Morning light,
Pale doves aloft,
the flat of a blade,
Feathers glistening,
and painted crimson,
Thick and hot,
and silence foreboding,
The heavy smell of iron.
“You three are inseparable,” exclaimed Queen Nicole, pausing to put a goblet to her lips. “How will it end when Madi has to return to Andveltica?”
The king of Nebrasia did not contribute to the conversation but listened faintly from where he sat at the table.
“She’ll just have to live here,” Antoine declared, stuffing an apple fritter in his mouth.
Adrian reached under the table and jabbed his brother in the side, forcing the little boy to let out a squeal. “Adi, stop that!” he cried.
Madeleine giggled.
“You seem to be doing much better, Adrian,” the queen projected over the horse play.
“It certainly makes a difference when you have company. It’s only been a week since Madi got here, and yet it feels like she’s lived here forever.” His face lit up. “We haven’t performed archery yet, have we?”
Madeleine and Antoine gasped.
“No, we have not!” Antoine said with his mouth full. “A genius idea for today’s activities, Adi.” The older brother jabbed him again with his finger, causing the younger to sputter.
“Company is indeed good for one’s health,” the queen interjected. “Do you have other friends in Nebrasia, Prince Adrian?”
Adrian froze, then fidgeted under her gaze. “Well, I guess I just never really…” His voice cut off when Antoine poked him in the ribs. The younger brother giggled hysterically. “Tony, I’ll get you for that!” Adrian reached under the table and an indignant squeak escaped Antoine’s mouth.
The queen’s face fell.
“Tony, Adrian,” the king said in his gruff and yet somewhat vague voice. The two boys looked up at him in surprise. “That’s quite enough.”
There was silence for a moment before Madeleine broke it almost immediately. “I much prefer Nebrasia to Andveltica. It’s so terribly boring over there without you guys, and no one will ever ride horses with me. I’ve never had so much fun in all my life until I came here.”
“I feel the same,” Antoine said, scooting out of reach from Adrian’s prodding fingers. “You’re the most non-boring person I’ve ever met, Madi.”
Madeleine hadn’t noticed when exactly the boys had begun calling her by her nickname but she was glad they did. “I should like to live here, playing with you guys forever!”
“That would be amazing!” Antoine said.
“One day you may think differently,” the queen cut in, and the three of them looked up at her in silence. “It may seem boring now, but one day you three will grow up and then you’ll see. And you Madi, you’ll begin attending court in Andveltica soon and then I’m sure it won’t seem quite so uninteresting when you find a suitor.”
Antoine stifled a laugh and Madeleine looked down at her lap, embarrassed. “It’s not like it matters right now anyway,” she replied quietly. “Can’t I just have fun with my new friends?” She folded her arms.
“I don’t expect you to understand now, and of course you can enjoy your time in Nebrasia. I just don’t want you to lose sight of why we are here or forget that this is only temporary. Sooner than later, we’ll be returning.”
Madeleine looked away, biting her lip. “When does the Harvest Festival start, Adrian?” she asked, turning to the older prince, and avoiding her mother’s gaze.
“Two days from now!” Antoine answered before his brother could. “Let’s plan on it!”
“Would that be alright, Father?” Adrian asked shyly, and the three children looked at the withered king again anxiously.
King Luc was staring at his plate and jumped a little when his son spoke. “What’s that?”
Adrian cleared his throat. “Could we go to the Harvest Festival, Father?”
The king stared at them until a small grin appeared on his tired face. “Yes, that will be fine, as long as you stay with your escorts.”
The three children cheered.
♛♚♛
A carriage was readied for the two princes and princess.
Madeleine grinned as she sat between the two boys. There would, of course, be Nebrasian servants escorting them around the village, but she didn’t mind them too much. Adrian had ordered them to keep a generous distance from the three of them.
“I hate having a servant clinging to my side everywhere I go,” Adrian said, tugging at a strand of blond hair. “But it is Father’s orders, so they’ll be keeping a close eye on us from afar.”
The thatched roofs Madeleine remembered upon first arriving in Nebrasia were covered in laurels and wreaths now. Bright orange and red banners hung on the sides of the little cottages. This could not be the same village she had seen that night with the empty streets and eerie lighting. People were bustling about with baskets of food or other items, and many could be seen gazing at different caravans that lined the road.
Once the three royals had stepped out of the carriage, Madeleine caught a whiff of something delicious and instantly walked towards the aroma. Adrian and Antoine hurried after her. She stopped in front of a little cart lined with white bags full of sugared, steaming pecans and walnuts.
Madeleine pulled out her coin purse and handed the man behind the cart a single silver coin. The two boys stepped up alongside her, wheezing slightly. Ignoring their complaints, she took the white bag from the shopkeeper and turned to them holding a roasted walnut in her hand.
“I’m so excited they have these in Nebrasia," she exclaimed. "They were sometimes imported to Andveltica. You can have some if you like. They are so delicious!”
Antoine immediately reached into the bag and pulled out a massive handful of the brown treats, stuffing them into his face all at once. Madeleine opened her mouth in complaint when Adrian did the same, claiming an even bigger handful. She watched, horrified as he too, shoved them all in his mouth.
“Can’t you take smaller portions?” she complained. “You two almost devoured the entire bag in just two handfuls!” She reached further into her bag this time to pull out a couple of pecans for herself.
The two boys shrugged.
“You offered them to us,” Adrian said indifferently.
Antoine inched his hand toward the bag, but Madeleine pulled it away.
“Buy your own if you like them that much,” she spat.
They stopped at a few more little shops and Adrian bought himself a small knife with a little gem on the hilt that came in a carved, leather sheath. Antoine begged him to let him hold it, but Adrian refused.
Madeleine went from one store to the next, buying a custard and a little jewel necklace as well as other knick knacks. At one point, all three of them were at different shops admiring the next exciting thing they needed to buy, completely ignorant of one another.
Madeleine approached a cart full of knotted bread and breathed in the sweet smells.
“Five silver pieces for a loaf!” a man yelled, but she wasn’t listening.
A shiny loaf covered in sunflower seeds caught her eye and her mouth began to water. The bread’s seed-covered skin was smothered in butter and the crust was golden brown. She had it in her hands before she could think twice.
It was warm and she wondered if the inside was soft and spongy. She took a large bite, and it was indeed as good as she imagined it to be. She went for a second bite when someone seized her by the wrist.
The store owner glared down at her. “You gonna pay for that, Miss? It’s five silver pieces.”
Frightened, Madeleine reclaimed her hand and reached into her coin purse, shaking. To her shock and horror, she only had three silver pieces left. She looked around in a panic for Adrian or Antoine but could not see them. She wondered where the escorts were, but there were so many people bustling about, she did not spot any of the king’s servants.
“Well?” The shopkeeper snarled, glaring down at her. “No money and you dare to sink your teeth into my bread?”
She swallowed hard and brought her chin up slightly. “That is no way to treat a princess of Andveltica,” she said boldly, but this didn’t seem to faze him.
“I don’t serve no foreign princess. Nebrasia should have never made friendly relations with that savage kingdom.”
Her face grew hot under his menacing stare, and she glared up at him in defiance.
One of the escorts had suddenly appeared by her side. “Are you alright, Princess?” the tall servant asked, but the store owner answered before she could.
“Ah, someone from the castle. Perhaps a Nebrasian can sort out the matter and pay for this foreign girl’s stolen goods.” The way he said the word foreign made the princess clench her fists.
The escort hesitated, looking down at what Madeleine was still holding and she would have mentally kicked herself for having picked out the largest loaf of bread, but she was distracted by the anxiety growing inside her.
“Hey, you there, Sir!” Antoine’s voice was close by, and Madeleine whipped around to see him only a few feet away. “That boy is stealing bread from your cart!” Antoine pointed past the storekeeper.
The baker and Madeleine turned to see Adrian seize a loaf and look over at them innocently before turning to leave.
“Oi! That’s five silver pieces, Sir,” the shop keeper said, eyeing the boy. “You must pay up if you’re going to take it.”
Adrian stopped, turned, and stuck his tongue out before taking off running down the street.
“What kind of town do I live in?” the baker yelled, charging after him. “COME BACK HERE!”
Antoine took her firmly by the arm and they were running in the opposite direction. The escort, looking extremely concerned, but relieved he had escaped the confrontation, followed the two children, asking them to stop.
“It’s alright, Pierre,” Antoine said quickly. “Go back to the carriage and wait for us there.”
The servant hesitated. “Sire, I must object. My duty is to keep you safe from—”
“You will keep us safe by staying out of sight and no offense, but you are not fast enough to keep up with us.”
Before Pierre could say anymore, the children darted away through the crowd, shoving past people, and disappearing from his sight.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
After a while, the prince and princess stopped behind an alleyway next to a little shop selling bugs encased in hardened sap and placed in jars.
“Where’s Adrian?” Madeleine exclaimed, her chest heaving.
“He said he’d meet up here next to the shop with the bugs after he lost the baker,” the boy equally out of breath replied.
“Why’d you guys do that? Adrian put himself at great risk.”
He folded his arms. “How would we have taught that awful baker a lesson then? We were on our way back to find you when we overheard the terrible things he said to you.”
“You heard that?”
He nodded, frowning. “Some Elderians aren’t very accepting of the decades-old treaty between Andveltica and Nebrasia. That man was the worst!”
She looked down at her hands then snorted as she recalled what the older prince had done. “I never thought I’d see Adrian make such a childish face.”
Antoine laughed. “I’m glad we gave the old porker the run around.”
She let out a small giggle. “It was a very foolish plan, but I’m glad it worked out.” She glanced down at the loaf she still clutched, covered in sunflower seeds with a bite in the corner. “Where’s Adrian now?”
“He told me to wait here. He’ll be here any minute now.”
They sat against the alley wall in quiet apprehension and shared the rest of the loaf as several minutes went by. Still, the prince did not appear.
“Where could he be, Tony?” she asked anxiously, the previous high petering out.
“I don’t know, but it’s been far too long. I don’t think we should go look for him quite yet though. It could be dangerous. That baker may be still out looking for us.”
She clutched her hands together. “What if...something happened to Adrian?”
“No. He’s just taking a while getting here,” he reassured while wringing his hands.
“But it’s been an awful long time. I’m scared, Tony. What if he was caught?”
“H-he can’t have been. Besides, he’s the crown prince. That baker wouldn’t dare hurt him.”
“Do you think the baker recognized him? Adrian wasn’t dressed so much like a prince today. If the baker was angry enough and caught up with him—”
“Don’t say that!” His eyes filled with tears, and she stared at him with wide eyes.
That’s when a blond head and beaming blue eyes appeared from behind a wall. “Oh, there you are!” Adrian exclaimed with an agitated look on his face.
Antoine stood and charged forward, throwing his arms around his brother, tears pouring down his face. A pathetic sound left his mouth. Madeleine stood as well, watching them.
Adrian made a face but hugged his brother back. “What’s wrong with you, Tony?”
The younger boy wiped his eyes, pulling out of the hug. “Nothing. We were both just super worried about you.”
“I was worried about you!” he scolded. “I told you to wait by the store with the rugs.”
Something dawned on Antoine’s face. “Ohhh! Rugs, not bugs.”
Adrian rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He glanced at Madeleine. “I see you’ve already eaten your bread.” Adrian unfolded his own knotted loaf from under his arm and Antoine tried grabbing it. The older brother dangled it mockingly above the younger’s head.
“How did you get away?” Madeleine asked.
“It wasn’t hard,” he bragged, at last breaking off a piece and handing it to Antoine. “That baker couldn’t run very fast. I dashed into the biggest crowd of people I could find.”
“We should probably not go back out in public in case he sees us again,” she said worriedly.
“Don’t worry. As long as you are with me, that man will leave you alone. Trust me. I have my royal Nebrasian birthmark as proof.” He held out his hand, showing off the small royal Nebrasian seal that was tattooed onto his left index finger.
“Oh right!” Antoine exclaimed, smacking his own cheek with his hand. “I forgot we both have that!”
Adrian rolled his eyes again.
Exhausted and shaken, the princess turned to leave. “Can we go home? It’s already growing a bit late.”
Adrian nodded and she noticed that he and Antoine had already finished the loaf.
♛♚♛
The moon shone overhead as Madeleine stomped through tall grass. As she approached the stables, she slowed her pace, not knowing if anyone was inside. She poked her head through the entrance, spotted no one, and walked in.
She stood in front of Marionette’s stall, grinning mischievously. She checked over her shoulder once more before removing a bridal that hung by a hook on the stall door. She was just barely lifting it to her horse’s face when someone touched her shoulder.
She shrieked, and a hand was clasped over her mouth. She turned with wide eyes to see Prince Adrian.
“Madi, hush! Someone will hear you.” He removed his hand and she stared into bright blue eyes.
“What in Elderian are you doing here?” she hissed. “You scared me to death!”
“I could ask you the same. It’s not safe for you to be out here so late.”
She averted his eyes. “I couldn’t sleep.” She placed the bridle back on its hook. “So, I wanted to go riding. It’s something I did in Andveltica too. Are you here to ride too?”
He shook his head. “No. I have my own place I go when I can’t sleep, which…is almost every night.” The circles under his eyes seemed to prove his point as he rubbed the back of his head. “It just so happens that I must pass by the stables to get there, and so of course, I saw you, or more of heard you parading through the grass. You’re not very discreet for someone who apparently sneaks out on a regular basis.”
“I have to take extra big steps, so it doesn’t stick to my skirt," she said indignantly. There was a pause. "Where is your place that you go to?”
“Oh, it’s over there by the…" He paused. "You know what,” a light filled his face, “why don’t I just take you there?”
She nodded quickly, grinning in excitement. He turned to leave, and she followed him out of the stables, exiting through the opposite end.
Beyond the building was a wall covered in vines that blocked their path, but Adrian walked right up to it and slipped his hand in between the thick branches. He appeared to have grabbed something, pulling downward and a small part of the wall swung inward revealing a passageway lit with little lamps.
Madeleine gaped.
“Only a few servants know about this,” he said proudly. “My mother showed it to me once a long time ago. It’s her secret garden.” He ushered her forward through the doorway, and she did not hesitate.
The enclosed outdoor garden with tall hedges engulfed the prince and princess as they went further into its depths. It was vast and complicated. Trees and vines twisted in and out of wooden fences. The trees were finally red and gold, and Madeleine gazed at them all in wonderment as she followed closely behind Adrian.
He chose a paved path next that was lined with plants that had begun to wither. She wondered how far the path went and felt as though she were wandering through a dream.
Adrian stopped suddenly in front of a small, strange glowing statue. She approached it, staring. The statue was made of black glass, and it twisted in odd ways forming abstract, sharp-angled shapes. It all twisted around a green glowing crystal that emitted a mysterious emerald glow. There was an engraving etched into the glass-like material that was written in another language.
“Eternal light?” she whispered, looking up at Adrian who grinned.
“I’m impressed with your ancient Elden literacy. It’s a relic from the Alchemists of old," he said proudly. "It’s an infinite source of light. My mother was obsessed with the Alchemists and discovered this during her travels. She found it near the sea pyramid in Venwick.”
Her eyes widened. “She’s seen the sea pyramid? That must mean she went inside as well?”
“I’m sure she did.” He had a sad smile on his face. “It used to be a popular site that everyone could visit, but ever since violence started brewing in Venwick, well, it’s been unsafe.”
“I’m glad she was able to retrieve this relic at least.”
“I am too. She was always so adventurous. If only she could have beaten the disease in her lungs and lived a little longer. Maybe we could have traveled together somewhere.” He placed a hand on the strange lantern gently.
There was silence, then he looked up at her, grabbing her hand. “Let me show you the rest of the garden.”
He pulled her along and quickly let go when she began following him. She glanced back at the relic until they were behind another hedge, and it was out of sight.
The path finally came back around to where they had first entered, and Adrian turned to her. “That was the short tour of the place,” he said energetically. “There’s a bunch of hidden rooms and such, but I think perhaps you should go to bed.”
She frowned slightly, looking down. “But I’m not tired. I wanted to ride—” A large yawn overtook her.
“I’ll return with you,” he said with humor in his voice. “You really shouldn’t be out here alone. Next time you can’t sleep, send me word and I’ll come with you.”
Her face lit up and he gently smiled in return. She hummed slightly as he opened the wall up again. They made their way over to the stables when Adrian suddenly stopped and she ran into him, stepping on his foot roughly.
“Ack! What are you doing?”
“Someone’s in the stables,” he whispered quickly, not reacting to the blow to his foot.
She peered ahead and saw shadows moving inside the lit building. They could hear the hum of chatter within. The prince and princess quietly walked closer to listen.
“Do you remember when the king came into the stables?” They overheard a man in the building say. “We hid in the attic behind hay bales.”
“Yes.” It was a woman that responded. “I found straw in my clothes for weeks after that.”
Madeleine’s eyebrows furrowed. She leaned over to Adrian, whispering, “That sounds like—”
“Oh, Nicole, you always were a quick thinker,” the man replied.
“Tsk. Enough.”
Madeleine noticed there were a few small windows that peeked into the stables and rushed over to the closest one.
“Madi! Come Back!” hissed Adrian.
She peered inside, pressing her face against the glass. She saw Justin Chevalier standing beside her mother.
“It’s been so long since we had fun like that, Nicole.” Justin gazed up at the ceiling, whimsically.
Adrian tiptoed over to Madeleine. Confused at what he saw, he glanced over at her, but was met with a shrug.
“I wrote to you about my new life here, did I not?” Justin continued. “I’ve quite enjoyed my work in Nebrasia, and Queen Gabrielle was so welcoming when I offered to work at the castle all those years ago. Who knew being here would be so pleasant?”
“It’s been so long since I last saw you.” The queen considered him. “It doesn’t seem like you’ve changed at all.” As she said this, she looked at him, then around the barn cautiously, clasping her hands together.
“Yes. I thought I’d never see your face again.” He stepped closer, placing his white hand on her bronze cheek, causing the queen to stiffen.
She lightly removed it. “It was rather unexpected when I received your letter.”
“It took you some time to respond.” Justin laced his fingers together. “I was expecting more of a response. I thought I’d made a mistake in contacting you.”
The queen averted his gaze. “Perhaps you did.”
“What?”
“I have my life and you have yours now, Justin. I can’t write to you anymore and I think we should never see each other again.”
There was silence.
“What are you saying?” He reached out, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear causing her to flinch and step back.
“That was years ago, Justin, and I can’t ask Danielle to keep delivering my letters. It’s not fair to her since if found out, she would also face the consequences. We need to forget this ever happened.”
Madeleine’s face paled and she clutched Adrian’s arm fiercely, sinking her fingernails into his flesh. He did not seem to notice as he also watched the couple in intense silence.
Justin’s jaw dropped in dismay. He softly took her waist, pulling her towards him. Madeleine couldn’t quite process what she was seeing and pressed her face even closer to the wooden frame.
“How can we put away what we have?” he said, his voice wavering. “I-I thought you cared for me. Do you not anymore?”
She didn’t resist his touch this time as she looked sadly into his face. “We can never be as we were. I’ve begun to grow fond of Abel. I can’t stand the thought of betraying him again. It was so long ago…I thought perhaps you would forget about me and move on.”
“Move on?” He was inches from her face. “How can I? Do you think this was just a simple fling and nothing more? I loved you dearly. I still do.”
Madeleine stared at them, mouth hanging open and Adrian had a similar look.
“Justin, I can’t. You know we can’t. I need to do this, for Abel, for myself—”
“Darling, I have never stopped thinking of you.” He leaned in. “I know it’s wrong, but I can never forget you and I can’t just let go.”
The queen searched his face, placing two fingers on his lips to stop the attempted kiss. “I did love you, Justin, but this must end.”
“Nicole, please…”
“I’m sorry.” She slipped out of his arms and rushed out of the stables, leaving him alone.
Justin stood there, staring after her, then hid his face in his hands, slumping back against the stall door behind him.
Adrian finally pried Madeleine’s hand off his arm. She barely noticed and stared at the silent man. He didn’t make a sound, but his hands slid to his sides as he looked at the ceiling and she peered at his face in confusion. Justin’s face was streaming with tears.
Adrian was pulling her away from the window and she turned to look into his eyes, searching for an answer there. He only returned his own concerned look, and she opened her mouth to speak but he shook his head.
“We shouldn't talk here,” he whispered quietly. He pointed at the secret door in the wall.
The two of them slipped away from their peering spot and headed down the path they had come. Once behind the door, Adrian pushed through a break in the towering bushes and they both found themselves in a small alcove with the only entrance being the one they had come through.
A little wooden bench was at the center and beautiful flowers were planted just in front of the hedges, lining every edge of the secret circular room. Madeleine would have been awe struck, but she immediately sank down on the bench with her hands resting in her lap, looking at the ground.
Adrian stood in front of her. “Did you know about this?”
“No,” she squeaked. “I don’t understand.” Her eyes burned.
“It sounded to me like they’ve been keeping in contact for a while.”
“I overheard my mother and her lady-in-waiting arguing on the carriage ride here,” she said weakly. “I don’t really know what they were talking about, but Danielle had told her t-to stop sending messages to someone in Nebrasia…a man.”
“Then it’s true.”
Madeleine hid her face in her hands. “How could she do this to Father, to her own children? Does she not love Father?”
“Her marriage with your father must have been arranged, like most royal marriages. I’m not excusing what she did, but it is not of much surprise that she did not love your father when they were first married.”
“Didn’t she say, she has grown fond of him now?” Tears were slowly running down her cheeks now. “How could she be with that stableman and then later come to find she actually cares for my father? How could she be so selfish?”
There was a pause and Adrian took her hands away from her face. “Madi, you can’t tell anyone about this. Do you understand me? Not your mother. Not Antoine. No one. Your mother could be executed for treason against the king if this ever came to light.” Madeleine gazed at her feet. “Madi, look at me.” The fierce command made her glance up. His blue eyes bore into hers.
“Adrian, w-what should I do?”
“As long as this secret stays between us, it should impact your life in no way.”
“In no way?” More tears appeared. “My mother betrayed all of us. How can I simply forgive her and forget this?”
There was a pause. “I don’t know.” He was still holding her hands in his, and he squeezed them comfortingly. “But Madi, whatever happens, we’re still friends, okay?”
“Really?” Her eyes were wide. “Even after finding out what my mother did?”
“Of course. Her sins do not affect you.” He offered her a kerchief.
She wiped her face with it. “I promise I won’t tell anyone, Adrian.”
He searched her face, then helped her off the bench. “We should return to the castle.” She glanced away in apprehension, wiping her nose. “You’ll be okay, Madi.”
He led her out of the little room, and they made their way to the castle entrance. Slipping into the twisting hallway that led to Madeleine’s room, he told her to go the rest of the way by herself and she nodded.
He turned to walk away.
“Adrian,” she hissed.
He turned to look at her. She didn’t know what to say, only that she wanted his comfort.
“Remember what I said, Madi,” he said reassuringly.
They looked at each other in silence, then he turned and disappeared around the corner.
Madeleine was left alone, wishing he would reappear, but something told her she wouldn’t have his comfort and friendship for much longer. Soon she would have to return to the lonely Andveltican castle with her mother who she now despised vehemently.