The Lost Storm

Chapter 32 - Caesarean Ball

The day was more exciting when her best friend, Giulietta, and the King's sister, finally reunited after years of writing to each other. 

"It has been years, my dear friend," exclaimed Giulietta after giggling and crying from happiness.

"Yes, it has been too long," detailed Pen. She wrapped her arms around her friend again, but Giulia pulled away. 

"I am deeply sorry to hear about your sister. I know you are frantic to find her", she looked Pen in the eyes while still holding onto her.

"Abou that..." she smiled, "I know where she is."

Guilia gasped and playfully slapped her friend in the arm. "You devil!"

"Not exactly where she is!" Pen kept smiling and rubbed her arm playfully. "I know what she is searching for, but as to her exact location I do not know."

Giulia looked at her in shock, "SO?! Where is she? I mean", she shook her head and walked her friend to her bed," what is she looking for?"

They finally sat and held hands, "She is looking for the Prince."

Her friend looked confused and finally said, "But, he disappeared."

"Yeah. Well, she believes someone might know where he could be."

"Could be? So, he didn't disappear?" Giulia's eyes got wide.

"Yeah...he left," Giulia's eyes got even wider and Pen whispered the words.

"Do you know the lengths my brother has gone through to find his best friend?" Penelope looked confused now. "No..."

Giulia firmly grabbed Pen's hands again and sighed, "Alex is Jules' best friend. They trained together for some time before his father got strange." She looked away from her friend and then back. "Pen you have to tell my brother. He needs to know that his friend still needs his help."

Penelope felt her throat constrict at the thought of speaking to her best friend's brother again. "I will tell him, but not today."

"No, not today. Today we will celebrate you here with me and your safety. We need to catch up." Giulia smiled at her friend, giddy with excitement. 

They spent the entire afternoon eating and drinking in the royal private gardens. Her brothers finally caught up with her, and Giulia had the kitchens bring the finest cheeses, meats, and fruits. Julius had sent them a cask of the royal wine, and, of course, mead for the twins. The chatter consisted of how they spent the years training, telling of hilarious instances, and jokes. By the time the sun dragged itself to the horizon, the girls were sweating with laughter, and the men danced around their makeshift fire.

Penelope felt the wine come out of her pores as if the sun was using its last rays to pull it out before bedtime. As Giulietta asked a kitchen maid for water to resolve their heads before tomorrow's bigger party, Penelope's hair stood on end. The sweat seemed to have formed crystals, icing on the tips of her hair, when she looked to the side at the cloister. In it was walking His Majesty and Emperor King Julius Caesar, and behind him was his small army of trusted guards.

Penelope scoffed loudly.

As if he needs them.

As soon as she thought that, he smiled slowly at her. 

I will see you soon, Ice Princess.

She gasped and downed the rest of the wine in her goblet but kept her eyes on him. He seemed to chuckle too, but he disappeared through the doors of the royal keep. 

She was so engrossed in him that...

"Penelope. Pen, can you hear me? Did the wine get in your ears? Girl..." Giulietta was shaking her arm and looked towards the cloister just as the last guard went through the door. Her evil friend laughed.