CARLIE: The Adventure Of A Lifetime

03 | the plan

03 | THE PLAN

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      AFTER A GREAT MORNING HELPING OUT IN THE MARKET PLACE AND MEETING Prince Keller, I choose to walk back home immediately after. I know I should do something to prepare myself for my birthday but I just don't have the energy.

I arrive at the palace after about an hour of aimlessly walking around and saying hello to some people around the kingdom. It's nice to be nice to people here and it's even better when they smile back.

"Ah, Carlie. The king has ordered for you to meet him in the throne room." Alex, the King's messenger, tells me the moment he spots me walking up to my room. "You should hurry because he's been asking for hours and he has guests over."

Nodding and sending him a smile, I make a quick beeline to the throne room and find the king there with some other people. There was him, an elderly couple that I recognized as the Mullenhops and a boy not older than 20. He must be their son Tonie.

"Carlie dear," the king starts. He never calls me anything other than Carlie, hey you and servant girl. Carlie dear is definitely a first. "This is Mr. Mullenhop and his lovely wife. They have come with their son Tonie in hopes of you two getting together. Your birthday is tomorrow and I think it's about time we start preparing for the next part of your life."

Feeling the bile raise to my throat, I lean against the wall in an attempt to balance myself and not fall over.

"What if I'm not ready to wed?" I take the chance and ask.

I watch carefully as the king pinches the bridge of his nose with frustration.

"What could you possibly prefer to do? You're 18 and I doubt you have hopes of becoming a jester." He says. "Please just behave and don't waste any more of our time."

"Of course," I say and look away.

"Tonie, why don't you take Carlie for a little walk while your parents and I plan the wedding."

Wow. That was quick.

Glancing at Tonie, I motion for him to come my way so we can take a walk outside the palace.

Tonie and I end up walking around the fountain area. He's an average boy; red curly hair, brown eyes and he's quite tall. I've heard of him before but it's my first time meeting him.

"So," he starts, stretching out the 'o' awkwardly. "What do you think about this?"

"Honestly speaking, I'd rather not just jump into all this." I tell him.

He gives me a small smile and puts his hands in his pockets. For some time, we walk together as we listen to the soft sounds of nature.

Tonie and I didn't talk much considering I don't want to marry, and he and I have about nothing in common. He's nice but when your mind isn't in it, you just can't fall in love that easily.

I end up walking up the staircase on my own, head hanging low and so many things on my mind. I truly wonder what will happen to me after I turn 18.

As I near my room, I have to pass by the royal study. Right now, I can hear distant chatter coming from there and normally, I wouldn't care enough to linger but the hushed voices give off a sense of mystery and I've always been the nosy type, unfortunately.

"I'm telling you, Brielle." I hear Sev, my half brother say. "This plan is more than foolproof."

"Yes," Aubrey adds. "We get her distracted, wash her favorite skirt in dragon meat and dump her in the dragon pit. No traces of us will be found since she'll be as good as bones after the dragons are done with her."

I can't believe they're planning a murder!

"Don't speak too loudly; we don't want father hearing us. You know how he's so keen about getting her a husband and getting her out of our hair." Sev tells his other siblings.

Are they talking about me?

Carefully pressing ear against the door so I can hear clearer, I feel a tear roll down my cheek. I know they don't like me but this is something I never expected.

"But isn't this a little too far?" I hear Brielle's calm voice. She has always been the nicer sister. The sane one whose dirty looks didn't feel real and she always brings me a cupcake every year on my birthday. "Can't we just make her bring us the rock? It is the only thing 'we' truly want."

"Brielle, shut up. You're the youngest for a reason. Magic isn't real!" Aubrey shoots. "Now, go and get the servant girl's skirt."

Sucking in a breath, I hastily push off the door and make my way to the staircase. Unfortunately, Brielle finds me on the last step and I look as guilty as a child with her hand deep in the cookie jar.

"Carlie?" Brielle asks quietly.

"I swear I didn't..." I trail off as I drop my shoulders. "I heard it all— at least most of it."

Brielle walks towards the stairs to meet me at the top but I can't take my chances. She might just kill me now that I know the whole plan. I run to my room and shut the door, leaning against it because the king couldn't have a lock in here.

"Carlie, please open up and hear me out." She's at the other end of the door.

If this were Sev or Aubrey, I would have said no but something about Brielle is so hard to say no to. I trust too easily and maybe the cupcakes have gotten to me.

I open the door and let her in. Her pale skin is red and her forehead is filled with sweat. I don't know if it's the running or nerves but she looks stressed. Her blond hair is messily pulled in a bun and her royal dress looks as neat as ever. She walks over to me and sighs deeply.

"The crystal of Morderel." She tells me. "It's the only way you can get them to leave you alone. They want mother back and I think we can bring her back using her bones, the crystals powers and some witches from East Orken."

"That's crazy. The crystal has been missing for years and seriously? Bringing the dead back to life requires a child of the bearer to work it, power and how are you so sure it will even work?" I quietly ask but my tone is far from quiet.

"We've been planning this since Sev was 12. I didn't agree with killing you so I've been searching for other ways." She tells me. "I told the rest but they don't believe in the magic. But I know if I get my hands on that rock, I will be able to bring mother back."

She was 8, I was 7 and Aubrey was 10. She was so young yet her older brother drove her to plan that. I need to find the crystal. I know it's impossible and I've never been on an adventure before but i need this for me and Brielle. I'll figure it out and I'll get my father to help me. He's wise and must have an idea of how to get to it.

"I'll look for the rock."  I say. "Give me two weeks, I'll leave and come back with it."

"I'll help you escape." She tells me. "And please be safe, sister."

I nod and that's when the tears start to fall. How did I get myself into such a life? Where do I even start to look?

Suddenly, I feel Brielle wrap her arms around me and give me a hug. I hug back and I can't help but sob as I think of the journey I'm about to embark on.

"You will be great, sister."

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