Chapter Thirty Three
Melody sat at the stenciled table, chin in hand, watching the scene unfold in front of her again. If it was for the two thousandth time or the fourth thousandth time, Melody lost count. Over and over she was forced to watch as Not-Alex rushed forward to the faceless princess, declaring her as his true bride-to-be; Atiana standing silently by.
"You are she who saved me when I was lying like a dead body on the beach." These were the prince's lines that started the loop again.
"Oh, yes, twas I," Melody said in a high-pitched voice, the one she used to mock in secret officials she didn't like. "But alas, fair prince, I did not pull you from the sea."
Melody had only spoken out of boredom, expecting to continue being ignored by the characters surrounding her. But as she spoke, a change did occur. Prince Not-Alex turned away from the faceless princess, the true character in the book, and stood staring at Melody. It was only for a few seconds the character wavered from the routine, but the disturbance was enough for Melody to notice. It appeared as if Not-Alex was unsure what to do next. Then, just as quickly, he turned to Atiana as normal and declared, "I am too happy. My greatest hope has been realized."
Melody jumped up from the table, her mind racing at what had just happened and what it could mean. She jumped in front of the princess, ready to take her place in the next loop.
"You are she who saved me."
Melody was breathless as the handsome Not-Alex approached her. He didn't go around Melody to embrace the true character who belonged in the story. The prince stared at Melody as if she were the only girl in the world. He scooped her up in his arms and Melody was so tongue-tied of being the receiver of such admiration she forgot to say her line. The prince moved away to talk with Atiana; the break allowed Melody to catch her breath.
Atiana kissed the prince's hand with tears in her eyes. And then, the tears were gone. Atiana was standing straight and tall, her face a picture of worry as she watched the prince walk toward her rival.
But this time, the prince's eyes were on Melody as he spoke. "You are she who saved me."
Once again Melody found herself swept up in the prince's arms, her hand against the muscled chest. "Yes, dear prince. I rescued you from the beach," Melody was able to get the words out this time in a whisper, "but I am not her who saved you from the sea. Look, she stands before you." And Melody pointed straight at Atiana.
Not-Alex released Melody and swiveled towards Atiana. Melody watched in anticipation. Here it was! Finally, the prince would acknowledge Atiana, declare her to be the true bride and they would both would live happily ever after.
But the scene was the same as before. The prince declaring his happiness. Atiana crying and kissing the prince's hand, accepting her fate to die the morning after the wedding.
Melody sighed and removed herself from the "stage". She collapsed to the floor and stayed there, staring up at the ceiling. The loop continued without Melody's attention; the prince never missed a step and focused his attention back on the faceless princess, who had stood by as still as statue, never acknowledging the prince ignoring her for Melody.
"I'm going to be stuck here forever."
"Melody?"
Her eyes opened as she heard her name spoken by a familiar voice. Standing above her was her mother. "Mom!" Melody rushed to her feet and threw her arms around the maternal neck. Their reunion was a combination of hugs and kisses.
"I've been so worried about you. Are you all right?"
"Yes." Besides being trapped here.
"Look what I've brought. Mr. Andersen mentioned you hadn't eaten in a while."
Melody nodded. She was surprised when her stomach didn't grumble at the sight of the food sitting in the basket. The princess supposed being trapped in a book played with one's sense of time. Aside from the boredom of watching the same thing occur over and over, Melody didn't feel as if she had been here for days.
"Let's go to another page first, though." Melody knew she would be unable to eat if she heard the same page played over one more time.
Queen Ariel took Melody's lead and followed as her daughter led her over to Atiana. Melody made the normal introductions and explanations and requested Atiana's assistance in getting them to another page. Specifically, the place in the story where the prince met her on the beach. That place had minimal dialogue and the beach setting was comforting.
Once they were in the section Melody desired, her mother went about arranging the picnic on the sand, the food placed on the cloth that had lined the basket. Melody bit into the bread, followed by a bite of apple. She still did not feel as ravenous as she supposed she should, but the food tasted good, and Melody was able to eat it all.
"I never got to explore the inside of a book before." Ariel broke the silence when Melody had finished. "That is, without reading it."
"You explored other places?"
"Many. Much to your grandfather's disapproval." Ariel chuckled.
"Did he build a wall?" The words slipped out before Melody even knew she had thought them. She blushed at what she had just said. While Melody had truly forgiven her parents, and even understood their actions, there were still scars.
Melody saw the recognition of her pain on her mother's face. Thankfully, her mother did not get angry or begin lecturing about their reasoning again.
"Not a wall. But after my mother died, he outlawed all music and dancing." And Melody sat by and listened to her mother explain her own severely structured upbringing. No going outside the palace without supervision; only seeing her father during their scheduled strolls. "So, when he loosened the rules, I just explored everywhere I could. Not all of them were fun. I guess this place isn't one you're excited to be in. Mr. Andersen explained how this story is 'the worst place imaginable' because you don't like the ending. Is that correct?"
"Yes." Melody drew her knees close to her chest.
"Don't you worry." Queen Ariel smiled at her daughter. "We'll find a way out together."