The Worthy

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN
Cassandra
AS FAR AS I COULD tell this wasn't a pretty bad idea. If it wasn't for Harry's brainy plans we'll all be screwed, though, they were the ones who pulled us into this mess. We were walking silently along the empty hallways, the Princes leading our way.

Normally a Root would only need assistance from only one maid or a butler. There's two of them and three Extras. Wouldn't that be suspicious? But I assume they won't recognize us beneath these crumpled old uniforms...

Tyler had shown us a map of the City Hall and headed straight to his friends, leaving us on with ourselves. Well, it wouldn't be that exciting for a bunch of fourteen to sixteen year-olds. The princes memorized it quickly and I sure hope they won't forget. As for us three, we occasionally whisper when one has to straighten her posture or her dress or her face.

I wonder what it's like to be a servant, not mentioning that I wished to, because of course that'd be no cakewalk.

Before I could wonder about stuff more I focused on walking. Mentally sighing, I clutched my hands down and kept close to Max who's had my right side. We went to a right and left, and a long one before taking another left.

So far we haven't encountered anyone, until now.

"Oh, Your Majesties! What a surprise. What brought you two here?" He was quite young and greeted as he bowed.

Prince Harry cleared his throat and answered. "We're out here just for some inspections, as ordered by my father."

"Oh I see, just by yourselves and...? May I know where are you heading at? Would you like me to offer you assistance around the place?"

Okay, I have to say I'm quite panicking. But I do trust what's on mind of His Majesties.

"No, no. We're in good assistance. We appreciate that. Thank you, officer." Prince James spoke. "Dismissed." he quickly added.

With that, the young officer curtsied once again went across from us and to a different direction then finally disappeared from our sight.

"Let's keep moving," Harry stated. We walked a few more feet, then turned a sharp left to two massive wooden doors.

"Is this it? You're sure?" Jillian squeaked. Both of them turned back facing us, exchanged glances with each other, and nodded.

After three seconds, we stood there. James snapped us back to reality by giving out an 'ahem', "May you do the honours, misses." Alright, we've already forgotten our roles. Tyler would scold and say the same reminder again if he were here. Scurrying, Max and I took over the left door while Jillian took right. With a hunch, the doors pulled open, revealing an orange-ish light.

"I would say I'm in paradise, because this is a freaking big library." Max said. I definitely agree with her. You could not find such peace but in a simple room fully surrounded of books. "Yeah," I breathed out.

Before we forget, we three stepped aside for the royalties to enter, doing our practice in case someone ran over to us. "Let's just find that book and we'll leave as soon as possible. Spread out." Harry, being the real leader instructed us.

Once inside, we immediately closed the doors, and went in different ways to search for that book. "Uh, what's the title again?" Jillian quietly asked, as if the building would shake if she spoke out loud.

"Nothing specifically, anything about the past kings of Alzalea..." Harry replied.

"What, an encyclopedia?" Max asked with sarcasm. Though in an intense situation, she couldn't help let out a joke. No one laughed.

"A diary, perhaps?" I suggested, while walking through a certain section of the place, running my fingers through books' spines until I came across a dusty worn one, bound tightly with a thin rope. I pulled it out to view its front cover, it reads:

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL: DO NOT READ!

Since it's quite old and dusty, I gave it a quick blow at it which I immediately regret. The dust particles got into my nose and resulted myself into a fit of coughs and sneezes. I doubt they didn't hear that.

"Is everything alright, Cass?"

I sniffed and wiped a bit off my nose, "Yeah, I just found a dusty one here," And on they went back to searching, their light footsteps and hushed whispers are the only audible sound.

I continued digging through the mysterious book. And with the front now clearly seen, I noticed a signature at the bottom. Without a doubt I turned to the next page- only to find a perfectly italicized handwriting, with dates marked atop of every pages to clarify when it was written.

On the first page, read;

'Well, I proclaim you're a naughty one, then. You have failed to follow my instructions on the very first view of this book. If you tend to continue on reading, I say you brace yourself for this will all perfectly mean nonsense to you.'

Then another common signature below.

This has to be an important someone's diary,

I skimmed on the following pages with the same calligraphy, and at the last pages were scribbled notes as if he had been in a hurry. When I came through a page with a blurry old photograph of a family on a certain occasion, I now called the attention of my friends.

"Guys? I assume this might be it." When I came to the lobby of the library, they're already there except Max. "A diary, definitely. It has this signature, I don't know whom it belongs to..."

Prince James snatched the book from me before Prince Harry could take a look. He flipped through the pages quickly, sometimes not even bothering to finish, then he stated his conclusion. "Yep, I think you got it, Cass. It isn't clear whom it belongs, but I think we should take another volume to find out."

"Year 2025," Max said a little too loud, "We should take this."

As soon as the princes took a look at it, Max smiled pridefully. "Great job guys, now let's-"

Before another word come out from Harry, heavy footsteps echoed through the doors, marching closer to where they stand. Jillian's eyes widened, "Guards! I knew this might happen. Where shall we hide, guys?" she whispered quickly as she clutched her hands together by her chest.

James went to her comfort, gently grabbing her arm but squeezed as if to say it'll be alright.

"Here," a familiar voice boomed from the far right side. Snapping our heads to him, we stared back to a tall bookshelf he was hiding from. Footsteps and muffled voices becoming more clear now.

Without hesitation, Harry pushed us to go with Tyler. We were stunned by the sudden force until we matched our pace and scurried fast and felt arms pushing in encouragement.

"Hurry, your Majesties and my ladies!" And we merged, bodies crammed together while we regained our balance. Tyler shushes us and Harry joins in, keeping up a finger to his lips. While we stare at each other in fear, panic, nervousness, the two Princes return us a stern, knowing look.

I think I know what they are planning to do and it isn't pleasant.