Sleeping Beauty [Camren]

chapter five

      

King Alejandro was gazing out the window of the banquet hall. He was anxious, there was no denying that. The sun was getting lower in the sky. It was still some time away, but that evening, he would be reunited with his daughter after eighteen years of separation. Michael was enjoying some of the food that had been placed out for the two kings.

"Come now, Alejandro. It's still a few hours away from now." Michael told his friend.

"I know, but this is the longest part of the eighteen years, the final hours." Alejandro replied as Michael handed him a goblet of wine.

"I have something that will get your mind off the wait. The plans!"

A jester appeared when Michael clapped his hands. He pulled from his cloak, a rolled-up parchment. The parchment was unrolled to reveal blueprints for another palace.

"Well, what do you think?" Michael asked. "Nothing too elaborate, of course. Forty bedrooms, dining hall, it is just a honeymoon cottage really."

"You mean you're building it already?" Alejandro asked.

"Built, man. Finished. Lauren and Karla can move in tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? But they are not even married yet."

"We'll take care of that tonight. To the wedding!" Michael toasted raising his own goblet.

"Now hold on, Michael. I haven't even seen my daughter yet, and now you're taking her away from me." Alejandro explained.

"You're getting my Lauren, aren't you?"

"Yes, but..."

"Want to see our grandchildren, don't we?"

"Of course, but..."

"There is no time to lose. Getting on years. To the wedding!"

"Now, be reasonable, Michael." Alejandro said. "After all Karla knows nothing about this."

"Well?" Michael asked taking a sip of his ale.

"Well, it may come as quite a shock." Alejandro stated as Michael spits out his drink.

"Shock? My Lauren a shock? What's wrong with my Lauren?" Michael demanded angrily.

"Nothing, Michael. I only meant..."

"Why doesn't your daughter like my daughter?"

"Now, now."

"I'm not sure my daughter likes your daughter."

"Now, see here." Alejandro stated starting to get angry.

"I'm not so sure my grandchildren want you for a grandfather!"

"Why you unreasonable, pompous windbag!"

"Unreasonable? Pompous!" Michael thundered as he reached for a fish, pretending that it was a sword. "en garde, Sir!"

"I warn you Michael, this means war!" Alejandro said as he grabbed a platter to block his friend's jabs with the fish.

"Forward! For honor! For country! For..." Michael yelled before he realized that he was fighting with a fish as his sword, soon both men were laughing. "What's this all about, anyway?"

"Nothing, Michael." Alejandro laughed. "Absolutely nothing."

"The children are bound to fall in love with each other."

"Precisely. As for the grandchildren, I'll have the royal woodcarvers start working on the cradle tomorrow."

"Splendid. King size, of course."