Elegant

~ Chapter Eighteen: Plans~

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They stayed in each other's silences and sat still. There was no time for bickering; the world around them seemed to be crumbling apart.

Selina and Jim made their way to the new makeshift dining room. It was a long room that held within its walls a massive window that stood at the top of the room. A long table was placed, where silverware was ready for the royals to eat. Her parents were already seated, waiting patiently. They whispered their thoughts to each other. They spoke softly and gently. The Queen's eyes lit up seeing the face of her brunette daughter.

"Ah, join us for dinner, you two!"

The pair waited patiently across from the royal couple, waiting for the doors to creak open for a blonde.

"Your royal highnesses, would you happen to know the whereabouts of Alyssa?" Jim remarked rather abruptly.

"Oh well, I never seem to find her quite myself!" The queen laughed. Jim followed with a nervous one.

"Well," the King started, "she might be sorting through all the library books!"

"Yes, she has taken up that hobby more so than usual! It is so delightful she keeps herself busy during this..." her voice trailed off.

The door opened. She's here.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting," Alyssa quickly made her way to sit next to her sister. The table was unnecessarily long, with about 20 seats. They only ever needed four.

To Jim's delight, his dreaded meal was not served. As Jim gulped down a glass of water, he pondered whether or not to confront Alysssa. As he put down his drink, he had made up his mind. He wanted to move on. He wanted to move on from this treacherous nightmare of living with a family he barely knew. He was so ready to leave the confines of the castle. It had lengthy halls and amenities of all kinds, but he had never felt so trapped in his life.

An abrupt and furious knock repeatedly battered Selina's door. Selina stood up, alarmed at her desk, her school work still in hand. She put down her papers and rushed to her door.

"What?" Selina said exasperated.

"Follow me, quietly," Selina whispered.

Alyssa instructed her sister to be quiet and not ask questions as they made their way to their destination.

They reached a long hallway that overlooked a balcony. Alyssa raised her hand to stop Selina and quietly moved to a slightly ajar room in the hallway. They could hear voices coming from within. Selina understood and quietly stood next to the door with her sister.

"—Yes, the possibilities are outstanding. I believe we have this under control."

"Now, now, we cannot be blindsided; we need to take every precaution we can." The King's voice startled the sisters.

"Your Majesty, we are getting clear reports from our investigations that this storm shall die down within a matter of days!"

They exchanged a glance.

"As much as I hope that is the case, your investigations seem to linger on past weather patterns, not the present one. I'm afraid there is little to no conclusion drawn about our storm, simply, you are restating facts about older ones."

"But Your—"

"I have to attend to the matters of our soldiers. The general is asking to send people out to help the citizens..." the King's voice trailed off. They started to hear footsteps. Alyssa swiftly grabbed Selina's wrist and dragged her down the stairs they came from.

As they made their way to the bottom of the steps, the King's voice could be heard on the landing.

"Yes, I agree with your concern, however, regarding the issue of supplies to the citizens—"

The sisters held their breaths as they waited for the King to shuffle away from them. Selina peeked over the stairs, but there was no sign of their father.

"So?" Alyssa asked, half whispering.

"The storm could end soon," Selina concluded.

"It is not as bad as we had imagined it. But it still is a good storm." Selina didn't look up to meet her sister's eyes. She kept staring at the lavish carpet below her, hoping the nightmare would end any second now.

"How accurate could their predictions be?" Jim asked hesitantly. The sisters had promptly made their way to Jim's room, barraging the new news.

"Well, even the chance of this storm passing away soon is a chance for hope," Alyssa continued, looking for a glimpse of hope from him.

"You would be able to see your family again," Selina responded in a hushed tone. Jim looked down.

"Yes, I would." A beat. Then a cheeky grin on his face. "What if we just asked?"

"Sorry?" Alyssa asked, confused.

"Ask the meteorologists and the scientists. Do you think your parents will spare any time telling the truth?"

The sisters exchanged a scandalous look.

"We do not know them personally," Selina reasoned.

"There is always time to do so. All we have is time."

"They must be awfully busy," Alyssa added.

"You two have some authority around here, do you not?" Jim's snarkiness took Selina aback. It was a familiar feeling, but she couldn't place her finger on it.

"How would we find one of these meteorologists?" Selina pushed on.

"We find one, and follow. I know for a fact they go to the others for counsel. All we have to do is intrude on one of their meetings and ask for facts. That is all I am saying."

"This is so stupid," Alyssa scoffed. Selina would rarely see her sister have small outbursts like that. "How do we know they are a meteorologist?"

Jim rubbed his chin for a second and smiled.

"Easy. There will always be one by your parents, especially if they are in a group, discussing. So really, we just have to find your parents at any hour of the day."

"Easy enough," Selina finally smiled. "You in?"

She turned to Alyssa. She just rolled her eyes and walked off.

"Do whatever you want, I have to tidy my room!" Jim's door slammed behind Alyssa.

"What is her problem?" Jim laughed. He stopped as he caught Selina's dramatic glare. "Sorry, she just does not seem to be fond of my little plan."

"You are okay," Selina replied with her arms crossed.