Why You?

Chapter: 14

     Last night, I arrived back to the inn really late so thankfully everyone was asleep, and I wouldn't be questioned about my whereabouts. I had to tip toe to my room to prevent from awaking anyone.

It's now almost time for the ball since I practically slept in almost all day. I paste back and forth in my room, debating if I should even go. My black heels click against the wooden floor.

"Serenity," Jonah calls out through the door, causing me to stop in my place.

"Uh, I'm getting dress! What do you need?" I lie, trying to keep him outside the door so he wouldn't see me all dressed up.

"I just want to let you know we are leaving, and when we get back we will probably be running to the ship so stay awake," he explains. "I'm leaving food outside your door."

"Okay, thank you."

I wait till his footsteps disappear, and sigh in relief. I hurry over to the door as my stomach grumbles. Sitting on the floor is a tray of freshly made bread, two chicken legs, a potato, and a cup of milk. The smell of the seasonings on the chicken leaves my mouth watering. With no time to spare my stomach, I pick the try up and bring it to the desk. I dig in the food as if I haven't eaten in weeks. My hands get all greasy from the chicken, and picking up the glass of milk to take a sip, makes the cup greasy as well. The food is too good to care though.

I finish all the food and clean up to look presentable again. I eye my hair in the little hand held mirror to make sure my hair isn't messed up. There's a small braid on each side of my head that starts in the front. They both meet in the back and are tired together letting the braid fall loosely with my hair that is not part of the braid. I put a red flower where the braids meet to complete the look.

     I eye the dagger that sits on the desk in front of me. I stole it from Will for this reason. I carefully pick it up, and lift one side of my dress to where I can see my thigh. Carefully, I put the dagger in between my guard and thigh. Thank goodness the dagger has a cover to it.

     I need to hurry up so I slightly jog out of my room to the outside of the inn. The ends of my dress would get dirty from the ground so I pinch each sides to hold it up, and continue to the castle. The castles walls are so big that they are easy to see from here.

     Lanterns light up the street so I don't have to worry about not being able to catch a big bump in the road. Not that it would matter anyways, I always seem to find a way to take a trip. Not many people are wondering around at night which is one less thing I have to worry about.

I finally make it to the ball, and see only one person going in past the guards. I try to stand up straight, and keep my head high to act like I belong here. At the entrance both of the guards hold out their sword to stop me. The swords cross each other which startles me as I jump back.

"Name," one of the guards demand.

My hands become clammy, and I try looking around for an idea. I know I can't give them my own name.

"Uhh well," I desperately think, "Elizabeth! My name is Elizabeth."

They give me a weird look at my sudden outburst, but the other guy pulls out the list and appears to be analyzing it.

"There's more than one Elizabeth. Last name," he commands again.

"Elizabeth Branford," I try to say confidently this time.

The guy looks up from the list and shakes his head. I take a step back leaving a little more distance between me and now only one sword.

"There is no Elizabeth Branford on the list," the guards tells me. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."