Chapter 7 part 2
When Bartleby was sent to get himself ready for the evening, Sonic approaches Robotnik. "Sir, I feel you should know… I think… I think Uncle Chuck has plans for tonight. I'm worried he might try and hurt Bartleby."
"Oh, I'm expecting something too. The man would be foolish not to take advantage of such soft targets." Robotnik admitted. "With any luck, he'll fall right into my trap." He chuckled darkly, making Sonic wince. "You'll find this life has a tendency to make one more cynical." He pulled out a meerschaum pipe and lit it, smoking the sweet-smelling tobacco in it. "How are you and your brother settling in?"
Sonic thought about it. "I can't speak for Manic but I like this new situation. Lady Wyndermere is so nice and she treats me like I'm her son. It feels good. Even if I do have a mother already… it's not like she's around."
"Don't blame your mother. She did mean well. My beef was not with her. She just got in the way." The man explained, looking down sadly. "She ran with you and your siblings and that was enough. I was quite happy to let the four of you live in peace but then she spoke with a seer who told her that I was a monster and that to defeat me, she had to separate you three and abandon you."
Sonic frowned as he considered. "A seer? Wait? Not… not the Oracle?" He asked with alarm. "He's the reason I even know I have a brother and sister. He told me that I would find them if I played my guitar. The song in my heart…"
Robotnik's eye crooked up. "Did he indeed? Well, your brother is likely already down there but would you like to accompany down to the entrance. Guests will soon be arriving."
As if on cue, a swatbot entered. "Sire, King Acorn and his daughter have arrived and are waiting in the ballroom."
Robotnik laughed. "His timing, as always, is impeccable. Come, boy. His daughter is the same age as you and your brother. Who knows…" He left the end of that statement unfinished.
A stately, middle-aged squirrel waited in the ballroom dressed in a coat of deep sapphire blue. The gold and sapphire crown, as it sat on his head, set off a pair of equally blue eyes. His long regal nose and oak brown fur gave him a distinguished countenance.
Beside him, a redhead with short, red hair in tight braids stood, wearing a royal blue ball gown with a single off-the-shoulder cap on her right arm. Sonic recognized the blue eyes and red hair. "Sally!"
The squirrel princess giggled. "Yes, Sonic, I am Princess Sally of Acorn. No one knows at school because I don't want them to treat me differently"
Sonic nodded. "Well, I won't treat you any differently. I missed working on our project today." He admitted.
Sally laughed and looked at her father. "Sonic is my partner in shop class, Daddy. We're building working model cars and at the end of the semester, we get to race them on the school track in front of everyone."
King Acorn laughed as he looked at Robotnik. They both had the same glint in their eyes. "Sonic is my goddaughter's triplet brother. They recently found each other."
Acorn nodded. "That's good…" He leaned. "He's not Queen Aleena's son is he?"
Robotnik nodded. "Yes, the same. The one who was kidnapped by his uncle. He's a good kid, your daughter could do worse if you wanted to encourage it."
Acorn smiled at him as the two teens went to the punch bowl. "She was looking forward to tonight. Thank you for allowing her to spend the year here. Losing her mother has been so hard on her but I'm glad to see her coming out of her grief."
"Anytime, my friend. Sally is welcome to finish school here if she would like," suggested the old man. "The less she has to uproot her life the better after all."
Music queued the entry of the guests. Manic stood on the side of the ballroom watching the young ladies as they entered and paired off with single young men. Their dresses were so beautiful. He smiled when he saw Mindy standing there in her canary yellow gown. He laughed at the purple polka dots. "Polka dots on what is essentially a prom dress? Really?"
She giggled. "Yes, really, you adorable, little, green jelly bean. I designed it myself." A purple gloved finger booped his nose. "Would you like to dance? As friends of course."
He nodded and offered his hand. "Okay, sounds like fun. Warning, I cannot dance to save my life."
Mindy nodded. "I'll teach you." She promised and led him onto the dance floor as the orchestra played a lively flamenco. Together, they moved around the dance floor with the rest of the dancers. His feet just seemed to naturally find the right rhythm. "Can't dance, piffle." She teased him.
As the ball proceeded predictably with the young gentlemen and ladies paired off, many with the other but not all. Little appetizers like salmon vol-au-vents and goose pate or even caviar on little crackers, were served with wine which they were all allowed to partake in this night only and only at the palace.
From his place on the wall, watching the guests closely. Sleet knew that their threat was nearby, he just didn't know how or when or even where he would strike. "You won't fool me again, old jackass, you won't fool me again." His gold eyes found a flash of emerald and realized that it was the green hedgehog brother. His eyes followed the hedgehog as he danced with the vixen. He was certainly having a good time. As his thoughts became entangled, he didn't see a figure in the shadows as trumpets called their attention to the grand staircase.
"Long live, His Royal Highness Prince Bartleby!" The herald called out.
AN: I have got to go to bed so as they say… After these messages, we'll be right back.