The Vengeful Princess

Chapter 9: All Hail King Francis

The lush green shrubbery rushed past me in a blur as I ran past, laughing and stumbling breathlessly over the undergrowth. My gown billowed out after me, the torn hem sweeping the tips of the dense undergrowth. 

"Hurry!" Alex glanced backwards at me. His hand was entangled with mine as we rushed through the endless rows of immaculately manicured greenery. 

Twilight had turned the sky a pleasant gradient of pinks and purples and oranges that faded into the darkening backdrop. The afternoon had passed in the blink of an eye, and without even intending to, I had ended up spending it with Alex. 

"Alex, we really should go back to the palace - the sun has already gone down!" I laughed. The King and Queen's welcome banquet was an extremely important event as a Privileged, as it was our first meal with the royal family. This meal would either gain you King Francis and Queen Alice's support, or incur the full extent of their wrath. 

And I was late. Late due to the Prince of New Cynesige, but late nevertheless.

"Just trust me! I have a shortcut to the palace." He chuckled, his steps slowing down as our route merged with another. Left. Straight. Left. I frowned as I recognised where he was headed - the centre. As we stepped into the familiar clearing, a smirk crept onto his face. 

I hadn't really noticed how grand the fountain was, but now, illuminated in all its glory, I had to admit it was quite a sight to behold. The triple tiered marble structure featured a range of various intricately sculpted statues of life sized naked beings on each level, all bowed in submission to the throne that sat atop the spectacle. A set of stairs led up to the first level of the extravagant fountain, as if extending an invitation to join. 

Alex took the stairs two at a time, pausing at the top as he waited for me to follow. 

"Can you keep another secret?"

I gestured for him to go ahead, remarking, "You're putting quite a lot of trust in me." 

"Perhaps you'll return that trust in me one day." He smirked back, weaving through the figures until he came to the thick block pedestal upon which held up the next level. I watched in fascination as he pushed on the rectangular block, which slid open to reveal a long set of stairs leading underground, shadows swallowing everything past the first few steps.

"Shall we?" 

With that, we plunged into the darkness.

♕

We burst out from behind a heavy tapestry on the wall in an entangled mess of hysteria and laughter, just as Amelia rounded the corner. She let out a tiny scream of surprise, reeling backwards. She looked from my flushed face to Alex's, the astonishment clear in her wide eyes. 

"Where did you...?" She trailed off as the giggles of incoming Privileged reverberated down the hallway. I had made it on time. A quick glance showed me that Mckayla and Seraphina were approaching, decked out in jewels and opulent gowns. Seraphina was glaring bitterly at my hand, which was still linked with Alex's, sending a stab of pleasure through me.

Maintaining eye contact with Seraphina, I wrapped an arm around Alex in farewell and shot her a smug smirk, earning a scowl in response. Alex immediately returned the action, chuckling in my ear, his laugh velvety as he spoke, "I'll assume you enjoyed our first date then?" 

"Perhaps." I responded. My heart dropped as I saw the look on Amelia's face. I had briefly forgot that she was still watching, making my stomach churn with guilt. 

"Amelia-" I began.

"We should probably go to the banquet. I don't want to be late." She strode off without a response.