Watching the Stars (A Short Story Collection)

Watching the Stars

"I never imagined I could love again after all that has happened to me."

~ Tuesday, 7:30 A.M. ~

I strolled down the familiar corridors of the castle, my eyes on the ground, counting the number of tiles in front of me. 141, 142, 143...oh!

"Sorry," I muttered, looking up.

The Prince smiled, "No need to apologize. Are you lost?"

"No. Just...um...going somewhere."

He ran a hand through his hazel hair, "And where are you going?"

"To my stepfather's office."

"Stepfather?"

"The King's Personal Advisor, or the KPA," I rolled my eyes as I said the stupid title.

"Ah. Sir Oland Washington."

"Yep. That's the one."

The Prince was still smiling, his blue eyes wandering all over my body, "And who are you?"

"Andra."

"Andra Washington," he said, emphasizing every syllable, "Interesting name. Nice to meet you."

I flinched at the name and corrected Prince Casson, "Andra Summers."

"But isn't your father's last name Washington?"

"Stepfather," I replied dully.

"Oh. What happened?"

"Don't you need to be going somewhere?" I asked, desperate for an excuse to stop talking.

"Yes. But I have some time and I am very curious to know the girl who I don't know. I thought I knew every person in this castle."

"Well, you were clearly wrong. I have to go. Oland's making me be his personal assistant for the day. The guy apparently doesn't know how to do anything by himself," I said in disgust.

Prince Casson seemed surprised at my statement and stepped aside, "Well I hope to see you soon, Andra."

"Sure," I said, walking away.

~ Tuesday, 11:30 P.M. ~

Glad to finally be alone from Oland, I walked outside to the balcony in my room like I do every night. The platform had a view of the Royal Gardens, and although it wasn't anything like the old view I had at home, it was beautiful nonetheless.

I rested my hand on the railing and looked up at the sky. No stars. I counted the flowers in the garden. 62, 63, 64...

A shadowy figure blocked my view of the next planter. It looked up, and I recognized the face. It was Prince Casson. He caught me staring and waved. I nodded my head in acknowledgement. Prince Casson pointed at himself, then where I stood, and then walked away.

It was strange how I had never saw the Prince in my 12 years in the castles, and now I've already seen him twice in one day.

~ Wednesday, 12:45 A.M. ~

I wiped the last of my tears from my face and willed myself to stop thinking about my father. Taking in one last deep breath of fresh air and looking one more time at the bright moon, I stepped inside and stopped short. Prince Casson was sitting at the edge of my bed watching me.