Bloody Death

July 22nd

It had been three days since the ball and no one had seen Grace since then. After the first night, Prince Michael began to think that Grace was sleeping in her own room for the night because of the encounter that she had experienced with he and Princess Lisa Presley of Norway. After the second day, he began to worry about her.. Was she sick? But today, he had had enough. He was going crazy. He needed to see if she was okay. So, when he arose that morning to an empty spot next for the third morning in a row, he bothered not to throw on the proper clothing before rushing about the palace looking for Grace.

Michael: Grace! Grace, where have you gone?

Janet: Dear brother, what causes so much dismay that you arrive and cause such disarray?

She said as she rubbed her eyes.

Michael: Grace has been out of my presence since that night at the ball and I intend to find her, or I shall die.

Janet: My brother, I shall help thee with thy quest.

He nodded and headed for her old room, but she wasn't there. He went into the kitchen and asked Lucy if she had seen her.

Michael: My trusted cook, Lucy. Help me find my love. Have thine eyes seen her since the ball?

Lucy: No, sire. I shall keep watching for her.

Michael: I thank you kindly.

She nodded and he ran off somewhere else to find her.

Michael: Cursed palace! Must you be so big?

Then he paused, remembering the last place that he had seen Grace. But there are so many halls and so many doors. How would he know which hall to go down first? It mattered not to him. Just as long as he found her and could have her back into his arms again one day, he was fine. He spent the day searching the palace and made it halfway when he had to stop and rest. So he went back to his room and got some rest while Alice & Prince LaJune were three days into making their escape.

Jermaine: Arise, my love. Freedom is just a day away.

Alice: The days flow by like hours with you.

Jermaine: Alice.. My precious jewel.. I often think of what should happen if I were without thee.. Then I was, and now that I have you back in my arms, I shall never let thy love go.

Alice: LuJune.. My June, how I love thee. Such greatness is within you and I adore you.. I want not to hide our love forever..

Jermaine: Then so be it. I know when my brother shall become King. By then, we shall go back.

Alice: What if they have changed the date? What if he does not become King because he hath not married such as we?

He marvelled at their rings. They had nothing but each other now.

Jermaine: Then I shall write him. He shall tell me everything and let us know when the time has become safe for our return. As for us, we shall live as the people in the land that we live in.

Alice: Then it is settled.

She relaxed a little more easily and laid back onto Prince LaJune's chest. That night, they stopped at a nearby tavern and got a taste of the life of a peasant.

Alice: Jermaine.. Are you sure that this will work?

Jermaine: Alice, fear not, my love. For the best if yet to come.

Alice was still a little uneasy and Prince LaJune got out to take her hand.

Jermaine: Take my hand and we shall go inside together.

Alice: LaJune.. I cannot.. These people may know you if you announce yourself. Harken unto my voice Jermaine and take a new name for the sake of our child.

Jermaine: I tell you that there is nothing to worry you about.. But if taking this name shall dim your fears, then so shall it be.

Alice: Daryll. Your name is to be Daryll.. Tis a common name and I have a good friend who works as I do in another Kingdom.

Jermaine: Daryll.. So be it. From this day forth, my name shall be Daryll. Now, let us cast away our fears and go inside.

He took her hand and she smiled. Once inside, their eyes saw the dim and sullen lives of the people at this place.

Lewis: Looky here. We got ourselves a couple of foreigners.

He had a strong drunken accent that made his words end with an "a" sound. So when he said words like here and foreigners, it came out as he-a & fo-en-nas. Alice's grip on Jermaine's hand got stronger and he looked down at her.

Lewis: By golly mate, what be your name?

Jermaine: Daryll. Daryll Mickens and this is my wife..

He trailed off.

Alice: Sarah.

Lewis: Well, what are the likes of you doin' 'round here?

Alice: We have heard news of my gravely ill Aunt, Margaret.

Lewis: My apologies..

Alice: Thank you.

Jermaine: We stopped in, in hopes of a nice drink and a place of relievance. Then we are off to continue our path.

Lewis: The old John is off to the back and drinks are only two silver coins.

Jermaine: We thank you kindly.

He said before leaving Alice with the men to use their version of a chamber pot.

Lewis: Aye. Ye a young girl to be married, are ya?

Alice: Sarah.. And not really. In my family, tis common to marry this age.

Lewis: What family is that?

Alice: Dickens.

He laughed, astonished by the closeness of the names.

Lewis: Sarah Mickens was a Dickens.

Alice: What? What matter is this to laugh for?

Johnathan: Pardon him miss Sarah, but he is a bit drunken on the rum again.

Lewis: That be not the rum talkin'! The names of these strangers caught my laugh.

Alice: And do tell, what is the amusement of our names?

Johnathan: Surely you must know..

Alice: Enlighten me.

Lewis: Mickens & Dickens. My golly, girl. You sound like close cousins. The kissin' kind.

He laughed once more.

Alice: Well, we are not. I assure you.

Jermaine returned and sat down at the counter.

Jermaine: Thank you kindly for keeping an eye on my wife. Two drinks please..

He was given two drinks and gave one to Alice.

Lewis: No problem. Your wife is quite the looker.

Jermaine smiled as he finished off his drink.

Jermaine: Twas why I married her.. Al-Sarah.. Are you ready?

Lewis: Leaving so soon?

Alice: Yes, our Aunt has not much time left and we cannot stay.

Jermaine: Thank you kindly for your sympathy and care. We must be on our way now.

He took hold of Alice's hand and they went off in the night in the carriage. Sighing in relief and tired. They continued their journey.