Amore

Chapter 21

We had a small celebration so we wouldn't offend families of those who had dead ones. It was mainly a family/friend affair. It lasted all night, with people coming up to meet me and hug me and cry all over me. They all said I was the prettiest girl they had ever seen. I did feel pretty for once. I was in a dress of silver. It sparkled whenever I moved. I felt like a walking beam of moonlight. Robbie was there the whole time. People looked at him curiously, but didn't say anything. We both knew what they were thinking. They thought he was my true love. But my true love was back in Castora, missing me dreadfully.

            I learned about this later....

            Andrew pushed the doors open forcefully to his parent's room. They were sitting in bed, reading. Andrew let the doors slam shut, then strode over to them angrily. He glared down at them until they looked up at him.

            “Where's Cassandra?” he asked.

            “We sent her away,” his mother said coolly.

            “What?!” he cried in disbelief, swaying backwards.

            “Yes, we thought she was...unhealthy for you. Don't worry about her, she's safe. We sent that red-headed friend of yours with her,” she said, going back to her book.

            Andrew went over and snatched the book from her. “How dare you!” he practically growled.

            The queen bristled. “You should be thanking me! She wasn't right for you!”

            “She was perfect for me!” Andrew yelled.

            “I'm am the queen and you will listen to me, boy,” she spat. “We have located the princess of Belaria and you will marry her tomorrow evening!”

            “I refuse!” he said. “I won't marry any of your fake princesses!”

            “Oh, we found her all right. And you will marry her or I will have you arrested for treason!”

            “Treason?” he said weakly.

            “Yes, and you will be shamed for life! Now forget about this infatuation and get back to being the Crown Prince of Castora! I will not hear another word about this!”

            “Fine!” Andrew snapped, running out of the room.

            The king turned to his wife, “That was a bit harsh.”

            “Yes, but we must keep this secret. He will be happy later,” she purred, turning out the light and going to bed.

I heard a soft knock on my door. I set my book down and went to open it. Robbie was outside it. I opened to door, wider, inviting him in.

            “Congratulations!” he said, embracing me.

            “Thanks,” I smiled.

            “I know now isn't the time, but I wanted to tell you something...” he started.

            “Yes?” I ask, tilting my head.

            “You remember on the boat, when that man attacked you?”

            “Yes,” I answer, cringing.

            “I think he knew you were the princess and was trying to get rid of you.”

            “Why would anyone do that?” I ask.

            “Well, if you were dead, there wouldn't be an heir to the throne.”

            “Oh.”

            “The tenth in line for the throne was George, you know,” he said, looking at me through his lowered eyelashes.

            “That's not very close though.”

            “Yes, except that some of the people in-between 'mysteriously disappeared,'” he said, making air quotes.

            “They killed people so he would be king?”

            “People do very bad things when they are greedy. I bet they knew you were the princess. They were going to marry you off to George, then magically find out that you were the princess, securing his spot on the throne. And if that didn't work, you were expendable.”

            “Why are you telling me this?” I whispered hoarsely.

            “I just want you to know what they were thinking when you give them their punishment,” he shrugged.

            “I have to give them their punishment?” I asked nervously.

            “Yes,” he said, his gaze cutting to mine. “Do you order the death penalty?”

            “No,” I said, wetting my lips. “They don't deserve that.”     

            Robbie stepped towards me, sounding angry, “You're going to let them go, after all they did to you?”

            “They don't deserve to die,” I repeated, “Because that would be too easy. They deserve to suffer. To live the rest of their days remembering the horrible things they did to me.”

            Robbie smiled then, “You are just, my lady.”

            I blushed, “You don't have to call me that, Robbie, we are friends.”

            “I know, but I like it, it has a ring to it.” I nod, like I know what he means. “Anyway, congratulations. I know Andrew will love you forever.”

            I couldn't help but grin as he left.