The Definer

Chapter 28

I woke up to the light pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows, even from behind the curtains. Emma was standing, wiping down the coffee table. Her hair was out today, her perfect ringlets bouncing on her shoulders as she moved. I sat up and tried to rub the sleep out of my eyes.
"You're awake!" She cried and put down her cleaning bottle and wipe. "I had no clue what to bring you for breakfast."
Now that she was looking at me, I could see the dark rings around her eyes from a lack of sleep.
"Have you been in here all night?" I asked.
"I wanted to be here if you needed anything during the night." She said as if it was obvious. "What would you like me to bring you for breakfast?"
"I want you to get some sleep. You shouldn't have stayed up all night. You didn't have to do that." I said.
"I can't sleep. I need to help you." She whined.
"Please. I really want you to sleep. I will get changed back into my clothes and go for a walk while you rest."
I looked down at the pyjamas I had on. I was really hesitant to wear anything that this place provided me but Emma insisted. We had spoken for a long time the night before. She had told me about how her parents were killed in an accident and her aunt and uncle took care of her. She told me of how her uncle was an alcoholic and used her for sexual favours and how her aunt was violent and tried to kill her on more than one occasion before selling her to the palace. After she had started crying, I had told her I was tired and needed sleep, expecting her to leave and calm herself down but she stayed anyway. I hadn't expected to sleep but as soon as my head had hit the pillow I was out.

"You can't go for a walk in the clothes you brought. This is a palace and they wouldn't appreciate it if you walked around as if you were in a night club, your majesty." She said as she dug through my wardrobe to find an outfit.
I leaned against the doorframe and watched her. She finally pulled out a beautiful aqua coloured gown. Though it wasn't one I would choose for myself to wear, it was stunning. It was a strapless floor length one that was as soft as silk. It had little gems along the neckline and a ribbon around the waist that tied in a bow at the back.
"Go get showered and I'll prepare your outfit." She urged.
I didn't bother arguing with her because I knew it wouldn't get me far anyway. I walked into the unnecessarily big bathroom and walked to the mirror. I really did look horrible. My ponytail was loose and tangled and leaves poked out in certain places. I wore the nighty that Emma had provided for me. It hung loosely off my body and I couldn't help but notice the mud stains covering my neck and chest.

As I walked out of the bathroom, I dried my hair with my towel. Emma still sat in one of the chairs reading a book. I walked into the walk in robe and slid the towel off and squeezed into the dress. I wasn't usually one to dress fancy but I was excited about being in something so gorgeous.
"You look positively beautiful!" Emma said, putting her book down and checking out my dress as I walked back into the room. "Come. I can't wait to see what I can do with your hair!"

Half an hour later, I stood, looking at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was neatly pinned up in swirls at the back and a blonde curls framed my face. My makeup had been done and after begging her to do it lightly, I managed to get just a thin layer of it. A silver chain necklace hung around my neck with the same lightning bolt with the swirl as I had found the night I found my mum at the house. I had to admit, this was the most amazing I had ever looked.
"You have to uphold your end of the bargain now." I said, turning to face Emma. "You have to get some rest and forget about me for a while."
She bowed her head lightly and hurried out of the room. After one more quick glance at my reflection, I wandered off out the doors. It was hard to walk in the heels I was given. They weren't immensely high but I was still uncomfortable in them. I worked my way down the halls, observing as I went. Paintings appeared at regular intervals of different leaders or nobles.

Suddenly I stopped short. There, on the wall, was a portrait of me. My blonde hair cascaded gracefully down my back and a tiara sat upon my head. I had no idea what I was doing up there. I stared at it for a while before continuing down the halls. A small figure bounced into the halls wearing a blue, floral dress and a giant bow. A tail like a devil's stuck out from under her dress.
"Alice?" I asked.
She turned to look at me and the colour in her face drained as she realised who I was. Tears began to stream down her cheeks and she ran to me.
"What are you doing here? What am I doing here?" She cried.
I held her tightly and stroked her hair gently. "It's alright. We're going to get you out of here and find your mum. She's been very worried about you."
She pulled back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I have to go."
And with that, she ran away down the halls. I didn't know what was going on in this place but I knew it wasn't good. I continued down the halls for a while, only passing the occasional guard or maid. I stepped into one of the side doors that were left open and looked around. It was a bedroom even larger than my own. Portraits of a lady with dark hair and blue eyes covered the walls. I thought instantly of what Alice's mum had told me of her child's kidnapper.
Dark hair. Blue eyes with a tinge of red.
In her photos, her eyes were a beautiful blue but I could clearly see the tinge of red that outlined the blue. Furniture of the grandest kinds were also around the room. It was a very similar layout to my room but it had a fireplace and a large TV screen.
"Can I help you?" Someone said from behind me. I jumped about ten feet before turning to look at her. "Ah, Jess. I've heard a lot about you, young lady."
"Who are you?" I demanded.
She was the woman from the painting. Her hair was tied up in an immaculate ponytail and her eyes shimmered. She was exceptionally beautiful in a very familiar way. She wore a dark brown floor length dress with little brown heels poking out from underneath. A heavy chain of diamonds hung around her neck and matching diamonds hung from her ears. Her fingers were covered in rings and she had on a charm bracelet.
She pushed past me, walking to a dresser in the corner and using the mirror to take her jewellery off. "Jane."
"Did you kidnap that girl? Alice."
"Yes."
"Well, why?" I asked.
She pulled out a diamond earring and place it on the bench before turning to me. "Because of what she is. Besides, I didn't kidnap her. I'm merely borrowing her for a while. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend to."
She walked away down the hall, her dress trailing slightly behind her.