First at Last (Updated Version)

Chapter Three

I clutched my book tightly to my chest as thoughit could hold the line between me and the crowded streets around me. No oneseemed to notice I was there as they hurried past me on their way.

Despite the busy streets, filled with people, vendors, musicians, artists, and so many others, I felt all alone.

What am I doing here? I thought dejectedly as I looked around the marketplace. All I wanted was to spend the afternoon with the prince, was that so much to ask? Even as the thought struck me, I found it ridiculous. I sighed and continued forcing my way through the crowds until I broke through into an emptier, quieter street.

I wandered up the street, still not quite sure where I was going. Though, I wasn't quite ready to go home yet either. I thought about Prince William, who was probably currently talking with Alice, probably falling in love with her. It was always easy for people to fall in love with Alice. I supposed she was just easy to love.

I turned a corner and began walking in the direction of the palace. It wasn't too far from here and I had to at least tell Prince William why I hadn't been able to meet him. After only a couple minutes of walking, I realized it was a lot farther than I had originally anticipated. Especially since I didn't usually walk there anyway.

With a heavy sigh, I flagged down a hansom cab and directed the driver to take me to the palace. The sun was beginning to set as we reached the palace gates. It was still pleasantly warm, but early enough in the season that once the sun set, it would get cold quickly.

I took a deep breath to steady my nerves as the driver pulled open the door. I paid him and stepped out. "Thank you," I said to the driver.

"Any time, Miss," he replied with a wave before driving away.

I brushed the wrinkles out of my gown and walked down the path toward the gates, scanning the area as I went. No sign of Prince William anywhere. My heart sank as I reached the gates and found the Willow tree standing all alone, no Prince William beneath it.

"Can I help you, My Lady?" A sentry posted at the gate asked.

I shook my head quickly. "Oh, no, I don't think so. Thank you." I turned and began walking back down the path. I didn't get very far, however, before I changed my mind. He was probably just inside. Would it be wrong of me to go looking for him? I would feel terrible having made him wait for me and then not even give him an explanation. I turned back toward the gate and walked past the sentries to the palace.

Inside, it was lively and bustling with activity. People hurried down the halls and through the corridors, children ran about, servants passed carrying trays of food and drink, mops and brooms. It was chaotic, to be sure, but there was something rather lovely about it too.

I steeled my nerves and walked down through the winding hallways, up a set of stairs, past room after room, with no sign of the prince anywhere. I was beginning to lose hope. The palace was big, I'd only explored one wing of it and there were several more, there were so many people that even if the prince were among them, I might not even know it was him.

Feeling rather dejected, I began the long walk back to the palace entrance. I wandered back down the hall, through more corridors down more sets of stairs, past several more rooms. Though, instead of the palace getting livelier the closer I got to the entrance, it only seemed to grow quieter, more abandoned. I thought back through all the turns I'd taken, but I wasn't sure I was going the right direction anymore. Had I missed a turn or taken a wrong one?

I turned around and began trying to trace my steps back to the beginning. I didn't know how long I'd been wandering through the palace, but it soon became apparent that I was utterly lost, with absolutely no idea how to get back.