Chapitre 26: Chapter 24
My dreams that night are anything but pleasant. I dream that the prince, Samuel, Caleb, and everyone I love are trapped in a wooden cage. Then a man in black approaches them and lights a match. Slowly, the fire begins to spread until everyone is on fire. I'm stuck in place, unable to do anything. The man just laughs and laughs until everyone is dead.
I wake up screaming. Sweat pours down my face and I can still feel the heat from the flames on my face. After a few minutes, I hear footsteps outside my door. The next thing I know, a maid walks in with a disheveled looking prince who is carrying a knife.
"I heard you scream miss and I wasn't sure what to do so I went and got the prince," the maid says, her eyes wide from fear.
"I'm fine. It was just a nightmare," I say hoarsely. "But thank you."
She nods and curtsies before she leaves the room.
I lay back and close my eyes.
"Are you okay?" The prince asks.
"No, not really."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
I shake my head no and a tear escapes from my closed eyelids. He sits down next to me and just holds me until I'm calm again.
"I think I was definitely right with one thing," he says. "Girls are emotional."
At this I glance up at him and glare.
"But I was also wrong about something. Emotions are not a bad thing. I had learned to shut out my emotions after my sister died. You've taught me to just accept what had happened. I still have nightmares."
The sadness in his eyes is apparent so I don't bother him anymore.
We say our good nights and the prince goes, leaving me alone.
The next morning, I'm exhausted. Throughout the night, I woke a couple more times from bad dreams. Although, none of them were as bad as the first. I walk sluggishly to breakfast and eat my porridge in silence. The prince sits across from me and I can tell that he's trying to catch my gaze. Instead of doing what he wants, I act like nothing ever happened.
Finally, I can tell that he has reached the end of his patience.
"Are you okay?" He asks me. "You look exhausted."
"I just had a couple more bad dreams," I respond with a shrug.
"Do you want to take the day off?"
That gets to me. "I may be tired or a girl, but that doesn't mean that you should treat me differently. I bet there are other men here who would love to have a day off. You think that they're all perfectly happy right now?"
He looks shocked from my outburst.
"Sorry," I mutter.
"No you're right. I shouldn't be treating you differently. I'm sorry if that's how you've always felt."
For the rest of the day, there's a lot of tension.
That night, the king calls everyone to the throne room. We all gather and bow. After he motions for us to stand, he begins speaking.
"My dear friends. I have called you all here today because I would like to introduce you to someone. This someone is to be treated with respect by all of you. When you see her, you acknowledge her presence. If she asks for something, you help her get it. Now, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Lady Francesca Seraphina."
We all clap as a beautiful girl who looks about eighteen enters. She's wearing a dress that is green to match her perfectly straight auburn hair. She stands tall and confident as she speaks.
"Thank you everyone. It is my pleasure to be here. Your highness," she addresses the king, "Would you like me to tell them why I am here?"
"I'll do that part," the prince pipes up. I didn't even realize he was standing there in the corner.
"By my father's command, I was to choose a girl that I thought suitable to be my wife. Francesca obliged to my invitation. I suggest that you follow my father's orders. This may be the future queen."
My heart drops. Did he forget about last night and everything that happened between us? I fell right into the same trap again. He never loved me. I'm so stupid. I even warned myself.
Finally, we're dismissed. I run to my room and slam the door shut. I'm upset, but this time it's different. I'm not sad, just furious. My blood practically boils at the thought of the prince right now.
I need to do something. I throw on some fresh clothes and climb out my window. Then I think of something and go back inside. Once I'm finished, I head out to the stables. Oddly enough, no one questions as to why I saddle up a horse. As I do this, someone speaks up.
"Where are you going Iris?"
I turn my head and the men have gathered up together.
"I just need to ride for a bit. I'll be back later," I say.
No one looks convinced.
"Someone should go with you."
"I'm fine thanks."
Before they find out what I'm actually doing, I swing my leg over the horse and leave. Quickly, I stop by the kitchen and grab some food. I've been here before at night so it doesn't look like anything I'm doing is out of the ordinary.
Once I have the food I need, I stop by my room once more. I make sure the note is still on the bed and grab the ring from the queen.
Finally, it's time to make my journey home....
The forest is dark and creepy at night. I ride along as quickly as I can. Thankfully, this journey will probably only take about two days. As the sun is coming up, I have to stop to let the horse rest. I grab some bread and ham and begin eating it. Once I've finished my breakfast, I keep going.
The journey goes smoothly. The only thing that disturbs me is that I pass the carriage that was attacked on my way here. There are a few bones of the man escorting me that have been picked clean. I shudder at the sight.
Eventually, I reach the top of the hill and see my house and farm in the distance. My eyes fill up with tears at the sight. I make my horse go as quickly as possible.
When I tech the house, I jump off the horse and race into the house. I find my mother sitting in a chair, sewing.
"Mama," I whisper.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone