7

Counting Down From Six

Sleep didn’t come easy, and a few times, Elyon caught me standing at my window looking out over Alais’s home. So much so that she took it upon herself to spend the night in my chambers. I had stopped sharing my bed with Elyon a year ago, and before that, I always found myself waking up in her room, due to the fascinating phenomenon of sleepwalking. My older sister Violet wasn’t too pleased with it, and she suggested that I not make a habit of it, lest she took the issue to Mother. Royalty should sleep in a room befitting their status, she said. Going on to tell me it doesn’t really matter who a royal shares a bed with as long as it is in a befitting room. However, there would be trouble if a royal managed to get someone who’s not of royal blood pregnant, she seemed to emphasize.

Such things do cross my mind from time to time, though at that moment, my mind was full of all kinds of emotions. This birthday had been frustrating, but at the same time, I couldn’t help feeling excited by it all. I met my grandmother, found out I’ll be attending a ball, and was given my first horse which turned out to be a being that’s both human and horse. Because of all this, sleep eluded me. That was until Elyon decided to spend the night in my chambers.

In Elyon’s embrace, the excitement of the day finally overcame me, only to be woken up by the sun. While Elyon always starts her day early, I stayed in bed trying to get a bit more rest. Given how long it took for me to get to sleep, I suppose she had no problem allowing me to sleep in for a bit longer. Ducking my head under the covers, I bathed in the total bliss of thoughtlessness, listening to the rhythmic beating of my heart and breathing of my lungs. I palmed the warm surface of my bed, trying to locate the bed warmer. Hoping that there was still a bit more coal burning inside. It was under a few layers of covers to keep from burning me; however, I dug for it. My touch found a warm spot, although a tad moist. I slightly wondered no, hoped that it was just a new form of bed warmer that used water instead of coal. Because the alternative would be a shameful accident. After a few moments, I finally sat up in bed, looking at my fingers in a daze. Coated in slick strings that sparkled in the sunlight. I peered beyond my fingers, noticing Elyon lying under me with the same gaze I’m all too familiar with.

“Your mother has informed me that you’ll be heading out today,” Said Elyon.

“That’s… a tad unexpected,” I said.

“I was told after your studies yesterday.”

“Before I met grandmother?! Once again, saying prepare yourself is not helpful information over the span of… infinity years.”

“You must buy yourself proper clothing for the coming event. I would suggest you choose wisely.”

“There’s no need to worry; with your help, I’ll be able to find something perfect.”

“I’m not going.”

“How come?!” Silence fell over us as we walked through the palace. She said nothing as I quickly answered my own question. “Oh, someone has to stay here to watch over, Apple. Why not have Alais watch over him?”

“She must go with you for proper clothing as well.”

“Can we not find another? After all, I’ve never left the palace, and Alais has been trapped here longer. It’s as if I’m being set up for failure.”

“The fact that you’re aware of this should mean you’re capable of leaving the palace and returning safely.”

“What about Mr. Henry?”

“He would be the obvious choice for your coachman. I would keep in mind his reaction to Alais.”

“That could be a tad problematic. But what of others? If Mr. Henry’s reaction is typical, then most would panic while in her presence. Alais The Merciless, they would scream, causing a scene, and back to the palace I go never to be seen.”

“As poetic as that sounds, you forget that you’re still royalty. And you being seen with an undefeated being… such as Alais would quickly wort off any would-be attackers.”

“Undefeated? How can she be undefeated but also a prisoner?” I asked.

“The war against her race ended in,”

“She gave up? That still counts as being defeated,” I interrupted.

“It can be seen as that, yes. But she herself,”

“She gave up before someone could beat her?”

Elyon stopped walking and turned to me. The towering… dark-skinned elven seemed to have enough of my childish interruptions as she crouched down to get close to my eye level. My body felt weak, yet I stood stiff. I wanted to weep, yet my eyes remained dry. I melted in her gaze as she parted her lips to speak in a soft… warning tone.

“Would you like to know more?”

“Y… yes.”

“Then allow me to finish.”

I stood there with a slight blush of embarrassment, my fingers gripping the lap of my clothing as her cold calm gaze stayed locked on me. Twenty seconds of silence fell over us, her eyes never leaving mine as she watched me bathe in my wrongdoing.

“… Alais’s kingdom was going to win, with the goal of turning all other races into livestock. However, before she could make the final push, balls of fire rained from the sky, carpeting her kingdom. They say a great wizard was able to do it at the cost of his life. Others say the royal family had a massive army of dragons ready and waiting to strike. Some even think it was the goddesses themselves, some even claimed to see the faces of children in the balls of fire. However, in the end, with the blood of the royal family and the power of elven elders, she was cursed to obey the royal family and live forever. Now…” She stood up and started to walk again. “We best be going, you’re already late for breakfast.”

We walked in silence, feeling a tad lost in thought. It was a lot to take in, but with all the new information, I knew I would quickly be pondering it well into the afternoon if I didn’t push it all to the back of my mind, bringing Apple and today’s outing to the front. Then there’s Grandmother.

“Might I have breakfast later? I would very much like to see him up and about.” I said.

“Do you not remember the last time you went without?… You cried.”

“This morning seems to be full of embarrassment,” I said with a sigh.

It dawned on me that Elyon has been with me all night and morning leading up to this point. She wouldn’t have had time even to prepare breakfast. The answer to my unspoken question came the moment I stepped foot in the dining room.

“It’s about time you showed up.”

My younger sister Mary greeted me coldly while doing her best to act as ladylike as possible. At the table sat everybody, everybody as in Grandmother, Mother, and both sisters.

“Mary, Violet, Mother, Grandmother.”

Excitement filled me to see Grandmother had not left yet. I walked straight over to her and sat down to her left.

“Good morning, love. How was your sleep? Or… should I ask how was your waking up?” Grandmother asked, whispering the last part.

“It… was interesting,” I said, my cheeks crimson red. “I suppose, my excitement for Mother’s gift made it difficult for me to rest. Thank you again, Mother.”

“And you show your thanks by allowing said gift to die?” Mother asked.

Her words stung, causing me to flinch. I fixed my gaze towards the empty plate on the table in front of me.

“I’ve not gotten the time to check Apple’s condition, Mother. But if what you say is true, I apologize.”

“Adam,” Grandmother began, cheerfully. “I’ve yet to give you my gift. And yes, I know my very presence is a gift in and of itself.”

Grandmother sang while placing her palm on her chest. She gave me a playful smirk from the corner of her eyes. I couldn’t help but chuckle from behind my fingertips. With a slight gesture of her hand, in came a cart pushed by an elven servant. Coming to rest behind grandmother and me. The servant placed a large and round covered tray in the middle of the table before uncovering it to reveal a large cake with white frosting that had something colorful sprinkled across it all.

“A cake?” I asked as the servant gave me a slice.

“Not just any cake, love,” Grandmother said. “But one of ice cream. A delicacy that not even the angels themselves have ever tasted.”

“Ice cream?” My younger sister asked, seeming to fawn over the new dish.

“Yes, dear child. The sweetest of all treats, some say,” Grandmother said.

Eyes fell upon me as I picked up my fork and ate a piece. My eyes filled with shock.

“It’s cold like ice, yet… melts so quickly!”

“Does it now?” Grandmother asked.

“You must eat this every day,” I stated, taking another bite.

“Oh, of course not. In fact, I’ve never tasted it before.”

“You haven’t?”

“Not even a little. You’re the first and only one in the world to have ever tasted such a thing.”

“That’s simply ridiculous.” Mary began. “How can you make something without tasting it?” Mary asked, standing up with her palms on the table.

“While not my words exactly,” Violet chimed in. “It is a tad odd.”

“Well, I never said I created it,” Grandmother began. “I received it from an angry-looking little girl with a long thick tail and piercing cat-like ears. She floated inches off the ground and could move things with her mind alone.” I hung on her every word, enjoying the story as I ate. I’ve not gotten the chance to read anything lately, and by how contrived this story was, I feel Grandmother was aware of this. She seemed determined to make my birthday better and better as she went on to say, “She came down from a boat that sailed higher than the water… higher than the mountants and even that of the sky… and threatened to beat me up!” Grandmother sang. “If I didn’t bring you this wonderfully crafted birthday treat!”

That statement caused Mary to relax, sitting back down in her chair.

“How childish,” Mary stated, caring very little for grandmother’s silly fairy tales. She still couldn’t help but stare at the cake.

“Grandmother, have you thought about writing your own book?” I asked. She gave me a warm smile with no reply. I soon went on to say, “Elyon, can you please give everyone at the table a slice?”

“Of course, Your Highness,” Elyon said before she elegantly cut perfect slices and passed them around.

Mary took her first bite but quickly lost her composure as she said;

“This is better than the cake on my birthday. Grandmother, how come I didn’t receive such a gift?”

“Oh dear, this isn’t a gift, but a treat,” Grandmother teased after she took a bite and palmed the side of her face.

“Mary, please relax. I’m sure your next birthday will be more than perfect,” My mother said calmly. Though after taking a bite, her eyebrows came together with a look of frustration and confusion from the taste.

“Thank you, Adam, for sharing.” Violet began. “But I would like you not to fill yourself on this treat, at least not until you’ve had your breakfast.”

“Of course,” I said, taking one more bite before my plate was replaced with one plate full of eggs, bread, beans, vegetables, and more.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but… isn’t this a bit much?” I asked.

“Of course not, you’re a growing boy.” Grandmother began, “If you like, whatever you can’t finish, you may feed to your friend.”

“I… would like Alais to eat a little better than she does,” I said, a tad surprised by the support.

“As I said before, I’ve eyes and ears everywhere. The last thing I would want is for my grandson to sneak food… however. Given her punishment, she’s only allowed to eat a royal’s leftovers if said royal feeds her. Breaking such a rule will result in a punishment, Adam. So please be mindful as even I cannot allow such an action to go unpunished,” She said while stroking the back of my head.

“I understand, grandmother. After all, I’ve decided to take full responsibility for her actions.”

“Adam?” My sister Violet snapped with a look of concern. “Saying such things for one such as she is problematic. Her every action from now on will reflect on you. Meaning you could end up locked away for the rest of your life. If you truly wish for that to happen, I will gladly lock you in my room.”

“I’m sorry, Violet. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I want the rest of your life to be happy. You’re far too young to be throwing your life away.”

“Enough, Violet,” Mother began. “It’s Adam’s choice to take such a responsibility. It not only shows maturity but bravery that very few have in the royal bloodline. After all, he’s simply preparing for his first social event. And what better protection could a young royal have than a loyal friend?”

“Exactly, mother. Tis my first time leaving the palace, and I think Alais’s strength would be welcomed,” I said.

Taking a fresh fork to my breakfast, I felt uneasy. It seemed that my mother might have been expecting me to fail at the coming dance. But I was determined to prove her wrong and make her happy.