Chapter 8:
A week after Cecilia was awaken, the Purezis were on their way home—with Cecilia in tow. She wanted to meet her future in-laws, hoping they would love her as much as her siblings loved Orlando. Alexander had taken right away to Orlando, but Cecilia suspected her younger brother was glad he awoke her. Grace and Michelle followed Orlando and Matt around, stars in their eyes. The only sibling Orlando hadn't won over yet was Sam, and no one could figure out why.
The Purezi palace loomed in the distance, making Cecilia forget her thoughts. The palace greatly resembled her own, causing Cecilia to laugh. "Think those two warring dukes had some thing in common?" she asked Orlando, pointing to the castle. He, too, began to laugh in realization.
The carriage finally came to a halt and Orlando jumped out. He helped Cecilia out first, before tending to his mother. Cecilia gazed around the castle, smiling at all the servants who were staring at her. A little brunette girl ran up to greet her. "Are you Cecilia?" she asked, breathless. Cecilia nodded. "Good. Welcome to Purez! Now, where's Orlando?" Cecilia pointed to the prince, now talking with his father.
The little girl took off running, arms opened wide. "Emilie!" another female voice called out. A slightly older brunette was trying to catch the younger girl. "Emilie, leave them alone. They just got back!"
By this time, Emilie was being held by the king, while the queen fussed over the girl. "It's okay, Rose, we don't mind," Orlando called back. "Have you met Cecilia?"
"Orlando, Emilie just got over another cold. Let her go back inside! And who's Cecilia?" the girl asked. Cecilia tapped her on the shoulder, disturbing the girl. "Oh, you're Cecilia. Name's Rose. EMILIE!" Rose sprinted forward.
Orlando approached Cecilia. "I see you've sorta met Emilie and Rose, my sisters," he said, smiling. "Sorta met definitely describes that," she agreed. Another brunette left the palace. "Orlando, how many sisters do you have?" she asked. "Four."
"Four? And no brothers."
"No brothers. But I love them anyway. Hello, Faith," he said, hugging this new princess. "Hello, Orlando. Is this Cecilia?" Faith asked. "Absolutely," Orlando replied. Cecilia and Faith smiled at each other. "Oh hell…" Faith said, embracing her future sister-in-law. "You're already family. Where's Rose?" Orlando pointed to their parents.
Orlando and Cecilia entered the palace to find his last sister. Diana was waiting by the door and embraced her brother tenderly. "So, where is she?" the princess asked, trying to look over Orlando's shoulder. "Right here," Orlando said, revealing Cecilia. Diana embraced her, welcoming her. "Welcome. It's time I was able to put a face to the name."
"I take it Orlando told you about me."
"Let's put it this way: you're already part of the family from how much he's told me about you." Diana and Cecilia shared a good laugh.
Later Cecilia and Tina were in the guest room, having some quality girl time. "You and Orlando are really going through with this, huh?" Tina asked. "Of course. Things are beginning to work out for us. We don't have to sneak out to see each other anymore," Cecilia replied. Tina smiled. "I know you're going to be happy."
"Really? How?"
"After listening to months of him, you two better be happy."
Diana knocked on the door, which was partially open. "I hope the room is satisfactory."
"The room is fine. How 'bout yours, Tina?"
"Mine is fine as well. Thanks for placing us nearby."
"Oh, it was no problem," Diana said. "Now, about you and my brother…"
"Did he really talk about me that much?"
"To me and Matt."
"What he'd say?"
"Only good things. Are you flawless?"
"Me? Flawless? I guess I am."
Tina gave a little snort. "Flawless? How about the fact that you are perpetually late? Or when your patience goes, it's like a volcano erupting? How about those?"
"I am not perpetually late! You drag me there on time."
"I know I do. Where would you be without me?"
"Lost. In more ways than one."
"Oh, yeah. She's a horrible navigator."
"TINA!"
With that, Cecilia took a pillow off the bed and hit Tina with it. "No fair! I'm unarmed!" Tina squealed, racing to get one herself. Diana watched as the pillow fight unfolded, white streaks blazing past her. She giggled as Tina obviously had the upper hand and easily defeated Cecilia.
"Okay, I surrender, I surrender. Oh, my poor aching back." Cecilia rubbed her back. Diana grew concerned. "Oh no. How long have you had a weak back?"
"About a week back," Tina answered. "I can't believe you just played right into one of the oldest tricks in the book."
"I've never heard of that before."
"Yeah, Tina, I think it's a future thing."
"Future thing?"
"Long story," Cecilia said, rearranging her pillows. Diana smiled as she left. 'If Orlando doesn't stay with her, I will personally kill him,' she thought.
The next morning, Emilie woke Cecilia up. The red haired princess stirred before rolling over. Emilie tried waking up her up again. Cecilia pulled a pillow over her head. Annoyed, Emilie began poking her. Cecilia kicked back. Emilie luckily jumped out of the way in time. Finally, the ten year old just pulled off the covers. Cecilia shot up, startled.
"Yeah! You're up." Cecilia looked at the little girl holding her covers. "You little sneak! Give me back my covers!"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because breakfast is soon."
"Great." Cecilia collapsed back on the bed. Emilie giggled. "You think this is funny?"
"Can I braid your hair?"
"What?"
"Faith won't allow me to, Rose's is too short and Diana's too curly. And Orlando is a boy. Can I braid your hair?"
Cecilia sat up and stared at Emilie. She reached over to her dresser and handed the younger girl a brush. "Do you need me to sit anywhere special?" she asked. Emilie shook her head, climbing behind Cecilia to start the braid.
Tina entered the room, two cups of tea in her hands. "Get up Cecilia, I was informed that breakfast is to be served soon."
"I know."
"Oh my…you're up."
"Yes. My new hairstylist woke me up already." Tina giggled to see Emilie concentrating on braiding Cecilia's hair. "So, just hand me my tea and I'll be fine."
When Cecilia was done with her tea, Emilie had finished the braid. Tina handed Cecilia two mirrors to see it done. "I like it," she said, smiling at Emilie. "I think Tina may have to worry about her hair duties."
"Oh, don't worry. I would love to get rid of that duty. It also means waking her up." Emilie giggled and left the room.
Cecilia dressed quickly before she and Tina dashed out of the room. "I hope you know where the dining hall is."
"Of course I do. I found out from Faith this morning." Tina and Cecilia burst into the room, where most of the royal family was already seated. "Good morning," they both said. Queen Marie nodded and motioned them to their seats.
Diana burst in after them. "Diana, you know what time breakfast is," Philip said. "I know. I'm sorry for being late. I must've lost track of time," Diana explained.
"That will have to do for now," Marie said, motioning the servants to start serving the food. Diana took a seat next to Cecilia. "Would you like to see our gardens after breakfast with me?" she asked. Cecilia agreed.
"These roses are exquisite," Cecilia said, admiring the rosebushes. "They are Purez's pride and joy," Diana replied. "Why don't you smell one?" Cecilia smiled and leaned down to smell a rose. "You will have a better chance if you move it closer," Diana advised. Cecilia followed suit, pricking her finger in the process.
Tina walked around the gardens, looking for her friend. Orlando had asked her to tell Cecilia he wanted to have lunch with her. She walked by the first rose bush and stumbled upon Diana's body; the young princess was unconscious. Near by, Tina found Cecilia's cold body. She was tempted to scream but figured against it. They had been long two weeks and Tina often sat next to her friend while she lay sleeping. Now the only question was how Cecilia ended up back in the cursed sleep.
Diana began to stir. 'Maybe she can help me understand this,' Tina thought. "What happened?" Diana asked. "Why am I in the gardens?" She received no response, but noticed Cecilia's body. "What happened?" she shrieked. Tina calmed Diana down and told her to stay with Cecilia.
Tina found Orlando and quickly explained the scenario. He ran out to the gardens, finding his shaking sister and slumbering fiancée. He leaned down and kissed Cecilia. When he was done, he sat up and held Diana. They watched as Cecilia awoke. "Ado, I don't want to go back there," she said. Orlando, Tina and Diana hugged her.
"I don't remember much from my conversation with eh lady. Just that I awoke to find myself in the garden and you unconscious. And cold, deathly cold," Diana explained. Cecilia grabbed the girl's hand in support, while Diana described the woman to her brother. "She was tallish, with long raven hair and gray eyes."
"Cryta."
"Cryta? The strange woman who fancies herself in love with you?" Diana asked. Orlando nodded.
"It probably was," came familiar voice to Cecilia. "MASTER!" she cried, jumping up to embrace the sorcerer. He observed Cecilia in his own special way, to which she was accustomed to after so many years. "The curse runs deeper than I thought," he said. "Apparently she really learned a lesson from Sleeping Beauty.
"When something like this happens, the Onadi records it carefully. So, Cryta probably read all of them and learned from the mistakes. The bottom line is, every time you prick your finger, Cecilia, you will fall asleep. Luckily, Orlando can still awake you."
Master Onadi grew quiet. "Is there a cure or am I doomed to this for the rest of my life?" Cecilia asked. "There are two ways," the Master replied. "A: When you two take your wedding vows. Or B: When you two consummate your love."
"So either way, I have to wait six months?"
"Afraid so." Cecilia groaned at the response and turned to Orlando. "So, how do you feel about eloping?"
A/N: Chapter 8 is here!!! To AJ: What, you didn't like the song? I thought it was cute, but then again, that was at like two o'clock in the morning. Hope you guys enjoy the rest!! ~*Mac*~