Princess Venus

Chapter 3

The people in the village stare at us as we walk. Pearl walks next to Sebastian, and I follow behind. Sebastian's horse abruptly stops, and I quickly stop mine. A woman quickly dashed in front of me a and pulls a child from out in front of the horse.
She apologizes and yanks the boy out of the way like a rag doll and we continue our walk to the castle.
I survey the area around me and see guards standing ahead on the road. As we get closer they tell us to stop and we do.
"Put your head down and don't let them see your face. No one knows you are coming back today, except the king and a few others." Sebastian says.
I put my head down and hide my face. Someone gets closer to us and Pearl moves closer to me.
I hear the clinking of metal as the guard stops next to Sebastian's horse. After a few minutes my horse starts moving, I quickly look up to see a stable boy pulling my horses reigns, leading her through the gates.
Sebastian comes over to help me off my horse. I look up and see the castle, it's changed since I was last here.
The walls are white brick, the roof blue. The garden's filled with every flower imaginable. A fountain was in the middle of the front lawn. Pearl comes up next to me and looks around at everything as well.
Sebastian clears his throat and motions for us to follow him. I adjust my dress and start following, Pearl follows right next to me. Sebastian leads us to the big doors, and talks to the guards. The doors open and we walk inside.
Not even five steps in to the castle, a bunch of men turn and look at Sebastian, Pearl, and I.
I look around and notice all of them have animals with them.
Magic users as well
None of them have the same animal. Sebastian leads me the grand staircase, and to where the throne room is.
I look around at the walls as we walk, they are all painted white, with gold edging. Paintings fill one side of the hall, on the other grand windows. I hear loud shouting from behind two grand doors, and realist it's my father.
Sebastian opens the doors and I walk inside and take my hood off. I see my father and start to walk towards him, however two guards come up and try to stop me. I wave my hand and wind pushes them back from me.
Sebastian comes up behind me.
"Hello father." I loudly announce, "I'm back."
Any talking that was going on abruptly stops, and everyone turns to look at me. Father stands up and motions for me to come to him. I walk up to him and hug him.
"You all are dismissed." He motions to the counsel members to leave.
"We have much to discuss, Sebastian you may leave as well."
Sebastian bows and thanks father and leaves.
Father and I walk into his study. I tell him about everything that happened while I was with Elder Idona. He tells me about what he did wit the castle and the changes made to the village. I tell him about the fight I had with the dark wizard. I don't mention the burn though.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are all the young men in the palace doing here?" I inquire.
"Since you are coming of age to take over the kingdom, the surrounding kingdoms sent their oldest sons to take your hand in marriage. Of course, you do get to choose your future husband, but before you can take the crown it is tradition to have a husband or at least a fiance." proudly declaring the last part.

I sit in silence trying to understand what he was saying. I wanted to storm out to scream how it doesn't make since I can rule alone. I look up about to tell him, but see he is smiling to himself, proud of the tradition. I cover up my anger with a forced smile not wanting to upset him.

Knock Knock

"Come in." My father sighed.

A young woman opens the door and deeply bows. I take a quick look at who she is. I glance at her dress to find a very long medium blue dress, at the shoulders the dress puffs up, and it ends at her wrist. She stands up and my father motions for her to speak.

"Brice has requested to speak to princess Venus."She announces.