Chapter 8

Everyone in the room seemed very much entertained as Kayla sang the first verse of "Mean" and Jester plucked a melody on his lute. Jane directly connected to the message of the song and felt that Gunther was mean to her in the way the song described, but then she started to wonder if perhaps she was mean to anyone in that way… The Royal Family was pleased at Kayla's skill and how well she performed with Jester- how she danced around to the beat of the song while she sang, keeping the show very interesting. They then went to the chorus, which they sang together, and the harmonies were quite beautiful. Jester sang the second verse and Kayla amusingly mouthed the words for a few seconds. When the song was over, everyone applauded, and the King stood up and said, "A very good first performance. I look forward to hearing your next song." Kayla and Jester bowed deeply and the small crowd of people began to leave the room; Gunther left after a few adults, and Jane left immediately and went up to him, as if to speak with him about something. Kayla noticed Jester's sad expression as he looked at Jane, sighed, and carried his lute as he left the room as well. Kayla began realize what possibly could be bothering Jester and she ran out of the Throne Room and into the garden, looking for Jane. She saw Jane heading to her room and followed her. Jane went up the steps faster than her, and when she arrived, the door was already closed, so she knocked. Jane answered, opening it and saying, "Hello, Kayla. Your performance with Jester was very nice."

"Yeah, yeah, look I think I know what is bothering Jester about you."

"Really?" Jane was surprised and gestured for her to come in.

"Yeah, I think he feels like you don't like him."

She raised a fiery eyebrow. "You think I like it that he neglected me for a year?"

"No, I think he feels neglected."

Jane stepped back, shocked. "By me?" Her expression changed to cynical. "How?"

"Jane, you have to remember people see things in different ways. He might have an entirely different take on the whole thing."

Jane sighed and thought about what Kayla had said, causing then to go into silence. Finally she asked, "So what should I do?"

"Pay attention to him. Ask for his opinion in things. Ask him for advice."

"I used to always do that."

Kayla seemed surprised and cocked her head. "Why did you stop?"

Jane's eye widened, she brought her hand to her mouth, and began to look horrified, as if realizing something terrible. "I don't know." They were silent for a few moments, as Jane seemed very troubled. She then asked, "Do you think this is all my fault?"

Now it was Kayla's turn to say, "I don't know." She continued, "I wasn't there. But I do know that you should go talk to him. Just start a conversation or ask for advice or something."

Jane nodded, and said, "Alright," before she made her way out of her room and started to the steps.

"And also," Kayla called as Jane turned around. "It would be nice if you could get Jester to stop liking me!" Jane smiled and headed down the steps to the practice yard in search for Jester. This was one of the few times she had ever been nervous about talking to him, and her stomach had turned to a knot. Within seconds, she saw him, as he was sitting on the swing and appeared to be deep in thought. He didn't realized she was there until she said, "Hello, Jester," waking him from his trance. He was very surprised, almost falling out of the swing, but he did not seem very happy to see her. "Oh, Jane, I didn't see you there."

"Sorry," she said, sitting down on the swing next to him. They both felt very uncomfortable around each other, for in the past year they had not been near each other often. "I was just looking for some advice."

He straightened up. "Really?" Sadness then crept back into his posture. "Why don't you go talk to Kayla or Pepper? Dragon even."

"I'd rather talk to you," she said sweetly, but he did not believe her and remained silent. All he did was look down. "I had a fight with Gunther," she continued and Jester sulked, for he had already heard the fight. "Go on," he said.

"Well, he said I was selfish and that I take advantage of people. Is that true?"

Jester had a few thoughts come to mind that he decided would not be good to express. "Do you think it is?" he asked, purposely avoided bringing his own opinion into the matter.

"I'm not sure. Maybe…"

He decided to answer her question the easy way, without offending her, and his solution might prove useful. "Just do what you think is right. If you think you're selfish, than try to care more about what others and what they think. If you think you take advantage of other people and see what you're doing wrong, then stop it. It's as simple as that."

Jane smiled, though she did not find his advice very helpful, and said, "Thank you." She laid her hand on Jester's for a moment and then left. Jester smiled as he saw her go to her room, but the smile soon vanished.

As soon as Jane returned to her room, Kayla, who was sitting on the bed waiting, asked, "How did it go?" She had seen them from the window but could not hear what they were saying.

"I'm not sure," Jane said curiously.

Kayla laughed. "Well you were there, weren't you?"

Jane smiled and rolled her eyes, amused. "Yes, I'm just not sure if it helped any." Kayla studied Jane for a few moments, tilting her head like an intrigued parrot as if she were trying to understand something. She finally said, "You look worried."

She thought about this. "I guess I am."

"Well, lighten up! There are so many things you don't have to worry about."

Jane looked up. "Like what?"

"You don't have to worry about the world ending anytime soon! You've got at least a thousand more years!"

"Yeah," Jane said sarcastically. "That's helpful." They then left Jane's room, continuing their conversation as they went down the steps to the practice yard. They were analyzing her conversation with Jester, and both of them noticed that he was no longer there. Passing Smithy, who was carrying a piece of wood to the forge (Kayla was impressed with his stamina while lugging all the weight of it on his shoulders), they entered the courtyard, went by the fountain, and to the gardens. There, eight year old Lavinia was having an argument with her brother as they had done years ago. Lavinia was yelling, "No, you're always in charge, cowbrain!"

"Well a cow is smarter than you!"

Lavinia gaped, putting her hand over her mouth and stepping back in shock. "No one likes someone who's mean!"

"Yeah, and no one likes a mooing idiot like you."

Lavinia looked ready to cry, but would not dare do that, for fear of all the teasing she would receive from her callous brother. He had become quite mean in the last three years, surpassing the title of "brat." She went over to Jane when she saw her. "Jane! Kayla! Cuthbert's being mean to me, just like that song!"

"Ha, wimp," Cuthbert mocked.

Lavinia then yelled, "Well someday I'll be living in a big old city and all you're ever going to be is mean!" Kayla laughed to herself at how the song had influenced the royal children, but it disappeared as she saw Cuthbert stand over by his sister (he was considerably taller than her) and glared at her intimidatingly. Lavinia stood as tall as she could and did not even flinch. She was growing up to be quite the fearless leader. Jane asked the princess, "May I ask what you two majesties are fighting about?"

Cuthbert went up to Jane and vehemently said, "Nothing you need be concerned about." Lavinia glared at him and said, "Do not talk rudely to Jane!" She then turned to Jane and told her, "Cuthbert wants to control everything I do!"

Kayla whispered to Jane, "It doesn't sound like he'll be a very good king." Cuthbert heard most of what she had said and asked, "What was that?"

Kayla crossed her arms and said, "Nothing you need be concerned about."

Cuthbert advanced towards her and said, "That is no way to speak to your future king and-"

She cut him off and pointed a finger at him, tired of his incessant rudeness. "Look kid, I didn't care if you're the Prince. I'm older than you and I'm your superior so you can stop the rudeness. Got that?"

Jane quickly said, "Technically-"

"I don't care about technicalities. Technicalities are stupid," Kayla said. She turned back to the Prince. "Now you can stop being rude or you can go be rude to your imaginary subjects elsewhere." Cuthbert was truly flabbergasted, and eventually just walked off, not knowing what else to do. Lavinia was happy that Cuthbert had gone so she could turn her full attention to Jane and Kayla. She commented on Kayla, saying, "You look very much like my mother."

"Thank you," Kayla replied. Lavinia was just about to respond when the Lady in Waiting came to the garden, informing Lavinia that it was her bedtime. Kayla had not yet met Jane's mother directly and did not know that she was Jane's mother until Jane said, "Kayla, this is my mother, the Lady in Waiting." Kayla nodded and Jane's mother looked at her as if deciding something, but then turned away to bring Lavinia out of the garden. She did not speak to Jane or Kayla. After she had left with the Princess, Kayla said to Jane, "She didn't seem very nice."

"She is nice," Jane responded. "It's just that she and I don't get along very well. We aren't exactly on good terms."

"Why?"

"I'm a girl knight and my best friend is a dragon. She wishes I was a bit more ladylike."

"So you're a fighter not a lover, eh?" Kayla joked, though she knew Jane was unaware of the saying. She then went to the topic of the Princess's comment. "You know," she said. "It might be possible that I am related to the Queen."

"What?" Jane looked incredulous.

"Yes. I mean, I look so much like her. She might be my ancestor."

Jane was shaking her head. "I doubt it."

Kayla just shrugged her shoulders and said, "You never know." They continued talking for a little while longer, but soon went to their rooms as the sun was setting and darkness was approaching. They would have to get up early as was the routine for everyone in the castle. Kayla did not go to bed very easily, as her mind was on many things. She was very tired when she woke up the next morning.

Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm not so sure about it, so please tell me what you think. And don't forget to…review!