THE STRANGE LAND

Chapter 7: The Royal Encounter

As they emerged from the tunnel, Emily and Sarah found themselves in a beautiful garden, filled with vibrant flowers and towering trees. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, and the sound of birdsong filled the air. They walked along a winding path, taking in the sights and sounds of their new surroundings.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of horses' hooves and turned to see a handsome prince riding towards them. He was dressed in a fine suit of armor, and his piercing blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

"Good morrow, fair maidens," he said, dismounting his horse and approaching them. "I am Prince Edward, and I must say, you are the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on."

Sarah blushed at the prince's words, and Emily smiled kindly. "Thank you, Prince Edward," she said. "We are Emily and Sarah, and we have just emerged from the Whispering City."

The prince's eyes widened in surprise. "The Whispering City? I have heard tales of its magic and wonder. Tell me, what secrets did you uncover within its walls?"

As they walked through the garden, Emily and Sarah told the prince of their adventures in the Whispering City. He listened intently, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

When they finished, the prince turned to Sarah and said, "I must say, fair maiden, you have captured my heart. Will you do me the honor of having a picnic with me and my brothers in the palace?"

"I would be delighted, Prince Edward," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The prince smiled and took her hand, leading her towards the palace. Emily followed behind, a knowing smile on her face.

As they entered the palace, Sarah was struck by its beauty. The walls were adorned with tapestries, and the floors were made of polished marble. Sarah was thrilled at the opportunity to spend more time with the prince, and Emily was happy to tag along.

As they sat down on a blanket under a shady tree, Prince Edward began to tell them about his family. "I have two brothers, Prince William and Prince James," he said. "They're both very different from me, but I love them dearly."

Sarah was curious. "What are they like?" she asked.

"Prince William is the eldest," Prince Edward explained. "He's very serious and responsible. He's always been the one to take charge and make important decisions. Prince James, on the other hand, is the youngest. He's a bit of a rebel, always looking for adventure and excitement."

Just then, two men appeared from behind a nearby bush. One was tall and serious-looking, with a stern expression. The other was shorter and more relaxed, with a mischievous grin.

"Ah, my brothers!" Prince Edward exclaimed, standing up to greet them. "Come join us!"

Prince William and Prince James approached the blanket, bowing slightly to Sarah and Emily. "Welcome, ladies," Prince William said. "We've heard a lot about you."

Sarah smiled, feeling a bit intimidated by the prince's formal demeanor. Prince James, on the other hand, seemed much more approachable. He plopped down on the blanket beside her, grinning from ear to ear.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Prince James asked, eyeing the picnic basket.

"We were just about to eat," Prince Edward said. "Care to join us?"

The four of them sat down to a delicious meal of sandwiches, fruit, and cheese. Sarah was surprised at how easy it was to talk to the princes, despite their royal status.

As they ate, Prince James regaled them with stories of his adventures, from exploring the palace secret passages to sneaking into the kitchen to taste the latest desserts. Sarah laughed at his antics, feeling more at ease with each passing minute.

Prince William, on the other hand, was more reserved. He asked Sarah and Emily questions about their lives, listening intently to their answers. Sarah sensed a deep wisdom and kindness behind his serious exterior.

After the picnic, the princes suggested a game of croquet. Sarah was hesitant at first, but Prince James promised to teach her the rules. As they played, she found herself having the time of her life, laughing and joking with the princes as if they were old friends.

As the sun began to set, Prince Edward turned to her with a smile. "I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself, Sarah. You're a natural at croquet!"

Sarah blushed, feeling grateful for the friendly encounter. "Thank you, Prince Edward. I had a wonderful time."

As they said their goodbyes, Prince James whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, Sarah. We'll make sure to include you in all our future adventures."

Sarah smiled, knowing that she had found some unlikely friends in the palace. And who knows? Maybe one day she'd even become a part of the royal family...