We walked through the thick forest following the lead of the princess and her royal posy.
It was the middle of the day, sun high and hot as though it were noon or around that time.
Around us was nature, twigs, uneven land and some birds could be seen high in the clear blue sky flying in flock of 5, near enough to see but too high to identify the type they are.
All in a line, everyone walked forward with the little luggage they could carry, Princess Emily having told that the rest would be picked up by her guards later on.
Everyone was split into their own bundle in between the beeline trail talking about the recent events and still in awe of the princess as well as the discovery of the new royals amongst us while others walked alone in the back, absorbing their surroundings.
Back where we landed, the trees were all green, but as we started walking we saw trees of different colors, a beautiful and calming mixture of colors.
From purple to blue, to red and yellow, brown and pink.
“Oh my gosh!, it’s a red cotton tree! and over there is meihua!” chimed an exited Almira a bit up front, a girl with black hair, brown eyes who was dressed in modest clothing and sporting her thick glasses which she held when observing the trees around and using her cell phone to take pictures of all things that intrigued her.
Almira Gray, head of the gardening club and an all out nature lover who learned the basics of basic animal care to help any poor animal she finds.
“Is that a Cassia fistula?
A.K.A the Golden shower?” she pondered as she kept flashing more pictures, “Omg guys look!!!!
It’s a weeping willow!!!
I’ve never seen one in real life it’s so-“, “careful child, don’t wonder off, there are dangerous things in this forest no matter how beautiful it may seem” said one of the guards when he saw Almira about to walk off to take a quick picture of the grand willow tree that could be seen towering over the other trees, even from the distance it was from them all, “you seem like an expert on nature, have you not learned that anything beautiful can be just as dangerous?” Almira’s shoulders dropped in embarrassment as she meekly apologized to the guard and walked back to the luggage she pawned off to her classmates while she was taking pictures.
I sighed in relief, glad that the uproar was over as everyone began to walk forward in silence.
However, “You two better start explaining before I ring your necks and send you to the ‘royal’ afterlife!!”, it was short lived as I heard Valery yelling at Mike and Jason, who have so far been walking beside us in silence with their heads down while deep in thought. Find the original chapter at novelping(.)com.
They both gave her side glances,Jason’s uncomfortable and Mike’s annoyed.
Valery glared at them demanding answers, “so you two have been royals this whole time and didn’t tell us? Not only that your from another world?” she asked in a firm but angry tone, walking while staring daggers at them.
“And why exactly would we tell you anything about that Valery, why would we need to?” asked Mike bitterly, seething with anger.
“Aren’t we friends?” she asked, her expression turning from angry to a poker, “and how long have you known me?” Mike asked, “1 year and a half give or take,why?” pondered a confused Valery,head tilted.
“And how long have we been friends?” Mike asked, “a few months, i think?” she answered,unsure where this was going.
“Then tell me right now, why would i tell you something that confidential about me or my past when i barely know you? where do you think you get the right to know anything about me i do not want to tell you?” hissed Mike, both genuinely asking with and angered to have to ask.
Valery remained quiet, huffed and walked faster, “sorry Ave, i need space, excuse me” she went to join join another group ahead of us.
Me and the 2 boys remained quiet, the comfortable silence consumed us.
A few minutes in i felt a tap on my shoulder from and looked to see Jason looking at me in concern.
“Avery, are you not curious about this whole thing?” he asked, seemingly uncomfortable but even more uncomfortable with my lack of interest in the matter.
I looked at him, then at Mike who cast a curious glance my way having heard the question, i shook my head, “No, im over it. Its only my business when you two are ready to talk. For now ill just focus on my own things and the issue of getting back home”.
I looked ahead and kept walking, hoping to reach our destination soon, we had been walking for hours and the sunshine was beginning to get dimmer and dimmer.
Somehow the quiet barely audible sounds of the animals in the woods started to change to growling afar and other mysterious shreaks.
I was somehow getting uneasy as even the scene began to look spine-chilling and the trees losing the vibrance they received when the sun was shinning brightly onto them.
Some students even jumped as the sound of howling in the distance
It took us a while but we eventually reached a clearing and saw the beautiful palace walls that seemed to be made of marble.
Everyone looked in awe as the tall buildings inside could be seen above the big wall.
They took all our names and sorted our luggage before taking it all away to what they told us would be where we’ll be staying as guests for a while.
However, when Jason and Mike were about to give their names, Leon interrupted, “idiots, can’t you see who your princes are? I should fire you for such blind eyes, better yet scoop them out because clearly you cant use them” he scolded coldly, the guards cowered in fear and apologized for their mistake.
Jason kindly told them it was alright and tried to reassure them, while Mike clicked his tongue and walked off angrily with his luggage,not letting the guards take his bags.
There after we walked on a pink path through the luscious green garden that was being tended to by a large amount of gardeners, one standing at the center and giving orders to the others,entered the palace and it was beautiful,a sight to see as we stared at the marble walls and expensive looking portraits,vases and statues decorating the place.
“Welcome to the royal palace, don’t touch anything and definitely dont breathe on anything and we’ll be fine, we are now going to see the queen and talk to her about your situation although i will need to talk to her first” said Princess Emily, kept walking, all of us following behind her.
We walked to a room where a single file line of people were standing in wait, all towards the same room.
They were dressed in simple clothing, some even in rags but occasionally you’ll see some dressed in designer looking dresses and suits while wearing expensive accessories.
The princess walked us to the front and made us stop at the door where the line began, she asked us to wait while she talks to the queen and so we did, although the people in line were giving us displeased glances as they felt we were cutting.
“Ignore them Avery they’re just jealous” whispered Avery who was never to me for who knows how long.
After a while, a contempt teenage boy walked out holding a leash with an old smelly goat at the end of it, everyone covered their noses at the rancid and invasive smell the goat spread throughout the corridor, including us.
The line of strangers parallel to us all mocked him while others dramatically took in deep breaths, and a few moments later the princess came out, “To all those who came to see the queen, i apologize but an emergency has come up that requires the people i came with to enter immediately, i apologize to all of you my people but also remember this matter involves your two lost princes’ so your cooperation will be a great service to the throne” she addressed gracefully, and there were some curious murmers amongst the men and women in the corridor.
She turned to look at us, “all of you please follow me inside, it is time to meet the great queen of Lulatina.” She said, then turned on her heel and went through the door, our teachers were the first to enter and all students followed thereafter, light could be seen eminating from the room through the open door into the hallway, when it was my turn to enter i walked through the door, the judgement and decision of the queen awaiting me and the others.
To be continued….