The Princess in Me

Chapter 5

When we landed in Kaelan it was dark outside like it was going to rain. But it was in the middle of the day. Around 2 or so.  The guards escorted me to another car and we drove for about a half an hour. I have no idea where we are going because the windows are tinted so black that you can't see out them. When the car stopped we were in some kind of garage. We then walked into what looked like a holding room where they left me. About 10 minutes passed before a man came into the room with a silver briefcase. He looked pretty young. Probably around 30.

"Hello Haley. I'm Joe."

"Hi?" I said. "Are you going to tell me why you are here?"

"No you won't find that out for a few more hours."

"Hours!"

"I know I'm sorry. Now let’s get started. The faster we can get through everything the faster you can relax."

"Fine..." I mumbled.

"First I have to hook you up to a lie detector for the process."

"Why? I have nothing to hide. "

"We know but there are a few things that we need it for."

"Okay... Whatever."

He put the lie detector on me then proceeded to turn on the monitor. "So now I am just going to start asking you questions. Once we are done someone will show you to your room where you will be staying while here in Kaelan."

"Okay." Well I have no idea where I even am right now. My best guess would be in the castle or a prison. I have no idea why I would be anywhere else. Maybe I’m in the dungeon in the castle. When I took the bus tour last summer they said the castle hasn’t changed much since it was first built, so it’s possible that I am in the dungeon.

"Tell me your full name." Joe asked.

"Haley Ann Levene."

"Where were you born?"

"Superior, Wisconsin. "

"Parents and siblings names. "

"My father’s name is David Levene, my mother’s name is Donna Levene, my brother’s name is Ryan Levene, and my sister’s name is Jenna Levene.” Wow I said my last name many times in that sentence.

"Okay."

"How many more questions are there?" I asked.

"A lot."

I groaned. “Okay. Hit me with the next one. "

"What are you the most afraid of? Be as honest as possible. And remember you are attached to the lie detector."

"I know..." What am I afraid of? Heights... “Heights. I am deadly afraid of heights." I wasn't lying. I really am afraid of heights, but I am more afraid of falling in love. Scared to death of falling in love with Shawn. Shawn! He needs to get out of my freaking head. I am mad at him and never want to talk to him again! I have liked him too long and it is getting very annoying!

"Are you lying to me Haley?"

"Why do you need to know everything about me! Ugh!" I am so annoyed! I just want to know why I am here!

"I am sorry but we have to ask you these questions."

"Okay! Whatever!  Besides heights -which I really am afraid of- I am scared of falling in love! There! Happy now! I just told you one of my most private thoughts what else do you want to know about me!" I started taking all my anger out on Joe.

"I'm sor..." I cut him off.

"I know. I know. Your sorry! But why do you have to keep doing this!" I screamed at him.

"We need to know everything about you to make sure you won't be a danger to the royal family."

"I won't be a danger! I am just frustrated that no one will tell me why I am here! I really just want to go home and be with my family. I have memories from here that I want to forget..." Oops! Did I really want to say that last part...? Nope I didn't!

"What memories?"

"Are you like a shrink or something?"

"Just answer the question Miss."

"Why do I have to?"

"Do we really need to go over everything again? The faster we get through these questions the faster you can relax. "

"Fine. I met someone while I was here last year and we got really close. He became one of my best friends, but then after I left he never replied to all the messages I sent him. And it made me upset that he never wrote me back."

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"Okay, next question." Joe said.

He has been questioning me for what seems like hours.  Asking me questions about random things like what is my favorite color to personal things. But by now I have stopped struggling and I am just answering all the questions. I want to be done with all this.

"Do you have any idea why you are here? Where you are?"

"No." I responded. That was like the third time he has asked these questions.

"Okay. Now I am going to lay out a variety of picture and I want you to point to anyone you know and state the last time you had contact with them."

He laid out all the pictures and I began scanning them. I didn't recognize anyone yet. I flipped the pages and still didn't see anyone I knew... Crap! "I recognize him." I said a bit shaky. "He is Shawn. I met him almost a year ago.  But I haven't spoken to him since June of last year when I left Kaelan."

"Okay." Joe said. "We are done." He then unhooked the lie detector machine from me.

"Hallelujah!" I bellowed with relief. "Now what?"

"Now you will be escorted to your room and then you will be off to dinner."

"Room? Dinner?"

"Yes. Jessi, can you come and escort Miss Haley to her room please and get her ready for dinner." Joe said this through his ear piece.

A middle aged women entered the room. She had dark brown hair and is wearing a maid looking uniform. She curtsied. "Hello Lady Haley. I'm Jessi and I will be taking you to your room. If you please, follow me."

I obeyed and followed her out of that dreadful room. We walked out into a hallway and walked along it for a while. We made a few turns before we came upon a door.  When we got to the door Jessi opened it. What was behind it was amazing! The other side looked like a castle. With a beautiful double staircase and a chandelier on the ceiling that looked like it was made of crystal. I was standing at a the side of the staircase but I could still tell it looked beautiful. We walked I into this magnificent room I marveled some more. I noticed that the right and left side of the room is surrounded with large windows and there are doors leading out into the yard on both sides.

"This is the west wing. It is mostly detached from the rest of the castle and will be where you are staying. “Jessi said. “This is where most of the guests stay when they visit the castle.”

"What? Castle?"

"Yes. You are in the royal palace in Kaelan. At dinner is when you will find out why you are here."

We were standing in front of the staircase. "The only way to get into the main part of the castle is through those doors." She said pointing behind us.

I looked out the windows and I couldn't believe I missed it before when I first emerged from the basement area. I saw the other part of the castle. This area was really off to the side. The castle looked huge. "Wow!"

"Yeah. I know it is overwhelming. It was for me too when I first came here... Now let me show you to your courters. Follow me."

We went up the stairs and it was just as beautiful as the bottom floor. There are rooms all along the hall and at the end of the hallway there is a lounge area with plush red couches and a fireplace looking out into the beautiful yard.

"Right here. Here you are. “Jessi said.

I walked into room with Jessi and it is just amazing like everything else I have seen. There are huge windows looking out on the yard where you can see the tree line to the forest. There is a large bed which is also the color of red like a lot of other furniture in the palace. A white desk, a TV and a large closet.

"The closet has clothes all your size and you are welcome to wear anything you want. And we have also unpacked all your belongings that were packed from your home."

"Thanks Jessi. Now can you tell me why I'm here?"

"No." She said looking down at her watch. "It's six o'clock and at seven thirty will be dinner. You will need to be dressed up in a dress and at dinner will be when your told why you are here. I will come and take you to dinner around seven twenty."

"Okay. Thank you." I smiled.

"You’re welcome dear!" She said exiting my room.

What just happened? I was brought to Kaelan and I am staying in the castle. I was questioned for hours and now they want me to get dressed up and go to dinner. I am so confused. What do they want with me?!

I jumped into my bed and rested my head on the soft pillows. I am exhausted! I should just take a little nap.

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My eyes fluttered open and I glanced at the clock that was on the wall. 7:10. Crap! I had 10 minutes to get ready.

I ran over to the closet and looked inside. It was full of beautiful clothes, and some of my clothes for home. I stood there gaping at all the choices I could choose from. The one that caught my eye was a light blue strapless dress with 3 fabric flowers spiraling down the dress. It was beautiful and I knew it was going to be the dress I was going to wear. I saw a pair of white heels as well and decided I was going to wear those as well.

I quickly took the dress and laid it flat on my bed along with my shoes. Then I headed into the bathroom. It had a large counter, mirror, along with a walk in shower, and a bathtub.

I quickly redid my hair not really caring much what it looked like and put on some makeup that was in a drawer. When I finished I went back into my room to put on my dress. I slipped it on and zipped it up and put on a pair of black heels then went over to the mirror. This dress looked really good on me.  I really liked it. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." I said assuming it was Jessi.

The door opened and Jessi came in. "Hello Lady Haley. You look really nice in your dress."

"Thank you Jessi. And you can call me Haley."

"Okay Haley.” She said and smiled. “Are you ready to go?"

"Yes I am."

"Okay then let’s get going to the ballroom. "

We walked out of my room and down the stairs toward the main part of the castle. Jessi took me inside a ballroom that had many other girls in it. They all looked as if they were all confused to why they were here also.

"Okay this is where I leave you." She said.

"Okay. Thanks for everything!"

"You’re welcome dear."

I sat down at the chair nearest to the door. "Okay ladies settle down.” A man’s voice said.

Everyone became quite and were anticipating what was going to happen next.

"You are all here to try to win over the prince. To fall in love with him and one day become queen."

What? What! What?

"Now before I say anything more I would introduce you the prince." The man said gesturing toward the door.

We all turned our heads to the door.

"May I introduce you to Prince…"