Chapter 8: And the clock strikes midnight.
I pushed away the tree branches infront of me in order to get a clearer view. "Umm... excuse me." I said walking towards the strange man who looked only a few years older than me staring up into the night sky. "Who are you and what are you doing here? "
He turned at the sound of my voice with a displeased expression on his face.
"Princess Alyssa, the princess Alyssa, I've heard do much about you. I must say it's good to see you in person. My name is..." He began but was quickly interrupted by a.. a dog?
'Woof. Woof.'
"Oh my Gosh, it's a dog. Where did you come from. Aren't you a cute little doggie." I said bending over as I scratched the dog. The cute little thing rolled over, its tongue hanging out from its mouth. It was almost as if he was smiling back at me.
"You know it's not safe to pet stray dogs, you shouldn't be doing that." The stranger said.
"It's okay, dogs love me. I've always wanted a dog of my own but my mother is deathly allergic. But enough about dogs let's get back to my question shall we? Who are you and what are you doing in the royal gardens? All guests are meant to be in the banquet hall, so I'm gonna take a guess and say you're not a legitimate guest. Wait... . Are you trying to break in?" I replied now petting the dog on my lap.
"And what makes you so certain that I'm not a legitimate guest?" The stranger asked curiousity evident in his voice. I looked up from the dog and stared at him for a while trying to see if I could read anything off him but so far I couldn't sense anything.
No malicious intent.
No emotions.
No nothing.
It was almost as if he couldn't feel at all.
"Well whenever my father's guests come to the Palace they normally don't wonder off without the host and specifically tonight, the majority of the guests in the palace have no idea how to make their way around the Palace and thus aren't allowed to leave the hall without supervision. Potential thieves like you could be present.
And besides that, there's the fact the guards were specifically informed not to allow anyone anywhere near the royal gardens in order to make sure the flowers and plants are not damaged by the kids. It would be a shame if my favourite things in the world were ruined on my the night of my birthday.
And finally, you're not wearing your invitee brooch." I pointed out, carefully watching his facial expression which was surprisingly unfazed.
"Now you need to answer my question. Who exactly are you and what are you doing here?" I asked locking eyes with him.
"Impressive. You're either extremely brave or have no regard whatsoever for your life because, you have ruled it out that I'm not a legitimate guest so that can only mean I'm trying to break in, right? Yet you sit down on the grass petting a wild dog." He replied with a bored look.
I sprung up from the ground and tackled him to the floor "You really shouldn't try breaking into a palace unarmed." The man smirked as though he were amused.
"I never confirmed I was breaking in but, you are right, I'm technically not a 'legitimate' guest. I'm actually here as a stand in for the royal family of Aragorn. My name is Zeke Walker and I'm here because I was taking a stroll around the Palace. Actually, I haven't even entered the banquet hall yet."
"Anything to support your claims... Mr. Walker?" I asked extremely suspicious and still towering over him.
"Actually yes, I have this royal letter that was given to me that I believe is the royal family's birthday gift to you." He said pulling out an embroidered envelope with red markings and the royal stamp of Aragorn from the inside of his suit coat.
I took the letter from him and read it out loud.
Our warmest regards to you on your birthday, Princess Alyssa. The kingdom of Aragorn celebrates you. We send our humble regards to you and your parents.
From the royal family of Aragorn.
"Okay, this looks real enough, it's quite short though. I expected a longer letter about business and trade paternerships. Huh. I guess Aragorn's just different." I said releasing him from my hold and sitting on the grass next to me.
"I am sorry about tackling you and accusing you for trying to steal. You don't mind if I sit here do you?" I said.
"No, it's your palace after all."
We sat for a while in silence, looking up at the stars.
"May I ask a question?"
He looked at me with an undescribable expression and a tinge of suspicion before replying "Ask away princess."
I stared at him for a few seconds contemplating what I was about to ask, "I don't mean to pry but when I met you you seemed sad, angry even. Why is that? Maybe I can help."
Silence.
He remained still in his laid down position as if he hadn't heard me.
"Mr. Walker?"
"Don't call me that I'm not an old man. Are all princesses nosy or just you?" He replied with the bluntest time I'd ever heard.
I scoffed "You know I can just call the royal guards and report you for trespassing."
He rolled his eyes in response.
"If you must know, I lost my parents recently and now I'm forced to live with my cruel uncle and cousins. That's actually why I came to your kingdom, I'm searching for my aunt. Apparently she's my mother's older sister who disappeared a few years ago but she was last seen here."
"I thought you were here on behalf of the royal family?"
"I am. When the princes learned of my journey to your kingdom they tasked me with the duty of safely delivering your message."
"Have you found your aunt yet?"
"No, I just arrived yesterday and royal duties come first."
"I'm sorry about your parents but if you'd like, I can help you look for your aunt."
"Thanks for the offer princess but I doubt you've ever even left your palace. How can you possibly help me?" He asked his toned filled with doubt.
"Of course I can help you, this is my kingdom after all and as long as you're here, you're under my care. A good leader always takes care of others."
"You sound like such a good kid, I doubt your parents would let you leave the palace alone... with me. I can't possibly bear the consequences if Darinton's darling princess ends up with even a single insect bite."
"I can handle myself; I learned quite alot from my brother. Nothing bad is going to happen and my family isn't irrational to punish you because I got bit by something as small as a mosquito." I countered.
"And if I decide you can't come with me?" He asked a cunning smirk creeping up on the corner of his lips. "Well I could always report you for trespassing and attempted theft." I said with a mischievous glint in my eyes.
A layer of akward silence hung in the air as I waited for what he had to say.
He sighed.
"Who am I to refuse a princess? You can come but you are responsible for anything that could happen to you." He said.
"That's fair. We can leave tomorrow morning at dawn." I said, my lips curving upward into a smile.
Silence reigned once again.
I have to admit, it was nice just sitting there in the silence with a friend. I am normally talkative but, for the first time ever, it felt like I could just relax in the calm and listen. Just listening to his breath and the serenity of the wind gave me a surprising sense of peace and tranquility.
It felt... Ethereal.
He felt ethereal.
I had to find out more about him, I had to keep the conversation going.
"Zeke?" I called out, my voice almost a whisper I'm the cool night.
"Yes your highness?" He answered his voice sweet like honey yet hoarse reminding of a cello.
I chucked and said "You can just call me Alyssa, Zeke."
"Yes Alyssa?"
"What's it like working for the royal family? Are they mean and cruel? I imagine them mean. They've completely withdrawn from society. Thinking about it, I haven't even met anyone from Aragorn before you and I know everyone." I said rambling on and on not knowing his eyes were focused on me carrying what seemed to be a glimmer of joy and amazement.
I turned to him waiting for his response.
"The royal family of Aragorn; That's a sour topic. You see, the royal family and I are practically family. I met them when I was 16 and I have worked for them ever since. They are mean and cruel room you wouldn't want to meet them."
I flicker of sadness bounced around his eyes for while before fading away.
I could tell he had been through alot and my heart ached for him.