Over the Mountain (Book One)

Chapter Eleven: The Escape Attempt

^the queen^

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Taylor

I lay on the soft silky sheets moping in my doom. How could I have been so stupid as to go into the castle? Like what kind of idiot long lost princess comes back to her past life?

I've been like this for a few hours after seeing my father, wallowing in my laziness. Why do I have to be in this complicated mess? A normal life seems like such a treat. I slowly get out from the covers, squinting at the delicately decorated room.

Polished to perfection, cold marble floorings stretch out beneath my feet, sending shivers down my spine. A chandelier with glittering candles hangs above me, casting shadows upon the bookshelf beside it. Mumbling profanities, I make my way to the lavatory and look in the mirror. I look terrible.

My hair is matted against my forehead, and my face is sweaty with heat. I glance over to where a maid left some buckets of warm water for my bath. They're still pretty warm so I pour the water in and find a shelf with soap and lavender sprinkles. I'd almost forgotten what royalty felt like. Stripping and sliding into the refreshingly warm water, I close my eyes.

When the guards had thrown me into this room, I'd protested against them, but they were extremely strong. They had locked the door with about five locks and I'd tried to find any other ways out of the room, but of course there were no windows or vents. That had made it pretty stuffy in the room but I didn't care, and wrapped myself up in shame on the bed. I had slept fitfully until a maid came in, saying she was here to get me ready. Stubbornly, I had refused all of her requests and fallen into a depressed slumber once more.

Now, slowly opening my eyes to the room lit by an oil lamp, I sigh and start scrubbing away the grime from my skin.

I gasp as a vibration goes through the tub and a few bubbles pop up. Laughing at myself, I start to smell the stinky fart fill the bathroom.

After I feel refreshed, I grab a really soft towel from the counter and dry off, throwing it on the floor and padding over to the closet.

It is wonderfully filled with dresses of all different colors and styles. Picking out a red one that makes me feel powerful, I slip on underthings and then slide into the dress. I go over to the mirror and brush and pin my wet hair into a bun. I scope out the room and find a bedpost that wiggles out from its socket. It'll be a handy tool for knocking people out. I then look around the room for something sharp. The best thing I can find is a pair of sewing scissors. I almost laugh. My parents underestimated my abilities with weapons. Though my specialty is potions, I practiced with weapons as well. I put on some boots and slip the scissors inside one, and take one last glance in the mirror.

I honestly look really pretty. Gathering my wits, I ring the bell that signals the maids to come. Two rush in, and I don't give them time to speak as smack them both over the head with the bedpost.

I run into the hallway only to be grabbed roughly be two pairs of hands. The guards hold me tight as I struggle, but it's no use. They're just too strong. "Let go." I growl.

In response, they throw me back into my room with the maids on the floor. As I look at their unconscious bodies, I feel a small pang of guilt. Meg and Olivia were maids once.. I shake my head. I can't have remorse if I'm going to get out of this damned place.

For a few minutes I lie there, cheek pressed against the unfriendly chilly floors.

Suddenly, I hear a demanding clip clop noise echoing through the almost empty halls.

"Get up," my mother's voice barks.

Wincing, I peel myself from the cool marble. I think I must have bruised my shins.

Sighing, I turn to scowl at the queen. Her nostrils flare and she frowns as well. "What do you want with me?" I growl.

"Did you think you would just get to do whatever you want until you take your place as heir?" She sneers. "You have duties, daughter."

"Is this how you treat your daughter? I am no heir. I am a slave to you." I shoot back, disgust lining my voice.

She looks a little taken aback, and I smile at the effect.

Grabbing my arm, she drags me through the lowly lit hallway. I don't protest this time.

But I am curious. "Where are you taking me?"

"To get cleaned up."

"But I am-"

"Not good enough, Emily. This is extremely important." She says seriously.

What could be so important? I look down at my now wrinkled dress. I thought I looked good enough.

She brings me to some doors, and opens them, revealing a bright room with a huge tub. This must be the spa. It's like a distant memory seeing this place again, the place that used to be my home. I find that I can't remember where every room is, only a few. Honestly, it saddens me a bit. Living in the castle wasn't too bad- I had my baby brother and father, and the castle workers were friendly. But it became hell when all the drama started. The executions, my mother finding about my secret.

That I was a witch.

Pushing back the memories, I watch as three maids quickly hustle into the room, sporting all sorts of beauty supplies. My mother gives them a few orders, and they get to work on me, giving me the makeover of a lifetime.

First, the girl who seems to be the head maid asks me if I would like bubbles in my bath and I reply that I would of course, and they start helping me out of my clothes.

I step into the tub for the second time that day, relishing its warmth.

The maid who I now know is Julia smiles excitedly. "You are getting the princess beauty treatment today, Miss."

I smile. "Thank you."

They start washing my body with a honey smelling soap. Its scent is wonderful.

"Julia," I say as she scrubs my hair, "do you know why I'm here?"

The other maids start to whisper to themselves, and her face turns red. "I- I don't know, Miss."

I raise an eyebrow. "You can tell me, it's fine."

"The- the queen said not to-"

"Oh, to hell with the queen." I exclaim. "I won't tell her you told me."

Julia's face lights up with a hesitant smile. "Okay, well," she looks at the other maids and they all squeal,"the future prince just arrived to the castle!"

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