Enchanted

Chapter 2 - Accepting the Truth

CHAPTER 2 - ACCEPTING THE TRUTH

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 Avery woke suddenly. She realised she was breathing heavily. Everything was still dazed and a blur to her but she settled for it was just a dream. Avery got out of bed and looked out of her window. The marketplace was in full buzz and the castle guards were doing duty walks. But something caught her eye. Not from outside but from her room. Something was shining under her bed. Avery walked to see what it was. She crouched down and put her hand under her bed and felt something cold yet bumpy. She pulled it out. It was the box! Avery dropped it suddenly. She wasn’t dreaming then. It was all real. Queen Clarissa of Enchanted, a mythical land of fairies and mermaids had really told her to look for her sister and nephew in the mortal world. Everything she said, everything that happened was real. Avery was in shock.

A sudden knock on her door, made Avery jump. She put the box back under the bed and her maid, Henrietta came in. She was in her mid-forties with black shoulder-length hair with silver highlights in it and hazel eyes. She has lived in the castle her whole life. King Anton had grown up with her when his father had found her abandoned as a baby in the palace grounds. His wife looked after the two of them and they grew up like brother and sister. Henrietta had many opportunities to leave when she desired like when she got married to the sea merchant and head of the Navy but she stayed and said it was the least she could. The castle had always been her home and she wanted to stay and help out every chance she got. She eventually became Avery’s maid when she was born and Avery thought of her as her second mother. Henrietta’s only daughter, Olivia was a year older than Avery but they were so close, they were more like sisters. Olivia was Avery’s only real friend and she lived in the palace too. But soon she’d be getting married and leaving Avery all alone, something Avery despised. 

“Good morning Princess. Slept well? Now we have to hurry and get you ready. Your parents want to speak to you urgently. I have made you some parsnip soup. It’s waiting for you downstairs so you must hurry before it gets cold,” Henrietta said as she made Avery’s bed.

“Thank you Henrietta. I really appreciate it. But I was promised hot water would be ready for me. I am bathing today,” Avery said as she walked over to her window. Henrietta looked up from the bed.

“I knew I had forgotten something. I’m so sorry Princess. You wait here, I will do it for,” Henrietta said as she fled the room. Avery smiled and decided to finish making the bed. But just as she fixed her pillows, Olivia jumped up behind her and scared her. Avery dropped the pillows.

“Olivia! I was making my bed!” Avery said as she playfully hit Olivia on the arm. Olivia looked at her and smiled.

“And since when did you start doing housework. You’re a princess! I wish I had your life. Taking it easy, having people wait on you. That’s a life of luxury,” Olivia said as she jumped on Avery’s bed. Avery gave up making the bed and jumped next to her. Olivia was beautiful. She had lovely golden hair and crystal blue eyes and a fair complexion. She was wearing a red and gold dress with a big square neckline, long sleeves and a loose belt at her hips. Avery looked at herself. She had chestnut brown hair and emerald green eyes. She was however still in her night shift. Now who really looked like a princess?

“Olivia, we’ve been through this. My life is not all luxury. You are my only friend. I am not allowed out of this castle without an escort of some sort. You however, can run to the ends of the world without a care in the world. One day, Olivia, France will be mine, but even then I won’t have luxuries. Your life is the life I desire. You can go anywhere you wish, but you choose to stay here in the castle with me, why?” Avery asked logically. Her facts were true. Olivia wasn’t royalty. She could do whatever she wanted and go wherever she desired, yet she remained in the castle with her.