Chapter 2 (First Person POV)

Year 1423 - Day Two

 It's the second day of our journey to the kingdom of Eron. The sun is at its peak, and aside from the occasional breaks, we've been moving at a steady pace. Only one issue…I feel like my bladder's gonna burst at any moment now, and I still haven't found out how to piss in this dress. I opened my window curtain and called out to one of the knights, "You there! How long until we make the next stop? " The young knight replied evenly, "That is in about an hour princess." 

 Curious on why they're calling me princess? Well obviously, they don't know about the whole predicament. They were simply instructed to escort the princess. As for the ones who know, only the king, the butler, and the maid, Claire, with me do.

 What do you mean an hour? Do I have to hold it for another hour?! I can't hold it for that long! "I see, thank you very much, but can we go a little faster? " I said with a smile. The knight nodded and passed the message to the Chief Knight, Sir Windsor. I fought together once, very respectable and experienced––definitely worthy to guard the princess. Of course a better option would be me but...that aside, my father has good taste. 

 I closed the window, inhaling deeply. I was able to distract myself for about 30 minutes until I remembered I had a bladder. Now my brain is seriously paying attention to my urinary organs. Sucking in my breath, about the only thing keeping me from wetting myself at this point, I flung open the window. "Commander!" I shouted urgently. Sir Windosr looked over at me, concerned. "Is there something wrong princess?" He asked. "Uhm… nothing of the sort, I just wanted to ask if we could take a break.." I replied gracefully (or as graceful one can be when their bladder's ready to burst). "Understood, princess." He then rallied the knights as we stopped in a big tree for a few minutes of rest. 

As soon as we stopped, I dashed out of the carriage door and into the forest. "Princess where––". Sir Windsor began. 

"No need to come with me, just my maid. Claire let's go!" I called back, cutting him off. Baffled, Claire followed me until I stopped in front of some bushes. "Tell me how to pee in this." I panted, catching my breath. "Pardon?" she asked, blinking in confusion. "Quickly!" I shouted, just on the verge of wetting myself right then and there. Realizing the urgency of the situation, she lifted my dress and instructed me on what to do. 

 A few minutes later… Haaa. Finally, out of the business. Surely things can't get harder than that. "Princess, you're here." I looked up, just realizing we'd made it back to the carriage. Sir Windsor was looking at me, still obviously concerned and slightly suspicious. "Ah, yes… let us move on." I said, quickly entering the carriage to avoid any conversation. However, I could already tell what he was thinking, since he has a ; 'Her highness must've had a hard time here in the wilderness since she was raised with care and now has to experience these kind of struggles' face. I can tell very clearly. Please don't pity me commander. It hurts my pride as a man.

After that horrifying incident, a few days passed until we finally arrived at Eron.

–––

 We are now at the border gates of Eron. I looked outside my window, and I saw a tall brick wall looming over, covering over hundreds of miles, seemingly made by a skilled architect. The famed boundary wall of Eron. That's the kingdom for you. The one kingdom that is above the five greatest kingdoms; Flarite, Malieu, Jinro, Banh, and Stalier. Looking at this it truly lives up to its reputation.

Our group stopped in front of a large closed metal gate with two guards standing at its sides. "State your name and purpose of visit." one of the guards instructed. The Chief Knight handed him the invitation. "Sir, Windsor. Commander of the kingdom of Flarite, and her highness." After verifying the guards returned it to the commander.

"Welcome to Eron." The other greeted, as he gestured to another guard atop the wall. As we entered, I couldn't help but notice the village's radiance. Banners, flowers, and people bustling around, seemingly preparing for a festival. They parted to let us pass, and I was starting to realize how big of a deal this was.

–––

 Since the village was quite large, it took us a while to reach the palace. Once we entered, a long line of knights and servants were lined up, ready to help with the luggage. "Welcome princess, to Eron. It must have been a tiring journey for you." One of them greeted me with a smile. He was in his fifties, with slicked back graying hair and a mustache that seemed to curve upwards. He extended me a hand to help me down the carriage. "Thank you." I replied.

 "I will be escorting you to your quarters. Please follow me." He said, before leading us to the west wing of the palace. The building was beautiful and elegantly designed, yet it had a warm and comforting feeling. Gemstones studded its pillars, the sparkling trinkets practically everywhere. The whole design left me in awe as we continued walking down the endless hallways. Suddenly, the butler stopped in front of a dark green door, a stark contrast from the pastel mint green walls with highly detailed flower carvings on the door handles. 

 "This shall be your room for the next couple months, your highness." He informed us before opening the door. It had walls that matched the rest of the palace, a glass door leading to the terrace, a queen-sized bed covered in white-green sheets with matching pillows, large draping curtains, as well as sofas with glass tables in front of them, a vanity table, with the doors beside it leading to a walk-in closet, and an elegant white patterned rug to finish it off. All in all, it wasn't that bad, but my lovely sister deserved better. Thank goodness I'm here in her place.

Although that's the most grateful I'll be for being in this mess. Ellaine's truly my driving force here..

"Make yourself comfortable. I shall be leaving so that you can get some rest. Please pull the rope here if you need some assistance." The butler said, gesturing to the rope beside the bed. With a bow, he left the room, shutting the door behind him. 

"Sir Windsor, you may go to your own quarters. Me and Claire can handle the rest." I instructed him evenly, as my sister would. "Understood your highness." He nodded, leaving the room.

Once he exited, Claire bent down to open my luggage, starting to organize my clothes. Meanwhile, I let myself flop on the bed. Since I'd fought in hundreds of battles I assumed I'd be able to stay awake, but a few minutes later, I was already dozing off. Ah, I thought as I nodded off, I guess the potion affected my stamina too…

–––

Where am I? I blinked my eyes open as I was hit by a freezing wind. I was standing in the snow, which coated the terrain for miles. I shivered, clutching myself as I kept walking forward. Though I just started moving, it felt like I had been for hours. As trudged on, I spotted a strange little tree, planted on a small patch of grass.

 "What's a tree doing in the middle of nowhere?" I muttered to myself. The second I stepped onto the grass, the surrounding area changed into a meadow in spring. Wild flowers bloomed and the sound of birds filled the air. I looked up at the tree, realizing it started to bear fruit The fruit was studded in thorns, see through with what looked like the night sky inside of it. Without thinking, I stretched my hand towards it. The thorns latched onto my palm, piercing through it and making it bleed.

I tried to pull my hand away as blood dripped down but each tug only seemed to make the pain worse. "You with the curse has finally come," a voice echoed from nowhere. The fruit's thorns grew vines, spreading from my hand to my body, turning back to its normal form. The thorns stab into my skin, like glass shards digging into me as I'm being burned at the same time. Trying to writhe free, I let out a strangled cry before losing consciousness.

–––

"Princess!" "Wake up." What? Who's that?..

"Your highness, wake up!" Oh, Claire-?

"Wake up!" My eyes finally shot open. Claire was peering down at me, worried.

"Why? What is wrong?" She asked, a bit frantically. I tried to reply, but only let out a loud yawn. Guess I was still drowsy..great.

"You were groaning in your sleep, and I got worried…so I woke you up." Claire replied.

"I may have had a nightmare." I finally mumbled. I rubbed my eyes with another sleepy grumble.

"What kind of dream was it that made you shuffle and sweat like that?" I wanted to answer Claire's question but I couldn't seem to remember what it was about. 

Embarrassed, I swiftly changed the subject. "Well, Uhm… How long have I been asleep?"

"For about a couple of hours now. It seems you were a bit tired your highness." She replied, moving back from the bed. I sat up and looked around the room. The candles, the lamps..even the center chandelier was fully lit. I had to squint just to see anything without perpetually blinding myself.

"I prepared a bath your highness. Once you're finished, I'll make sure supper's ready for you." She said before taking a deep bow and going to the kitchen. to the kitchen.

 A little after she left, I went into the bathroom and took off my sweaty clothes, before dipping myself into the tub. The water was warm, with a strong flowery scent. I sighed in contentment as I sank lower into the tub. I closed my eyes and held my breath as I let myself relax and felt the tension leave my body. A surge of strength slowly coursed through me. Good, I thought. I guess the change in stamina was temporary.

"Your highness. Your dinner is here." Claire called from the bedroom. I guess that's my cue. I stood up and dried myself, took my nightrobe and–––

"AHHH!" I screamed in shock.

"Your highness what's wrong?!" Claire asked, bursting into the bathroom as soon as she heard me.

"Ahhh!" She cried, echoing my own. Instead of my sister, she saw…well, the crown prince. I had returned to my normal form. 

"Your highness?" Claire asked hesitantly. 

"Yeah…" I replied, bewildered. Why am I me? I mean not that I don't like it. It's just I shouldn't be me right now. The duke is expecting Ellaine not…not me!

"What happened?! Why did you turn back?" Claire questioned, her pitch getting a little higher each word. She was completely clueless. Her eyes instinctively trailed down my body and—

"DON'T LOOK!" I shouted pickedly. She yelped and quickly covered her eyes "I'm tverry sorry your highness! I should be punished by death!" She apologized.

After a moment of stunned silence, I finally spoke. "…could I perhaps get some clothes first?" 

"Ah! Yes— right away your highness!" Claire bowed hurriedly, rushing towards the closet. I slowly picked up the nightrobe that I dropped and slung it over my shoulder, clutching it to cover my body. I couldn't wear it since, well, it was for a girl and I was very. VERY much not a girl right now.

Claire met me outside the bathroom, with a handful of colorful fabrics. "Your highness, there isn't any men's clothing available right now. And asking for it this late at night might raise suspicion so I suggest you put these on in the meantime."

I stood there stupidly for a moment. How could this happen? First I needed to wear a girl's clothes as a girl and now a girl's clothes as a man. After this, I'd be lucky to have even a sliver of dignity left. I let out a resigned sigh… "Fine, get it over with." I say, conceding to my fate.

She took the fabrics and wrapped them around my body. After taking a few measurements, sewing a few pieces together, viola, a dress was made.

"What are we to do about this your highness?" She asked me with a worried look as she examined her handiwork. I carefully put it on. Great, now I feel more uncomfortable in these clothes. Like I didn't already.

It's for Elaine…it's for Elaine…it's for Elaine…

After a few seconds of mental motivation, I decided, "Claire, get the crystal from my suitcase. I need to call my father." Why, you may ask? Of course to find a solution and blame him for this mess. I know, genius.

 To be continued…