07: Reconsider

The next day the whole palace was bustling for the huge event that evening the whole daylight. Looking outside the window, the kingdom looks like a group of neighboring village. However, I know one day, I will make a way to improve and modernize our kingdom without removing the traces of the past.

"Avery," I heard Ezra calling my name while knocking

"Come in." I said and she entered

"Why aren't you preparing for the party yet?" she asked and I shrugged.

I've always hated parties. She helped me prepare for the party then she left.

All the princes are wearing masks that cover half of their face. I suggested this even before we went to Arcadia.

That same evening I met different princes with different attitudes. I saw how my mother was delighted with the sight of the courtship. None of them was the person I'm waiting for.

"Excuse me, can I borrow my cousin for a second?" Ezra said making me sigh

When we got out of the ballroom, she smiled at me

"I know you are waiting for someone else." She said

"No, I'm not." I lied with a straight face

"Your king charming is coming with a grand entrance," she said teasingly and we returned to the hall.

The council talked to the Prince of each kingdom they have invited.

Everyone was surprised when a group of knights came in and a masked king, Zairo, led them. I can say it is he because of his grey eyes that I used to admire when we were young.

"Sorry for being late. I am the new King from Arcadia." He introduced.

Indeed, it was a grand entrance. He walked toward me and the knights disappeared.

"Good evening, your majesty." he said and took my hand then kissed it

I smiled and returned the greeting. Soon the party was over and everyone left, without anyone noticing I snuck to the garden and someone back-hugged me

"Forgive me for being late, Pam." he said

"It's alright, Zai, you came and that is what important is." I said and we left before anyone noticed

"I saw that." Ezra said teasingly

"Saw what?" I asked as if I didn't know

"Oh, Avery, you've finally realized it." she said which confused me

"Realized what?" I asked her

"Oh? I thought never mind," she said

"I'll be going, Ezra. I have to sleep." I said and left

~~~

"Perhaps you have reconsidered your thought of allegiance with Arcadia." Mother said when I joined them the next day

"Why?" I asked while eating

"Their new King arrived late. Maybe he wasn't sure or he doesn't want to be allied to us," she said

I know Zairo isn't like that.

"I still want Arcadia to be our ally, mother." I said

"But they are a threat to our kingdom." Mother said suddenly

"When was the last time we were attacked?" I asked

"We haven't been but what if they were just preparing?" Mother said

"You are being paranoid, Mother." I said bluntly. Her paranoia is not helping our situation.

"They are threat to the succession of our kingdom, Avery. They are enemies." Mother said

"Are they? Or we just treat them that way? If you'll excuse me, Mother, I need to sleep." I said and excused myself and went to my room and locked it.

I changed into my T-shirt and leather pants and silently sneaked out using the window, I can't use the secret passage often, and I can't risk anyone knowing about its existence. I brought a backpack that could carry all our laundry.

I slowly crept down my tower using the ropes that look like vines only stronger.

I made sure that I've closed the window and the moment I stepped foot on the flat ground I dashed into the forest and went to the Valley of Laughter, as we call it.

Zairo upgraded the security of our secret place. He placed a barrier, an illusion of the place so that no one can enter apart from him and me.

My DNA is the key and I guess his too.

I opened the house using the pin and when I entered, I locked the door and opened the lights.

I went to the laundry area and placed the laundry on the machine.

Arcadia Kingdom is famous for their advance technology innovation and inventions.

My mother whom I grew up believing to be the greatest next to father is wrong.

Arcadia isn't a threat. Our kingdom is just threatened but I am not.

I trust the new king of that Kingdom. I trust Zairo.

I went to my room and slept. Tomorrow will be another day to strive.

"Where are you, Pam?" Zairo asked using inner voice the next day

'Home.' I answered while I was cooking

"You ran away last night?" He asked

'I did not run away. I went back home.' I corrected

"I'll meet you there." He said

'No, they might blame your Kingdom if you aren't there. They might accuse you of abducting me.' I said

"All right but keep in touch and be safe." He said

'Aye, aye, sir.' I replied, placed the cooked food on the plate, and removed my rubber gloves.

It was already afternoon when Zairo contacted me again.

"Are you still there?" he asked

'Yeah. Don't want to go yet.' I replied

"Your mother would be worried." he said

'Let her be.' I said

"Patrice Avery Mae, she's you mother. Go home." he ordered

'Fine and by the way Zairo I washed you clothes already and their folded in your bed.' I said

Well we have separate clothes. We have clothes here in our home. I have Shirts, shorts, Pants and boots here. Three pairs of boots excluding the one I'm wearing right now. I fixed the things I'll bring and I went out.

I don't want to go back yet. However, Zairo is right. I hate it when he has a point.

I returned to the palace and sneaked in using the blind spot of my tower.

I know every twist and turns in the palace hall, all of the secret passages shortcuts and such. Name them and I know them all.

Thanks to my father who taught me all of it.

I can still remember it explicitly and vividly.