Cornelia paced in her room as Diana came in with the ingredients she had been carrying, "It's about time."
"My apologies Your Highness" Diana carefully placed the ingredients on one of the many tables in the grand room.
Cornelia scoffed, "Just don't let it happen again." Diana remained silent, Cornelia rolled her eyes at the woman, "Well, don't just stand there. Go. Don't disturb me until dinner." Diana bowed and made her exit.
Diana made her way down the hallway when Kaeleigh came running towards her, "Princess Kaeleigh. Is everything alright Your Highness?"
Kaeleigh nodded as she gripped Diana's arm, "Yes, yes. Everything is fine. Well, not fine, fine... come to the gardens, there is much to discuss my friend."
"The gardens?"
"You know it is the only place that my father will allow me to walk without any of the guards... and where we can speak privately." Diana nodded as the two of them made their way to the gardens unaware.
In New York, Cameron and the Mystery Woman were walking in the hospital gardens with MW's gun discreetly hidden on her person. Cameron had to ask, "How did you even know I was here?"
"I know that wherever Kay is, you are." She replied then said, "You two always find each other... unlike you and Jonathan. You two have never had to find each other, you were always there"
Cameron winced at the sound of his brother's name, "What are you talking about?"
"Oh nothing."
"How's Jonathan?"
She stopped in her tracks for a moment, "I wouldn't know."
"What?"
"After a few days, Jonathan and I went our separate ways. Turns out... I don't understand him like I thought I did"
Cameron would wonder about that comment later, "Why are you here?"
"Just to see the grand finale."
"Of?" He asked getting frustrated.
"My project. It ends tonight. Kay's fallen under."
"Wait... you poisoned Kay?"
MW smirked, "I'm surprised you have to ask."
Cameron was livid, "Why?"
"That's for me to know... and for you to find out too late."She said as she walked away.
"Too late? What are you talking about?"
She turned back, "I'll give you a hint; you only have until midnight Cameron. This particular poison works differently in this world."
"This world?" Cameron whispered to himself, extremely confused.
In the Royal Danica Gardens, Kaeleigh and Diana were talking about what had happened earlier in Kaeleigh's room, "And he-he simply came into your room? Just like that?"
Kaeleigh laughed, "Yes! It was the strangest thing; no one has ever treated the rules so... loosely."
Diana smiled knowingly, "However..."
"However... it was quite... amazing really. I can't really explain myself but even though we spoke for a short while but speaking with him came so naturally. Almost as if we have known each other for years." Kaeleigh groaned and placed a hand on her forehead, "Look at me. I'm speaking as if I'm a naive little girl. What do you think Diana?"
"Oh well, it might be too bold of me to tell Your Highness as to what my thoughts are."
"Diana, you know that when it's just us, you are more than welcome to call me Kaeleigh... please my friend. I would also love to know what your thoughts are."
"Alright, if you insist..." Diana took a deep breath, "I think that you are quite fond of Campbell despite knowing him for such a short while."
"Fond of him?"
"I-I haven't seen you smile like this since..."
"Since I last spoke with my sister... I suppose you may have a point Diana." Kaeleigh shook her head, "But it could never work. Even if I am fond of him... it's impossible..."
"Well, you know, I believe that nothing is impossible. I believe it just takes a little more time for some things than others"
In New York, Cameron went back to Kay's hospital room and called Mike, asked him to bring him that book that was left on Kay's desk. Despite Mike's confusion, he brought Cam the book and Cam explained what had happened, "So you think that this book could tell you what the Mystery Woman was talking about?"
"I don't know. I mean, nothing makes sense but Mike, look at this." Cameron points to the illustrations in the book. The illustrations inside had characters that looked almost identical to not just Kay and himself but everyone in their team. "I mean... this is..."
Mike smirked, "Impossible?"
Cameron shook his head, "I guess... I mean, a deception on this scale would be categorically impossible." Cameron looked over to Kay, "I keep thinking she's going to wake up and scold me for... something." He gave a slight chuckle. He was quiet for a moment, "Mike, I need to tell you something."
"Yeah, of course."
"The mystery woman is the one who poisoned Kay. She's the reason I called you about the book."
Mike's eyes widened, "What!? How-"
"She somehow snuck in a few hours ago and... she told me that this book would explain everything but... it's just a fairytale!" He said slamming the book shut.
Mike didn't know what to say to his friend. He placed a hand on Cameron's shoulder, "What did she tell you?"
Cameron ran his hand down his face and looked down, "She told me that... Kay only has until midnight."
Mike furrowed his eyebrows, "Until..."
"I don't know... my mind can only assume the worst." Mike and Cameron both looked at Kay whose time was running out.
In Danica, the celebration the king had planned was set to take place in just a few days. However something happened. Rumours were being spread throughout the kingdom that Kaeleigh may have had something to do with her younger sister's death. The morning before the celebration, Kaeleigh could finally go to her sister's grave on her own and placed a white rose on her coffin. Cornelia walked up to her and held her arms out, "Oh, Kaeleigh..." Kaeleigh hugged her step-sister, "I'm so sorry."
Kaeleigh's eyes were red with tears and her voice broke, "I never hurt Carolina. She was my best friend."
"Oh... I know that, you would have done anything to bring her back... anything..." Cornelia gives a look of concern, "I know that I am only your sister through our parents' marriage but should you ever need anything, I'm always here for you."
"Thank you Cornelia. I can only offer you the same."
"Thank you. Now go rest up dear sister, there is a lot to be done before the celebration." Kaeleigh walked away as Cornelia returned to her room.
When she reached the door, the knight spoke with her, "Did she buy it?"
Cornelia nodded, "She sought comfort with me." She went into her room but before closing the door, she spoke again, "Getting rid of her will be much easier than I thought."
Kaeleigh was once again in her room, only this time she could walk out freely. She knew that there was always something off about the death of her sister, and she intended to find out what it was. She didn't even notice Campbell sitting on her windowsill until she turned around, "Oh, Campbell, you startled me."
"Going somewhere Princess?" Motioning to the bow and arrows next to the sack she was packing.
"Yes. If you must know."
"Where to?"
Kaeleigh sighed, "I'm going to go find out what happened to my sister."
"Your sister? Princess Cornelia? I believe she's in the next tower."
Kaeleigh smirked at the magician then her expression, "I mean... my little sister. She... she passed away."
Campbell's playful expression turned serious, "Your sister?"
"Carolina. My father... he couldn't deal with the pain of her loss so...
"He locked you away."
"Yes." Kaeleigh looked at him, "But now... rumours are starting to spread... saying I had something to do with her death."
"How?"
"She snuck out one night and when she came back... she fell ill. I believe something happened that night."
"How do you plan on finding out?"
"BY trying to figure out where she was. So I'm going to leave."
"Have you ever been outside the castle walls?" He asked raising his eyebrows.
"No. However, as the future Queen, not only should I know what happened to my sister but I should know my kingdom." She said as she packed the last item she needed. She then thought of something, "Do you know where the closest town is?"
"I can do something even better, I can take you there myself." Campbell suggested.
"What about the performance for the ball?"
Campbell waved his hand, "With my travel knowledge, we could go and be back the day of the ball."
"You think so?"
"Yes... but we need to leave at nightfall. Can't risk being seen."
"Of course." She stuck out her hand, "Partners?"
He smiled and took her hand, feeling a jolt of electricity as their hands met, "Partners."
The sun was starting to set in New York. If what the mystery woman said was true, Kay didn't have much time left. Cameron was starting to panic, he took her hand in his, "Kay? If you can hear me, I'm so sorry I got you into this mess. If I hadn't insisted that you help me with Jonathan... you wouldn't be here right now."
If Kay was awake right now, she would have said, "I chose to work with you Cameron. I wanted to help you." That was what he loved about her, she was always thinking of others.
Cameron felt a very faint squeeze on his hand. He looked up, she hadn't woken up but she knew he was here. Kay's heart beats were starting to get faster which made Cameron worry. "Kay? Kay, come on, hold on." He cupped her face and knelt down to level himself with her, "Please. Come on, I-I can't lose you." Kay's heart rate wasn't slowing down. "Kay, I-I love you. Please hold on." Cameron knelt down and lightly pressed his lips against hers.
As their lips touched, he felt a warm breeze rush through him. When they parted, Kay's eye shot open as she gasped for breath and her heart rate returned to normal. Kay saw Cam looking down at her with shock and relief and... something else in his eyes, "C-Cam?"
"Kay? You're awake."He said, he rested his forehead against hers, "Oh thank God. I thought I was going to lose you."
She lifted her hand and placed it on his cheek as she steadied her breath, "You... you found me."
Cam chuckled, "Did you ever doubt I would?"
"Truthfully..." He helped her sit up, "The hospital room gave me pause." She looked at him with a concerned expression, "Campbell." He lifted his head in surprise at the name, a name he hadn't heard in a lifetime, "What happened?"
He squeezed her hand, "I-I don't remember... Kaeleigh."
Okay so... it's been a while since I wrote this story, but it needs to be finished, I think it'll be another chapter or two. Hope you guys liked it!
