The Anti-Fairy Tales The Water Demon Arc Part Seven

 The Kingdom

She looked up at the seaside kingdom. The buildings were made of wooden timber with stone bricks. She spotted that some of them looked like the ships of old turned upside down. With a short stone wall with a triangular door that opened out in the center with widows underneath. They all had a chimney in the center with a group of windows shaped into the ship floor. As she traveled inwards, she noticed that the buildings started to change and became circular stone huts, built by stones, carefully stacked  like pieces of a puzzle. The roofs were thatched with a light thatching with a chimney in the center. She traveled in further and noticed that the buildings became more traditional with brick walls and exposed wooden beams.

She was soon greeted by the castle. It was large and the gatehouses were two short towers made of grey stone and had no roofs. With high merlons and narrow crevices. However the towers looked like they had been recently built. She spotted that there were holes underneath the merlons.

She patted Prince Rice and pointed at them and frowned.

"They are there to ensure that the walls do not become blind spots. I know that they gave a proper name,  however for the life of me I can not remember them!"

The iron gate lowered and they crossed a wooden bridge. After they had crossed the bridge it rose up. She noticed the castle had a similar mixed build as the rest of the kingdom. There were two high towers that were connected by a wall with an arch underneath with several windows at each end and one above the arch. The towers had small windows at several points. These were built on several cobbles that seemed to go under the building. She gaped at the beauty of the castle. 

She followed Prince Rice around the building to the back and was greeted by a set of double doors that were the size of a house. It took four, well built men at both sides to open it. When they were in she saw a set of glowing mushrooms at the corners of the well lit castle. Her eyes took the corridor and the shockingly beautiful paintings of the previous kings and queens that hung on the walls. Then her eyes rested on the beautiful tapestry of their feits.

The walls were painted coral red and wooden railings were coal orange with turquoise carpets.

Wow! I just never knew that this beauty could exist! This whole place is just beautiful! She thought.

"I see that you have returned son!" Called a man ahead.

The man looked just like Prince Rice but he was taller and had a long and full beard. On his left hand were several scars. He had a stern but kind look in his eyes. Yet he looked at her with both disdain and curiosity. He quickly covered this for the sake of his son.

"Who's this?

"She goes by the name of Alex Cinder. We need a Follower Of The Great Being to free her from her spell. So would it be alright if she stayed here?"

He nodded slowly and smiled.

"Yes and shall send for one as soon as I can. Now we need to gather all to celebrate the success of your first quest."

"Yeah. That sea serpent was quite a difficulty to overcome. Honestly I could not have done it without your training and my men." He admitted.

"I thought so, however a victory however small, is still a victory even with assistance. I can see that you have the making of a great king."

"Thank you Father,  however I do have to report, there seems to be an increase in pirate activity. Though I did lose a few to them."

"How many attacked?"

"Five."

He nodded slowly. He let out a long sigh as his Erie's glanced at her. There seemed to be a puzzled,  questioning look on his face. He masked this quickly too.

"Them come."

They walked up three stairs.

"Tell me, could the maids get this young lady a proper dress. She is a princess after all."

She and Prince Rice frowned. He placed a hand on her shoulder. She found herself stepping back and he smiled. He seemed to be more relaxed and friendly. He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"I hope that your stay will give you what you need. Enjoy the party tonight. Tomorrow afternoon I would like you to share your story."

She looked down with a slight guilt in her eyes. He closed his eyes with dread as he gestured to the maids for them to take her. She was led to a coral red and white room. With a queen sized bed with silk lilac purple covers. In front of it was a white desk.

"My lady."

She nodded and walked into the room. She kept her guard up despite all the kindness that she had been showered with. One of the maids brought out a baby blue dress and laid it on the bed gently. She then laid a liver chain down. They undressed her and put a corset on her, which caused her back to straighten and her stomach to be tucked in. She found that she had to breathe differently.

How do people go about their day in these?

They then pulled her dress over her and helped her in the thin sleeves. They then fastened the lace behind. They then put the belt on her. She was then led to a set of long mirrors. She had to sit. She looked at the innocent looking face that the witch gave her. She had never looked so gracious and ladylike! She felt her lip curl. Even though she looked beautiful, she could not quite decide whether or not she liked it. She then felt a brush run gently through her hair. This made her feel slightly sleepy. They then put half of it up in a bun that was like the head of a strange flower. They then took out a makeup set and brushed the foundation on her face. Her skin looked healthy and perfect making it appear that it was glowing. They painted on lilac lipstick and royal blue eye-shadow with rose blush.

Then the king walked in. He smiled at her with a false but pleasant smile. It was like he was trying to assure her that she was safe. He walked up to her.

"Hello Miss Cinder."

She rose to her feet and curtsied. He smiled.

"You can speak, can you not?"

She shook her head. He frowned. Yet he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. His eyes were mind and filled with compassion.

"I came to give you this." He said placing a blue spiraling shell on her. Suddenly she could smell the ocean and could taste the salt in her mouth. He heard the shooting sound of the gentle sea, soothing her soul.

"Tell me, were you a mermaid?"

She shook her head.

"Right."

He looked aside.

"Then child, I would like for you to enjoy tonight and try to embrace yourself as a woman. The Great Being wishes for you to know that there will not be many tonnes that you will be able to do that."

She gave him a questioning look.

"I know that you have no reason for you to trust me,  however fifteen years ago, this kingdom was involved in a great war with the mer kingdom. It was brutal and I lost my wife in that war and I do not want my son to get involved in any of this."

She pressed her lips together. She then gave him a warning look. His features became slightly depressed and dread filled his eyes. He then placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Just enjoy tonight, we will talk tomorrow,  or in your case write whatever you have to say."

She noted and her look became stern.

"What?"

How do I two him? She thought, pinching the bridge of her nose. She then pointed to his sword.

"Yes I know how to use a sword."

She then put up her thumbs and then gave him a questioning look. As she flattened her hands and raised them.

"As does my son."

She nodded and gave another thumbs up. She pointed at him with a questioning look. He looked at her and his eyes widened and then softened.

"You are right. Remember everything else we will discuss tomorrow."

She nodded. She gave another thumbs up. She then pointed to him with a questioning look in her eyes. He looked at her shocked but his ferries softened. But his eyes softened to show that he understood.

"You are right. Anyhow, ladies first!"

We soon walked to the celebration. There were bright chandeliers hanging from the arched ceiling and torches hanging from the walls. With all kinds of precious stones at the corners of the room and dangling from the chandeliers magnifying the light in the already well lit room. She spotted a table of food around the edges of the room and people were dancing in the center. Then it occurred to her that she did not know what she was surpassed to do at an event like this! She wondered if she should wait for the king to make a speech. She looked around to find a way to fit in.

She saw that people were talking to Prince Rice, most of which were women and they were joined by older men and women. Who were more likely than not the younger women's parents. She looked aside. She knew that her father and the Wolfox did try to marry her off but they were not normal grooms. She suddenly wondered if she was ever to get married or have love like that. She somehow doubted that.

That was when she realised that this was the first time that she had ever thought of herself as a woman. Sure, Coaphyre and Phiredoor treated her of value but she could not tell if that was because they cared for her or if it was what she was to do. She wondered if they really did care for her for her and not because of the fact that they were trying to get her to their kingdom.

She suddenly realised that even though she knew that she was not a normal girl, part of her wanted to be treated like a normal girl. She wished that she had a normal father and mother with a normal life without any evil sorcerers or demons to worry about. She wished that someone that people cared for her for her. She wished that she had someone to give her that warmth and that attention.

"Are you alright?" Prince Rice asked.

When did he get here?

She smiled and nodded. He frowned as he wiped a tear from her eye, a tear that she had not realised she shed.

"Do you know how to dance?"

She nodded. He extended his hand. Not wanting to look rude she took it.