Beyond the Tower

Walking into the great dining room is like entering another world. The ceilings reach for the sky sky, the only sign that they end being the glittering crystal chandeliers dangling from them. Huge colorful tapestries adorn the dark stone walls, bringing a feeling of life and liveliness to the majestic room. The table must be a mile long, with endless chairs along the sides. At the very end, I can spot four distant figures. Shaking slightly, I walk down the table, feeling alone as I realize that my maid has abandoned me.

It's the longest walk I've ever taken, the one exception perhaps being when I broke the news to the dwarfs. Although they're too far for me to see clearly, I can feel the piercing gazes of the royals. Finally, when I reach the end, I sweep into a deep curtsey, channeling all the poise I'd worked on in my endless hours in the tower.

"Your Majesties," I say, keeping my eyes trained down. It's funny how I didn't think I had to show any of this reverence with Prince Richard, or Snow and his stepmother, who is also a queen, a reigning monarch. Perhaps the difference is that these monarchs are actually humane.

"Thank you," says a deep voice. "You may be seated." I sit obediently in the chair next to Flor and across from Leon.

The king is sitting at the head of the table. He has a head full of blonde curls on which a golden crown is carefully placed, and a full beard. He is adorned in deep purple robes, with golden embroidery. To his right is the queen. Her face is slim and beautiful, and she appears to be several years younger than the king. Her hair is piled on her head in a fancy updo, far grander than my shabby small one, and a glittering tiara inlaid with gems sits on the crown of her head.

To the left of the king is Florian, and next to the queen is Leon. He smiles at me which helps ease my nerves just the slightest bit.

"So Miss Ivy," says the king. "Leonardo has told us that he found you in the desert. It is by his request that you are here with us tonight."

"That's right, Your Majesty," I say, feeling awkward, looking around the room. A couple of servants come in with platters of mouth watering food.

"So what are you going to do now?" he asks, and I start to squirm. That's the question, isn't it. "How long do you think you're to be staying here."

"I-I'm not really sure," I admit. "I was staying with my friend... but I left her back in Mirshcon. I don't really know my way around so I just stuck with... Prince Leonardo, but I think I might go back for my friend. That's what friends are for."

"That's quite a long journey," says a soft voice. The queen. "Pray tell why you came all the way to our beloved home if you merely wish to go back."

"I needed to talk to someone," I say, thinking of Grandmother. "And to figure some things out."

"Grandmother?" asks the queen softly, as if reading my mind.

"Yes," I say, slightly surprised.

"She's lovely," says the queen. "She was my fairy godmother. I wouldn't be here right now were it not for her."

My eyes widen a little, but I try to mask my surprise as quickly as I can. She looks to regal and perfect here that it's hard to imagine her as anything other than a queen. And so much the opposite from the queen of Mirschon.

"So Leo," says the queen, turning away from me. "How fare the Harysons. With all that's happening between other kingdoms, I haven't had a chance to ask."

"They are well," says Leon. "They miss you, especially the Lady Haryson. Liliana has asked me to plead an invitation to return, even just for a visit. She says it's been far too long since she's seen the interior of the palace."