The Dawsons

Chapter 4 - A Taste of Freedom

A week had passed, and the sun was shining brightly. The icy chill in the air had completely gone, allowing the flowers of spring to bloom. It was early morning, and most of the villagers were awake. King Antonio, Queen Alyssa, and Princesses Rose and Rosa sat at a very long, polished dining table sipping on a bowl of porridge. It was so quiet that all you could hear was the sound of the four tapping their plates with their spoons as they took the porridge from their bowls. The servants worked around them, some cleaning while others put juice and coffee on the table.

Rosa and Rose looked at each other, and each knew what the other was thinking. Rose and Rosa had discussed it a hundred times before that day, and they were ready to ask permission. They didn't want to wait any longer. Rose and Rosa had never left the palace, and it was starting to drive them crazy. They were too curious. They wanted to know what it was like in the outside world. They wanted to meet witches, make friends, and have a life outside the palace walls.

"Nonno, Nonna," Rosa uttered anxiously.

Antonio flashed her an aggravated glare.

Rosa's eyes opened wide, and she quickly corrected herself. "I mean, your majesties."

"Yes, darling?" Alyssa asked sweetly, sensing Rosa's nerves.

Rosa looked at her grandmother affectionately and then continued. "Rose and I would, um ... "

"Would what?" Antonio interrupted her impatiently.

Rosa paused, fretful for a moment, and then replied quickly, "We would like to go into the village. I know that it's dangerous, but we're willing to take that risk, and it's just that we have never been outside the castle walls." Rosa stood up, and Rose hastily followed. "Please your majesties." Rosa walked around the table and over to her grandparents. She got down on her knees before them, taking hold of Antonio and Alyssa's hands. Their eyes went wide with surprise. "Please," she continued, "we beg of you. We've never asked for anything."

"Yes, please," Rose pleaded in agreement.

The room went silent again. Alyssa and Antonio continued gawking at the girls, shock written on their faces.

"No!" Antonio snapped, infuriated. The word echoed off the very high and wide walls.

In the next room, the servants jumped in fright, some dropping what they had been holding. The sound of the objects hitting the tiled floor echoed off the walls.

"But-" Rose almost whispered.

"No buts! It's dangerous out there. How many times do I have to tell you that? How dare you get on your knees and beg like some peasant! How dare you! Not another word from you, from either of you."

"Yes, your majesty," Rose replied softly, virtually in tears.

Rosa dropped her head and wept soundlessly. But then an unfamiliar emotion-rage-swept over her, and she couldn't keep it in. "No!" she cried. "You can't protect us and keep us hidden from Magika forever!" Sobbing, she stood and ran out of the room before she could make an even bigger fool of herself.

"Rosa!" Alyssa pleaded, concerned, feeling her granddaughter's pain.

"Your majesties," Rose said respectfully. Feeling disorientated, she bowed and then rushed out of the room. As she ran, a feeling of complete hurt filled her.

"Rose!" Alyssa exclaimed.

When her second granddaughter had disappeared, she turned to Antonio and gawked at him in utter outrage. Antonio continued to stare, livid, at the door. "Antonio!" Alyssa cried. "They have always dreamed of seeing the village. Now what are you going to do, huh? She's right. You know she is." Angrily, she pointed her index finger towards what lay beyond the room's door.