Royal: Chapter 54

Instructions

I SMILED through the tears that were falling down my face as Louie comforted me with a kiss. I wanted the council to ratify the princess’s idea with all my heart. I wanted the war to be over. Both sides had gotten what they wanted, it should have been over. “Are you alright now?” Louie asked, pulling away to study my face. “Much better,” I said. My grin widened. He smiled back. “Good.” “I just want this war to be over,” I confessed. “I do too. We can’t do anything about it. It’s all on my father and my uncle.” I took a deep breath and nodded. “Right.” We stood in silence. Louie had a look in his eye between worried and relieved. “I have to go,” I said, not moving from where I was in Louie’s arms. “So soon?” He held me tighter. “I’m afraid so.” “Tell Madam Humphrey the prince wanted you to complete a favor for him.” “And what favor would that be?” I raised my eyebrow. “Oh, nothing. Just being here is good enough for me.” I giggled. “And how will she react?” “To me.” “To you?” “I’m very imperial.” “Maybe to her.” “Hm… but before you came along, I was even more so.” “I don’t believe you,” I replied, grinning. “Don’t you?” Louie asked as he pulled me closer for another kiss. I sighed. “The king wants me in council again?” I guessed. It was a week later, The servant who had called me to council before had come back early the next morning. I had been enjoying sleeping in since I had been living in the palace, even if I was disguised as an attendant. Wildwood Preparation didn’t have enough attendants for anyone to waste a second of our time, but the castle did. “Yes,” the servant replied plainly. Louie’s father had revoked his order for my banishment from the castle just the night before, just after eight o’ clock. The servant calling me to council told me that King Vigilius XV had been enraged when he found that I had been living in the palace under his nose. I nodded. “I’ll be right down,” I promised. He bowed and left. I closed the door and pulled my nicest gown off the hook on the wardrobe standing in the far left corner. After I had dressed myself, I slowly made my way down the hallway and to the staircase. When I got there, I ran down red carpeted stairs, and I threw open the door to the council room. “What is the meaning of this?” someone said, his pink face reddening even more. “It’s Hana!” Louie said. He sounded relieved as he stood from his throne to walk to me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the chair next to his. I felt my cheeks turn red as Louie gave my hand a tight squeeze before dropping it after a glare from his father. “I suppose you know why we have called you here?” the king asked. “No, your majesty.” “Hm. Well, son, would you like to tell her?” Louie grinned. “Come with me,” he said, holding out his hand. I took it and pulled myself out of the tall wooden seat. “Where are we going?” I whispered. “You’ll see,” Louie replied slyly as he gave my hand another squeeze. He led me out of the castle and pulled me into a (color) carriage. My heart started to pound as I recognized the road to be the one leading to Wildwood. “Are we going where I think we’re going?” I asked, looking up at Louie. He grinned and put the hand not holding mine behind my head. “Depends on where you think we’re going.” I scooted closer and rested my head against his shoulder. “Are we going to Wildwood?” Louie pursed his lips as though he were holding back a smile. “Possibly.” He reached up and pulled the curtains closed. I didn’t say anything more, smiling quietly as Louie stroked my hair in the dark carriage. The carriage lurched to a stop after an hour-long ride. “You’re highness,” the driver shouted, “we’re here!” “Excellent!” Louie cried, sitting up, making my head fall. He slowly opened the carriage door and whispered something to whoever was outside as Louie tried to block my view. I sat patiently in the carriage seat while he did this. It had brightened somewhat, but the curtains were still drawn, leaving it partially dim. Finally, Louie turned toward me, offering a bright smile. “Are you coming?” I laughed and took his hand. “Of course I am.” “Good. Close your eyes.” I did so. Louie led me outside of the stagecoach. The sunlight stabbed my eyes, even though they were closed tight. “You can open them,” Louie said. My eyes flew open. I felt my jaw slacken as Wildwood stood before me. “Why… How… Did your father… Does this mean…” I mumbled. “No, you aren’t banished again. Are you coming?” He held out his hand for me to take. “Are we going to see Zarola and Braden?” I asked stupidly. Louie grinned. “I was planning on something else… but we can.” I smiled back and took his hand. Louie pulled me up several flights of stairs until we reached the fourth floor, in the wing we had both called home at one point. Louie pulled me into what appeared to be my old room. “This is where it all began, isn’t it?” “I suppose so… why?”