Separated

Part XII: Fredrick

I waited in the dark room for nearly an hour before I could no longer hear voices. I was about to exit until I remembered what I had came this way for. To find my mother. I felt my way through the (quite large) room, hoping to find the other button that activated the staircase. I still didn't understand how it worked. I would find out someday. Anyway, when I felt an outlying circular stone and pushed it in, I heard a click, and the other staircase appeared. I climbed up, wary of any prying eyes, and I snuck between the abandoned houses that stretched farther than I could see. It reminded me of my own side. A neigh made me jump, and I looked where it came from. I saw a white horse struggling against the fencepost it was tied to. It struggled more when I came near it.

"Shh. Its okay," I said, trying to reassure the fearful horse. It pulled against its bridle as I untied it. When I undid the knot completely, I hopped on the horse. I tried to steer it towards the town, but it wouldn't cooperate. I had to give her a carrot I stole from my castle's kitchen to help her (I think) calm down. As soon as I gained control, I galloped towards the town. As I neared it, I realized that I wasn't permitted here. I hopped off the horse and instead guided it by the bridle. I stared, awed at the sight of so many women in one place. They talked with each other, purchased food without conflict, and overall, everything was so...orderly. All the fruit stands were near each other, and so were all the tailor shops. Lastly, there was no conflict. All the women got along so well with each other.

"Lily! Did you hear about the princess going missing?" a woman about the age of 25 said excitedly.

"No, I haven't! What happened?" the one I assumed was Lily replied. She was much younger, my age perhaps.

"No one knows! She just disappeared!"

"Oh, no! How dreadful. How will the poor Queen react?"

"Oh, dear! I haven't a clue! Do you know?" Lily asked me. I froze.

"Umm...not the slightest idea," I said in the highest voice I could muster. I pulled my hood lower and kept my head down.

"My dear! Are you ill?" Lily asked me.

"Oh, no, I'm not!" I replied frantically, still attempting to maintain my high voice.

"You sound ill! Here, let me find some medicine that will help..."

"No! I'm fine!" I yelled. Every woman in vicinity turned toward me. I realized I had forgotten to retain my voice.

"Never mind...I am ill," I said with my high voice. "Umm...where was that ailment again?" I tried to get attention away from me.

"Alright, then. I'll...be right there." Lily left. Slowly the number of women in the crowd dwindled. I let out a sigh of relief. There were still some women to my right, though. I looked over and tried to dismiss them away. They wouldn't budge. Instead they whispered some things to each other and pointed. I looked and discovered that they were noticing my pants. I covered it up with the cloak and pretended not to notice them. Unfortunately, they decided not to leave me alone.

"Excuse me, miss," one said, stifling a laugh. "You...forgot your skirt."

The others burst out laughing. I tried to think of an appropriate response.

"Oops! Looks like I'm more caught up in the head than I thought I was. I suppose I'll go back and...put one on," I replied in a high voice, forcing a fake laugh.

"Alright, but...please, be more ladylike. After all, you are a lady! You should know ladies don't walk around in their undergarments!" another woman scolded.

I flushed, now realizing why they were pointing and laughing. I waited until they left, and I continued walking, keeping my eye out for a possible place where they sold skirts. I didn't want to risk giving myself away. It would be utterly humiliating if any man found out, but I wasn't about to be imprisoned here. I saw a nearby tailor shop and entered it to find chaos. Women were running to and fro, piles of silk fabric littering the worktables and floor.