Chapter 6.
1501 Words
The rest of the ride to the castle was quiet. Very quiet. Sal was lost in his thoughts, hoping there was a way they could get to Wyeth as soon as possible and he would leave.
Their rest of the trip had been smooth without any hitches or anymore trouble. At least he was grateful for that.
He had to make sure Astra arrived at the castle first, safe and sound before making any plans to leave.
Even though she had been unharmed, she was shaken a little bit. And she was still very angry and frightened for some reason he couldn't understand.
She had been safe in the carriage while the bandits had been fought off, she had been safe. He didn't understand why she continued to make a big deal out of the issue.
She didn't even seem to care about the fact that Summer was gone. They might never see her again, although he prayed that she was safe and fine wherever she was.
He planned to send word first, immediately back home to inform the General about what happened. They needed to know what happened on their trip to the palace.
And after that he also planned to leave to look for Summer. But he could not leave Astra unattended to, especially when he swore to protect her with his life.
But how could he even do that when his own friend was missing?
They reached the Grand Palace in Wyeth and all of them were left in awe of it. It was unlike anything that they had ever seen before. Astra's bad mood suddenly seemed to fade away and she was staring outside the window with wonder and excitement on her face.
Sal could care less really. All he wished he could do was to hand her over to someone and leave.
That was how impatient he was.
The walls of the Castle were tall and made of glass and gold, the people are dressed in the fanciest clothing that they had ever seen.
Ludmilla was clearly very beautiful, but Wyeth the King City was simply spectacular. It was a sight to behold.
And a gorgeous one at that.
At the Grand Palace they are welcomed by a King's advisor named Maria. She claimed to be the one supervising the whole Queenstrial event.
She greeted them quickly before scurrying off to meet the other girls. Sal barely had the chance to talk to her.
And as Astra quickly noticed, they were not the only ones to arrive. In fact, their carriage had arrived with three other carriages in tow.
Two identical twin girls came out of a carriage with a matching yellow dresses and dark brown hair in intricate braids. They had the same bright smiles and giggled at the exact same time. Their voices were shrill and high and Astra could only imagine how annoying it would have to be to hear them talk.
Astra knew that they were from the House Tyrell. She had managed to do her homework on each and every girl that was coming for the Queenstrial.
The competition was going to be tough, but with the right tools like her mother has said, she was determined to win.
There was an all white carriage with a small girl who couldn't have been more than ten. Her tightly curled black hair was piled atop her head and she clutched her Nanny's skirt tightly. She looked nervous.
Astra quickly dismissed her, such young girl could barely be said to be competition to her. She was most likely forced to attend to honour the King and Queen's invitation. Nothing more.
The last carriage was simple with very little fanfare. A girl came out of it, unchaperoned too. Her hair was blazing red and her gown stuck to her like a second skin. She had the most sinful curvaceous body Astra had ever seen. She couldn't even be described as a girl, she looked like a fully grown woman.
Astra glared at her as she recognised her.
"Can't believe she has the nerve to show up here" she muttered as she walked up the steps of the Grand Palace.
"Who is she?" Sal asked in a boring voice as he dragged along Astra's luggage with him. The servants gathered around to help with what they could.
He gratefully surrendered her luggage to them, he really couldn't wait to be over it all and leave.
"Monica. House Yemen. She's twenty years old! She was betrothed a few months ago. I guess her betrothal was cancelled because of the Queenstrial."
Sal glanced at the girl, Astra was right, she was breathtaking, but he had other things to worry about.
He could see why Astra felt threatened by her. Monica moved with a certain grace that could never be imitated. And the way the sunlight played on her skin, she looked golden. She already looked like she was royal. She was a true competitor, one that Astra would not not like.
Marie told Astra that all the girls in Queenstrial were lodged on the third floor of the palace. While the girls who had already arrived went to the throne room to greet the King and Queen.
"Astra, we need to talk..."
Sal said as he tried to get a hold of her before she disappeared into the women's chambers.
Astra rolled her eyes at him.
"What? What is it now?"
"I have to go. Summer might still be somewhere in the woods and I need to find her before something really bad happens to her."
He said and she raised her eyebrows in annoyance.
"No. You can't go anywhere now. You'd have to send word to my father first. Let him know what happened. Also tell him to send me a new handmaiden."
Sal's jaw hung in amusement.
"A new handmaiden! Astra!"
"It's Lady Astra to you now."
She corrected with growing annoyance as she glanced around quickly.
"Besides, who knows? Summer might have been dead already or something. Send word to my father first."
"You know you cannot take any decision without his approval. Besides, you were brought here to protect me, who will do that while you're gone?"
She asked and Sal sighed. She was trying so hard to make things very difficult for him, it was almost as if she didn't care that Summer's life was on the line.
Well, knowing Astra, she probably didn't.
"Lady Astra. I guarantee you, no harm would come to you while you're here. I suggest you let me go now."
Astra shook her head.
"And I refuse. Sal, I know you must care for her and all but to disobey my father is death itself. Send that letter and report back to me as soon as you can."
She looked around wearily.
"The gods know I need all the protection I can get in this castle."
She murmured and she started walking away. Leaving Sal in dismay and annoyance.
"Why do you look so glum? All these beautiful ladies are here to see you."
Lord Rowan said as he stood next to the Crown Prince Caspian. Together they both watched carriage after carriage arrive. Ten girls in total. It should have been twelve, but two of the noble families already had married daughters. No daughter of them born of noble blood was available to participate.
The two of them were as different as day and night. One dark haired with hair as black as night and the other fair headed with his golden mane glistening in the sun.
"Aren't the times too turbulent for such an archaic tradition?"
The Crown Prince Caspian mumbled and Rowan shrugged.
"Perhaps. You're right."
"But the joy and the excitement the Queenstrial brings to the people serves as a great distraction to many. It gives the people something to talk about."
Caspian scoffed.
"At the expense of my happiness?"
Rowan shrugged.
"Unfortunately, it's your duty as the Crown Prince. And honestly, it's not always that bad."
"Surely... out of thirteen girls you'd be able to find at least one you love."
"I'm not ready to marry."
Rowan patted Caspian shoulder. He pitied the boy. There were so many other things that there was to worry about, being married was truly the least of his concern and the Kingdom's too.
"You have to. It's your duty."
Rowan said quietly as he started making a move to leave. He had lots to do before the Queenstrial and his schedule was packed.
He might be away for a few days which meant he wouldn't have to be around the palace with twelve desperate girls vying for the Crown Prince's attention.
At least it would relieve him of his duties. Even though it was for a short while.
"Where are you off to now?"
Caspian asked, peeling his face away from the balcony to look at Rowan, the young handsome Lord.
"Duty calls."
"I should be back in a few days. In the meantime, enjoy yourself."
- Writer
