Carter

Chapter 8: The Tour

The way that Jake said Princess almost sounded like he knows that I am not Princess Carstashia. Everyone else seemed to be very convinced that I am her, except for me and him. I started to think of who the real Princess Carstashia is, where she is, and why every one  thinks that I am her. Then I think of the consequences that will come when the real princess is back, and everyone finds out that I am an imposter. Then I make an effort not to think of the consequences, and snap back to reality as Prince Charming says something. 

"Princess Carstashia? Coming?" He says.

"Oh, um yes. But please don't call me that name. It's a little long and complicated. Here's the deal: I call you Jake instead of Jaque and you call me Carter, 'kay?" I explain, saying his name with the same French accent he used back in the carriage. 

"Of course. Carter. Where did that name come from?" Jake asks.

"My mother and father named me Carter after my great great grandfather, who was in the war." I explain. 

Jake leads me through a hallway, and explains what are behind the doors. "So this level of the castle is where most of the helper's rooms are. This over here is where Laney lives. She has her own apartment in there, complete with a kitchen, two bathrooms and bedrooms, and a living room." He says, shaking his head to the right. 

"So I'm guessing the huge closet that Princess Carstashia-I mean I have in my room has been turned into more living quarters for Laney?" I laugh.

"Correct. Now to your left is where Tonya and Kelly stay. They're cousins, and they both lost their parents in the same plane crash, so the only family they really have left is themselves." He says sadly.

"Oh, that's terrible!" I say.

"Uh huh." Jake nods, not looking at me. "The rooms for all of your preparation squad are identical. The door beside Tonya and Kelly's door belongs to Shania and Sally. They are sisters. Came here from Canada." He explains. He said my home country almost with disgust, and that annoys me, and then I get a thought.

"Is this not Canada?" I ask, confused. "Because you know, I'm Canadian."

There is a look of annoyance in Jake's face, but it's soon washed away. He doesn't answer my question, but continues on in the tour, leading me up a twisty stair case with probably seventy steps. By the time we reach the top, my flats have probably given me blisters. They're the right size, but flats have never been my type of shoe. I think about how this castle knew my dress sizes and shoe sizes. But Jake interrupts my thoughts again. 

"This is the bowling alley, that's the gym, over here is the heated indoor swimming pool, a couple of extra bedrooms for any guests that might have to stay with us, in here is the trampolines for Alexandria and Jeff's children, one for each child, there is the castle's souvenir shop, a room full of information on the history of the kingdom, and this, is where I live. I don't live with my father any more. He kicked me out." He rolls his eyes. "Okay Princess- I mean Carter, this is it. The next two levels belong to Alexandria and Jeff and their children. It is strictly forbidden, and anyone who does not abide by the rules of their privacy is usually decapitated." He explains. I widen my eyes, becoming the most frightened I've ever been on this unusual journey.

"What's up there?" I ask.

"No one's ever had the head to tell." I know that this is a joke, but could he be telling the truth about being decapitated if you go up there? Surely, they wouldn't tear the head off their beloved princess, would they? "Oh, I forgot one more place." He tells me. He leads me to a door at the end of the hallway. It's a grey metal door, but written in pink foam letters, is "Princess." Jake looks both ways to make sure no one is around, and says, "Behind this door, is-" Then he shakes his head, and leaves me, standing by the door.