you for bringing my daughter home safely."
"Y-You're welcome Your Majesty." John dismounted quickly and mumbled while staring down at the ground.
"Do you want to come in?" Mother asked.
"No thank you, Your Majesty." John answered, his gaze still on the ground.
"Are you sure? You can stay a night or two if you want." John nodded "Oh, and please call me Ella." Mother added, "I never liked all that formal stuff, it's too stuffy for me."
"John, why don't you stay at the stable hand quarters then, if you really don't want to stay in the castle." I cut in.
John looked at me gratefully and led the horses away.
~*~
Dinner that night was the best I had in months. I was so glad to be home, especially after the agonizing months of silence in the Ayorthaian court. I was even happy to see my brother Henry.
We sent a messenger to Ayortha right away to notify the royal family of my safe return. As for the Count, he was thrown in the dungeon until his trial. Normally, he would be hung for treason, but since he wasn't Kyrrian and the fact that my parents were nicer than most monarchs, he will be given a chance to defend himself.
I told my family about how I disliked the environment of Ayorthaian court, how John and I escaped, and our encounters on the road home. Mother was really proud of me for being able to save John and me. I think Henry was jealous, he still had to learn most of Ogrese.
"So Dee, how did you like Prince Oreto?" Father asked over dessert.
"He was okay." I mumbled. I didn't really like him, "He was quiet, but he wasn't bad."
Father nodded thoughtfully. "Dee, I have something to tell you. You are almost sixteen, so we've decided that we are going to throw a ball in honour of your birthday."
I was eating a piece of cake and almost choked on it. I didn't know what to think, shocked I guess. I would rather have a tournament. Balls are so, so girlish. It also meant I had to wear awful scratchy and heavy dresses and my hair all done up. I didn't want to hurt my parents' feelings, they meant well, so I swallowed carefully and nodded.
~*~
My sixteenth birthday was in just two days. I couldn't say I was looking forward to it. Edward and Oreto were coming for my birthday ball. In the last couple of weeks, John and I went riding almost everyday. I visited Apple right after I came home and rode him sometimes. John worked diligently in the stables; I helped him whenever I could.
I leaned on my elbow on the windowsill in Embroidery Class and stared out the window. I was forced into my regular routine after a couple of days of rest. Sewing Mistress gave up on me, she let me read and do whatever I wanted.
One day, I told myself, I would show Father how good I was with the sword and he'd have to agree to let me learn swordplay. John was teaching me more in secret.
In the distance, I could see John exercising the horses. I sighed and wished I could be with him. The truth was, I really like him, maybe even more than a friend. It was true I didn't care what I looked like to other people. But I really wanted John to be at the ball so he could see me being pretty. I would tell Father to invite him.
~*~
Short chap i know, but i want the ball - next chap - separate.
you'll find out why john won't go in the castle um, in two chapters.
keep reading! (and reviewing! please?!)
"Who do we have here?" Mother eyed at me questionably. She was referring to Count V, who was tied and gagged and was squirming.
"This is Count V of Amona." I told her. Then in whispers I told Mother about how he tried to lock me in my room and threaten me, and about his "secret" plan for my family. At this Mother's eyes widened, she summoned the guards and took the squirming Count away.
"This is John." I gestured to Mother, and then I lowered my voice so John wouldn't hear. "He helped me escape and kind of escorted me." I didn't want John to hear because I knew he would be embarrassed.
Mother nodded and smiled at John, "Nice to meet you. And thank you for bringing my daughter home safely."
"Y-You're welcome Your Majesty." John dismounted quickly and mumbled while staring down at the ground.
"Do you want to come in?" Mother asked.
"No thank you, Your Majesty." John answered, his gaze still on the ground.
"Are you sure? You can stay a night or two if you want." John nodded "Oh, and please call me Ella." Mother added, "I never liked all that formal stuff, it's too stuffy for me."
"John, why don't you stay at the stable hand quarters then, if you really don't want to stay in the castle." I cut in.
John looked at me gratefully and led the horses away.
~*~
Dinner that night was the best I had in months. I was so glad to be home, especially after the agonizing months of silence in the Ayorthaian court. I was even happy to see my brother Henry.
We sent a messenger to Ayortha right away to notify the royal family of my safe return. As for the Count, he was thrown in the dungeon until his trial. Normally, he would be hung for treason, but since he wasn't Kyrrian and the fact that my parents were nicer than most monarchs, he will be given a chance to defend himself.
I told my family about how I disliked the environment of Ayorthaian court, how John and I escaped, and our encounters on the road home. Mother was really proud of me for being able to save John and me. I think Henry was jealous, he still had to learn most of Ogrese.
"So Dee, how did you like Prince Oreto?" Father asked over dessert.
"He was okay." I mumbled. I didn't really like him, "He was quiet, but he wasn't bad."
Father nodded thoughtfully. "Dee, I have something to tell you. You are almost sixteen, so we've decided that we are going to throw a ball in honour of your birthday."
I was eating a piece of cake and almost choked on it. I didn't know what to think, shocked I guess. I would rather have a tournament. Balls are so, so girlish. It also meant I had to wear awful scratchy and heavy dresses and my hair all done up. I didn't want to hurt my parents' feelings, they meant well, so I swallowed carefully and nodded.
~*~
My sixteenth birthday was in just two days. I couldn't say I was looking forward to it. Edward and Oreto were coming for my birthday ball. In the last couple of weeks, John and I went riding almost everyday. I visited Apple right after I came home and rode him sometimes. John worked diligently in the stables; I helped him whenever I could.
I leaned on my elbow on the windowsill in Embroidery Class and stared out the window. I was forced into my regular routine after a couple of days of rest. Sewing Mistress gave up on me, she let me read and do whatever I wanted.
One day, I told myself, I would show Father how good I was with the sword and he'd have to agree to let me learn swordplay. John was teaching me more in secret.
In the distance, I could see John exercising the horses. I sighed and wished I could be with him. The truth was, I really like him, maybe even more than a friend. It was true I didn't care what I looked like to other people. But I really wanted John to be at the ball so he could see me being pretty. I would tell Father to invite him.
~*~
Short chap i know, but i want the ball - next chap - separate.
you'll find out why john won't go in the castle um, in two chapters.
keep reading! (and reviewing! please?!)