As soon as I was down the hall I sat flat on the cold floor and leaned against the wall. The wall that was golden, unfamiliar and unreal. It made me almost miss my boring gray wall in my room back home. Home, I remembered. I woke up in a strange world where I’m supposed to get married, and now I don’t know if I’ll ever get home. I put my head in my hands and leaned over, trying to block out the world. Just then, I felt a presence in front of me. “Princess Madelyn, all you alright? You look worse than you did this morning.” Lise said. I took my hands off of my face and looked up. I looked at the dirt on her dress that wasn’t there that morning. I saw how her eyes looked like they cared. Which I felt like I hadn’t seen from a person in a long time. I decided to respond, “I’m actually feeling a little sad right now. And, I just need a break from everything.” “Oh, that makes sense. Do you mind if I sit?” “No, I don’t mind.” Lise carefully sat down next to me, “I need a break too sometimes. Though probably not as much as you do though, you’re the princess afterall.” “I don’t think so. You probably need to rest just as much as I do. Maybe even more, you work very hard.” Though I barely knew Lise, I knew that I was telling the truth. “Well, thank you Princess Madelyn.” “Thank you for talking to me.” I smiled at her. Lise got up, “Now, I must continue on my daily tasks, I hope you feel better Princess Madelyn.” Then Lise scurried down the hallway. That did help a little bit, I thought. But I still don’t know what to do! Then very soon after Lise left, another person appeared at my side, Arthur. He sat down beside me, turned to look at me, then grabbed my hands. “Princess Madelyn, what happened?” He asked, concerned. I looked down at the floor, “I don’t know.” “Why do you want to postpone the wedding? Is it something I did?” Arthur’s eyes widened. “No! No. Of course not… It’s just, like I said before, it’s not the right time. And, just a thought, but, um, don’t you think we’re a little young to get married?” Arthur cocked his head, confused, “We’re both 13, that’s when everyone gets married. It’s how it’s been done for a long time.” Whatever world I’ve landed in, it’s crazy. I thought. I looked towards Arthur, “Well… actually, um, tomorrow…” I tried my best to think of an excuse, “...tomorrow is meant to be a day to mourn the loss of my… pet horse. Who I lost when I was 6. I forgot to bring it up.” “I’m sorry about your horse. I know how special they can be. As you know I love horses.” Actually, I don’t know, because I don’t know you! I said in my head, not daring to say that out loud. “Yeah, that’s why we can’t have the wedding tomorrow. In fact, we should postpone it a month! Visitors can stay at the palace, and we can also get more things ready for the wedding!” “But Madelyn, don’t you want to get married now?” I knew I couldn’t say no, “I just can’t, too many… things… to get over, and… I just want to make this so great! And more time would make things better!” “All right, I guess that makes sense. Do you want me to tell Alfonzo?” “Yes! That would be great!” “I’ll go do that then.” Arthur kissed my hand and left. “Is kissing hands a thing with him?” I whisper. Oh no. Then, I realized. I have one month to get out of this world before I have to get married.
