by A. J. Bell
With one finger, he pushed one of the jewels in and a blade came out, turning the pendant into the hilt of a knife. “My son had this made for you long ago. He called it The Secret,” Lord Darius whispered. “Next time you come to Abilene, I hope it’s to stay. My son has waited too long for you, and I’ve waited long enough for grandchildren. Don’t make us wait much longer My Lady.”
Chapter 23
Sir Daniel arrived in Abilene the same day Elle went away, leaving room for John to appear. Lord Darius welcomed me again, this time as John, into his home.
“The ship is ready to set sail the moment your men are,” he said before dinner.
“We’ll let them rest overnight and depart at dawn,” I replied. Meav and Ghad couldn’t stop staring; it was the first time they had both seen me as a knight. I felt so stupid and so ashamed of myself for lying to the man that had so kindly laid his household at my service.
“Will you be staying here for the night?” Lord Darius asked.
“No!” Daniel replied in my place. “We’re to go back to our tents. Our men are waiting for further instructions for the journey to Ganzale.”
“I won’t lie, but I’m a little disappointed. We are very fond of Sir John in this household. If you must stay with them for the night, so be it. But you must stay for dinner, Sir John.” Lord Darius wasn’t the only one disappointed. I was too. Yet, it was for the better since Lord Darius, without a doubt, would question the fact that Elle and I both rode the same horse and traveled with the same companion, although Dash was waiting for me at camp.
As always, Lord Darius’s table at dinner was full with those he loved, and the food was just as delicious as the previous nights I had stayed among them. If only I could stay forever!
“Before we leave,” I said, “I have a proposition for Master Ghad and his new wife.” Everyone at the table fell instantly silent. “Andora is a beautiful place, but it’s also big. I believe firmly that we could use the services of an experienced butcher like you,” I said directly to Ghad. “This stewardship is too big for one man alone to handle without people who are trustworthy.”
“Are you asking Meav and Ghad to go with you and help you to manage your household?” said Madam Kressie.
“That’s correct. What do you say?”
Meav looked at Ghad, then at her mother, then at me, then at Ghad again. “It’ll be an honor,” said Ghad.
“Then as soon as you’re ready, you may go to Andora. I shall give you a letter to take to my parents there, so they can help you get settled. We’ll find you a permanent home upon my return unless you would rather stay in the castle, there is plenty of room there.”
The next morning, the men loaded what seemed like hundreds of chests into a cabin on the ship. The Jewel of the Seas was a seven-mast vessel, in which no luxury had been spared. I felt that, by carrying someone like me, it was being wasted. After the men were done loading our traveling boxes and supplies, I came to find out that it was my cabin that was being filled, and those chests held the gowns, accessories, shoes and all kinds of woman things that Victor could find and had sent for me to use.
“That man is insufferable,” I muttered.
“This red one is kind of attractive – from a man’s point of view. If I were you, I would only wear it if I was trying to get someone’s attention to look straight at me, particularly at my cleavage area,” said Dash.
“What are you doing in my cabin, why have you been snooping around, and how did you even find a red dress among all these piles?” I said, frustrated. He pointed towards the corner of the room to a red velvet gown hanging on the far wall. The gown was plain fabric except around the area of the cleavage where the fabric came to a sudden stop and was replaced by crystal beads that were sewn into the seam; then it split into two seams right where the two sides of the bodice would come together. The beads followed the contour of the fabric, coming down to a point halfway down at the waist line. Such a style left very little to anyone’s imagination, and the shimmering of the glass beads made the bodice stand out even more – the areas where skin would be seen. I looked at Dash, confused. He pointed to the floor to a small envelope sealed with red wax and stamped with the Royal Seal from Victor’s ring.
Dearest Elle,
I hope you like what you see. I tried to keep in mind your ideals while choosing each garment, until I saw the red one. I’m sure you’ll find a way to change it until it looks like something you would actually wear. I personally think you’ll look stunning in it. It will make your dark hair gain life. Yet, you do not need to worry about the cleavage. Dorian isn’t like myself or Richard, because he cares for the inside beauty more than what the eye sees. Not to mention that Dorian’s favorite color is red, velvet red. I realized that I can’t ask you to run away with me. If you are truly in love with my cousin, asking you to leave him would be cruel of me, and if there is anything that you love about me, it is my ability to show mercy.
With that said, I ask you to wear this red gown if you truly believe I’m to marry the Princess and that you’ll seek after Dorian upon your return. I know it’s a big decision to make, probably the greatest decision of our lives, but I know that you will look after both of our best interests.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing you, regardless of your attire. Be safe.
Yours, Victor.
I had never been at sea in my life. Back in Stoneburg, Richard and I used a ferry a couple times, but never anything bigger than that. At first, there was excitement rushing through my veins, the sea breeze showering gently upon my face, the freshness of the wind playing with my hair. I loved the feeling of freedom, until the feeling got old, and the wind was strong enough to swivel the ship to and fro, which made my stomach upset. For once, I was glad Dash was hovering. As I battled with my seasickness, he took good care of me.
What bothered me the most was that Daniel seemed very pleased at the fact that I wasn’t able to handle being on the sea. For three days in a row, I lay in bed. I felt I was even throwing up the air I breathed.
Then I decided that I wasn’t going to let seasickness bring me down, so I forced myself to go out on deck. However, Dash followed beside me, just in case I got lightheaded again, but for the most part, I learned to control myself and actually enjoyed being at sea for the next week and a half until we reached Ganzale’s shore. As if expecting our arrival, the Royal Guard of Ganzale was posted along the beach. First, Daniel sent a group of men to shore to request an audience with the King because Victor had sent a letter for the King – a letter that I was to deliver into his hands and no others.
After our audience was granted, a group of guards escorted us to the Royal Palace. We were to meet with His Highness and discuss the journey of the Princess to the Everlands.
Since the palace of Ganzale was twice as big as Victor’s and also twice as luxurious, there was also twice the number of guards in the corridors and around the outskirts.
Ganzale was also definitely twice as big as the Everlands, from a political point of view as well as a geographical one. I could see why King Tobias would want to sign a treaty with them. Their threat was too big to ignore if they became our enemies. It seemed that I would be wearing the red velvet dress after all.
Upon our arrival to the throne room, we realized that the only ones in there were the King, Queen, and their Royal Guard – no princess was in sight. His Highness the King was sitting on the throne; next to him, the Queen; and next to her, an empty throne. “Have you visited Ganzale before?” His Majesty asked me.
“I’m afraid not, Your Highness. I would remember such a magnificent Kingdom.” I bowed.
“I was told you have a message for me from the Everlands.” I handed over the envelope, keeping my gaze down. He read it while the rest of us waited. “Tell me why is it that His Majesty, the Crowned Prince of the Everlands, is not here to ask this request himself.”
“Prince Victor and His Royal Highness King Tobias must watch over their kingdom. Turmoil has ri
sen there, and their people need their wisdom and guidance, Sire,” I said respectfully.
“Turmoil?” the King asked, concerned. “And you expect me to send my daughter to a land where a war is imminent?”
“With all due respect, Your Highness. You signed a treaty with King Tobias – your word is what brought us here. If a king cannot keep his word, then what kind of king is he?”
Daniel quickly pulled me behind him. Kneeling down, he began apologizing for my insult to the King, but His Majesty cut him off. “If you dare treat a lady like that in front of me again, I’ll have you hanged by the neck in this very room.”
I suppressed a chuckle when Daniel’s face turned red in embarrassment.
“Tell me about the Prince – is he handsome?” Everyone bowed as the Princess walked into the room.
“That will depend on what Her Highness considers handsome, but if I may say, that it’s not hard for one’s eyes to stare at the Prince,” I said, pleased with my reply.
“Is he kind?” Princess Camilla inquired.
“The people of the Everlands adore him, not just his Crown.”
“Will he make me happy?”
“Or he’ll die trying, My Princess,” I said with surety.
“You’ve chosen your words wisely,” said the Queen. I bowed in acknowledgement to her compliment.
It must have been an awkward position for the King to be the center of the three women’s gazes, all waiting for his resolution. He seemed distressed. His only daughter was to be sent to a war zone. Finally, he shrugged in defeat. “Fine!” he said. “My daughter will go to the Everlands.”
A whole week passed before Her Highness was ready to leave. If Victor thought for a moment he had overbought and over-packed, he should have seen Her Highness’s cases. She filled up two small cabins with her personal belongings. She also had three horses with baggage too, so she politely forced out Daniel from his cabin because his was bigger than hers, which was not entirely true. Once we departed, the real challenge began.
Most of the time at sea, Her Highness was in my cabin, asking me questions about Victor while trying on my gowns. On multiple occasions, she asked why I did not offer the red gown for her to try on. She coveted the dress. Her eyes couldn’t hide it.
“It was a special gift to me,” I said again and again. She would leave it alone for a moment and then ask again. I did all I could to get her attention off the gown.
She had me comb her hair and vice versa, doing the weirdest things with mine. I believed the only one that enjoyed that part along with the Princess was Dash. He had a big grin every time the Princess would ask his opinion regarding my hair, and she pouted a little if there was a gown I didn’t want to try on or a hairdo I wanted to escape from. If that was not enough, she thought Dash was the most charming Gypsy she had ever met and would frown if I said something unkind to him. Most afternoons, she sat Daniel and Dash down to model dresses for them, while asking which dress would be better for her first meeting with the Prince. In that aspect, she was vain.
“She isn’t vain,” said Dash. “She is just feminine.”
Why did I even bother to ask his opinion? “And you’re the nicest Gypsy she’s ever met, which is surely true. I doubt she’s ever met another one.”
“You’re just jealous she’s going to marry your Prince.”
“You’ve no idea what you are talking about,” I whispered back to him as the Princess approached us.
“Why do you have a sword?” Her Highness asked, holding Heaven with both hands, more like dragging it. She had been snooping around my cabin again. Wisely, we had hidden my armor and my other clothes in Dash’s cabin.
“Because if I get in trouble–”
“She does all the time,” interrupted Daniel. Dash seconded the interruption by nodding.
“I’m able to defend myself. I don’t depend on a man to try to protect me.”
“Am I in real danger by coming to the Everlands?”
“Your Highness, we won’t let anyone hurt you. You’ll be safe on our journey,” I reassured her.
“There will be more men waiting for us in Abilene. Prince Victor will be there to welcome you into the Everlands also, Your Highness,” said Daniel, proud of knowing something I didn’t.
Until the moment when Abilene’s shore first came into view, I continued to learn more about the Princess, and she learned more about Victor. I had no doubts. The more I learned about her, the more certain I became that he would love her.
I wasn’t sure about wearing the red dress. Wearing it meant I’d go and look for Dorian, and although my heart quaked inside of my chest every time I thought of him, I wasn’t certain of what I would do. I wasn’t a regular girl, like Meav or the Princess. I was rough, unrefined, and wore male undergarments. I was undeserving of him or any other man. Besides, he was certain I was marrying his cousin.
As we narrowed our distance to Abilene’s shore, I went into Princess Camilla’s cabin to help her to get ready, but she wasn’t there. Dash joined me in the search for the Princess – she couldn’t have vanished into thin air. After looking in all the possible places, Dash and I went back to my cabin. I needed to get dressed too.
“We will look for her when I’m ready. She’s probably hiding excitedly in some closet that we missed,” I said to Dash. To my surprise, we found her in my cabin, wearing my red gown.
“This is a beautiful gown. I have never seen anything this daring.” Her Highness said, admiring herself in a mirror. “I just had to have it.”
I clenched my teeth and took a deep breath. “I’m glad Your Highness likes it.” I tried to hold back my discontent as well as I could. “I’ll be going ahead of you towards the Abilene Castle, so this is where we part ways,” I said, bowing slightly.
She gave me a big hug and wished me farewell. “It was nice to have someone to talk to,” she said. “You’ll wait for me in the palace, correct?” she asked, and then turned around and continued to admire her reflection in my stolen gown.
I went into Dash’s cabin and changed into John’s clothes. I didn’t even mind that Dash was there. As a matter of fact, he helped me tie the strings on my corset. In my anger, I couldn’t do it myself.
“You need to calm down,” said Dash.
“She stole my dress!” I said, outraged. “Why would I wait for her in the castle? Who does she think she is?”
“She’s the Princess of Ganzale and soon to be ruler of the Everlands! She can have whatever she wants – including you – and when you denied her the opportunity to try on that dress, it only increased her desire for it,” he said.
“Do not justify her actions. Taking things that aren’t yours to take is wrong, especially if you are bound to be a just ruler. Stealing is wrong, no matter who you are!” I said.
“What did the note from the Prince say?” Dash asked, randomly.
“It said if I thought she was the one the Prince should marry, I should wear the red dress. Her actions could bring war between Ganzale and the Everlands if he doesn’t see the sign he is expecting to see.”
“You mean marrying you instead?”
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“It’s not hard to figure out if you’ve seen what I’ve seen. Well, he kissed you when you first arrived to Andora, and although you didn’t want the kiss–”
“Fine! You’re a good observer; I’ll give you that. Now that you know the reason, why don’t you help me to get out of here? I must speak to Victor before she makes it to shore.”
Dash lowered a rowing boat into the sea for me and kept watch while I climbed down. As fast as my arms could do it, I rowed myself to shore, where a few soldiers rushed out to meet me.
“I must speak to the Prince,” I told one of their captains, who immediately gave me a horse. Even though the castle wasn’t that far from shore, it would look better for a knight to ride a horse through the gates than to pass them running.
As soon as I arrived at the palace, I went into t
he main hall where the Prince would meet his bride for the first time. He was standing by the window talking to Lord Darius and to my dear friend Daniel, who had left the ship ahead of me. Victor’s face went pale when he saw me, Daniel rolled his eyes, but Lord Darius gave me a great big welcoming hug.
“What an honor to have Sir John back with us!” Lord Darius said. “Have you brought us the lovely Princess?” he asked.
I smiled in response. “I need to speak to His Highness in private,” I said calmly. Lord Darius immediately vacated the room.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” warned Daniel to both of us before he exited out. As soon as they closed the door, Victor approached me and took my hand in his. He was trying to control his nervousness.
“She’s almost perfect in every way.”
He was perplexed with my words. “I thought I asked you to wear–”
“She is wearing my red dress,” I said sharply. “She couldn’t stand not to have it, so she took it.”
“So you think she will be a good ruler?”
“I think she could be a good wife. However, I can’t help but wonder – what if the object she desires isn’t a simple gown, but something she can’t buy with money. What is going to happen then? Will you give in to please your Queen the way your father has pleased his, or will you teach her that just because she owns a crown does not mean she owns the world?”
“So she made you that angry,” he said with a small chuckle. “I’ll tell my bride-to-be to return the dress to you, and I’ll help her to understand the value of those around us, just like you’ve helped me to understand it too, so that together we can rule in justice.”
That answer satisfied me better. “So you are marrying her? ” I asked shyly.
“Not if you plan on taking me as your husband instead of her.”
“We can’t put your desires above the lives of the people of the Everlands. Their peace is what you are receiving through this marriage,” I said.
