reviewers keep guessing my next chapters, I suppose I'm getting predictable, lol.
woowhooo! wwe're in the double digits now, ladies and gentlemen!

Chapter Ten: Entrances and Exits

Aelita paced back on foth nervously inside Yumi's chamber. If Sir Ulrich didn't return soon with the princess, discovery was immminent. The maidservant knew that Odd was just outside the door, nursing thoughts similar to her own. Dispite his reassurances that Ulrich would return with Yumi in tow, Aelita had her doubts. The Princess was stubborn, and she didn't want to marry Jeremie.

On that note, Aelita had her own suspiscions about the nature of Yumi and Ulrich's relationship, and smiled at the revaltion that marraiges between princesses and knights were not unheard of. Princes and maidservants however....

The door opened, revealing Odd with another girl behind him. She looked to be about the same age was Aelita, but the maidservant didn't get too good of a look, as Odd slipped quickly inside and slammed to door behind him. "We have a problem," he said in a rush. "A big one."

Aelita raised an eyebrow. "Bigger than the fact that our princess is missing? And who was that girl?"

"She is the problem," Odd clarified. "Her name's Naomi, and she was just sent here from Japan." Aelita gave a nod, not sure she understood the gravity of the situation. Odd continued. "She was sent by Yumi's father as a gift to Yumi. Basically, you have a partner now."

Aelita looked mildly shocked. "Another maidservant?"

Odd nodded, allowing a half-grin to creep over his face. "She's cute, isn't she?" Aelita sighed.

"Get your brain out of the gutter and think of something! Should we tell her what's going on?"

"I dunno. Probably should, we can't exactly leave her out there." Odd moved towards the door, awaiting the maidservant's answer before opening it.

"I suppose we should. Let her in, Odd." He swung open the door to reveal Naomi standing there, looking slightly confused. She gave Odd a slight curtsy, searching his face for answers.

"These are Princess Yumi's chambers, right," she asked nervously, glancing past Odd to Aelita, who gave the girl a kind smile and brushed past Odd, ushering the girl inside.

"Yes they are. I'm Aelita, and I assume you've met Sir Odd already?" Naomi nodded, still looking around at the vast room. "Odd said your name is Naomi?" Another nod. "Well, Naomi, welcome to France."

"Where is the Princess," asked Naomi innocently, finally looking Aelita in the eye. Aelita broke the stare, suddenly prefering the floor to Naomi's face.

"Actually..."

Thankfully Odd interjected. "She's gone. She ran away this morning. Her other guard, Ulrich, is out looking for her." Naomi looked shocked. "They should be back soon, I hope. In the meantime, we have to cover for them. If Prince Jeremie or the King or anyone else finds out we could all get into a lot of trouble. Do you understand,
Naomi?"

She nodded as she spoke. "Of course. Is there anything I can do?"

Any response Aelita or Odd had was cut off by a sharp tap on the chamber door, which Odd had closed after letting Naomi in. "I demand to be let in this instant!" It was Prince Jeremie's voice. Gulping visibly, Aelita moved to open it, there was nothing else to do.

"The jig is up," Odd muttered to Naomi as Aelita swung open the door, giving a low curtsy.

"Your Highness," she murmered. "How can I be of service to you?"

The Prince grabbed Aelita's arm. "You need to come with me. We have to talk. Down in the garden." Not giving her the time to react, he hauled Aelita down the hall, leaving a bewildered Odd and confused Naomi standing in Yumi's room.

"Well, that was interesting," Naomi commented. "That was the Prince, right?"

"Yes, yes it was," Odd confirmed. "This is an interesting twist though." Naomi moved to the window, staring out at the view.

"There's a lovely view of the garden from here," she commented idly. "It's very pretty." Odd rushed over to join her.

"Yeah, you can see it really well from up here. Hey, look, there's Aelita and the Prince!"

-----

Aelita followed the Prince out into the sunlight, worried over what this meant and at the same time elated that she was with him. He led her out a ways, down a winding path, finally halting and turning to face her.

"When did she leave?" Aelita paled. He knew.

"This morning. How did you know?" She knew it was wrong to question her superior, but Jeremie either didn't notice or didn't care. He gestured to window high above them, from which hung a rope of bedsheets. Aelita gave herself a mental slap. They had forgotten to take down the rope! How could they have been so careless? Too late to fix it now, time to deal with the consequences, whatever they would end up being. "I'm sorry, your Highness. I should have stopped her."

Jeremie looked at her. "Why do you say that? It's not your fault, she is a strong-willed girl. Besides, I'm glad you let her go." This got him a confused look from Aelita. "Look, I am just as unhappy about this engagement as Yumi is. However, as I tried to explain to her, we are both honor-bound to complete it to it's full intent. This little stunt had freed us both. Am I to assume that since one of her guards seems to be missing that he has gone after her?" Aelita nodded. "And I suppose he is in love with her?"

"He hasn't exactly said so, but Odd and I think so," Aelita confirmed. At least he wasn't angry.

"Good, then no harm will come to her. I hope she can live out her days as a village maiden." He said it with such a whistful voice that Aelita looked at him, puzzled.

"You sound as though you envy her," the maidservant noted.

"To be truthful, I do. I have my entire life planned out for me, down to who I will marry. It's not exactly enjoyable. I can't go where I want to go, or be who I want to be. I have to conform to what others think I should be, their ideal prince, and eventually their ideal king."

Aelita smiled. "You sounded quite a bit like Yumi just now." He blinked at her through the glasses.

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course I do. Why don't you do what she did? Take a stand for what you want?" Jeremie grabbed her hand in excitement.

"Perhaps I could. Thank you, Aelita, it was a pleasure talking to you."

Aelita was going to answer, when suddenly two more figures entered the garden.

-----

well, there's chapter ten!

okay guys, here's the deal. i want to take a vote. go to my bio page and read the summaries of the three stories i'm planning on writing, Winner Take All, Tricks of the Trade, and Nocture. I know i promised Winner Take All,
but i thought i'd let you guys vote. so when you review, be sure to tell me which one you want me to post next!