One in a million (Prequel to 'Bad Blood')

Chapter 5: They are different

Cassandra's POV

"That went well," Lord Ernest said, he was clearly happy about going back home. "Glad it's over."

"It's not," I looked at him. "I still have to attend a meeting with them." I then looked back outside, to the Middledes Woods. 

"That's a formality."

"Maybe." I then spotted our castle coming into view. And I couldn't help but sigh.

"You did well, Your Highness," Lord Gregory said, gaining my attention. "I'm sure that meeting will go well."

"I hope so."

We arrived back at the castle. Our servants helped us out of the carriage. I said my goodbyes to Lord Ernest and Lord Gregory, and went back to my room.

I laid down on my bed and let out a deep breath. I was exhausted, but the good kind of exhausted. It had been a long evening, a busy evening, but it was all worth it. That reception was great, the king and queen were very nice people and the trip was just amazing. I'm happy I went.

I took my diary and started writing down my experiences of tonight. I took my time to write it all down in great detail, as I thought that would be important.

Afterwards, I got up, got out of my clothes and got ready for bed. 

When I laid back down, I smiled and closed my eyes.

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"How was it?" Piers asked as I sat down at the dining table the next morning.

I looked at him. "Good," I then smiled politely at the servant who served me my breakfast. "I wish you had come with us." I said to Piers.

"Why?"

I looked at him. "So they would've met my advisor too."

He shrugged.

"And so you could see for yourself that Northerners can be very nice. They're not all the same."

He rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious, Piers."

"So am I, Cas," He then got up. "I don't want anything to do with those people." He then left.

I sighed but continued eating.

Since I was eating on my own, I decided to immediately start making plans for my meeting with King Alden and Queen Louisa. I wanted things to move forward, I wanted our kingdoms to be on good terms, and I wanted it to happen fast.

I wrote down some mental notes. And, while I was doing so, I couldn't help but notice the smile that was forming onto my face. I was happy. I felt good about this. I had a good feeling about this. And it was a nice change.

After breakfast, I went straight to the horse and carriage. I walked to the carriage. "The Northern Kingdom, castle." I then entered the carriage without waiting for a response from the driver.

When the carriage started, I sighed relieved and looked outside again. I observed the beautiful Middledes Woods and I told myself to come here again. In my free time, perhaps. This would be the perfect place to be alone, at peace.

When we arrived in the Northern Kingdom, I looked around at the people. Last time I was here, the castle took all of my attention. But it wasn't doing that today.

I looked at the people and how they lived here. I immediately noticed how rural and yet how connected they were. Children were playing around, in the mud and yet they were happy. People were talking and trading, some even waved at me without even knowing who I was. It was different, but a good different.

"Your Highness," A servant said as he opened the carriage and helped me get out. "Our king and queen are awaiting you."

"That's good to hear," I smiled at him before looking at my driver. "I'll be back in a few."

He nodded.

I then looked at the servant. "You're the same servant that helped me yesterday too, aren't you?"

He smiled and nodded. "You remembered?"

"Of course," I smiled too. "I couldn't forget a smiling face like that."

He chuckled. "Thank you, Your Highness."

We arrived at the big ballroom from last time. It seemed so much bigger now that it was empty. Yet it wasn't too big, it was luxurious but not over the top.

"Your Highness," The servant gained my attention. "It's this way." He said as he motioned to the stairs at the side.

"Oh ok."

We climbed the stairs. At the top, we arrived in a more secluded part of the castle.

"What is this?"

The servant looked at me. "This is the private part of the castle," He looked in front of him again. "This is where the royal family resides."

I nodded. "It feels different here."

He nodded and smiled. "It's our home here."

I looked at him. "Your home?"

He nodded once more. "My son and I live here, alongside the king and queen."

"You two must be special."

"In a way," He then looked at me. "I'm their personal butler."

"Oh," I nodded, even though I had no clue what the difference was between that and a servant. "So how does it work?"

"We just live here," He then stopped at a certain spot. "It's right through here, Your Highness."

I entered the room he had motioned to and spotted King Alden and Queen Louisa at a dining table, in the middle of a very homey room.

"Ah, Queen Cassandra," King Alden smiled as he got up. "Have a seat," He motioned to the chair in front of him and his wife. "Thanks, Carl."

The butler, whose name is Carl, nodded and left.

I went to sit down and looked at the room in awe. "What a nice place you two have here," I nodded as I took it all in. "It feels like a home."

"It is our home," Queen Louisa smiled as she looked proudly at her homey room. "We wanted a place to be truly ours, so this is it."

"And what about your room then?"

They looked at me, they seemed confused. "We sleep there."

"I know," I sighed. "I mean, isn't that your place to be truly yours?"

"Well, yes," Queen Louisa said immediately. "But it's just a room to sleep in, you can't live in there."

"Don't you have a personal room like this, a room to live in?" King Alden asked, he seemed genuinely interested.

I then thought about my castle. Did I have a room like that? I usually spent my days in my room, I wouldn't know where else to go... "I don't think so."

"Oh," Queen Louisa exclaimed. "Well, everybody lives in a different way." She smiled then, it was a warm-hearted smile.

"So, about the alliance?" King Alden said.

"Yeah." I smiled awkwardly. They were indeed so different from me but, at the same time, it intrigued me. Their way of life intrigued me. And I was for sure going to observe it some more.