The Things We Want

CHAPTER 23 "WHEN THE WORLD FROZE"

After they had more horses, the ride was short back to the castle. When the guards saw Clarence and the princess, they didn't hesitate to open the gates.

Just inside the palace, the group was whisked away to separate rooms, all cleaned up and changed into different clothes. Lola was tended to by the palace physicians, which refused Jared's help. As soon as Iris could slip away, she reluctantly asked to be taken to Lola to avoid being lost in the castle for hours.

As soon as the maids were done with Ava she rushed to the throne room, her red curls flowing behind her, turning corners swiftly. She crashed right into Samuel on her next turn, sending them both to the floor.

"A-Ava!" Samuel sat up and embraced her, leaving her in shock.

"It's good to see you too Sam," She leaned in, hugging him back happily, "Is my father in the throne room? I have to see him," Ava stood and helped Samuel up.

"Yes he's there, but you can't stay and talk awhile? We've all been so worried about you," Samuel said, giving her another hug.

"I'm sorry, it's urgent but I promise to come to find you afterward okay?" Ava smiled, and turned, running down the hall again. Samuel sighed, watching her run away.

Within the throne room, beautiful murals painted across the ceiling and strong pillars lining the wide walkway to two beautifully painted and carved thrones, the king and queen sat together, eyes worried.

Ava burst into the room, startling the king's guard until they saw the intruder was their lost princess.

"My baby girl!" The queen rose and ran to Ava, embracing her as tears ran down her face.

"Mother!" Ava sighed happily, grateful to have her warm hugs again.

"My girl, what is this ensemble you have brought to the castle? They seem like assorted folk..." Her mother commented, "Have they harmed you?"

"No, not at all! They saved me, mother, and helped me to heal so I could return home safely. They protected me with their lives," Ava explained, the King nodding along.

"It's the truth, I met them and they meant no harm, they were kind and very brave," Her father said, putting a hand on his wife's shoulder, "We are to tend to their wounds and house them for as long as they need... they saved our girl, my love," He announced, making Ava feel elated. All this time with Eugene? And all the friends she has made in this short time?

"Can we tell her?" Her mother whispered, hiding the conversation terribly.

"Tell me what?" Ava asked, whispering as she did with a smirk.

"PRINCESS AVA!" A booming voice came from the opposite end of the hall. Out from behind the thrones, Demetrius stepped forward, his brown hair pristine, his garments as obnoxious as they were before. Ava sighed, arms crossed.

"You have wrongly accused my friends... how did you decide their guilt, pray tell?" Ava said, walking smugly up to him, attempting to play his weird games.

"Why do I receive word from the King?" He looked to her father, but the King shook his head.

"All I told you was to bring home my daughter unharmed, and who she was with, not to harm anyone yourself! They haven't committed any crimes young man," The King used a scolding tone, his anger apparent.

"I'm terribly sorry for misunderstanding the order my lord," Demetrius bowed, "I hope you can accept my apologies."

"I certainly hope so too," Her mother said, a small smile on her face.

"Ava! Thank god you're ok-" Eugene came through the doors behind them and paused as he saw Ava turn around.

She was in a thinning gown, a pale pink shade with cascading fabrics, a lace top with flowing shoulders. A red sash was tied at her waist, matching a similar headband in her hair, which was falling down her back, full of volume and sunlight from the windows. Her hair shined right along with the sky of the sunset like a wildfire that couldn't be contained.

Her cheeks were a deep shade of red from seeing Eugene as well. His hair was overgrown and needed cutting, but was tossed back and styled well. She guessed one of her handmaids had done it. His curls were wonderful but too neat. He stood frozen in his suit and all she wanted was to run to him and run her fingers through his hair and cling to him as she had before when they were younger and naive. The world seemed to freeze for minutes.

"Y-You look," Ava stuttered, incredibly flustered.

"You're..." Eugene lost his words, and then the world started moving again.

"Eugene! My boy, how are you son?" The King said, walking to him casually and patting his back.

"F-Fine sir, just happy Princess Ava is safe," Eugene nodded, trying to shove down his nervousness that had appeared.

"Well now that you are here," The Queen smiled, going back to her throne and taking a seat.

"Yes! Yes, darling..." The King said slowly, taking Ava's hands, "Now that you are 18, some things are going to change," he continued, Ava now growing weary.

"What are you saying, father?" She said, concerned.

He takes her up the steps and they stop before Prince Demetrius. Ava stares at her father, keeping her gaze far from the prince's terrible smile.

"Marry me, Princess Ava."