“Haven't you ever seen firebugs before?” Richard looked at her puzzled.
“Not up close.” Alex stopped to glance at him “I've seen them in the forest from my room, but I'm not allowed outside, remember?”
“How come? I see your brothers out all the time, so why not you?”
“It's not a young lady's job to get dirty outside like some simpleton. She must learn how to be a lady, so she can best serve her future husband. And if she’s lucky, perhaps her man will grant her access to the outside world.”
“That's awful.” Richard looked at her in disgust. “You’re not some property to be thrown about, you’re a living girl.”
“Why do you think I wanted to escape so bad? At the very least, I just wanted to see what the world looked like before they traded me off to a new master.”
“In that case, tonight you can learn how to be a gray. Come on, follow me.”
Alex followed Richard to the bank of the creek and watched as he extended his hand to swipe a firebug out of the sky. Coming closer to her, he unclasped his hand and revealed its contents. What a curious sight it was, the small insect was round, and a small flame burned in its back end, flickering occasionally. Never in her wildest dreams had Alex ever imagined this was what it looked like. Extending her fingers towards it, she felt the warmth it emitted before the insect fluttered away.
“Would you like to learn how to catch them?” Richard peered at Alexandra intently.
“I would love that.”
Taking hold of her hand, Richard led Alex to the edge of the bank and showed her how to catch firebugs. They spent hours in the woods catching the insects until finally settling down by the creek. Looking on, Alex could see the moon reflecting on the dark surface of the stream, its mysterious silhouette moving with the churning water. She leaned in closer to get a better look at its reflections in the wake.
Glancing over at Alexandra sitting there, studying the moon up close, made Richard’s heart flutter. She looked exquisite, even if she was three years younger than him. Her ruffled white dress and chestnut hair accentuated her delicate porcelain skin, making her appear as if she was not of this world. But despite her surreal beauty, Richard felt at ease with Alex. He didn’t have any friends since his father passed, but sitting beside the princess, he knew he found one, even if the rules forbid it.
“Pretty, isn't it?” Richard mumbled, half to himself, and half to Alex.
“Yes,” Alexandra reached over and put her finger in the icy water “This is the first time I've seen the moon outside of my bedroom window.”
Sitting on the bank with the cold water running through her fingers, Alex relished in the newfound sense of freedom she now felt. As the firebugs danced around her head, she imagined she was one of them, doing a silent ballet in the night sky. Wouldn't it be marvelous, Alex thought if she could spend every night like tonight, free of social restraints? And as she sat there pondering, it was as if Richard knew what she was thinking, and he felt compelled to see if he was right about his new friend.
“Would you like to come out again and spend more time with me? As a friend?” Richard sat with his legs tucked in, chin pressed on his knees, watching her.
Alex glanced at him in awe, as the lad seemed to be able to read her thoughts. Then there was that word, friend. Alex had never had a friend before, and she relished at the idea of spending more time with him. She would have liked very much to come out and play with Richard again, but then she remembered her room, and the broken vines leading up to it.
“It would be fantastic. But, at this point, I don't even know how I will get back up.”
Richard jumped up with a smile and made a playful bow towards Alexandra as if he was one of the many pure-blood gentlemen who frequented the palace grounds. He wasn’t sure what he was thinking himself, but all he knew was that he was all too happy to please his princess with the information only he knew.
“Don't worry my lady, I know a better way for you to get in and out. This way you can come and go as you please.”
“Really? Would you show me?”
“Anything for you, my lady,” Richard said with another bow. “So long as you promise to keep gracing me with your company.”
Giggling, Alexandra took his outstretched hand and followed Richard back through the dark forest. This time, she could navigate the hostile forest floor with ease, and soon enough they were out in a deserted courtyard of the palace. Unsure of what to expect, Alex took a step in the direction she came from only to be pulled back by Richard who was shaking his head. Instead of heading straight for her window, Richard led her West, toward the side of the kitchen.
They navigated through the open grounds, ducking out of sight from an occasional guard who would pass them by. After some close calls, they ended up at the west side of the palace, going down a set of stone steps leading to the cellar. Stopping before a ramshackle wood door with four rectangular openings at the top Richard let go of Alexandra’s hand.
Pushing up on the pitted brown latch, Richard heaved the door open and Alexandra followed him inside into the gloom. The cellar interior was as damp and cold as one would expect, and Alex noted a peculiar earthy smell as her eyes tried to adjust to the darkness. This scent reminded her of mushrooms picked right after the rain or the smell of freshly dug soil beneath her window.
Attempting to move forward, Alex tripped over a lumpy sack and landed onto the moist, dirt floor beneath her feet. Kneeling beside her, Richard helped her up, dusting the dirt off her now stained dress. The princess was far clumsier than the lad would have thought, but then again, that was what made her so appealing. Offering Alex his hand, Richard brought her in close, holding on to her tiny frame.
“Here, just stick close to me and watch your footing.”
With a firm grip around her waist, Richard guided them forward, unfazed by the lack of light in the cellar. Alex followed him through the maze of shelves that seemed to go on forever in the endless darkness. Eventually, their passage ended at a brick wall in the middle of the castle, with a tiny gate laid into the brick. Richard swung open the old metal door on the wall to reveal a small metal box inside. Sticking her head in, Alex looked around the cramped space and wondered how this box would get her back to her room.
“It's called a dumbwaiter, climb on in...” Richard was already halfway in the box “... if I'm not mistaken, this one should go right up to the library next to your room.”
“A dumbwaiter?”
“Yeah, it's used to deliver food from the servant's kitchen up to the rooms it connects to. Your great-grandfather took his afternoon tea up in the library, which I believe abuts your room.”
“How do you know all this?”
“You can learn a lot from the people who have worked here for generations. Now come on.”
Alex thought about what Richard said. Not once had she considered the castle held secrets of its own. But thinking about it now, it all made perfect sense. Some servants had ancestors who helped build this estate. It was not far-fetched to assume they knew more about the place she called home than she did.
Giving her hand to Richard, she climbed into the narrow dumbwaiter and sat beside him. He reached over and shut the small door with a clang, making the space feel even smaller, not that Alex minded much. With a tug of the rope at the side, the little box began its trek upward. Passing a small door, they continued their way up to the second floor, stopping at another small, wood door resembling the one in the cellar.
The dumbwaiter creaked and swayed as they came to a stop. Leaning over, Richard pulled up the latch, swinging the door open. Once he was out, he turned to help Alex get down by placing his hands around her waist, allowing her to hop down. Looking around the mahogany covered room, Alex knew they were in the library. Her father's familiar, imposing desk sat by the window like it always had, covered in paperwork from the day.
Moving the door back into position, Alexandra wanted to see what
had concealed the dumbwaiter from her all these years. Much to her shock, she was met with the stern look of her great-grandfather's portrait. Even in a painting, he was an imposing man with an impressive white mutton chops mustache and a cold, heartless stare. It was no wonder she never noticed it hid a door behind it, his picture was always too frightening to get near.
Stepping back from the painting Alexandra glanced around the room. She was faced with an entirely different dilemma now, she had no way of getting back into her room, not unless she had to climb out the window again.
“Richard,” she whispered, “How am I supposed to get back in my room? They keep my door locked, and I don’t think my spell casting is powerful enough to pry it open.”
“My fair lady, do you think I would lead you here with no means of getting back to your room? Watch and learn.”
Saying nothing further, Richard walked over to the bookcase which sat to the left of the portrait. Studying the fourth shelf up close, he ran his fingers across the leather-bound book titles. Stopping at a red, leather book with intricate gold lettering, Richard reached up and pulled it down with the tips of his fingers. Alex could hear a gentle click, and the bookcase swung open to reveal a hidden room behind it.
Ushering Alex to follow him, Richard walked inside the secret passage. Not wishing to be left behind, Alexandra was quick to jump into the hollow, wood-lined hall of the hidden compartment. Looking around the cramped space, she could tell it was only five feet wide by ten feet long. A dark, dusty staircase led somewhere to her right, and a single oil lamp swung idly above her head from a tattered strand.
“Where are we?” Alex mumbled as the bookcase swung shut, locking them in.
“Attic closet.” Richard pointed to the stairs “They built it this way to conceal the unsightly stairs.”
“But the door... it just shut itself.”
“Don't you worry. There is a latch on the wall next to each door, just pull it down and it will open back up.”
It took Alex a few seconds to process what he said. Glancing at the wall opposite of the bookcase she could barely make out a small lever next to what appeared to be a door. Walking a few steps towards it, she reached up and pulled it down. With a click the door in front of her swung open, revealing her room on the other end.
The room was cold, as the window on the other side was still open letting the fresh summer air in. Climbing through the opening, an angry Cosmo, who woke up to find her missing greeted Alex. Still in awe at this newly discovered secret, she ignored the pigries angry grunts and groans, and eventually, he settled down with a loud snort.
Turning her head, Alex realized the secret door hid behind the antique, wood armoire which stood at the far corner of her room. Richard had come out through the door and was now standing next to her. Looking around her room he let out a loud whistle while keeping his hands tucked in his trouser pockets.
“So, this is your room, huh? It’s amazing. Why, my whole house can fit in here.”
Cosmo squealed in disgust. His mohawk rising up at the boy’s insensitive remark, but Alex ignored him. Unlike her tiny friend, she realized people outside the palace were not as fortunate and that always made her feel guilty about who she was.
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't be. To you, this place must feel like a prison if you’re never allowed leave.”
He was right thought Alex. This space did feel a lot like a dungeon. As huge as it was, it was suffocating compare to the freedom of being outside. Glancing over at the wood clock, she noticed it was just getting to be past three. Instantly, Alex felt guilty about keeping Richard up so late. Surely he had people back home who worried about him, and he had to be back here to work in the morning.
“You’ve been up so late with me. Isn't your family going to miss you?”
“Nah. I stay here in the servant’s quarters most of the time. I leave on weekends to go stay with my sister and give her the money.”
“I see. Is your sister all you have?”
“Yeah, but don't feel bad, it is what it is.”
Although she was curious about her friend’s past, Alex did not press him any further. She reckoned there was a reason Richard did not wish to speak about his family, much like she did not want to talk about hers. And with Cosmo’s constant stream of complaints coming from the bed, this seemed a good a time as any to change the subject and send the boy on his way.
“Richard. How do I get the door of my room open?”
“Ah, yes.” Richard walked over to the armoire, pulling open it's elegantly carved doors. Pushing her dresses to the side, he poked his head into the interior and looked around. “Here it is.” Motioning Alex to come over, he pointed out a small, wood flower carved into the side. It depressed with the touch of his fingers, and with another simple click, the armoire swung back open.
“That's amazing.”
“Isn’t it?” Richard gave out a lighthearted chuckle. “So, now you know the way in and out. Think you can meet me again tomorrow night?”
“Rheee.”
“Yes, but what time?”
“Same as tonight. I'll wait for you at the cellar entrance.”
“All right, I shall see you then.”
With a final farewell, Richard vanished into the space in the wall just as the armoire moved back into position. With Cosmo’s guidance, Alex put her dresses back and closed the wooden doors before she shut her window. Laying down in her bed, she chatted with the pigrie who kept insisting her gallivanting outside with a servant was a bad idea. Reassuring the tiny pig that everything would be all right, Alex went to sleep with a smile that night, knowing she now had a secret way out of the palace.
The next night, Alex was sitting alone in the old dumbwaiter, making her way down to the palace cellar. An overwhelming sense of anticipation had overcome her once she climbed inside the tiny box. She was almost positive she could navigate her way back to the cellar door, but then again, she wasn't sure if she recalled all the twists and turns Richard had taken correctly. At this point though, there was no turning back. She took in a deep breath and hoped she would not be lost in the damp palace underground forever.
The lift stopped with a clang, and Alex opened the door to the murky darkness of the cellar greeting her, threatening to swallow her whole. Climbing out of the hole, she placed a hand on the damp stone wall and allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. On the far end, Alex could almost make out an old, grungy shelf. Shuffling her way towards it and using it as guidance, Alex moved through the gloom of the cellar to what she was hoping would be the gateway to freedom.
Soon enough, she saw the plain wood door to the outside world. Its top openings cast an eerie, dim glow onto the dirt floor below. Shuffling forward, Alex gripped the latch and pushed it up. As she swung the door back, a blast of brisk air hit her and stung at her cheeks. Looking around the moonlit lawn, she spotted Richard by a nearby tree. Upon seeing her, he waved his hand and ran forward to greet her.
“Evening lady.” Richard gave her a bow “Glad you had no problem finding your way back out.”
“What can I say, I have a good memory.” She lied “I recalled the way back without a problem.”
“Come on, there is something I want to show you.” Richard took hold of her hand and pulled her along behind him.
The two kids walked across the lawn in the ocean's direction. It was unusually cold out for June, and Alex was shivering. By the time they made their way into the garden, she trembled violently from the cold. Stopping, Richard took off his gray, tweed jacket, wrapping it snugly around her.
“Don't worry. It's not much further.”
“What about you? Aren't you going to get cold?”
Richard laughed at how cute her concern was. “Nah, I'm used to this. To be honest, I was starting to get hot. Now, let's go, you'll love what I have to show you.” Grabbing hold of Alexandra’s hand again, Richard pulled Alex through the garden without waiting for
a reply.
They continued walking through the garden, and to Alex, it appeared almost haunted under the faint glow of the full moon. At the end of the stone terrace, an imposing old gate she knew led to the ocean greeted them. This gate was impossible to open, it was protected by spell which would only open for the current head of the household, her father. Looking over at Richard in bewilderment, Alex noticed he was down a way, along the wall, lifting a stone slab from the ground.
He beckoned her to come, and she gladly obliged. As Alexandra approached, she noticed there was a hole where the stone used to be. The opening appeared to have walls of brick, and an old rope ladder which clung to one side. Pointing to the precarious hole, Richard smiled.
“After you, my fair lady.”
Compelled to not disappoint her friend, Alex cautiously stepped onto the frail rungs of the ladder and made her way down. It was not a long trek before her feet hit the stone floor, and she found herself in a dimly lit tunnel. Puddles dotted the floor, and Alex could smell the salty sea air. Behind her, there was a muffled clang of shoes hitting the stones as Richard jumped down behind her.
“What is this place?” she looked at him in confusion
“Old smuggling tunnel. They built it at the time of the war to help smuggle grays out safely and get them to the ships bound for East Ashland.” Richard walked down the tunnel being careful to avoid the puddles of water on the floor. “As you can see, it floods at high tide, so you can only use it for a few hours out of the night.”
Walking after him, Alexandra glanced about the confining space in awe. Such a site was something she would never have expected in her own castle. But by now though, Alex realized the palace held more secrets than she had thought, all waiting for her to discover them. She wondered how many other people knew about this tunnel, or better yet, how many people in her family knew of its existence. Alex reckoned she was the only one, a secret shared with her by one of the people guarding it.
“Richard,” she glanced at her companion, wishing to know more, “how did you know about this place?”
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