The Phantom & the Princess

Chapter 3 - Through the Gates

Not far away from town, if you follow the brick road, (this one wasn't yellow) you'll find yourself at the Angeltrove Castle Gates, and  if you walk through the gates and up the path through the hedges then through the garden you'll find yourself at the main entrance, then, through the hall and up the stairs then down another hall then to the left you'll see a door, and through that door, you'll find the princesses room and in the princesses room you'll find the princess. Currently, she was sitting at her window looking up at the night sky with a somber look. Her hair blew in the breeze and she tore her gaze away from the night sky and looked down at the town then sighed.

The door flew open and Susanna, the maid, entered. "Violet!?" she said in alarm, putting her hands to her mouth in surprise when she saw Violet, the princess, standing near the window. "Step away from the window right now child!"

Violet shook her head and sighed again and steping away from the open window, closing it slowly. "I was perfectly fine Susanna." she said without turning.

"oh, b-but what if, oh suppose you were to have fallen out the window!" said Susanna, her hands shaking with worry. "Your mother would have been most displeased!"

Violet laughed humorlessly. "Displeased that I had fallen out the window? or Displeased that I had stood near it?"

Susanna  rubbed her maids gown down, still shaking, and frowned clearly puzzeled by what the princess had said. "Well I would think both, your highness?"

Violet ignored her and walked over to her bed and lay face first onto it then took a pillow and put it on top of her head with a groan.

Her room was a dark red color with thin white pillars at every corner. Her large queen size bed stood at the far right, back against the wall. The window that she had been standing near pereviously was a very large window with a great view of the town below. in the mornings, you had a perfect view of the sun rise and in the evening you had a perfect view of the sunset. Also another feature in her room were the many book shelves, filled with brilliant fantasys and tales, though not as big as the Castle Library, it was still a great deal of books.

"Hem mmf mm mm Dmm" said The Princess her voice smothered by the pillow and covers.

"What was that dear?" said Susanna looking in the Princesses mirror and tapping the hair bun on her head, adjusting it.

The Princess took the pillow off her head, and looked up, her hair now a tangled mess in her face. "I said help me, I am dying."

"Oh now, hush hush". said Susanna looking away from the mirror, satisfide with her reflection, and walked over to the Princesses bed, taking the pillow from her and putting it back in its place. "I'm sure your fine dear, But if you want I could summon the town doctor to have a look at you."

"No no I don't need the town doctor." said Violet sighing and shaking her head, she then turned over onto her back and took the pillow again, laying it on her face. "I need to get out."

"oh? and where will you go?" said Susanna, taking the pillow again and putting it back in its place.

"I don't know, somewhere." Violet said sitting up then walking to her collection of books and placing her hand on one longingly. "Somewhere where there's an adventure" she said quietly then she turned and looked at Susanna "Somewhere where I don't have things planned everyday, I want to go out and explore the world."

"There will be plenty of time to explore when you're older dear." said Susanna walking up behind the Princess and started working on her hair.

Violet sighed and looked towards the window. "No there won't, I'll be to busy doing royal duties and such, I'll have no time to myself!"

"Well," said Susanna patting Violets hair which was now back in a pony tail. "When you're queen there will be all types of other kingdoms you'll have to visit you know."

Violet walked over to the window again, though not as close this time and said quietly. "But it won't be the same as actually exploring."

Susanna, not hearing her and thinking the conversation was over, looked her up and down and nodded "It seems your ready."

Violet turned around and looked at her curiously. "for...what?"

Susanna turned towards the door, "Your mother sent me up here to get you ready for dinner, and it seems you're ready!" she oppened the door and turned towards the Princess, who had now sat on the bed in dispare, and smiled kindly "I'll meet you downstairs in a few, and don't fret deary I'm sure adventure will find you eventually"

Violet smiled back at her. "Thank you Susan, I'll be down in a few."

Susanna nodded and closed the door. Violet Sighed and moved back towards the window, looking down at the town. Everyone was getting ready for bed. She noticed strangly though that lights in several houses were on and shadows were moving swiftly around the rooms, not to mention, there was a dog somewhere down there barking its head off. Violets eyebrows raised in wonder, she then shrugged, closed the window and turned, then, started walking towards the door. Suddenly, the window flew open again and the curtains flew around wildly as a strong breeze entered the room, making all the candles that stood in the room burn out.

"what...?" said Violet turning around to face the window in alarm.

Suddenly loud laughter filled the room and a light mist floated in through the window, laying over the floor like a blanket, making it almost immpossible to see the floor.

The Princess started backing up, her hand looking for the doorknob, her eyes widening as she stared at the mist seeping through the open window.

"Are you scared?" said a loud voice that seemed to fill the room.

Violet turned to open the door and run out, but then, she suddenly stopped moving and let go of the doorknob, "No" she wispered to herself.

That loud laughter filled the room again and Violet turned around, away from the door. "I'm not afraid of...whatever you are." she said determined, then picked up a book from a nearby shelf and held it up as if to hit whatever it was.

The voice kept laughing but the voice was curious when it asked "Your going to hit me with a book?"

"Well...yes." said Violet holding the book up and looking around.

the mist was getting heavier making visibility in the room almost immpossible. "So how are you planning to hit me if you can't see me?" said the voice, which had stopped laughing and was now getting quieter but still seemed to fill the room.

"Well...I-I figured As soon as you revealed yourself-"

"IF I revealed myself." corrected the Voice chuckling quietly.

" IF you revealed yourself, then id just hit you with it then." said Violet peering around the room, barely being able to see anything.

She took a step back and nocked over the nightstand that had been shrouded in the mist, putting the book down and getting on her knees to pick it up, she suddenly felt her hand go numb from chill, quickly yanking her hand back she stood up and looked down at the area her hand had been in. In that spot, there seemed to be an area that was foggy, dream like, and the myserious mist floated around this area as if there was a solid object there. She reached forward again placing her hand in the chill and started following it up with her hand. she followed it up until it seemed to stop then yanked her hand back and gasped as the face and body of a boy materialized right in front of her eyes.

"Woops, guess you found me." said the boy grinning. "I Hope the book your holding isn't a Dictionary."