A/N: Thanks to SoliDeoGloria for the nice comments! It always puts me in a happy mood. Can't comment back on my own fic for whatever reason lol. Enjoy!!
"And this hall is dedicated to our great grandfather's accomplishments." The chipper Princess said with pride.
On the way to Ava's room, Eloise decided to give an impromptu tour of her family's home and their history. It was partly to get their guest familiar with the place, and partly to make her more comfortable. And while the gesture didn't go unappreciated by Ava, it still didn't entirely help her out.
The rhubarb stayed silent for the most part. Only giving out "Oh"'s and "That's cool"'s to whatever the young girl said. Her mind was still reeling. And it felt like her steps were still wobbly.
Eloise internally sighed at Ava's turmoil. She didn't blame Ava for acting the way that she was. She's stuck in an unfamiliar land for Heaven's sake. But the Princess was grasping at straws to make this atmosphere less heavy.
She eyed her brother leading the way. Also being silent. And she sure as hell wasn't going to be the only one carrying the dreary conversation. So the moment Alexander turned his head back, he saw his sister flicking her eyes from him to the downcast girl with conviction.
The prince quietly sighed and mustered up the will to be hospitable. Lest he get an earful from his sister too. He's had enough of that for one day.
"How long have you known Sir George?" he casually asked.
Ava's head perked up from staring at the floor. She panicked because she wasn't listening.
"Um- Sorry?"
"How long have you known your godfather?" Eloise patiently repeated. "I assume it has been for a long time. Considering the trust your mother and father have in him."
"Oh. Right. Yeah... I've known him since I was a kid. I also babysat his kids from time to time. So..."
"Babysat?" the Princess tilted her head.
"Right. This is the 18th century." Ava reminded herself.
"I meant that I looked after them while George and Caroline were doing something."
Eloise grinned. "You people and your future vernacular. It never fails to confuse me."
It was weird to think how these people have accepted that she and her friends were from the distant future.
"You're not weirded out by that? That I'm like... from 400 years in the future?" Ava asked delicately.
"I will admit it was difficult to understand that our father's invention called out to our heroes that far away. But it brought them here nevertheless." she offered a friendly smile to the somewhat placated ball of anxiety.
"I still can hardly believe it." Alexander piped up. "But father never fails to surprise us." he said with a small grin.
Down the hall, the group heard a certain posh voice calling for Eloise. Ava turned to her with confusion.
The princess sighed and gave an apologetic smile.
"Do forgive me Miss Ava. But our butler needs my assistance in dealing with your companions. He is not on the best terms with them, so to speak."
She gave one last look to her brother. Silently warning him to not be standoffish. Her eyes trail back to Ava.
"I shall see you on the morrow."
And with that, Eloise left her brother and her new friend alone in an awkward silence...
It was almost painful how many times she fidgeted with her skirt. She always made sure to never be alone with anyone. Without anyone else to bounce off of, it was just her standing awkwardly and wishing she was dead while waiting for the other person to start talking.
And now she was alone with the guy that didn't even bother to say hello to her earlier.
To make things more complicated for her, she didn't know the etiquette for talking to royals. Would something offensive slip out and she'd have be taken to the guillotine? Do they even use guillotines yet??
All that and more was storming her head before, yet again, Alexander caught her attention.
"And here we are."
The two finally arrived to the guest rooms after traversing the grand halls. All of which Ava will most likely forget how to navigate.
The prince opened the door and stepped aside for the guest to enter.
It was unlike anything she's ever seen. At least in real life. She always imagined cozy rooms tucked away from the hustle of palace life. But never did she think that she'd step into one so regal.
"Wow..." she breathed out. "This is bigger than my entire house."
As she took it all in, her substitute tour guide stepped beside her.
"I hope that is a good thing." he said with a raised eyebrow.
"It is! I- I don't mind it." she turned around to face him with pursed lips.
A small pause lingered...
Alexander sucked in a breath. "Miss Ava, was it?"
"Yeah- but- it's just Ava... 'Miss Ava' makes me feel like I'm a ward or something." she nervously chuckled.
But then she realized;
"Well, I guess I am a ward now since I'm gonna stay here for who knows how long..." her face scrunched up with too much thought.
"I suppose we are in the same boat." he thought out loud, almost amusingly. But the bitterness bled through.
"I- I'm sorry you can't go on the adventure or whatever."
"It is not your doing."
"I know. But I don't really know what else to say..." she trailed off sheepishly.
The prince let out a puff of air through his nose. And that grin came back.
"There is no need to say anything. My father and sister are just protective over my well-being. I understand where they are coming from."
Ava frowned...
"But that doesn't make you feel better?"
Alexander rolled his eyes.
"You'd be correct."
As nervous as she felt, she still tried to lighten the mood.
"From the way they talk about you, it sounds like you're gonna sneak into a crate to get on the ship." she smiled for the first time in this whole debacle. Even if it was a small one.
And Ava did see him crack a smile... But there was something else in his eyes that didn't sit right with her.
"Of course not." he replied. "Much too dangerous as my father said."
He cleared his throat and stepped outside the door.
"If there is anything you are in need of, do not hesitate to ask." Alexander said politely.
"Thanks. Um... good night, your highness..." she was trying her hardest to be a good guest.
He nodded. "Good night."
The moment he shut the door, Ava flopped onto the queen size with a heavy sigh. It felt good to lay down after... everything.
But something in the back of her mind was nagging at her.
"You're just exhausted." she told herself. There wasn't any chance that the prince would actually take her joke seriously.
She shut her eyes. Wanting the world to fade away.
And hopefully wake up from this insane dream.