Trapped

Chapter 3

Naesala's eyes flew open. She had fallen asleep. Naesala got out of bed and smoothed her wrinkled uniform. She opened the door and peered at the clock outside her room. It was 2:30pm. She had been asleep for 4 hours. Naesala wringed her fingers in contemplation. What was she going to do? She hadn't actually gone to the sickbay and if someone found out, she could end up with extra work or be flogged in public. Naesala chewed her fingernails nervously. A messenger walked by Naesala's room and stopped when he saw Naesala peering out her door. He walked up to her and bowed down low. "His highness has requested to meet you at 3pm exactly, at the palace pavilion. Dress appropriately" Naesala legs stopped working. The messenger nodded goodbye and left. Naesala's blood froze. She had to go, there was no question. If she didn't go, she would be severely punished. Naesala took a deep breath and went back inside her room. She shut the door and walked over to the small closet she shared with Topaz. She opened the closest and gasped. The small closet was full of extravagant clothes and shoes, made from materials, Naesala knew neither she nor her cousin could afford. Topaz's lord must be rich if he could afford all this. Naesala was about to reach for one of Topaz's new dresses, when something clicked in her brain. She rummaged through the back of the closet and took out a box. Before she and her family were kicked out of the house, Naesala's mother had selected items from her closet and jewellery box and stuffed them into a box. She had given it to Naesala before she was taken away and had simply said it was for when she was 16. Naesala opened the box and smiled. Inside the box was a violet silk dress and white silk shoes. She pulled out the dress and shoes and saw a small box she had never noticed. Naesala carefully unclasped the box, and began to cry. When Naesala was a baby, her mother had a set of jewellery made from rubies and gold. Naesala loved them and played with them all the time. In the small blue box, was a set of jewellery. Gold and ruby earring, a gold and ruby necklace, a gold and ruby ring and an embellished gold and ruby hairpiece.Naesala wiped her tears away and whispered a thank you to her mother. She dressed herself up silently and fixed the hair piece in her long dark brown hair. She looked in the small mirror in the room, and put on the necklace and earrings. She kept the ring in the box and put the jewellery box in her private drawer. Naesala slipped on the silk shoes and walked out her room. After making sure the door was shut, Naesala began to walk to the palace pavilion. Waiting there for her was Prince Crudelis, wearing a dark velvet suit, similar to the dress his sister wore. The prince looked up and noticed Naesala. He blinked and looked her up and down. Naesala's stomach turned, but she approached the table in the centre of the pavilion and sat down. The prince walked to the table and sat with Naesala. "You look very nice today." Crudelis said. Naesala just nodded. Crudelis raised his eyebrow. "I heard you were sick, how are you feeling?" he asked. Naesala looked at the prince, "I'm fine." she said curtly. The prince frowned. "Thank you for asking." Naesala continued. The prince smiled politely. A maid bobbed towards the table and bowed to the prince. "Tea?" Crudelis asked. Naesala nodded,"Tea would be nice." she said without any emotion. The maid curtsied and left the pavilion. As soon as she had left, Naesala cleared her throat. "Why did you ask to see me?" she inquired. The prince smiled, "I thought it would be nice to have lunch with a beautiful lady." He reached for Naesala's hand, which was on the table. Naesala trembled, but left her hand there; if she showed any sign of repulsion, the prince would have her punished. "Have you heard I have been looking for a wife?" the prince asked smoothly. Naesala stilled. "Yes, your highness, it's all everybody talks about." Naesala replied. Crudelis nodded. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, the maid returned with a trolley, with a teapot, two cups, sugar, milk and a platter of sandwiches. The maid transferred the food onto the table and left the pavilion with the trolley. Naesala poured some tea into a cup and added some milk and a lot of sugar. She hadn't had any sugar or tea or even milk since before the war. The prince poured some tea into his own cup and added some milk, but no sugar. Naesala delicately sipped from her cup and reached for a sandwich. She took a small bite and hummed with appreciation. The bread was soft and doughy and the meat, she thought it was ham, was delicious. Despite the temptation to wolf down the sandwich, Naesala took delicate little bites, until she was finished. Prince Crudelis watched her in curiosity, as Naesala drank the rest of her tea. She began to rise from her seat, but the prince stopped her. "Won't you stay for dessert?" he asked. Naesala sat back down, she knew he wasn't asking. She reached for another sandwich and chewed it in silence. The maid came back again with her trolley, which had another pot of tea, more sugar, more milk and a platter which was filled with small pastries and cakes. The maid replaced the food on the table, with the food on the trolley and left once again. Naesala refilled her empty cup with tea and added some milk and more sugar. She stirred her tea and sipped some. She watched as the prince reached for a pastry filled with cream. She reached for a cake from the platter and took a bite. And then another bite. She sipped some more tea and ate another cake,before standing up from the table. The prince also stood up and walked over to Naesala. "Can I walk you to your room?" the prince asked politely. Naesala nodded reluctantly, she couldn't refuse. The prince smiled and took Naesala's hand. Naesala frowned and tried to pull her hand away, but the prince tightened his grip around her hand and led her out the pavilion. Naesala gritted her teeth, and let the prince lead her to her room. As soon as they were outside her door, Naesala snatched her hand away from the prince's. He scowled at her in confusion. Naesala curtsied, "This is my room, your highness." she said demurely. Naesala walked to her door and was about to go in, when Prince Crudelis told her, "I enjoyed today, I would like to meet again." Naesala said nothing and went into her bedroom. On one of the beds, was an angry Topaz glowering at Naesala. "Are those my clothes?" she demanded, gesturing at Naesala's dress. Naesala glared at Topaz, "No." she answered sharply. Naesala turned to their shared closet and saw all of Topaz's clothes on the floor in a pile next to their closet. "You could at least try to be tidy." Naesala remarked bluntly. Topaz ignored her and strode out the room. Naesala sighed and slipped her feet out of the dainty shoes and pushed them under her bed. She removed her clothes and jewellery and stuffed them at the back of the almost empty closet. She changed into her night clothes and slumped onto her bed. She snuggled into her sheets and closed her eyes, falling into a blissful world of dreams.