Allerleirauh

Chapter 23

23

I spent much of the rest of the day in my room, secluded from the rest of the palace and its servants. Finding the window seat in the adjoining room more comfortable than any other place, I sat there, watching a few courtiers walking about the beautiful gardens. Everything was charming and quaint, but I would only see it from a distance.

I twirled my fingers in my furs as I watched, daydreaming of what it would have been like to have a childhood here. Lord Crestwood’s words from the ball were entirely true. He had spoken of the grand kingdom, and the kindness of the prince. Everything about Saarland der Licht was majestic, rich, and breathtaking—even if I had only viewed a small bit of it from my window.

Adelais left a tray of food for me on the table hours before—things I had never seen; small pieces of bread twisted into round shapes with dashes of salt, a plate of round meats and sweet-smelling cabbage. I recognized the cooked potatoes and nibbled on a few of those. With each bite of the delectable food, I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering . . .

Myriah would never see my freedom. Myriah would never come to see me in this grand place, or taste odd-looking food. Our plans of reuniting would be lost forever. When holding my tears became too much, I pushed the food back onto the tray and left it outside my door.

It didn’t take long for the sun to set and for night to cover the sky. My mind was lost in the fire of the castle, imaging the l*****g flames and horrified cries coming from its walls. I could still see my father’s wild eyes in my memory. It was over. I had to believe my father was dead, and all that remained of him would be the scars he left upon me and my spirit.

What if Lord Crestwood did remember me? What if he did recognize me from the ball? Would I then be forced to leave Saarland der Licht? Would I be punished? I shivered at the thought of what could happen to me. All of this was my fault.

A gentle knock startled me from my thoughts. I quickly lifted the wolf’s head over my own face, concealing my golden hair from the visitor. Again, came the gentle knock and I walked to the door to unhook the latch.

To my surprise, I found the prince carrying a small tray. On it was a mug filled with a steaming, brown liquid, and an assortment of more salted, twisted bread. I glanced over what he brought, and then slowly up at him.

“I thought you might like something warm before bed,” he said softly. A small smile grew on his lips as he lifted the tray toward me. “At times, it helps me to relax.”

It was strange to find the prince at my door. I couldn’t imagine what he’d want with me. I tucked myself more closely to the makings of the frame, taking extra precaution from any unwanted or unwelcomed attentions. I didn’t want to give the illusion that he was welcome to come into my room, or to my bed.

“Why are you here? Is there something you need from me?” I asked softly at the floor.

“You didn’t come to dinner, and I wanted to check to make sure you were fairing alright,” he said with a shrug. After a moment, he gestured to the tray with his chin. “It’s hot spiced chocolate,” he continued. “It’s very good. We’ve had bricks of it sent from Foix De Lille. One of the neighboring Königreiche.”

It did smell delightful. I could feel my stomach turn with a growl of hunger. Had I truly missed dinner? I took the bracer by the handle and brought the brim to my lips. The delicious flavor filled my mouth as I gulped.

“Sehr gut, is it not?” He said with a small chuckle.

I took a smaller, shyer sip and nodded in agreement. We stood there silently for a moment as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He cleared his throat as he peeked at me from a heavy shroud of black eyelashes.

“Are you finding your accommodations to your pleasure?”

“Yes, sire,” I murmured softly with a nod. “They’re very beautiful. Danke.”

With a nod, he said, “I thought perhaps we could take this time to have a true introduction. I know your name, yet I’m afraid I never gave you mine.”

“Do you not wish for me to address you as ‘Your Highness’?” I asked.

“I cannot tolerate such formalities from an enchanted princess,” he teased as he placed the tray down at his feet. “I am Prince Nikolaus. Mostly, I’m known as Klaus. My father called me by that name from time to time, and so everyone else began to use it as well.”

I watched as the prince smiled again, his dimples appearing in the corner of each cheek.

“Where do you come from?” he asked curiously.

I darted my gaze away, unsure of how to answer his question. What was I going to say? Would it matter where I was from? I could choose any town or city far from my father’s domain.

“Nowhere in particular,” I replied, lowering the mug from my lips.

He looked at me with a new question in his eyes and touched a bit of the fur on my coat. Instinctively, I took a step back, my eyes wide with alarm.

“If you are cold, I can have some of the servants come and tend to the fire in your chamber. There is no need to wear such a heavy winter coat here in the palace.”

“I prefer to, Your Highness,” I confessed. “I think I will retire now.”

I began to close the door when I felt Klaus’s hand pushing back. I lifted my eyes to meet his, feeling my heart race.

“I do wish for you to feel at home, Allerleirauh. Whatever you wish for, you can have.”

“I wish for nothing, Your Highness. You have seen to tending to me,” I replied. “I wish to retire now. I have journeyed quite far from home.”

“Where is home?” he persisted. Reactively, the words slipped from my lips before I had the chance to stop them.

“The Königreich of Tränen.”

“Ah . . .” he said as he nodded. “I have heard a great many rumors over the years of the König and his diligence in finding a wife.”

I turned my gaze away, feeling a shudder run down the length of my spine as Prince Klaus continued.

“Lord Crestwood was just at there to bring an alliance between our two kingdoms.” He paused and shook his head as he slid a hand through his hair. “I’m not quite sure why I’m telling you all this.”

I stared at him from where I stood, tucked away behind the door. The movement of his hand through his hair reminded me of my father. The way he once stood in his chambers, bidding me to come closer. I wanted to bar the door and get away from the prince as soon as I could. Prince Klaus cleared his throat and knelt for the tray at his feet.

“I hope to see you at breakfast,” he murmured as he straightened. His gaze caught mine again, and I nodded silently in agreement.

“I would like to hear your story as to how you found yourself in the forest,” he added.

“Yes, Your—”

“Klaus, please,” he interjected with a small smile.

Another nod. Klaus took a step back as I slowly began to close the door. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I was finally free of his gaze and questions. I waited until I heard his departing footsteps. After a long moment, I eased the door open again and saw the darkened corridor and I knew I was finally alone. Locking the door at last, I eased the hood of my cloak away and turned back to the large room.

Myriah was not here to tend or comfort me. There were no familiar faces I could call upon. I should have been glad to be away from my father, his kingdom and men, but I felt a great loss that I could not explain.

I slipped my cloak away, draping it over one of the large chairs in the corner of the room. I explored the large armoire, successfully finding a folded, fresh nightgown. I pulled the soft fabric over my head, as I coiled my hair over my shoulder.

The room was too large to cradle me in my deep despair, so I disappeared back into adjoining blue room and curled up in the window seat. Leaning my head against the cool glass, I looked out over the darkened gardens and the night sky full of bright stars. It was strange to think I had been running beneath the cloak of darkness only hours before, and now I was tucked away in this beautiful palace with a gentle prince. My eyes grew heavy and it became more and more difficult to deny myself sleep.

I adjusted, laying myself across the window seat. I could feel a cold draft through the glass, so I trailed back to the bedroom and grabbed my fur cloak. As soon as I situated myself over the plushy cushions of the alcove, curled underneath the warmth of the furs, I slowly began to drift into a deep slumber.