Beyond the Lamppost

XXIII. Force

Chapter Twenty-three:

X

Force

I just peeked there dumbfounded of how they were looking at me. Alicea is the first one to come up to me and help me get inside. Catrain, looking surprised, came next and secure the small door from closing by placing something in between the gaps of the small opening.

"I'm glad your fine. Everyone is so worried." She said. I hugged her tightly. I knew we were never that close but I was just happy to see her again. She laughed and patted me in the back.

"I'm so happy your fine too." Cassius came up to me, as well as Gundrick, Dain, and Jarin. They don't look too well with their dirty clothes, patched up wounds and bruised face. Nevertheless, they were smiling at me.

Then I surveyed the whole room. The rest were quiet and watching us intently as we are standing together.

"Alicea." I whispered as I gave her a meaningful look.

"Your Hig--- I mean--- Miss Veri. These people have been here before I came here and some said they've been here for two weeks now, the longest. But most people have been brought here just early this morning. When they--- tilting her head towards Dain--- infiltrated the castle." Alicea whispered back and I nodded in understanding.

"Did they knew?" I asked while pointing at myself.

"I've talked to some, trying to be careful who's with us or against us. But they don't believe me. They kept saying that the heir died the night the late king died too. I can't blame them, that's what King Willard announces that next day." I nodded and moved closer to Dain, neglecting the weird looks I've got with most people. They've been inspecting me.

"Sir Dain, how did you end up here?" I know that he's mostly part of the planning team. I trust in his talent but getting caught in this time is too risky.

"It's part of his plan. Albrecht." My brows creased in confusion as he continued. "We can't gather forces from the outside, he said. People had been blinded with the king's facade to even give us a glance of attention. He said that the people who'll be able to help us were the one's who sees the real King." I gasped in realization. He's right. And here I am thinking that I need to find evidences first in order to gather some forces.

"What will we do next?" I asked.

"He said you'll convince them." Yes, that's what we agreed on. But I don't know just how. I told him I'm not ready but I'll try. How should I do it?

I take a quick a glance at them. Some were lying in the cold floor looking exhausted and in pain while some didn't care at all. But the majority of them, their attention is on us, on me.

I started walking to the center of the dimly lit chamber. Only lamppost at the corner gave off light, so I have to bring my lamp so they can all see me.

As I walked, all attention is focused on me. People started sitting up from laying or walking up from sleeping. And I heard murmur everywhere. I don't know how many people were inside but I see a lot of them.

"Hi." The murmur died down and all was left was pure silence. I looked at Alicea and the gang on the farther end or the room near the secret passageway's entrance and they seems cheering me with their smiles.

"I am Veridian Alianor Catheryn Wilkerson. Daughter of Queen Atheena and late King Phthalo. And I will be needing your help."

Another wave of murmur began but this time, it is louder.

"You can't the heir's name in vain!" One shouted but I just stood there fixed.

"Prove us!"

"She's still a baby, your an impostor!"

What proof can I show them? Last time, it was Albrecht who proved my identity to the whole gang but he was not here.

Then I heard someone whisper in my ears but no one was close enough to me.

Call me , Your Majesty, and I shall vow my loyalty. Call me, for I am part of thee.

It kept on repeating those words but I don't know where the sound came from.

"Who is speaking?" I asked but everyone went silent and stared at me confused.

The whispers came again and my heart pounded in fear.

"Miss Veri?" I saw Alicea next to me with a worried look. "What is happening?"

"Someone is talking to me." I saw how she gasped in shock.

"No one is saying anything right now, other than me." She said back, enough for the two of us to hear.

"Then who is it?"

Who is he that I should call upon? Who? I asked in my mind.

I heard another whisper.

I am where you belong.

"I belong in where?" I said and Alicea held me tightly. I felt like my energies been drained as I stood up in this chamber. "I don't think I belong anywhere." I whispered.

"No, don't say that, Your Highness." I looked at her but she seems fine. Why am I weakening? Why am I drained? What is happening to me?

"Princess, what's happening?" Dain came next to me but my feet wobbled and I almost fell. Cassius and Alicea supported me.

I closed my eyes as my vision started to blurry. I felt like a heavy weight have been added to my whole body.

Call me, Princess. Call my name, for you are my rightful heir.

Heir? I am this place's heir. Maybe...

"Verch." I whispered with all my might as I am fighting the heaviness of the unfamiliar weight in my body.

And in an instant I felt too light. Too light like I'm floating. And I really did! Goodness gracious!

White light floated around me and lift me mid air. I tried looking below but shocked faces is all I saw.

Verch? I may sound crazy but I tried calling him like how he called me.

Yes, Your Majesty?

What are you?

I am the guardian of this place. The whole Kingdom of Verch and I vow only to the untainted heir of the royal family.

The light began descending me back slowly. But as I stepped into the floor, I felt a newly found strength deep inside me like I've been revived.

The light around me burst out into specks of stars in the air. It seems dancing and everything saw it seems in trance. It dances in the air before they fused again just above me. And minutes later, I felt something heavy on my head.

I tried touching it. Oh my!

"Princess!" Alicea first shouted. I glanced at her and she was in awe as she stared at me. She then bowed slowly. My gaze shifted to Cassius, Dain, Gundrick. Catrain and Jarin as they were doing the same. I turned around to see everyone and they were all bowing before me.

I looked down at my self. I was taken aback! This was not the dress I was wearing!

I looked down and saw an emerald silk Princess dress with its skirt draping to the floor. I touched the thing on my head and get it off just to confirm myself that I was holding a crown! A crown! Oh my God!

"All Hail to Princess Veridian! All Hail to the Heir!"Long gone are their questioning looks and harsh words. All I see are smiling faces filled with hope.

They chanted in unison and I felt the warmth inside my chest. These are my people, my family and friends. I am their Princess. It's my duty to take care of them. I have to fight for them.

I've never felt this genuine feeling ever in my life. I felt like I can do more with them by my side.

"Now, let's fight for our freedom. For equality. For peace. No more unjust ruling. Help me get back what's ours."