The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter 12

After calming down a bit, we continued our silly story. Not long after we begun, Sammy nodded off. Unsure of what to do, I asked Daphne if she knew. She shrugged her shoulders in reply. I told her to wait there patiently and watch over her sibling for a moment. I needed to find a caretaker or anyone who worked there so I entered one of the corridors. In retrospect, leaving two kids alone and wandering the halls of an unkown location probably wasn't one of my brightest ideas. But I doubt anything will happen. I'm just being paranoid.

As you would expect, the corridor was roomy and filled with portraits. The floors were even covered in a darker low red colored carpet. Thankfully it wasn't lit by candlelight like in old movies. I quickened my pace, but there didn't seem to be anyone. I was getting frustrating, so I whirled around and was startled to see one of the most beautiful beings I have ever seen. She had the smoothest pale face imaginable. The women appeared ageless, yet she had the look of a wise caring mother. Her hair was a bright neon blue. Nevertheless, it looked so natural that any other color would just look wrong on her.

Her sparkling violet eyes widened in surprise. Her full pink lips opened in an almost comical expression of disbelief. "You see me!" She exclaimed. "No, you can't see me. No one can see through glamour unless we make it so!"

Confused, I was about to say 'then how can I see you' but suddenly, I remembered Zayden giving me the same exact look. So instead, I said, "I can see through your glamour, but I don't know why." She seemed uneasy at this new revelation. "Actually, I'm not even quite sure I know what glamour is. I've read about it in books about fairies though."

She seemed to sense the truth in my words and let out a tinkling laugh. "That's because I am a fairy! You really don't know do you?" She smiled, her teeth an almost blindingly white shade. I didn't know why that came as such a surprise to me even after learning about the existence of wizards. "I wonder why that is? Maybe we can find out later." She bounced on her heals like a kid.

Her excitement was almost tangible. It reached me and made me want to jump with her. Instead, I smiled and remembered why I had come. "That sounds delightful; however, right now, I'm really in need of assistance. You see, I'm taking care of these kids, and one fell asleap. I have no clue what to do with him. Can you tell me where to take him? I mean, if it's not too much trouble."

"Of course I'll help you! I haven't met a mortal so candid as you in centuries!" With that she began walking in a happy manner down the length of the corridor I had just come through.

"How do you know where they are?" I asked. "I never told you."

She replied, "I know where they are, silly, because I can sense their auras, and there aren't many that belong to children in this castle." She must've taken a look at my dazed face for she started laughing again. "Perhaps you may want to read up on fairies and other creatures. You look like you need all the info you can get."

I contemplated asking her a question pertaining to the invisible houses, but was unsure if it was off limits or not. After all, Zayden had attacked me just for suspecting I was against them- whoever they are. After mulling it over in my head, I decided I would bring it up eventually but not today.

"The auras- can you see mine?" I blurted out as we resumed walking.

She smiled gleefully and turned to me. "Well, of course!" She squealed.

I waited for her to elaborate, but to my dismay, she remained silent. Which reminded me, aren't faeries supposed to be cunning, deceitful, mischievous creatures? If that is true, then they will also be unable to lie. Maybe that is why she withheld from telling me more. Looking at her again, her eyes held an impish glint.

Ignoring her smirks and giggles, I managed to reach the end of the corridor without inquiring anything else. I led her to the children, and her eyes widened in surprise. "You're taking care of the wizard royalty? Never mind that! How did you manage to keep them so well behaved?! I've never seen them so quiet!"

I chuckled, all the while cautioning her to lower her voice with my eyes. After all, if the kid was truly as misbehaved as everyone portrayed them, then waking him up wasn't the brightest idea. She received the warning and quietly lifted his small frame.

She whispered, "I just came from speaking to his mother, the Queen, and can bring him to her. Her lips had twisted at the title, but what could have caused such distaste?

"I'm guessing she's no the most... tolerable of people. I mean if she's anything like Damien." I said flippantly- only half joking.

Her tinkling laugh returned. "That's definitely an understatement." Her smile widened and her eyes crinkled slightly. "You're a captivating young lady, and trust me when I say I don't hand that compliment out very often."

"Oh.. Um, thanks, but the honor was mine. After all, how many women are as as enigmatic and zealous as yourself?" I smile. She laughed and spun around with the snoozing Sammy in her delicate arms.

I turned to face the small 12 year old girl who had seemed all but invisible during my brief encounter. Her lips were mimicking Cheerios in the fact that they were rounded with incredulity. "You were speaking to the queen as if you two were best friends!" She exclaimed.

Although that was a statement, I couldn't help but feel that it was a silent question. "That was your mother?" I ask, shocked. Smack talking her son probably did not give off a good impression.

"No! My mother is not a fairy! how dreadful of you to even consider it! She's Queen Titania- wife to Oberon."

There was no way that she could be the same Titania from Shakespeare's work! No one could live that long! But, what bothered me the most was not this revelation. No. It was the arrogant disdainful manner Daphne had addressed the faerie kind. It bothered me deeply despite not knowing their kind that long or their ways. Perhaps, if she were to have someone mentor her-open her eyes in a way- she wouldn't become such a snob like her older sibling.

"The next time I see you, can I talk with you about a matter that has been bothering me?" I requested.

She frowned, obviously confused, "But, why not now?"

"The reason, Princess Daphne, that we cannot continue our discussion is because we have a ball to attend to." I declared in a mock eloquent accent.