The Worthy

Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE
Jillian
THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING, SO this must be a dream. But it seems so real, I even know it is. Standing in front of me is my grandfather. What is he doing here in Alzalea? Why is he here in Bellevoir? Why is he here in the City Hall?

"Jiji! What are you doing here sweetheart?" Oh yeah, that's right, Jiji was a nickname given by him himself when I was eight. But it's been over six years now and that was a long time ago. I don't want to be called that again, specially if it's him.

Max answered before words came out of my agape mouth, "Excuse me, but aren't you suppose to be spending your money in your luxurious castle on the other side of the earth while you let your entire family suffer? So do us a favor, go back to your other rich family and don't show your face around here." I swiftly turned my head toward her. I panicked, does she know she is talking to the one and only King of LongBerry? She can be excecuted for saying that towards royalty. Plus, LongBerry is the second richest, greatest and biggest country on the face of earth, aside from Alzalea. But all Max earned from him was a deep chuckle. I visibly relaxed, let's just consider herself lucky that the only reaction she got from him was amusement.

"Ah yes, Maxxine Victoria Dy. You haven't changed one bit. You're still the naughty, confident and intimidating little girl you used to be." I wanted to snap at him. How he left us like that. How he even spent his time luxuriously while we all work our ways to the standards. I know I may look like I'm over reacting but you don't know my grandfather the way we do.

Let me explain, my grandfather, Jack, was the funniest and kindest old man I ever known. He was gloomy the day that grandmother died and it took a lot of waiting and giving him 'space' but weeks later he was the grandfather I once knew again. He was never boring and every single time we went to his house, he greeted us with warm smiles and made sure that we make our time there worth it. I even trusted him with my life. I was just eight years old then. Then one specific day, the widowed Queen of Long Berry came to town. Grandfather was the only family member to go to the festival held just for the Queen. And the next day, he was already engaged to her. The entire country was happy for him of course, but we heard this only from the news. He never even formally told us about his plans. He got married to her and didn't even give a wedding invitation to any of us. We watched this event only through the television of our neighbor. That day, when I was watching, I saw a gleam of pure happiness in his eyes, even more happiness than he had when grandmother was alive. And I knew if this is what he wanted, then, so be it. But the only hope I had was at the very end of the wedding on televison. Just before the camera went to a commercial. I saw his happiness turn upside down, with misery and that spilt second of seeing him like that, I had hope. I didn't tell anyone since I wasn't sure about it. But now I seem to have been seeing things, since he looked like he hasn't even missed us at all.

"Okayyyy... As much as I want to know how you three are somehow related to the King of Longberry, we need to go. Now." Tyler pushed all four of us towards the open door. "I am so sorry to cut short your reunion, but they are prisoners. They stole some maids' uniform as a disguise just to escape and I am expected to bring them back to their cells. Now good day, your majesty. I give you a warm welcome and hope you enjoy your stay at Alzalea." After Tyler's, annoyingly might I add, formal speech he bowed. He then faced us giving a 'go along with it' look and started to gesture us to walk away with him taking the lead.

"It is always nice to see you three again. I will see you 'very' soon, my dears." 'The King of Longberry added quickly before we were out of range. I tightened my fists in anger and held in a scream. The nerve of that guy, thinking he can just come back to our lives like nothing happened after six long and sufferable years.

We took a turn around the corner and went through a long hallway. Then took a sharp left and I start to remember where we are, and the we're close to the mayor's bedroom.

We turned yet another corner as we sped walked. At the end of the hallway was the door to freedom, our freedom.

"Listen girls. I can't go any further away than that door. I still have a job to do. I am pretty sure you know your way back. Just one advice-" we reached the door and Tyler twisted the knob open then looked at us with concern "-don't get caught." With that said, the three of us nodded in determination. We removed the maids uniform and handed them to Tyler, then we started to walk inside.

Just before I step another foot forward, I turned back to Tyler, "Wait! A-are-am I gonna see you at the diner?" I asked him in a hopeful and unsteady voice.

He just smirked and replied, "You can count on it, Ian." I smiled. He's the only one to call me Ian.

"See you then, Larry." It was my turn to smirk at his nickname, but that just made him smirk wider.

"Yanyan! We need to go. Sheesh, it's not like you won't even see him again!" Max exclaimed. I turned away and faced my two best friends while a slight blush crept up my face. I reached the secret door and before I closed it, I gave one final wave and smile to Tyler as he did the same.

"Sooooo I'm guessing the plan is get outta this place without getting caught, get home and then somehow find a way to give these two books back to the princes. Piece of cake." Max said sarcastically. I just rolled my eyes.

"Aww, come on guys! Don't act that way! Besides after what the princes did to get us here you guys are going to tell me you'll just give up?" Max and I of course shook our heads a 'no'.

"You got that one right, Cass. I just hope the princes are okay." I said just above a whisper, remembering that some soldiers are right above us.

"We all hope the same Yan. And I'm sure they are! They are the princes of Alzalea anyway." Cass said assuringly.

If only we knew that was the complete opposite of what their situation is right now.