Another World

Chapter 22

When we were done with the fantastic tour, it was almost nightfall. When exiting the jet, Auriella comes up to me. "Evening Princess! Remember our meeting?"

"I almost forgot! Sorry, I'm so tired, it completely slipped my mind! Where shall we meet?"

"What about the Chinese Gardens? Ooh, I know! I'll get someone to give us pedicures while we chat!"

"That sounds awesome! What time?"

"What about six?"

"Suits me! See you there!"

"Great, bye!"

I feel a bit overdressed in this dress and these heels! They're killing me. No, not toe fungus or infection! Just plain killing me. When I reach my room, I dress into a tank top and cropped jeans. I see the way the staff looks at me. I keep telling myself, 'Isabelle, relax! They're just not used to seeing someone wearing these clothes' all while I know it's because princesses aren't supposed to dress like this. I reach the Chinese Gardens in about 5 minutes' walk from my room. When I enter the bamboo section, I see Auriella sitting there and two Chinese women standing in traditional uniform. "Hi everybody", I say politely.

"Hey Princess!" Auriella answers and the two woman curtsey. "Come have a seat." I sit next to Auriella in the velvet coated chair. It's so comfortable. The Chinese women started to take off my slippers and placed our feet in a basin filled with salts. "This is going to be so much fun!"

"I'm sure it is going to be nice. You said that you would like to tell me something?"

"Oh, yes. Well as much as I want to keep it from you, I can't. So here it goes." I listen closely, not knowing what to expect. "Jolene is my twin sister." Well I actually did expect that because by the looks but not by attitude! "Well, okay. I must say, you two look identical. But why is she with the Pythons?"

"There is this law that says when twins are born on a winter solstice, one of them must be given up to the dark side. And something else about over-populating." She shrugs and smiles like always. It must be awful to lose your sister because of some stupid law.

"Wow. That's some crazy stuff! Why is Jolene here? Why did she have a deal with Jake?"

Auriella hesitates but continues, "When a new Queen is chosen, the pythons will do anything and everything to get their hands on her. They simply want you to rule their land. Jake told me about this deal they have. You know, he once was in the dark side. But he woke up and saw that there is more to it than capturing and killing. He realized that they were taking innocent lives and destroying the earth. But when we met you and Quinton, he noticed something different about you. You are so young and inexperienced. And he just couldn't keep his feelings at bay." She giggles and turns to face the Chinese women that are doing our nails. "Our kingdom is in a time of need and our people need a king and queen who will save us and protect the roses. The actual reason we chose you is because you were born in June. Do you know why ?"

"No." I say mesmerized and in awe.

"Because you birth flower is a rose. You are ourstrongest candidate and ruler. Your heart lies in sacrifice, integrity, passionand love. Your destiny is here, with all of us."