5,781 Miles Apart

Chapter Eleven

Adalheida's POV
I am such an idiot. I think to myself as I sit in the bath. Earlier was the happiest I had been in ages, and I just let myself walk right out of it.

I lightly hit my head on the back of the tub. "Stupid, stupid, stupid." I say.

"What is?" Asks Gaelle, coming in with a robe and a towel.

"Nothing." I say, brushing her off.

She sits down on the edge of the tub. "Adalheida, I'm your closest friend. You can tell me anything."

"I know," I say closing my eyes and shaking my head. "I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Okay. Let's get you dolled up for dinner." She says, enthusiastic.

The moment I put on the dress, I could tell why Gaelle was so excited for me to get ready for dinner.

It was a long, navy blue evening gown with an illusion neckline and sleeves to my elbows. It wasn't so long that I would trip over it, and it highlighted all of my best parts. The navy blue toned down my hair which Gaelle had straightened and put into a bun, and she gave me light jewelry and makeup. The outfit altogether was so beautiful I didn't even complain about the makeup part.

She gives me my black flats due to the fact that I left my black heels down by the tree. I could tell she was disappointed, but I couldn't help being a little happy. At least my feet would be spared.

Gaelle sent me away to go to dinner and I happily went. As I walked, I had one thought that shocked me enough to make me pause dead in my tracks. Two gaurds even asked if I was okay. After mumbling a response, I kept walking, mulling over that thought.

What will Osten think? I don't know why I thought it. I barely know him, so why should his opinion matter? I shake my head and clear it from all unwanted thoughts and make my way to the dining room content on wondering what color tie Amey would be wearing.
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"Adalheida." Says my mother. "Why are you late?"

I gulp and heads turn. This is definately not the entrance I wanted. "I got a little turned up in the halls and I was too stubborn to ask any of the staff for directions."

I hear several chuckles throughout the room and feel my face heat up. "Very well," she says, "since you are so challenged with directions, I would like to ask if perhaps Prince Kaden would please escort you to mealtimes?" She looks at him questioningly.

He clear his throat, uncomfortable with being put on the spot. "Well, um, it's not that I wouldn't love taking you up on your offer, Your Majesty, but my hands are pretty full with my three little ones. I would, however, suggest Osten to take my place. He is quite a notable fellow."

All eyes turn to him and he nods quickly. "I would be delighted."

My mother nods and I hurry from the door to my chair by Osten and Amey and quickly take a seat.

You look lovely this evening." He compliments.

"Thank you." I say, sweeping my dress to the side so I can sit properly. "You know, you don't really have to escort me to each meal."

"Nonsense Heidi," he says, using that ridiculous nickname. "It's my pleasure."

I smile and shrug. "If you insist. I've been told I can be a handful."

Amey looks up from the book he was reading under the table. "It's very true."

"Uh huh. Tell me more." Osten says, trying to engage Amey in conversation.

"Well," he says, closing his book and putting it on the table. "Once when she was five, she found the security room and pushed the button that triggered the alarm. No one was in the room with her, so everyone in the palace went crazy. People were hiding in safe rooms for hours waiting for the all-clear."

Osten chuckles.

"What about you, Prince Ossie?" I ask, nudging his elbow. "What's the craziest thing you've done?"

A huge grin spreads across his face, and I immediately know that it will be nothing short of magnificent. "Once," he begins, "an embassador from New Asia came around the New Year, and I put a laxative in his punch. It was so funny."

"How old were you?" I ask through my laughter.

He shrugs. "Sixteen."

I don't know why, but that made everything so much funnier. Wether it was his age, or how nonchalant he was about it, it made me laugh so hard, I nearly choked on my food.

"Only you, Heidi, only you." He says, patting my back. I can hear the smile in his voice. I don't know why, but it put a warm feeling through the pit of my stomach and it started to spread all throughout my body.

We all finish and Mother gives me as well as Amey permission to go to bed. It's four A.M. in Germany right now. And I'm still expected to eat all the meals.

We were walking up the stairs, quietly chatting about our days when someone runs up behind me, grabbing me by the waist and spinning me around.

The person sets me down, and I turn to reveal a redheaded friend.

"You looked pretty tired," he says and shrugs, "I thought that would wake you up some."

I nod. "It worked very well." I smile and straighten my dress.

"Where are you off to?" He questions.

"Bed." I respond simply.

"Oh come on, Heidi, live a little." He says.

"Oh, I don't know," I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"What?" He asks, "have you never stayed up all night before?"

I blush, suddenly embarrassed. "No, it's never been allowed."

He laughs. "Who cares if it's allowed?"

I shrug. "My mother." I say simply.

"Who cares what your mother says?" He asks, taking my hand and pulling me up the stairs.

I shrug again. "No one really. Just the country she rules."

He laughs. "But when has anything ever stopped you?" He asks.

"True." I say, contemplating the consequences.

"Exactly. What do you have to lose?" He asks. "Come on." He says, pulling my arm, practically dragging me up the stairs.

Well, this will be fun.