The Ball of Balls

Chapter 27

Rey stood in the doorway. She looked wild, with her messy hair because of the lemonade and the blood stains on her shirt. All princesses were shocked by the barbarian who had entered the castle, but Rey looked a little bit less scary than the big gingerbread man.

Rey gave a quick glance to the dining hall and saw Miles and the gang. Rey immediately ran up the stairs.

''The fire is downstairs, Rey,'' the ring giggled.

''Shut up,'' Rey said, breathless because she just ran 10 km. ''First I have to make sure that they don't take you from me.''

Rey heard Miles's voice. ''Rey! Where are you going? Why did you steal the ring?''

''She is going to destr-'' the ring started, but the voice was muted by Rey, who clutched the ring in her fist. Rey turned around, saw Miles and his group of companions and climbed the stairs. When she was upstairs, she said: ''This ring can cause a lot of damage, it has to be destroyed. And that voice is making me go crazy.''

''Rey stop, please,'' Miles begged. ''I need it! Otherwise this was all for nothing!''

Rey looked at Miles, who was now upstairs too, and asked: ''Why?''

''I know why!'' the ring shouted through Rey's fingers.

''Well, tell me,'' Rey said very irritably, while Miles looked confused.

Taytay and Robert had calmly climbed the stairs and were now listening to the conversation.

''He wanted to sell me at first, but now he wants to give me to prince Robert!'' the ring exclaimed. Miles became as red as a tomato and stuttered: ''Th-that... is not.... that's not...''

Robert gave Miles a surprised look and said: ''Oh?''

''That's why I want to destroy it!'' Rey shouted.

''Wait... what?'' Miles said, but he didn't know that Robert was looking angrily at Rey behind him. Rey gave Robert a quick glance and sprinted away.

''Just buy another ring,'' Taytay said impatiently to Miles.

''We have to get that ring,'' Robert growled and he ran after her.

''Do you want to marry me that eagerly?'' Miles mumbled inaudibly.

''I will never become a fairy like this!'' Taytay shouted out of frustration and he let himself fall off the stairs.

''Like I haven't run enough,'' Rey said exhaustedly, while barricading the door behind her with tables.

''Well,'' the ring said, ''I get why you want to stop prince Robert, but is it all worth it? The whole kingdom will hate you.'' Rey rolled her eyes.

Robert banged on the door and shouted: ''Open the door and give Miles the ring back!''

Rey held the door with all her strength until her attention fell on the balcony door.

''Fuck it... I have to go down anyway,'' Rey let go of the door and ran to the balcony. Next to her grew an ivy. The ivy looked strong and she climbed the ivy down to the ground.

Robert stormed through the door and Miles and Taytay followed him. When they reached the balcony, Rey was gone.

''Huh? Where is she?'' Taytay asked.

''Here!'' the ring shouted below them.

''Goddammit! Stupid thing!'' Rey cursed, while just standing underneath the balcony. She ran with full confidence back into the castle.