Standing on the other side of the door was none other than the King. He looked upset at the sight of his son and then his eyes landed on me. A smile spread across his face and he wrapped me in a crushing bear hug.
"So this is the one you have been talking about none stop sin-." The King started but he was interrupted.
"Ok! Papa I think that is enough. Did you talk to Mama about what I asked you last night?" He asked quickly changing the subject. Wait. Did he just call the King Papa?
"Yes, he did. Bring her here Anthony." Said a female voice from the inside of the room.
I looked at Sir Anthony and he just smiled at me gesturing for me to enter the room. He offered me his hand and I took it cautiously thoroughly confused. He led me into the darkroom and stopped at the large Oak wood bed in the center of the room. In the bed lay a beautiful woman with long Auburn hair. She smiled as my face came into view, it was a warm smile, one that makes you feel welcomed. I smiled and took the hand that she offered. Pulling me into the bed with her she examined my face closely.
"Such a beautiful girl." She whispered.
"You have been through a great deal have you, not my child?" She asked with a sympathetic smile on her face.
I nodded and Sir Anthony wrapped his arms around me hugging me tightly. He smelled heavily of honey and ocean water.
"Runner, would you like to stay here with us?" Sir Anthony asked resting his chin on the top of my head.
I turned around and looked at him taken completely by surprise. My eyebrows furrowed as I asked "What?"
"You heard me. Do. You. Want. To. Stay. Here?" He repeated speaking to me as if I were a child.
"Are you kidding me? Am I being pranked right now?" I said my eyes so wide they looked like they were merging together.
"I'm extremely serious. When I looked at your face yesterday. I saw a girl who wanted out of a place that would give her no future."
I looked at the King who nodded to the Queen. When I looked at the Queen she was smiling.
"We would love it if you would come to live with us. Not as a guest but as a part of this family." She said taking my hand in hers.
"You. Want me?"
"Yes, dear. We want you?" The Queen said tears welling in her eyes.
Sir Anthony chuckled and picked me up. He nodded to his parents and said "She is just going to make up some ridiculous excuse. So on that note, I hope you don't mind me kidnapping her for a little bit"
"Wait, where are you taking me!?"
"You can't stay in your nightclothes all day I already got you a dress made."
"I've only been here for one night."
"You'd be surprised what the tailors and seamstresses can do."
"Sir Anthony?"
"No, Anthony."
"Anthony?"
"Yes?"
"I want to stay."
"I want you to stay."
"What if I mess up."
"We'll help you get back up and try again. You won't be alone. We'll be beside you the whole way."
"Anthony?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
We walked the empty halls the only sound echoing off the marble floors was my soft sobs as I came to terms with what happened. This was insane that was for sure and trouble seems to follow me everywhere I go. What if I decide I still need to run and they think I'm disrespecting their hospitality. That's right I still don't know why they want me. It could be for something sinister like experiments or something. On the other hand, I felt no malicious intent when I was talking to them. They truly seem absolutely lovely. So what do I do? Try to stay and be happy or leave and stay on the run?
