Chapter 25

"What!?" I say loudly. "Yea, talk about surprises. It will be any day now, and I'll be a father. I've been gone for weeks and faeries don't carry their children as long as humans do" Jax explains. I stand dumbfounded at the recent news Jax has shared. He adds, "I know you want to know about Prince Cade. That's a little more complex." 

"An evil woman approached the King and Queen of Brendlewood requesting donations for a nearby fallen kingdom. Gladly King Novus agreed to donate a hefty amount for the village, but unfortunately through a series of misunderstandings and conniving the evil woman has nearly bankrupted the kingdom of Brendlewood. The only way to keep our kingdom from falling is for the King and Queen to resign, leaving Princess Emily to marry a prince of wealth. King Jude of Learia is an old friend of our King, though their kingdom is far away. They have sent Prince Cade to marry Princess Emily, thus saving Brendlewood" Jax finishes. "I see" is all that I can say.    

Princess Emily's door opens slowly and Tulip joins us in the hall. "Guess your heard the news about the baby?" she asks. "I have indeed. Congratulations" I tell her. "Listen, I know we just met but Princess Emily has requested you and Bonnie to stay for dinner. Jax, her majesty said she would be joining us for dinner afterall" Tulip explains. "That would be lovely, I should thank her" I reply. "Oh not to worry, there will be plenty of time for that later. Right now I have something special to share with you. Her ladyship has offered her wardrobe to you and Bonnie for the duration of your stay. She said you might want to get out of those clothes you have been traveling in" Tulip says cheerfully. 

"Wonderful!" I say clapping my hands together. "Jax will you please stay with the Princess while Bonnie, Nora and I dress for dinner?" Tulip asks. Jax agree's and Bonnie enters the hall as the three of us girls make our way to the Princess's chamber. 

"Midi has laid out some suitable attire I see. She is one of the top royal maids here, ask her for anything you need" Tulip announces upon our arrival to the royal closet. "Ma'am I will send for another maid for the dressing" Midi states. "No need Midi. Dress Nora first, I want to speak with her while Bonnie is dressed" Tulip responds.  

My gown is a gorgeous teal and gray with an intricate vine like pattern down the front. A braided belt sits on my hips, and it's length and flowing reminds me of the elfish gowns from stories I used to read about. Once I am dressed, Tulip requests a word with me. "I'm sorry about all of this, but you have to know that you simply cannot be with Prince Cade. For starters it is very difficult to marry into a royal family if you yourself are not a royal. Secondly, this marriage has to be if there is any chance of saving Brendlewood. It's our home, our whole world really. You and your daughter have shown up out of no where causing alot of disruption to the plans that are set in place here" Tulip frustratedly says. "But Tulip, the Princess invited us here. We helped get her human body back, so that she might be restored to her true form. We don't mean any harm" I explain. "Right, and that's the only reason you and that tramp are still here" she snaps. "I'm sorry, it's the hormones, but you see where I am coming from? Stay away from Prince Cade" she continues. 

I give her a small nod and try to fight back tears. "Why am I even so upset about Cade? We've only just met...but I feel so drawn to him. A powerful emotion that I can't fight" I think to myself. "Nora? I asked if you are alright" Tulip asks puzzled. "I-I just need a few minutes alone" I state before darting from the hall. 

Running through the halls of the castle I try to find my way out, just to get outside, maybe to the forest, or some open field. I just want to breathe, to reflect on everything that is my crazy flip-flop life. Finally finding the castle entrance I rush out into the courtyard and blindly run until I reach the royal stables. 

Inside beautiful thoroughbreds winnie happily in their stalls. I stand quietly admiring their beauty and thinking about my past, and present situation, wondering what to do. Slowly reaching out I gently stroke the nose of a silver colored horse, and she gives a gentle neigh.  

"Ahem" a voice interjects. Startled, I gasp, and turn to see who has followed me from the castle. A chuckle emerges from one of the stalls and a large tan horse rears and I sneak over to its' stall. Peeking in I see Cade crouched down in the stall corner. I smirk as I grab a handful of hay and toss it over the stall door right onto Cade. "Hey now!" Cade says alarmed. "What's the matter, just because you're a Prince you think you're too good for a hay shower?" I kid. He gives me a crooked smirk, gets to his feet brushing himself off. "No..but I think you better run!" he jokes as he tosses a fist full of hay at me, and scales the stall door, leaping over it. I give a playful squeal and run from him, but he catches up to me, grabbing me by the waist as our momentum sends us to the ground in a large pile of fresh hay. 

I lay there staring up at Cade, our eyes locked, and wonder how in the world I can give him up. The love Freddie and I shared was true but so juvenile compared to the feelings I have for Cade. It seems like another lifetime ago, such a foggy memory of a life I once knew. Cade gives a soft chuckle and before I even realize what I'm doing I wrap my arms around him and our lips lock in a passionate kiss. He kisses me back with equal passion as his lips gently hug mine, and my stomach fills with butterflies. 

Just then one of the horses gives a loud neigh scaring the both of us, our kiss is interrupted and we both sit up. Cade helps me to my feet and suggests we get back to the castle for dinner. "I can't Cade..er Prince Cade-" I start before he stops me. "Listen Nora, you don't need to call me that, well maybe at the royal gatherings but, we're friends. We don't need fancy titles" he explains. "Do you kiss all of your friends like that?" I huff. "Hey...what's wrong? I bet I know, you found out about me and Emily didn't you? Well listen she and I we both know it's for Brendlewood, but that our feelings are not romantic" he says. "Still, Tulip has told me to keep away from you, and even if you don't love Emily, you and I could never be together" I blurt. 

"You...you want to be with me?" Cade says softly as he places his hands around my waist. "Well, uh...yes. Maybe, oh I don't know. But we will never know what we might have had if you get married" I say. He sadly sighs and removes his hands from my waist. "Well, we better get to dinner anyhow. The Queen says she has a special announcement for you. Everyone really cares for you and Bonnie, your presence is valued as you have saved the Princess, thus saving Brendlewood" he explains. "Well I guess it would be impolite to just take off" I say.

"I'm sure they have started by now" I continue. "Well we'll just take these lovely mares then. I'm sure it will beat running!" Cade muses as he leads a mare from her stall. He works with the saddle, and offering me a hand places me atop the horse gently. "Hope you know how to ride side-saddle" he grins. "I have ridden a horse a time or two!" I say in a jokingly snobby way. 

In the dining hall we find King and Queen, Princess Emily, Tulip, Bonnie, and Jax already seated and chatting amongst themselves. As I pass Tulip she scowls at Cade and shakes her head. Cade gives her a wink and pulls out a chair for me before taking a seat next to Emily. 

"Welcome. Welcome. I hope you will find this meal to your liking. I am not sure what delicious foods 1945 prepares, but I can assure you we have a top notch chef" the Queen proudly states. "Best in the tri-kingdom area!" the King laughs. "Thank you so much, I'm sure it will suit me just fine. How did you know about 1945?" I ask before catching eyes with Bonnie. Queen Cirrus smiles and replies, "Even in our hidden world of faeries, we are knowledgeable about the events of the outside world. Speaking of which, I have some announcements. First, let's congratulate Prince Cade and our dear Princess Emily on their wedding tomorrow." The entire table claps, and I feel myself hesitate before joining them as well. 

"Secondly, a toast to Ms. Nora Bracford, and Ms. Bonnie Richardson, for helping our Princess, and making it possible for her to be restored to her true faerie self!" King Novus cheerily announces. "Here, here!" everyone cheers, before sipping their wine.

"I'm sorry your majesty, but he just bursted in here" one of the guards tells the King, as a man stands before us. He puts his hands up to show peace before he bows. Then, rising, he pleads, "Please! Please your highness, I mean no disrespect, but I couldn't wait another moment to inform you. Please know that my loyalties are now and have always been with Brendlewood. I beg your forgiveness Majesty." "Why, whatever is going on?" the King questions. 

"Your highness, a woman came to the bank and threatened to murder my entire family if I didn't give her the royal funds. I unwillingly gave her the funds, and came to you as soon as her henchmen released me. Everyone at the table gasps and murmurs to each other as anger washes over the King. "I knew that the money was gone, just not how. No need to fret good sir, you've come to me straight away. I understand you were protecting your family. We have already resolved the financial issues with our daughters happy marriage tomorrow as we resign. Now, tell me sir do you know the woman that stole from us. A name? Do you know it man!?" the King's voice growls. The banker nods fervently and states, "Carolin, Queen Carolin."