Artica's Story (on hold)

Ch. 2 The Prince?

Hey peeps! I'm really sorry my writing updates are irregular, so I'll try to update every two weeks. But I have bad news: My tests are coming up!They're going to last for over a week, so updates will be really slow. That's why I'm going to get Ch. 3 out tomorrow itself. (I wish the writers I read would update twice a day. :(  

Chapter 2: The prince?

Prince Cypress to visit Chestershire?

Young Prince Cypress, current ruler-in-waiting, wants to visit Whitewater for unknown reasons. Most believe it is to investigate the mysterious death of his parents, Queen Alaska and King Aspen. Others believe he wants to see...more on page 4. That was on the front page. I couldn't believe my eyes. I turned to the last page and read the whole thing. My dad had been reading it too.

He was lost in thought for a while, then he said,"HE'S COMING TOMORROW! WE NEED TO LOOK PRESENTABLE! WHY TOMORROW?!"

I sighed. Dad always panicked easily.

"Calm down, dad. We have plenty of time! Let's start with the front yard. Break it into tiny parts, always helps."

"Where'd you learn that?"

"I dunno."

We stepped outside to examine the yard.

"Ouch." I winced, looking at the yard. My mediocre gardening had turned the place into a mess. Weird colours were clashing with each other.

"Alright, we have the worst looking yard in the village, but that can be easily fixed." Dad said sarcastically.

"Don't worry! How about you work on the interior of the house, and I work on the exterior?" I suggested.

"That'd work."

I removed the flowers and rearranged them in rainbow order. I watered them, replaced their dirt, and composted them. I removed the weeds, cut the grass and finally trimmed the hedges. I glanced over at the hut next to us. It's yard was already cleaned, and the house wasn't too shabby either.

After I finished, I went inside. Not really any need for making this place too good, not like the prince is gonna visit every house in the village, right?

But dad had really outdone himself. The house looked great! Dad looked at me and smiled. He grinned.

"Isn't it good?"

"Too good. Dad, the prince is not gonna visit our house. I only wanted a little polishing, but it looks like you've renovated the whole place!"

He frowned. "No need to be so rude about it. Be a little respectful, too! You're talking to your own father here!"

"Sorry, Dad. I think I lost myself there."

"That's alright. Just don't be so rude when the prince comes, okay?"

I nodded. Good old dad! He can never stay angry for long!

I realised with a start it was already night. I also realised I was very tired.

My dad, suddenly concerned, said," You look so tired and hungry, Artica! The peach buns Holiday's dad gave us are on the dining table; eat one and go to sleep."

I nodded and trudged inside.

The next morning I woke up to sunlight streaming across the window; it was another beautiful summer day.

I heard some fanfare. It was far too loud and shocked me out of bed. I brushed and dressed quickly, and went into the kitchen for breakfast or a snack. I found a bagel and buttered a slice of bread.

I sat on the veranda, next to Dad, and started eating my food.

"The procession is coming soon." Dad said.

"Can I go to Holiday's to watch the procession thingy? Her balcony has a better view!"

Dad nodded "Be back for lunch!" He warned me.

At Holiday's house, I was greeted with a warm hug and some delicious cheese dumplings.

Me and Holiday sat on the balcony waiting for the prince's procession, supplemented with a cheese dumpling each. Part of why I l0ved going to Holiday's house was that there was always something to eat, and there was always plenty of it!

We talked as we ate, both thoroughly over-excited at the thought of the prince coming to our tiny village. Half an hour later, the sweet flute music and fanfare of trumpets bought us out of our talks.

I peered over the balcony fence and saw dozens of guards surrounding a kid on a beautiful fluffy white stallion. Half the village was following behind.

They're making a big deal out of a kid on a horse?! Sure, he's the ruler of the whole kingdom, but he's a kid! If I did do that, then nobody would care except Dad and Holiday.

Holiday looked at me and correctly guessed my thoughts and said,"I don't know what to think about you now. Here's the biggest event of the year, probably of our lives, and you're gonna ignore it just because he's a kid? You're crazy, Artica!"

I sighed. "But-"

"NO BUTS! Artica, please! These are our summer holidays, they're ending soon! And I don't want you to spend it all sleeping. I want to make some good memories with my best friend before we get back to school; is that too much to ask of you?" I was stunned. Holiday was laid-back and calm at best, and annoyed at worst. I had never seen her this emotional before.

"If it means this much to you, then I'll come with you."

"Thanks, Artica. I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"It's totally fine. Now come on, or else the procession will end before we get there!" I said.

We dashed down and through the door and caught up with the procession just as it left the street.

After nearly half an hour, the procession ended and we reached the outskirts on the other side of the village.

One of the various soldiers leant in and said something to the prince. He muttered something back. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. What are they talking about?

Nobody else seemed to notice it. Not even Holiday, who had great hearing.

We were into the woods now; in a little clearing, and the soldiers said something again, but this time I caught it

"Sir, I really think we should turn around now." the guard said annoyedly.

"Alright, fine." The prince said.

The prince stopped his horse and yelled to the crowd: "Alright, I'm going back now! Back to the inn and then I'm leaving tomorrow!" He turned his horse around.

There it is! Chapter TWO! You guys are going to have a good shock when Chapter Three comes out tomorrow!