Rain Drops

Chapter 22

While walking through the streets in the town center, I heard lots of people cheering and clapping. There was a large crowd gathering in the middle of the street and some were holding a banner showing the image of a lion wearing a crown while carrying a sword on his back. Many of them were shouting things that sounded like "Happy Birthday, Princess!" Some even waved banners with the royal crest on them. Others were waving colorful ribbons and streamers. At first I thought that those decorations might have been celebrating my birthday. However, when I spotted some of the banners, I understood that the reason for the celebration was actually the announcement of my marriage to Prince Peter.

Mom gasped loudly once she recognized the banners and shouted excitedly, "Is it true?!"

We didn' t get a chance to answer her question. Suddenly, two figures appeared right in front of us. They both wore armor similar to the guards in the palace, and they both held spears pointing straight at us.

"Don't move," said one of them sternly.

"And don't talk either," added the second guard.

"Why are they here?" whispered Grandpa under his breath to me.

"Who are these guys? Guards, right?" asked Mom in confusion as well as surprise.

"We're supposed to report to His Majesty immediately upon reaching Narnia," answered one of the guards. "You know, the king of Narnia and his family."

"So, that explains why I have no clue about where we are," said Grandpa. "How did you get in here?"

One of the guards smiled. Then he pointed to a building nearby with a large stone wall surrounding it. It was completely dark inside.

"Through here," he said, pointing at the entrance. "The gates are locked, so unless you have a key, it's impossible to enter the castle without the password or authorization of the captain of the guard. You're welcome to use the entrance as you please, though," he added. "It's your choice whether or not you want to enter the castle."

Mom looked uncertain.

"What should we do? We need to see the king now. How could we explain this to the king?" she began complaining. "I think we should tell them to bring us inside to see him at once."

I nodded in agreement.

"Very well," said Grandpa. "I'll go and ask them."

"Where are you going?" asked the guard sharply. "If you are going to approach the entrance gate, the captain will stop you."

"But..."

"No buts," cut in the second guard impatiently. "There's absolutely no chance to talk to His Majesty without the password! Go!"

"All right, all right. But, please promise me you will bring us inside," begged Mom in her pleading way.

Grandpa shrugged his shoulders. He gave her a long kiss on the forehead and left with the second guard. The guard opened a heavy iron door, leading us inside the castle. I turned around to look at Mom again, and I saw that she was staring at me angrily. I looked away nervously. I knew that the guards weren't allowing us to go into the castle. But who knew when we would meet His Majesty? It would be better if we found ourselves together. I felt quite guilty about leaving my friends behind. But I told them I would find them in the evening. So, I decided to leave without saying goodbye.

When Mom turned around to watch Dad and Grandpa walking away into the distance, I quickly took my parents' arms and guided them toward the exit of the castle.

Mom, Dad, and I walked past the courtyard and then we went inside the building. The interior was so big it looked like an enormous maze. We followed signs that marked the different rooms and corridors of the palace. There weren't many rooms. We eventually came to a small room where we found a guard sitting on a couch with his hands resting on his knees.

"Yes, Your Highnesses, what can I help you with today?" he asked respectfully as soon as he stood up and bowed to them.

Before Mom and Dad could reply, I jumped forward and grabbed the lapels of the guard's uniform. I glared directly into the man's eyes.

"Where is His Majesty?" I demanded angrily. "I demand an audience with His Majesty immediately!"

"Please release me, Your Highness," pleaded the guard while wriggling slightly from side to side. "His Majesty doesn't see any patients this evening. Why don't you just come back tomorrow?"

"Never mind, I'll call again later on," said Mom. She gave me a pat on my back and led Dad and Grandpa out the door. I quickly let go of the guard, and the guard ran off hurriedly. I turned around and glanced at the guy lying on the couch. He was looking at me with wide eyes. I could almost feel his fear.

"I'll make sure to pay another visit next week," said Mom as we entered the car and sat inside. "You'll probably enjoy yourself here," she added sarcastically as Dad started driving the car.

"Oh yeah? And what exactly are you planning to do?" asked Grandma curiously as she turned towards me.

"What does it matter to you?" snapped Mom rudely.

Dad looked at us disapprovingly.

"You've become more and more arrogant lately. What happened to the little boy that used to follow me everywhere?" asked Dad with a worried frown on his face.

"He was born with a thick skin. Anyway, how come he got married already?" continued Grandma ignoring his comment.

"Because you guys left me alone," replied me with an irritated tone of voice as I stared ahead at the window. "I'm old enough now, and I have to start taking care of myself. Now I don't need your protection anymore."

"Nonsense. We're your parents!" said Mom heatedly. "We won't give up on you like that, so don't ever complain about it."

"Well, you have a choice, Mom," I said angrily. "Just give up. Or else you can try and take me on your own."

"Don't speak to her that way!" snapped Dad.