Jane: the Curse, the Lost, and the Lovers (draft 1)

~3~ the Prince

*3 years later*

“Jane, where are you?” Dixie called. I giggled, he wont be able to find me this time.  “Come on! Get out here Jane! Im serious. Bella has ordered the entire staff to go to the throne room, so come on! We don’t have all day!”

I peered down at him from my perch in the rafters. “You’re no fun,” I whined. “Why would the princess herself call us stupid servants to the throne room? Im not even allowed to go in there anyways! She’s not going to fire us all and make Monte a democracy.” I swung down in front of him, smiling.

Dixie crossed his arms, his eyes glittering dangerously. “Why are you in the stables anyway? There’s nothing good here. Come on, I don’t want to be late.”

“You and being late. Its not like we’ve been late for anything before.” I intertwined my fingers with his and gave him a peck on the cheek.

He smiled at me, “You need to stop doing that. No one knows about us yet.” He winked.

Oh yeah. He started courting me a while ago, but I haven’t even let Lilly know yet. I started calling him Dixie as soon as I found out his name, and it stuck. He’s being stubborn and not letting anyone else call him that, not even the sluts who try to get laid by every guy in the castle staff. Im proud of him for that. I guess its just because I’m special.

Lilly’s secret admirer also revealed himself a while ago. Turns out he’s the Executioner, a guy named Jasper. He’s the typical tall, dark, and handsome guy who everyone knows about but never sees. He hardly talks, from what I hear, and never smiles. The poor guy must never have known happiness until Lilly appeared. She knew him well: they went to school together for the first couple years of their lives, but when Lilly left to join the service, Jasper’s father decided to teach him about their way of living: execution.

“Well, when will we let Lilly know then? She’s my roommate as well as my best friend. Im surprised she hasn’t figured it out yet.”

He kissed my knuckles. “They’ll find out when they find out. Come on. Lucifer is probably taking roll.”

*  *  *

“As you well know, there is a man coming from Glineth to see if our lovely city is worthwhile to stay in. If he finds us satisfactory, then perhaps our cities can negotiate a peace treaty to ensure our kind’s survival.” Lucifer yelled from in front of Bella’s throne. He seemed fatter than usual, or is it just my imagination?

Bella sat graceful as ever on her throne. Her dark eyes scowled at us all, daring us to do something wrong. She’s gorgeous, no one could deny that. She’s got the most beautiful blonde hair that anyone has ever seen, and even though she is always scowling at us, she has some of the most beautiful brownish black eyes. She has a heart shaped face with a full set of natural deep red lips. I hear she never puts on makeup. Also, she has more suitors than anywhere else, all of which come through the rooms I clean.

Lucifer gestured to the princess. "And her highness, if she finds the prince decent enough, will accept the role of becoming a bride!"

the room filled up with cheers, some of which were fake. I smiled. Oh boy. If she is having a suitor come in, then I get to be the one who cleans up after him… crap.

Dixie glanced at me. “What are you thinking?” he whispered.

I let the smile slip from my face. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“I know that look. What’s going through your head?”

Bella stood and smiled. The room instantly quieted. “My lovely friends. If this visitation goes well, then yes, I will become the first old maid queen.”

Soft laughter echoed from some maids and men.

“Also, there will be a prince visiting from the Sea Elves, so lets open our arms and let them see just how well we can throw a party! They can make some good chocolate and punch, but we all know, when it comes to balls and get-togethers, Wood Elves are victorious!” She raised her fan that was folded in her right hand, “This is the price for the maiden that is the most courteous to the prince. Once the announcement for my marriage is official, then the winner will also be announced and given a promotion to a Lady of the Court!” She turned on her heel, not even revealing the image on the fan, and sat on her throne.

The room was filled with cheers from every single girl in the room, myself not included. Lucifer struggled to get everyone out of control, while Bella smiled smugly.

She knows how to mess with the man’s mind, and that’s the only reason for respect I have for her.

“Dixie, Im not even going to try to win that. I don’t need a fan or a promotion to become a noblewoman. I went down a couple ranks when my father was sent off to war, so I don’t want to be there again. I just feel bad for all the maids of each Lady. Bless their souls.”

He smiled and led me out of the throne room. “Come on, I have something to show you.” He held my hand as we left the castle, smiling at the guards, who rolled their eyes at us.

“Get out of here while you can, you two. Bella is gonna enforce some more rules now that the prince is coming. Enjoy yourselves!” One of them called out to us.

Dixie grinned. “How does sleeping in a hayloft sound? I know of an old abandoned barn that has some newer hay.”

“Perfect.” I smiled. I knew what he planned on doing tonight, it was kind of obvious, his mind is still that of a boy’s. “Lets try to enjoy this, shall we?”