Thunderbolt of Laurels

Chapter 15-Winter's Kingdom

The grand crystal blue doors open for us. We walk through the white walled castle, sparkles of gold all around us, and into the throne room. This room is the most colourful in the castle. Lush blue walls, purple throne chairs, still gold sparkles and designs embed the walls, plantation and a variety of different coloured flowers sit in their pots. My mother designed it this way and so we kept it in her memory.
Right across the room, my father sits, a stern look on his face. He does not look happy to see me. Oh boy, I'm really in for it. His face says it all; the anger, the betrayal, the pain. We continue across the room until we stop in front of him. We all bow upon him. "Hi father."
"EIRA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" he yells.
"Uhh out."
"Don't get smart with me. I was worried sick. No one could find you anywhere."
"I went south. Far south."
"For what reason?"
"Well. . ."
"To get away from this. From me," Char steps in and says. That sounds so really bad.
"You know the kingdom in bankrupt right? You left at the worst possible timing. Heck, you shouldn't have left at all!!"
"I didn't know!" I protest.
"Yes you did. I told you during one of your scenes."
"My scenes really?" I take in a deep breath. "Well I'm sorry if I can't focus during my 'scenes.'"
"You should be. You should be glad that Char went out looking for you. Any other prince who was going to save our kingdom would have left us."
"I know, I'm sorry." And I am. I didn't mean to cause all this trouble. I didn't know the kingdom wasn't doing well. I just wanted freedom. . . and Merlin.

"Well young lady, I've been too worried to think about any punishment but I'll think of something so severe you'll never— is that Merlin from the F7?"
"Yes I am. It is nice to see you again, your majesty," Merlin says and bows.
"Likewise. You disappeared for a year. I trust that time treated you well."
"Um. . ." Merlin scratches his head.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
"He came along with a few other members of the F7," I point to Pino, Noki and Kio, "to protect us."
"They're part of the F7? They're dwarfs?"
"It's a curse," I tell him. 
"There was an incident in the woods," Char starts. Incident. Way to play it down. "He offered protection and we took his offer."
"We can leave. We know we are banned from your kingdom however, we could not let the princess and the royal band until we were sure they were safe in your palace. Which we have not accomplished," Merlin says.
"I see. Well you are banned, but that was by request of my daughter," father says and looks at me with confusion. 
"There was reason for that," I mumble. 
"And that is? You seem fine with them here, and now. I thought you said they were bad news."
"Well. . ."
 Char clears his throat."I want to make a—" He doesn't finish his sentence when the throne room doors burst open. A screaming girl running in my direction.

"ALAURRAAA!!" She bolts into my arms. I missed her the most. "Father why didn't you tell me she was here? Oh my goodness, I was so worried. How could you just leave your little sister like that? What's wrong with you?"
"A lot apparently," I say flatly.
She smiles. "No kidding. Just don't do that again."
I sigh. "I won't." She hugs me again. "Char, I'm so glad you found her. How was your journey?"
"It was fine."
She nods. "Good. And is that. . .no! It's Merlin from the F7?!"
"Yep," I say.
"Wow! Wait you guys were gone for like a year."
"There were some complications," he says and rubs his neck.
"And are those dwarfs?"
"Also part of the F7," I say. She looks at me in confusion. "A curse." The triplets greet my sister. 
"Merlin, this is Bianca, my little sister. And Bianca you already know of Merlin."
"Know of? I've met him before. A few years ago when he and the rest of the F7 came to the ball. You're so much older now."
"Enough of this chit chat," my father says. "Char as you were saying."
"Actually, do you mind if I spoke to you in private? I wouldn't want to embarrass you or myself." My father raises his eyebrow.
"Alright, if that's what you prefer. Follow me."
"I think I should come with you two," I say.
"Let me talk with his majesty first, Eira," Char says. I arch my eyebrow but nod. I still trust him. The two walk together out of the throne room, leaving the three of us here. Pino, Noki and Kio a along with some guards.
"You know I feel just a little weird," Merlin admits.
"A little? What's this prince up to?" I say.
"Why don't you just tell him? Father I mean," Bianca says.
"Tell him what?" I ask.
"Oh come on Alaura, you really think I'm that dumb? I get it. You didn't want to tell anyone about your little romantic adventure, even me but I don't blame you I kind of blab."
I blink twice. "You knew?"
"You wanting you head off to the village all the time? Yeah. You hated leaving the castle and mixing with people so one day I followed you to see what was up; and there you were, with one of the F7. You got the cutest one too." I roll my eyes and blush, embarrassed while Merlin snickers.
"She's not wrong," he says.
"Anyways, when father banned the F7 from here I thought he found out and I went to ask him about it and he said it was your idea and then I put it all together. You're not that hard to read."
"Oh. . . I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just—"
"I know. It's fine. But you two make such a better couple than with Char. You should tell them to break the engagement!"
"You think I don't want to? The kingdoms in a deficit. We need the money from Char's kingdom and—"
"Well you never wanted to rule anyways, but I can. I can marry a prince, not Char ew."
"But it's my duty. My birth right. I'm not going to lie, I have thought of that idea, but I don't want to put that pressure on you, of course."
"Pressure? You know I'll refuse anything I don't want. And I mean, you would suck at this anyway."
"Gee thanks."
"Eh it's true. You ran away and left the kingdom to me anyway so, what's the difference now?"
"I'm betrothed? That issue needs to be resolved, but father's so stubborn."
"Char can find someone else. Plus, father already thinks of him as his own son. I'm sure they're working something out right now. If Merlin was a dwarf before, that means his curse was broken, and curses are usually broken with. . " She sits on the throne in an improper way. She makes an irritated face when no one answers. "A kiss, right?" Merlin and I look at each other. "Yeah, exactly. Which means Char already knows something's going on here."
"Your sisters good," Merlin says.
"It's not hard to figure out."
"I need to talk with them," I say, growing a little weary. I don't know how to go about this, I'll have to wing it. As soon as the words come out my mouth, my father and Char walk back into the throne room. Char comes up to me.
"I think it's time for you and I to talk, Eira."