Crossing Tulusala: Chapter Two

Chapter Two:
“Goodness me princess! Your wetter than the Maridian Ocean!” the royal housekeeper Breenaa cried upon seeing me walk through the large metal castle doors. After Avion’s sudden departure I walked back to Florrie in the pouring rain which had quickly turned to sharp dagger like hail. The cloak which I had borrowed was rendered useless against it.
A lot of lesser servants and housemaids were scampering down the halls to join her once they’d heard the echo of my return.
“We’ve been looking all over for you princess, the king wishes to see you—oh no, no, no you are not going up to him like that. We’ll take you up to your room and get you changed first. Now give me that cloak, tattered old thing. What do you think you were doing going out—”
“I believe I was having a life!” I shouted at Brenna “and I need no help, I will get myself changed.” With that I stormed up the tower of stairs. It’s quite hard to leave a dramatic impression with rising up many flights of stairs in dress that’s being weighted down by the rainwater it has soaked up like a sponge. I proudly carried it off none the less.
I ascended the stairs up to the tower leaving a muddy trail behind me(I do know how Ironic that is, a princess desires nothing but excitement and adventure to board in the highest tower of a castle like a damsel in distress). I immediately waltzed across the room to the wardrobe and pulled out my favourite dress; a soft white one to the knees that gave a fluttering affect when it moved, it was simple yet elegant and fit for a commoner or a princess.
Once I changed out of my old dress and slipped on the new once I took a large cloth laying on my dressing table and dried myself. Once my appearance was satisfactory I began to make my way along the halls toward the throne room.
The castle halls were grand and impressive, as was the throne room, but also intimidating. Portraits of most the royal family members hung on the walls—save for my own, I would not sit still just to have a inaccurate image of myself just to be placed on a wall for show—,a red carpet was rolled along the cream marble floor that reflected all who walked down its quite neutral echoing halls.
Eventually I came to the door of the room I desired yet dreaded to enter. Talks with my father had never light nor easy. A summons was always for an important reason.
I hesitantly pushed the door open and attempted my best stride through trying to keep the calm strong look that was plastered onto my face in place instead of the grimace that should rightful be there.
My parents didn’t really see beyond royalty you could say. Travellers alough hailed for they’re bravery and knowledge were curious items to them, how could anyone ever want to spend they’re life travelling?
“Hello Kressy. Nice of you to finally arrive.” My father was sitting in his throne impatiently tapping his fingers on the red velvet arm to a slow rhythm.
“I was out,” I emphasised out as if anything was more important this a simple summons.
“I called you here,” I rolled my eyes stating with them I chose to come, I do not rush to your every command and whim like everyone else in the kingdom “because you are eighteen now and I think its time your started taking more responsibility as future queen. Educate lessons, learning how the politics work, finding a suitor…” My father was hesitant on the last one, king or not a father was a father.
“And has the possibility that I don’t want to be queen ever passed through your slightly egotistical head?”
“Its not like you really have a choice is it?” my father shrugged alough in his eyes I saw the shock of what I was saying. People were scrapping at power just to be near the royal line and the rightful princess was proposing to give it up. It shouldn’t come as a great surprise seeing as I’m not thrilled about my status as a princess anyway but to my father my stubborn “wild” self was always “just a phase”.
I frowned and fixated a glare at him “of course I have a choice. I have the choice to give the throne to the net person in line, and I can still totter about the castle as a princess and marry who I chose if I ever WISH to marry.”
Father rose from his throne and shouting “But you won’t! Your going to rule Florrie as its queen!”
“What if I don’t want that? What if I don’t want to be stuck in a castle day after day wearing frilly dresses and waiting for a husband I’m not really in love with wasting away with like my mother? What if I want adventure and excitement and more than this? Did you ever think for once that these absurd desires and dreams isn’t merely a phase or me not growing up but really just what I want? No I don’t think any of you ever have!”
We were quiet for a few minutes as tension rose in the already awkward air. It wasn’t remotely like Avion and I, where the sounds of nature filled the silence and the motion of the old wooden swing relaxed us both. Here the air was only filled with my heavy breaths and nothing calming was anywhere near.
“You are still going to be queen Kressy,”
I didn’t even dignify that with a response. I turned around and left the throne room head held high thinking to myself How could I ever be born to such unappealing parents?
Ignoring all the fancy portraits and splendours on shows I headed straight for my room, but Falburt came scuttling along the hall in the direction from which I had just come. His eyes were filled with panic—more so than usual—behind his tiny spectacles and he was mumbling under his breath along the lines “Oh no. Oh my. Oh dear. Oh no. Oh my…”
“Falburt why are you acting like a frantic pixie—”
Falburt pushed me to the side not stopping “Not now Kressy! Please, out my way!”
What in Anthens name is wrong with him? I pondered to myself beginning to walk once more. When I reached my room in the tower I immediately rushed to my beloved window. Since Falburt tower and mine were twins they had exactly the same amazing view of the distant mountains.
I wouldn’t need to give up the throne if I was given freedom. If I was allowed to go places and explore before I had to be tired down to and awful throne next to someone else then that would be enough.
But I’m a princess and it’s far too dangerous for the likes of myself to be anywhere beyond the gates isn’t it? That’s what they all say. Well I’ll show ‘em. In a few days I’ll be across Tulusala.
I sighed to myself and stared through the rain for the second time again that day and awaited Avions return. For until he showed up, despite my every protest I’d just be a damsel in distress…