Caspian

5 - The Journey

The journey was long and a bit tough. Princess Amethyst shifted on her seat as the carriage continued to run none stop. She can’t help but feel lonelier when she remembered the time she left the palace, her home for the last 27 years, no one even went to see her out. Just the servants who packed her things and the driver who'll be driving the carriage for her. Even if she knew it would be impossible, she still had hope inside her that waited to see if her father would come and see her one last time before she leaves. But till the very end, he did not come. Not even his shadow appeared. And that truly broke her heart all the more. She didn't know why she kept expecting something from him even if she knows her father hates her. 

I think I am a masochist. She thought. 

She sighed and closed her eyes. For the past two years, she's been hoping all her life to eventually escape and leave that palace, that kingdom and that very place she called home. But not this way. She hated herself for being so weak and fragile and easy to trample on.

Why am I so dumb?

Why didn't I notice that the tonic I drank has sleeping herbs on it?

Why do I always fall under everyone’s manipulation?

Why?

The truth hurts. Ever since she always fell for her stepmother's evil schemes. She loathed herself for being such a weakling. Then she remembered how she woke up with that naked man beside her. Her gut twisted and she felt disgusted with herself.

Did something happen between me and that man?

She cringed. She wanted answers but then she knows it will never happen since she's being sent off far far away. She wanted to cry again.

Damn eyes, she thought and wiped it before it even produces more tears and then she calmed herself.

***

"Wake up, my lady." A gentle voice said and gently shook her. "Wake up."

She slightly opened her eyes and saw the shock of her life. "Caspian?"

He nodded and smiled. "Good morning, beautiful."

Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Come. Let's go and have some food. I'm famished. So, I cooked something for you. I hope you like it."

She slowly fixed herself and followed him to a little dining table just near the bed. 

"What is it?" Amethyst asked as she excitedly sat down.

"Grilled fish." Caspian answered and smiled as he placed the plate in front of her and cut a portion of the fish for her. "I went fishing earlier when you doze off and luckily, I got a quick catch."

"Oh. It smells so good." She said as she excitedly digs in and tasted it. The flavour was fresh and milky and it melts in her mouth as she ravished it. “This tastes so good. So delicious.”

“Really?” He asked.

“Yes. Absolutely.” She answered and he chuckled as he began eating too. “I love it, Caspian. Thanks.”

“Anything for you, my lady.”

And he smiled again making her heart swell and the butterflies on her stomach flutter.

“Princess? Princess?” The driver called out as he continued to wake the princess inside the carriage.

Princess Amethyst slowly woke up and realized that she was just dreaming of Caspian once again. Like how she’d always dream about him ever since she met him. She also wondered why does she remember seeing him smile at her and talk to her in her dreams but would totally forget his face whenever she wakes up. She just shook off her head and sighed before she opened the door of her carriage.

“Yeah?” She asked when she faced her driver.

“We are already here, princess.” The driver answered as he motioned himself for her to see that they are near a port. “I was instructed to drop you off this port and someone from that kingdom should be here by now to pick you up.”

“Oh.” She uttered as the driver started to unload her belongings.

It was still a bit dark and even the sun hasn’t risen yet.

Who would come and pick me up this early?

She was becoming a bit sceptical when suddenly two armoured men approached them.

“Are you Princess Amethyst?” One of them asked.

The princess nodded in response and so the men went to help unload her belongings. After that, her driver bowed his goodbye and the carriage left. Amethyst felt strange as her gaze followed the carriage of their kingdom finally leaving her. They tossed her away just like that. Feeling the pain that from now on she’ll be living in a different place, away from where she grew up, her eyes became teary but she blinked them away.

No. I wouldn’t cry now. I wouldn’t cry now. She echoed inside her head to suppress her sadness.

“Please follow us, princess.” They said and so she followed them into a big boat or most probably a ship. A very beautiful one. “Welcome aboard, princess.”

Her heart raced once again as she walked up the stairs and entered it. She didn’t know why but somehow she suddenly felt excited and curious, lost were her feelings of sadness a moment earlier. This time, she didn’t feel scared at all. She just looked back at the land as the ship started moving. She gulped as it stirred away. The waters and the waves making the ship gently swing back and forth.

I guess it’s really goodbye.

Then she finally decided to look around and that’s when she truly realize how beautiful the ship is. It looked very luxurious with all the gold and silver linings and decors and embellishments on it.

“Welcome, princess.” A friendly woman came in front of her and smiled warmly. “My name is Rosie and I will be your personal maidservant from now on. I’m honoured to be at your service.”

“Oh.” Princess Amethyst reacted and hesitantly smiled back as she was a bit surprised with the introduction. “Thank you, Rosie. I hope I wouldn’t be too much for you.”

“It’s my pleasure and honour, princess. No worries.” She answered enthusiastically. “Please follow me.”

Amethyst followed her and she was led into a very spacious and amazingly arranged room. It was very clean as the sheets were super white and how it was organized and styled looked extravagant. Even though she’s a princess of a huge and rich kingdom, this is the very first time for her to experience such luxury. Travelling via a beautiful ship and sleeping in a luxurious room, she felt truly grateful. She was never allowed to travel before. Only now that she was given away.  

“This will be your room until we reach the kingdom, princess. I hope you like the arrangement. We weren’t told about the styles that you personally prefer so I just made everything simple.” Rosie said and happily went to unload her things which were already there. “You can take your rest now princess and you can just tell me if you need anything else. I will just be here.”

“Thank you, Rosie. And I like it very much.” Amethyst responded and smiled. “How long would our trip to the kingdom be?”

“It will take us at least 2 to 3 days to reach it with this ship at full speed.” Rosie answered while folding her clothes and organizing them in the cabinet.

“Oh. It is really far.” Amethyst said as she gently laid down on her queen-sized bed.

“It will not be that long. You wouldn’t even notice it when we get there.” Rosie said and smiled at her.

Closing her eyes, she recalled how her maiden servants in their kingdom talked about her, and to where she’s off to. Though it was never formally mentioned to her, she heard them saying she was being sent off to a Dark Kingdom named Mortana, which is very far from their kingdom. She also heard them saying that the ruler of the kingdom is cruel, ruthless and evil. That’s why the kingdom was like a cast out kingdom and no one even goes to visit it. She also heard them talking about rumours that some fellows have tried visiting the kingdom but have never returned.

Cruel. Ruthless. Evil. Those words got stuck with her. This means, her future husband will be that man. She let out a sigh as the feeling of getting married to that man started to sink in.

I will be marrying a different man.

Not Caspian. My Caspian.

She gently swallowed the lump forming in her throat and shook her head. She will not cry again. So she sat down and decided to just talk to Rosie, maybe it will ease her worries.

“I heard things about the kingdom, Rosie.” Amethyst started hesitantly, not wanting to say something that might offend her. Her words immediately caught Rosie’s attention so she stopped what she was doing for a moment, turning to her.

“Surely there will be a lot of rumours about our kingdom, princess.” Rosie commented and smiled. “Maybe you’ve heard rumours like, it’s a dark kingdom full of evil people and that our King is evil and all that stuff.”

Amethyst was surprised as to how accurate her words are. Those are exactly what she heard from the servants back in their palace. So she just nodded and Rosie chuckled heartily.

“Geez. You have to see it for yourself, princess.” Rosie answered and winked. “Yes. Our kingdom is very far from all other kingdoms and not too many people or outsiders are given the chance to travel there. That’s why so many people decided to make their own speculations about it. Just because they can’t experience or even see it, they were bitter. Thus, creating the rumours.”

“Oh. Wow. I didn’t know.” Amethyst commented and shrugged. “Then I guess I was worried for nothing.”

“I know princess. But you will see once we get there. Things will surely be different.” Rosie reassured her.

“Thanks.” She responded. Then a question pops out of her mind once more. “Rosie?”

“Yes, princess?”

“The King?” She asked hesitantly, a bit anxious about the answer she’ll get.

“He’s a tough one. Serious, most of the time, but I assure you that he’s a good man.” Rosie answered and smiled in understanding.

“Thanks.” Amethyst replied.

***

“Princess.” Rosie said as she gently shook her. “Princess.”

She opened her eyes and saw Rosie standing beside her. “Yeah, what is it?”

“Someone wants to meet you.” She answered politely.

Amethyst nodded and then prepared herself with the help of Rosie. Then she was led down to a hall.

Wow. This ship’s huge to have a hall this big. She thought.

Walking inside, she finally saw a man who’s looking at a painting on the wall, his back facing her.

“Sire, the princess is here.” Rosie announced and the man slowly turned to her.

“Welcome, princess.” He said and smiled gently.

The man in front of her was tall, handsome and definitely friendly.

Is he the king? She asked herself.

“Thanks.” She replied.

“Please come and take your seat. I’m sorry to disturb your nap. You must be very tired from your long trip in a carriage. However, you have to eat too so we had no choice but to wake you up.” He then offered her food as she sat and she nodded before sitting right across him. “Feel at home and eat well, princess.”

“Thanks.” She answered once more. Then she began to slice the meat on her plate and took a bite. After swallowing, she mastered her courage and asked, “A-are you the King?”

The man suddenly laughed heartily.

“Oh, please. The king would kill me once he learns that I was mistaken to be him.” He finally said after his laughter died. Then he looked at Amethyst with amusement in his eyes. “Forgive me for not introducing myself right away, princess. By the way, I am Uri, the King’s most trusted official and best friend. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Oh.” Amethyst blurted out and blushed.

“Please don’t feel embarrassed with your question, princess. It was my mistake for not making myself known immediately.” He then said. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you with my laughter as well. I just feel a bit elated that someone thinks I have the potential to look like a king.”

Amethyst felt at ease when she heard that and gave him a small smile.

“We’ve all been waiting for his highness to finally settle down and take a bride of his own.” Uri then said and she was a bit surprised. “When the king accepted your father’s offer of marriage, we were ecstatic because finally, we will be having a queen.”

“Oh. That’s a bit overwhelming. I mean. I’m personally not good about being a princess myself and so about being a queen I-“ Amethyst blurted out.

“I’m sure you’ll be a fine queen.” Uri interrupted and smiled with a glint in his eyes.

“Thanks.” She answered shortly.

After eating and some orientation with Uri about the facilities of the ship and the preparation they did for the wedding, she decided to continue resting as her wrist and ankles are still a bit painful from her fall. Good thing, her maiden servants were good at covering bruises and redness. Or else, it would not be a good impression. And as she was tired, she fell off to sleep right away.

In her sleep, Amethyst felt like someone was staring at her intently and so she sluggishly opened her eyes and looked around but saw nothing. Then she saw that the window is open. So she got up and looked out the window. It was already dark. Her eyes were all blurry but she thinks she saw something flying from the ship, like a huge bird or something. But then again, maybe it was just her imagination. She went and tried to sleep again but she can’t any longer. So she decided to check her belongings, took her paper and pen, then starting writing.

***

“Good morning, princess.” Rosie greeted as she opened the door on the second morning. “Sire Uri wants to let you know that we will be arriving in the kingdom in an hour. So you can start preparing yourself. No worries, I will make sure to prepare all of your belongings.”

“Thanks.” Princess Amethyst responded and her heart raced.

She didn’t know what will happen next but all she’s feeling was a thrill. She just hoped that her new home will be much better than the one she used to live in. Thinking back, she thought of Caspian again. It is getting real now. She will be married off to someone she doesn’t even know. That fateful night she decided to give herself voluntarily to a stranger. And now, against her will, she was tossed away to marry another stranger.

Am I destined to be with a stranger?

But what choice do I have?

I was already promised to this person. This king.

And if I refuse then my family will never forgive me.

She sighed. She just had to do it.

“Are you okay, princess?” Rosie asked, a bit worried.

“Huh? Yeah.” She answered and smiled. “Thanks, Rosie. I will start to get ready now.”

“Okay, princess. Just inform me if you need anything.” Rosie said and started fixing her stuff as well.

***

“Here we are.” Uri said as they stepped out of the ship.

Amethyst was in awe as she looked around and saw how beautiful the place is. It’s like a literal picture out from a fairytale book. Like where the mountains meet the sea.

“Beautiful.” She uttered.

“Is this how the rumours sounded, princess?” Rosie teased, looking a bit proud of their kingdom.

“Very opposite of what I’ve heard, actually.” Amethyst answered and Rosie felt delighted. “It is absolutely beautiful here.”

Uri also smiled and shook his head. “Crazy rumours. This way, princess.”

And Amethyst was then led into a luxurious carriage that will bring them to the palace.

***

The palace was gorgeous. It is a bit masculine overall because the walls were painted with ivory black and gold. But it looked amazingly breathtaking. Their palace was also beautiful but the art pieces and wall structures of this palace look ancient and magnificent, like it was built for hundreds or thousands of years now but still standing strong. Plus, this palace is enormous in terms of size. Basing on her height, this palace would be mistaken to be that of giants.

She was then again led to her room which made her even more speechless. Her room now was thrice as big as her old room back home. The bed and the windows are huge making the room so light and airy. It is very spacious and the design was of her taste. Rosie said the king prepared this room just for her and made it as plain as possible so she can design it herself.

She smiled and silently thanked the king for considering her preference. At least the king cares for what she likes. She then wondered if the king will even like her. She just crossed her fingers and sighed.

Points that he’s thoughtful. But until I meet him, I guess I’ll never know. She thought.

***