Another Change in Perspective

Astra clicked her nails against the smooth kitchen counter. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. Astra was beyond bored. She sighed dramatically. What was Bella doing? she wondered. Probably having a wonderful time at the ball while I have to spend what will perhaps be my last night as a human alone, in this silent house. She thought of what it would be like when she returned home. Clicking her tongue, Astra turned towards the window and peered outside.

"Blue Jay," she sang. Where was that bird when you needed her? "Blue Jay!" she tried again. Suddenly a flitter of blue appeared in the window.

"Yes," said the bird.

"Hum," she sighed. Blue Jay tilted her head. "What do you think Bella is doing, or Sir Lawrence? Are we the only ones not off on an adventure tonight?" The girl was restless. She had never spent much time in a human body. She turned on her heel and ran up the stairs, her destination clear. Blue Jay followed close behind. When Astra finally reached the top floor, she stepped into the creaky attic with caution. She shook off Bella's warning of staying in the house while she walked to one of the stuffed wardrobes.

"What are we going to do Miss?"

"Hum," the young stella said again. She ignored the bird's question. Catching sight of one of Allison's dresses, she pulled it on hurriedly. The dress was much too big for her. She hated being so small, for goodness sake she was decades older than Bella, even older than her retched step-mother. She shut her eyes and began to hum. Astra had only a little bit of magic left, but it was her last night in Faylinn and she was going to enjoy it. She turned to look at herself at the mirror. Perfect. It was a soft pink mermaid gown, with sequins sown into the bodice. Her hair was pulled back into a bun with a few loose golden curls framing her face. Her shoes were delicate white slippers. Astra could not help but smile. She had a ball to get to.

******

Sir Lawrence sniffed the air with impatience. He had yet to find the entrance to the tunnels. His scurried away from the ballroom, the vibrations of the music hurting his sensitive ears. Turning into the now empty kitchens, Sir Lawrence hoped he could find a few leftovers. There was a platter of fruits and cheeses on top of one of the messy counters. The whole castle was at the ball tonight. Sir Lawrence jumped onto the counter, and took his time eating the scrapes of cheese. He suddenly was instantly alert when he heard the sound of movement overhead. Of course, where else could you find a mouse but in the kitchens. He cleared his throat.

"Honorary palace mice, I am Sir Lawrence." A round, white mouse came into view before him. The mouse wobbled as he walked, but still managed to keep a dignified air. He was dressed in a deep blue tunic and black tights. He had a similar sword at his waist. Sir Lawrence fell to his knee.

"Rise young knight," said the mouse, "this is no place for us to conduct our business." His voice was stern as he glanced around the room. "Follow me." He jumped down from the counter, Sir Lawrence following close behind. The serious mouse led the knight through many meanders. No wonder he could not find the tunnel's entrance. Sir Lawrence held his breath in excitement. He was going to meet Lord Javier, the high knight in the King's assembly. The entrance to the tunnels was located to the side of a furnace. Here Sir Lawrence mimicked his guide's every move. The heat of the fire was suffocating. Finally, they pushed through a small gap, which the guide had some trouble getting through. They were in the tunnels.

"Wait here," said the older mouse after they had walked a few paces. He disappeared from Sir Lawrence's view. The knight looked around. He was giddy to be so close to his goal. The guide reappeared a few moments later. "Come," he said in a rough voice. Sir Lawrence nodded so slowly and deeply that it looked more like an awkward bow. The former shook his head. "Hurry up then." Sir Lawrence gathered himself and followed the mouse into a very warm and large room. It was rectangular in shape, with a great desk dominating most of the area. Behind the desk sat Lord Javier. "My lord," the older mouse nudged Sir Lawrence, indicating that he bow.

"It is a pleasure to meet you good Sir," Sir Lawrence added in a chirpy voice. The mouse next to him shook his head. Lord Javier glanced up at them. He studied Sir Lawrence, from his threadbare tunic to his bare feet.

"And you are?" the lord asked lazily.

"Sir Lawrence, my lord," Sir Lawrence answered even though Lord Javier had directed his question to the older knight. "It is a pleasure to meet you my lord," he bowed again for good measure, "I have traveled many moons to stand before you now ready to complete my task. A very important task it is, when I was told I would be delivering a message to the king I almost fainted with shock. You see, young squires' only dream is to be able to visit the palace, and to meet you my lord, as I am doing at this very moment. Oh, if only Sir Duke could see my now. They said I could not do it but I proved them wrong, oh yes, and here I stand in front of Lord Javier." Lord Javier and the others in the room watched this tirade in wonder. It seemed the knight never stopped for air.

"You have news?'" the lord asked.

"Yes. Very important news."

"Continue,"

"Um, well, I am under strict orders to only repeat it to the king."

"I speak to the king,"

"I have my orders." Lord Javier was losing patience. "My lord," Sir Lawrence added after a beat.

"You listen to me Sir …"

"Lawrence, Sir Lawrence."

"Yes. No one speaks to the king but me. So if you have a message you tell it to me." Sir Lawrence glanced down at his feet. Lord Javier huffed, and looked back down at his work. "Take him away, I do not have time for this foolishness."

"No my lord. My news, it has to do with a Prince, and a murder plot." There were gasps heard around the room. "Now will you take me to the King?"

******

"Christopher," someone called behind him. Chris ducked awkward in his fitted jacket and pants. "Christopher," the voice repeated, sounding very annoyed. The bent old man appeared before him. Upon glancing down and seeing his nephew, he lifted his foot and gave him a swift kick.

"Ugh," Chris grunted.

"Get up boy. What are you doing back so early?"

"I rather you did not kick me."

"Hugh, you haughty boy, get up!" Chris stood slowly. The old man shook his head. He was nearing the end at seventy-three years old, but this thief's former bliss was still present in his eyes. "Come sit," Chris followed the man through the house. When Robin reached the kitchen, he pulled out a wooden chair and made himself comfortable. Chris sat across from him. Even at twenty years old, Chris still felt like a little boy under his Uncle's scrutinizing glaze. Heslouched foward in his seat, tired from his long night.

"Uncle Robin I have to go." Chris pulled out the antique golden pocket watch. He whipped the glass face with his sleeve. The watch had been his father's, and he treasured it. "It is ten minutes after midnight."

"Much too late for you to be out." He pulled out a cut cigar and lit it. The boy tried not to roll his eyes. "Going out with the Hoodlums," he asked after taking a drag.

"No." Robin raised his eyebrows in question. "I am meeting someone."

"Who?"

"The young woman I told you about, Isabella. She should be here by now."

"Hum."

"Uncle Robin … I do not want to talk about tonight."

"You met with her?"

"Yes,"

"And?"

"Later," Chris pulled out his seat. The sound of his uncle clearing his throat made the boy stay put. "I am leaving soon."

"You are?"

"Yes, that is what we discussed."

"I see." Robin laughed, "I will miss you boy." Chris then stood and walked towards his wrinkled guardian.

"I will be back soon." They shared an awkward hug before the younger of the two hurried out the door.

******

There were gasps heard all around the ballroom. The music had stopped, and the party goers stood apprehensively. The queen had disappeared sometime ago, led by a series of heralds and guards. A few of the more daring guests tried speaking to the guards strategically placed around the room, but their pursuits were hopeless. The ballroom was on lockdown. All they knew was that something had happened in the courtyard. People whispered their theories to anyone that would listen.

"I am sure one of the delegates has made a scene," murmured a tired servant.

"Perhaps the king's mistress wants to enter," whispered a young woman on the upper level.

"A bet it is a brawl, I knew they should not have invited the lower classes," said a middle-aged lady.

The herald banged his staff on the cold floor. All eyes were instantly on him. "Ladies and gentleman," he announced, "please remain calm. No one is allowed to leave the ballroom until the head of the Royal Militant gives the word." Mumbling ensued. The herald sighed, it was going to be a long night.

******

"Oh Chadwick," his mother, Queen Evangeline, cried. The Prince was seated in his lounge, a cold compress to his face. A physician hovered close by, checking his vitals. Prince Chadwick tried to wave him away. All he wanted was to get to bed.

"I am fine mother," he said through his teeth. He was annoyed, not just at his mother, but at this entire situation. He would never get any peace now. The head the Royal Militant entered.

"Your highness," the man said.

"Sir Richard," Prince Chadwick answered with a nod.

"How is he?"

"Alright sir, save for a few scrapes and bruises. His biggest injury is on his head, which is why he should be monitored closely for the next twenty-four hours," the physician said swiftly. Sir Richard nodded and knelled before Prince Chadwick. The Prince was confused. Sir Richard was not the kind of person that humbled himself before anyone.

"What happened Crown Prince Chadwick?"

"I am not exactly sure," Prince Chadwick said slowly, "everything happened so quickly. I excused myself to the courtyard to look for a young woman who had disappeared right before my toast. The next thing I know, I was on the floor and could not see. Something came down on my head, and I became very dizzy from the sudden humidity in the air. I could make out the sound of a single voice saying something in a language I could not understand and then I faded away. I only came to when Dr. Lucas placed the salts under my nose."

"A young woman?" Sir Richard asked after taking all the information in.

"Yes. I meant her tonight. A beautiful, amicable girl."

"Her name Your Highness?"

"I am not sure, Sir." Sir Richard arched his eyebrows. "She told me to call her Belle,"

"How clever," he said under his breath.

"He should rest," interjected the doctor before another question could be asked. Sir Richard nodded after a tense moment. Prince Chadwick rose slowly with the help of two men and was led further into his chambers. Queen Evangeline fiddled with her gown, her eyes filled with worry. Sir Richard gave her a rare, reassuring smile. There were two swift knocks on the door.

"My men," Sir Richard explained to the frazzled Queen Evangeline. One of the guards pulled the door open. A very nervous young soldier rushed in. He stopped before Sir Richard and saluted him awkwardly. He then turned towards the queen and swept into a deep bow.

"What is it Taylor?"

"Um Sir, while coming the courtyard for evidence we did find something of interest. So they sent me to tell you and,"

"What is it?"

"A shoe most peculiar." The former released he had something behind his back, "it seems to be made out of glass."

"May I see it?"

"Oh, of course Sir." The shoe was sat before Sir Richard. "It really is a beautiful work of craftsmanship. My father was a shoemaker, I worked in his shop all my life, but in all my years I have never seen a slipper such as this."

"Glass you say?" Sir Richard ran a figure over it.

"Yes Sir"

"But it is so soft, like gel."

"I had the same thought, but the broken heel of the shoe was also found. When it was examined, we found that it was in fact broken glass."

"Ah."

"It is perfectly sculpted, a one of a kind. It is a shame," the soldier's voice was melancholy.

"One of a kind," the older man mused. He turned towards his favorite lieutenant. "An interesting piece of evidence indeed, I dare say that this is just what we need to find the criminal. She must be a woman; but no lady at this ball would leave a thing such as a shoe lying around. Good work Taylor." The young man nodded gleefully. "Excuse us Queen Evangeline, and do not fret. I reckon that this woman will be caught by the end of the week." He left the sitting room then, followed by a great majority of his soldiers. The Queen fanned herself, and wondered how her guests were faring. There was still so much to do tonight. She stood with purpose, intent on getting everything sorted out as quickly and gracefully as possible.

Hey readers! So that's chapter seventeen. Sorry for the long wait but I think its important to make sure I have the chapters as well written as possible before I submit them. I really love this story so please don't be discouraged by my long updates. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter and that the change of person was done well. If you did (or if you didn't) tell me what you think and review! Thank you so much for reading and for adding this story to your alerts and favorites. ~Iris Lily~