Young Writers Society

I walked around the outdoor grounds of the palace, surveying the many types of food that were strategically placed on the tables. I picked up a small plate and placed a few strawberries onto it. I walked over to a bench at the edge of the grounds and bit into one of the berries. Part of me wished the reception would never end and I could stay here eating strawberries for the rest of my life. I remembered I had told Tate I would call him when I got the chance. I finished up eating and walked into the palace. I went upstairs to the bathrooms, hoping maybe I’d run into Emerson but also praying I wouldn’t. I walked in and shut the door, pulling my phone out as I did so and called Tate.

The rings seemed that they would never end but finally he picked up. “Hey Lizzy, I saw the wedding. The non-brides face was pretty hilarious when Prince Charming said he didn’t want to marry her.”

I forced out a laugh. “Yeah, I know.” But I didn’t see her face, my eyes were on Emerson. “She was practically screaming when her family and herself went to leave.”

Tate snorted on the other end. “It’’s because she’s spoiled rotten, now she’ll probably never get to marry the prince. Boohoo, so sad for her.” The sarcasm was heavy in his voice. “I’ll feel bad for who ever marries him.”

“Why?” I asked him.

“Because, he’s a prince. He won’t have time for his wife, he’ll be too busy running a country. She’ll have to put up with him all the time.” He paused for a breath. “But in the other hand she’s lucky, not having to worry about money or food.”

“I never thought about that.” There came a knock on the door. “Tate, I need to go. I’ll call you back later.” I hung up and hurried over to the door, putting my phone away. I swung open the door and took a step forward quickly.

A grunt was let out and I backed away. “Oh my, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” The person lifted their face and I immediately recognized him. I had an urge to run away as quickly as possible.

“Good lord Elizabeth, could I not just go to use the bathroom in peace?” Emerson grimaced in amusement.

“Why didn’t you marry her?” The words fell out of my mouth a little more aggressive then meant.

He scoffed. “I do not get to choose who I marry. That girl was my Father’s choice. She is the Princess of Carolina. I’d rather not marry a snotty girl who thinks she knows everything telling me how to run my country when I become king. I get to choose now, though. Teach my father to pick who I shall marry.”

“Who do you want to marry?”

“I’m not sure. She wouldn’t already be a princess though.”

“Why?”

“Just don’t like the idea of marrying royalty. Would, uh…”

“Would I like to?”

“Could I show you around the palace?”

“Are you allowed to do that?” I squeaked out.

“Well, not really, but I think I can make an exception.” He winked and put my hand in his. “Come on. I’ll show you the bedrooms.” He ran up the steps, dragging me along. I had an urge to laugh, so I did. Emerson stopped on the steps and faced me. “What is funny?”

“Nothing, nothing.” I couldn’t suppress the giggles that were inside of me, waiting to break out. He looked down and smiled.

“I like your shoes.” I laughed harder at that as he began dragging me up the stairs once again. We got too a floor and he dragged me down several hallways. “This is a guest room.”

I gasped as he opened the door. The walls were white, like the outside of the palace. The bed was pushed too the back of the wall in the middle with sea foam green and white bedding. Silky curtains fell over a huge window against the far side of the room, and a huge closet with its doors wide open. “It’s beautiful.” I breathed in the scent of the room, it smelled like a tropical island.

“I know. Come on. I want to show you my room, I think you’ll like.” He shut the door as I walked out. He grabbed my hand again and led me down more hallways. I wondered how he never got lost. “Here we are.” He opened the door and dragged me into the room. It looked like the last room but everything was bigger and there were extra things in the room.

Emerson walked over to a bench sitting at the end of the bed and took of his shoes. “Do you like it?” He asked.

“Of course, it’s amazing.” I smiled as I looked around the room.

“Lay with me.” He patted the bed and scooted over, laying down on one side of the bed leaving the other empty.

“What’s it like living in a palace?” I said as I placed my body down on the bed next to his.

“Lonely. I have no one to talk too. No one to joke around with and share secrets with.” He gave a wry smile.

“Out there, it's not too great either.” I said pointing outside the window. “I have a friend. His names Tate. I used to be friends with most of the girls, but then they decided I was too weird to hang around.”

“Those girls are missing out. I bet you're really fun from what I've seen.”

“Thank you, Prince Emerson.” For a moment, I remembered when my mother told me stories about how Montana used to be a part of the states, but then dispersed itself from them and they voted for someone to become the king. He then picked his wife and wed her. From then on the prince or princess would usually marry another prince or princess from another country. Her mother never seemed to know as of why they got rid of the states, making them into countries.

“Any time Lady Elizabeth.” Emersons eyes get thin as he smiles. A bell goes off in the air and the smile disappears. “Shit.” He threw on his shoes and before I knew it I was in his arms and he was running down the hallways.

“What are you doing? What's going on?” I'm sure I looked frightened.

“Someones attacking the palace, we got too get too a safe chamber.” He ran down the stairs faster than I’ve seen anybody go before. “We shouldn’t be there long.”

“Wait, my parents!” I shouted as we entered a dark room with no lights.

“They should be fine. You must not be loud, though.” Emerson put me down and I kind of missed the feeling of his arms around me, but he grabbed my hand and led me over too a cot in the corner of the room. “It should all be over soon.”ˇ

“What’s the best thing about being royalty?” I whispered quietly.

“The palace. It’s so big and wonderful, filled with trinkets and treasures. And oh, the rooms. There is a room for everything. Theres a hall dedicated to being a library and a whole wing dedicated to make a hospital.” He smiled. “It’s late, you should get some sleep.”

♔ ♔ ♔

I awoke with blurry vision and a pounding head. I sat up and stretched on the cot and could make out Emerson talking too a man, the door too the chamber was opened and light had flooded in. The man pointed to me and Emerson turned around.

“Morning, Lady Elizabeth.” Emerson had a look in his eyes that screamed “somethings wrong

."

“Goodmorning.” I croaked out, wiping the sleep from my eyes. “Whats going on?”

“I have some news.” I could tell from his eyes that this news was not the good kind.

“Yes?” I smoothed out my hair as I asked.

“It seems your parents have been taken captive by the attackers.” He walked over to me and slipped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me in close. I started to cry. Sure, my parents and I weren’t that close, but they were still my parents

. “I’m sorry, this happens sometimes not often though. They target innocent civilians.”