They Live with You

Chapter three: Hannah

We stood in front of the palace. It was much larger than the one I lived in and looked more Alexandrian. The building was held up by four columns, one on each side. It was also covered in stones ranging from white to dark grey, and In the center was a fountain gushing upwards. I'd never seen anything like it before. I've been to Old Alexandria before, but this was the first time I ever visited the palace. We walked to the front door when two guards- one on each side- looked down at us.

We started with small talk, but then the question came up. "Do you have permission to enter?" one of them asked. Crap, what now.
"Actually we're to meet with the king." It hadn't even occurred to me until this moment that I had no idea who the new king was. He must've been young since Alexander VIII- the king I somewhat killed- was only in his thirties when he passed away. His son was probably around my age. Perhaps even younger.

The guards stared at me in disbelief. "I'm sorry but I don't believe the king is allowing guests at the moment. As you are aware his father had recently passed away."

"But this is different," I say.
"How so?"
"Well," I sighed "In case you didn't know, I'm actually a princess myself."
"Really, and let me guess the boy is your servant." He laughs gesturing at Alex. These guards, I swear to gods they were getting on my last nerve.
"Why don't you two shut up and pay some respect. After all she's royalty." Alex adds to the conversation. I smiled, though only slightly. I didn't want to give him too much credit.

"You sure know how to talk to a guard" he edges up to Alex.
"Okay, he gets it." I come between them. "Can we just meet with the king? I promise we'll be quick."
"I'm sorry young lady but you can't just walk into the palace. It's not that simple."

"Oh yeah, well...well...uh watch me." I don't know what I was thinking but I went to walk into the palace, except the stupid guards got in my way. 
Then Alex moved forward. "Let us in already."
"I'm sorry but I ca-" and before he could finish Alex kicked his balls and he screamed in agony. The other guard grabbed Alex from behind but he took his bag and hit the guard with it. I decided to join in on the action and slapped the guard's face. Alex smirked and we both ran inside before they could catch up.

There were another two guards inside who were also chasing us after the first set of guards snitched on us. Alex grabbed my hand and we ran through the halls as more guards went after us. I couldn't help but laugh a little. Alex looked at me while running and chuckled when he saw me.
"Hey let's go in there," he said pointing at a door that was unguarded. We went inside to catch our breath. I tried not to pant too heavily so no one would hear, but I couldn't help myself. I noticed the room had several pots, pans, utensils, and an oven on the side. There was also a door on the other side of the room, and out of sheer curiosity, we opened it.

Inside, a dining table set for two was prepared, but no one was there. The table was covered with food. The best of the best. A roasted chicken, vegetables of all colors, the finest sweets, and wine. Lots of wine. "Hey Alex, wanna dine?" I tried to sound all fancy using an Alexandrian accent.
"I'd love to, my lady" he played along. We sat on opposite ends, and ate the sweets, ignoring the chicken and vegetables. I poured myself a glass of wine and did the same for Alex. I'd never had wine before. It wasn't allowed at home since my grandfather had a history of drinking. My father hated it. He promised to never drink and be a better person than his father. This was probably my only chance, so why not. To be honest, it tasted disgusting. The wine had a tart after taste, and from the look of it, Alex didn't seem to enjoy it either. I put the cup down and unrolled a piece of parchment from my bag. Inside was my last bit of Hendra. I always saved a little just in case. "Want some?" I asked.
He looked at the Hendra, and I see it. That look of temptation. It's almost too familiar. "Sure." I lit the cigar and inhaled. Then I passed it to him. Getting high in real life was nothing like how the novels I read depicted it. I didn't go crazy, or at least I don't think I did. I was still sane, just slightly off. It was perfect. For a moment my mind wandered away from all those dark thoughts. It also helped me forget about the guards that were still looking for us. Well, that is until this happened. The door opposite of the one we entered from creaked open. I patted the cigar away.  In front of us stood a boy. He wore a plain white shirt and loose trousers. His skin was pale and his eyes were a light green that flickered in front of the candles. He had straight brown hair that brushed against his round face. Alex stood up looking almost guilty and for a moment I stared at them both. Alex, a tall and handsome young man, about a year older than me to my left. And a mere child who looked much younger compared to Alex. A face smooth and innocent stood to my right. "What are you doing here?" He said startled.
"Oh we're just waiting for the king," Alex responded.
"I am the king." No way. This little kid. The king. I didn't believe it at first but then I remembered that he was supposed to be young if the king died in his thirties. Alex bowed down and began to ask for forgiveness. The 'king' then looked at me, almost as if he wanted me to do the same. But I wasn't going to bow to a child. I don't even bow to my father. In Rimjhim, it was only acceptable to bow to the gods and goddesses. "Well, what are you waiting for?" He said to me.
"I'm sorry, but I will not bow to anyone except the deities."
"But you must."
"I- I won't."
"Why not? There's no pain in bowing now is there."
"I'm sorry but that is no way to talk to a princess."
"Look I don't care who you are. I am the king of the most powerful nation and you must bow."

"Fine!" I bowed down and when I got up I made sure to give him the finger. He looked about ready to have a heart attack and I wondered why he hadn't called the guards on me already.  Alex smiled at me. That sinister little smile which could only belong to him.
The boy gave Alex a stern look. "Uh, please excuse the young lady." Said Alex.
"Oh, I'm sorry my fingers just slipped" I lie.
"Mhm" was the king's response.
"Actually, I don't know if this is a good time to ask, but we kinda need a huge favor if your really the king," I said.
"Oh, I'm sure you do." He said as I dodge Alex a glance.
He inched toward the king. "So I hear you have a certain library. Apparently it's a gift from Matrienta herself, and I think only you and whomever you allow may enter, right?"
"Yes, and this concerns you because..."
"Well, we were just oh so fasci-" I had to cut him off. Alex acting all fancy was about the strangest thing I'd ever witnessed.
"Can I speak to you in private?" I asked the king.
He turned red as soon as I said that. His skin looked so unnatural for some reason. The way it turned bright red almost as if he were a tomato. I don't usually see people with such pale skin. Mostly everyone in Rimjhim had brown to bronze skin, but he was chalk white. "Uhm... sure," He said.
Alex looked a bit confused, and the boy led me to his chambers.

I'd never been left alone with a boy I'd never met, but I guess there's a first for everything. He closed the door and stared deep into my eyes. I froze. No one ever looked at me like that. People don't tend to give their attention to girls like me. I looked elsewhere and for some dumb reason, I blurted out the truth. The whole truth. From the note to the incident with the guards. Everything.

"You're joking" Was his response.
"I swear that's what happened." I thought maybe honesty would win his trust or something. But then he did it. The thing I was worried about.
"I'm calling the guards." As soon as he said that I sprinted out the door and back to Alex.
This time I grabbed his hand and headed for the other door. But it was too late. The guards were already there, surrounding us on all sides. Oh no, I thought.