miracles

{five}

five days later

After having spent a few days at my father's estate, it's soon time to return to Presley. On the last day, I find myself wandering the gardens and spending a bit of time with his black and white dog named Lucy. She prances around happily as if she were a puppy again.

As I run around in my chemise, I feel freer than I have in a while. Or, since arriving at the palace. But I know in my heart that there's nothing I can do to truly escape that life, especially knowing that I now have a tiny human growing inside of me.

As I'm having a cup of tea on the back patio, a group of guards practically sprint up to me, their red tailcoats flitting around in the wind. "Your Royal Highness, there is breaking news from the palace," one of them says. He's clutching a letter in his hands, which are trembling slightly. 

"Please continue," I say.

He unfolds the letter and begins to read. "To Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of Eclaran,  There have been many reports that there are bandits on the route you will be taking back to the palace. It is strongly suggested that you keep the carriage curtains closed at all times, and remain completely silent as the journey wears on. There have been a number of incidents in Presley lately, including the murder of three adolescents wandering through the streets by a man claiming to 'bring change to Eclaran's society'. Please take extreme caution while making the journey home. If there are any changes to these matters, a letter will be delivered immediately. -Albert Maddox, Steward of the Grand Palace."

My heart is now racing. "We will travel at night," I suggest. "In the cloak of darkness. All of the guards will wear clothing that looks as if it were an average person's, and so will I." I stand and begin to make my way towards the estate. "We best prepare now, for night falls relatively soon."

________________________________________________________________________________

later that night

Clothed in darkness, I give my father one last hug before entering a less elaborate carriage to begin the journey back home. I am dressed rather simply, in a brown dress with an apron. My hair is kept in a white cap, and I wear a black cloak over my clothes. The guards are dressed as common men, their regular attire kept in a case beneath the carriage.

We're a few hours in now, and nothing has happened. At least, not yet. The fear of being attacked runs strong through my veins, eating away at every piece of my being. And then, the carriage comes to a complete stop in the middle of the dark road.

I listen closely as a man and the driver have a conversation, seeing the light of a torch through the curtains. I'm praying that the unknown man doesn't open the door.

"Who are you transporting currently?" the man says. I part the curtains ever so slightly and notice that he's wearing all black with a mask over his face. A bandit, of course.

"That is none of your concern," the guard says.

"I would like to see them. Or I will kill you."

"You best get on with it then, because I am not opening the-" A gunshot.

The carriage door flings open, just after I yank down a potato-sack hood over my face. It has two very small eye holes in it, but not one for breathing. "Step out of the carriage," the bandit demands.

I do as he says, walking out carefully.

"You are hooded." 

"I am," I respond.

"Take it off."

I slowly pull the hood from my face, revealing all of my features to the man. Luckily, any makeup that I had been wearing had been taken off. "Are you satisfied?"

"You're not who I expected to be seeing tonight. Where do you come from?"

"Great Britain," I lie. "What is the meaning of this ambush?"

"Give me any money that you have on you."

"Sir, I am poor. I need to feed my children. And I am pregnant."

He rolls his eyes. "Of course you are." The man glances at the rest of his crew behind him. "Keep moving boys, this one's not going to give us what we want." He shoots me a glare just before he and his team rush off.

I look down to the guard who has fallen. "Poor soul," I say, grazing his jawline with my hand. "Rest in peace."

"I'm not dead," he mutters. "Your Royal Highness, you must leave me. Get to safety, please."

"I will not leave a man to die." I lift him up and place him inside of the carriage. The other guards look at me in awe. "Stop staring! We best hurry on our way if we're to make it back to the palace in time." I grab my cloak and throw it over myself before hopping on top of the horse and riding it down the road.

Didn't think a princess could do such a thing, eh?

________________________________________________________________________________

Upon arrival early the next morning, I hop off of the horse and get the guard from the inside. "Help!" I cry. "He is injured, shot by a bandit on the road." 

Footmen swarm around us, taking the guard from my arms. Tobias stands in the doorway to the palace, beaming with pride at my efforts to save the man. He approaches and embraces me. "How I've missed you, my sweet," he remarks. "My deepest apologies for the incident between us before you left. I never quite realized what I'd been doing at the time."

"It's alright," I mutter. "Now, enough doddling. Is there not work to be done for tonight's event?"

"There is much to do."

Hand in hand, Tobias and I walk back into the palace to prepare for tonight's ball.

________________________________________________________________________________

that night

There has been a lot of talk surrounding the bandits and revolutionaries lately. After hearing what has been occurring in France, it's no wonder the people are becoming restless with their leaders. I just hope that King Florian and Queen Clementina can get everything together.

I've been dressed in an exquisite mint-green gown with a matching hat and shoes. My hair has been powdered for the first time since my arrival in the palace, signifying the power of my position.

Across the room, couples dance to the music of Mozart, Bach, and even a bit of Vivaldi. There's so much going on that it's becoming increasingly difficult to focus on the task at hand; announcing my pregnancy to the court.

Tobias clinks a glass as he stands upon the raised platform where four thrones sit. "May I have your attention please," he bellows, silencing the crowd. "My wife and I are pleased to announce this evening that we are having our first child, who is to be due in November." There's an uproar of applause. "We are extremely fortunate to have this experience, and will be praying day and night for a future heir to Eclaran's glorious throne."

More applause. Eventually, everyone returns to their dancing. Tobias and I sit next to each other, hand in hand. Suddenly, there are two loud gunshots in the room, and I jump up and look to the king and queen, who both have bloody spots on their torsos.

"Get a doctor!" Tobias yells. "Now!!"

The king takes the queen's hand and slowly brings it to his lips before slumping down in his throne. He has passed away, and the queen isn't looking too well herself.

By the time the guards arrive, the queen has fallen as well. And it isn't until that moment that Tobias and I realize what has just happened.

Someone has forcibly caused us to become king and queen.