“Perfect.” I fastened my cloak firmly around my neck in preparation to leave. “That should give me enough time to say goodbye to the women at the mill.” I felt my heart grow heavy at the thought of leaving them for good. “I’m going to tell them everything. I owe then that much after all they have done for me. We should be able to return to the palace by the end of the day, so I don’t fear that they will spread any gossip before I can return to the court. Plus, I trust them not to betray me.” Each of their faces flooded through my mind sorrowfully as Peter placed an understanding hand upon my shoulder.
“I completely respect your decision.” His encouragement boosted me. “Now we should get going if we want to make it back to the palace tonight.” He began to walk back into the tent to gather the quill and paper as I set out for the forest. I had just reached the edge of the woods when I heard him call out one last time.
“Be safe, Arabella.”
chapter fifteen
The walk through the woods was just as physically taxing as the first. By the time I had reached the edge of the forest, I was huffing heavily and beginning to feel faint again. Maybe I should have been more honest with Peter about how I was feeling. I cursed myself mentally for not accepting his offer on a ride. I could finally see the mill in front of me as I pushed through the last of the brush. My footsteps became heavy as the last of my stamina drained with each pace.
Right as I reached the side entrance, the sound of carriage wheels halted me from opening the door. I looked across the way and instantly recognized the Lockly family crest on the vehicle’s door.What perfect timing this was!
I turned from the door and staggered in front of the carriage as it pulled to a stop. As anticipated, a bouncy golden head of curls poked out of the window with an eager expression.
“Annie!” Aurelia’s sing-song voice was vibrant as usual. “I was just on my way to ensure the deliveries had all arrived! Is Sylvia doing well?” She opened up the door to the carriage but stopped before stepping down. “Oh, Annie, you look rather pale. Are you alright?” She took a cautious step with growing concern on her face.
“I will be fine, and Sylvia will, too,” I reassured. Her worried look didn’t change much at my words. “I’m actually glad to see you, Aurelia. I was hoping to seek an audience with you today. You see, there is I something urgent I must ask of you, my friend.” My tone grew serious, and Aurelia seemed to recognize the gravity of the situation.
“Yes, of course.” She stepped back inside the carriage and gestured for me to join. “Please come in, we can speak privately in here.” Her typically joyful blue eyes now looked troubled.
“Thank you.” I pulled my unwilling body up the steps with more effort than should have been necessary. Aurelia noticed my struggle and stood to assist me into my seat. I sat slowly, and Aurelia closed the door behind me, settling into her seat anxiously. “First off, I need to be honest with you about a few things...” I took a deep breath before focusing my eyes on hers. “My name is not Annie. I am Princess Arabella Ivory Zakaria of Isalla.” I let out my breath and watched her eyes grow wide in shock.
“You…? You’re…? In all the realms, I would have never guessed!” The poor girl was completely flabbergasted and struggled to put her words together. “That explains so much! Like why you were so interested in politics, and your sudden arrival at the mill, and your educated diction. Maybe I should have realized it myself!” She smacked her forehead in complete awe.
“I hope you can forgive me for lying to you.” I wrapped my arms around my body nervously. I wouldn’t blame her if she was angry at me. “Please understand that everything I did was for the protection of Isalla and selfishly, my own life.” I lowered my eyes in shame, remembering how much time I had spent hiding without purpose.
“Oh, Annie… I mean Your Highness!” she corrected herself in a panic, but I humbly laughed at her startle. “I don’t blame you for keeping your identity a secret. But why were you hiding in the first place? Is it true that you ran away?” She leaned forward with anticipation, her eyes strongly thirsting for information.
“I didn’t run… well, not at first.” I thought back to my escape into the woods. “I was tricked out of the castle, then threatened to either run or be killed.” Aurelia gasped in horror placing a hand over her mouth.
I told the rest of the story as quickly as I could without leaving out any important details. Aurelia sat quietly with rapt attention, only asking the occasional question for clarification. By the time I got around to the capture of the assassin, she had already guessed what I needed from her.
“So, you need me to serve as a reputable witness?”
“Exactly.” I nodded assuredly. “Would you be willing?” I gave her an imploring look, and she instantly lit up with an inner fire.
“Of course, I will.” She stood courageously to her feet, ready to drag the man to court herself. “We can leave for the castle as soon as the captain returns with the document.” Her tiny body was almost shaking with pent-up aggression. “The sooner we get that nasty King Garret and his son out of our kingdom the better.”
I grabbed at her sleeve before she could sprint full force at the castle walls. “Thank you, Aurelia, but I can’t leave quite yet.” I pointed toward the mill with a solemn expression. “First, there are a few friends I owe an explanation and a goodbye.” I sighed grievously and Aurelia instantly caught my implication.
“I’m sorry, princess,” she sympathized, returning to her seat. “Take as much time as you need. I’ll wait here for you and Peter, and then we can depart.” She gave me an understanding smile and I offered one in return.
“I appreciate that.” I rose to my feet, feeling my head spin slightly from the movement. “I shouldn’t be too long, and neither should Peter.” I opened the carriage door and took a step forward before turning back to Aurelia. “Oh, and please call me Arabella from now on. Princess is far too formal for a mill maid.” I winked playfully and she giggled as I stepped onto the icy ground.
It had begun to snow since I had stepped into the Lockly carriage. I took slow, careful steps to the side door to avoid any unfortunate spills. When I finally reached the entrance, my body was already demanding that I sit down again, but it would have to wait. I pushed the door open and felt the relieving heat from the familiar fireplace. As expected, seven pairs of eyes trailed my entrance as I stepped through the heavy door. I smiled at them sweetly, anticipating looks of worry and questions toward my absence, but surprisingly, they remained quiet. Every one of them just stared at me with frozen expressions on their face. Hazel took a slight step forward with a fearful look in her eye, and I was beginning to think something terrible may have happened when I was gone.
“Is everything alright?” I looked around the room frantically, taking a mental headcount of everyone present. To my relief, both Daniela and Sylvia were on their feet at the washboards, looking far healthier than they had. “Did something happen while I was out? I’m sorry I left for so long… I was hoping to talk with you all about that.” I took a few steps toward them, but nobody moved. I looked to Hazel for answers, and she finally spoke up.
“Annie, is it true?” Her voice was quiet and timid. “You’re not really Annie, are you?” Her eyes expressed a hope that the statement was just a lie, and I felt my heart sink at her broken reaction to the truth.
How had they found out?
“I’m so sorry, Hazel.” I dropped my voice to a gentle tone. “It’s true. My name isn’t Annie at all.” I lowered my head, not ready to see the hurt expressions on their face, but nobody appeared hurt… they seemed angry.
“Who do you think you are taking advantage of us like that!?” Glenda spat angrily, and I was fully taken aback by her rage. I had expected them to be upset, but this was intense.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t have a choice…” My voice cracked as I choked back tears that threatened to flow. The pain of their anger seared through me like a hot knife.
“We trusted you!” Delilah shouted. “How long have you been planning to rob us blind? Were you disappointed when you realized how broke we all were?” She hurled her words in frustration, but I didn’t understand what she was saying.