I kept having nightmares about what happened yesterday. I was already awake when Clara came in to wake me up.
"Oh! My Lady! Your already awake, it looks like you can go greet your guests sooner!", said Clara. "Speaking of which. When did my family realize I was missing?", I asked.
"They realized you were missing when your guests arrived. Your horse came running towards their carriage when they showed up. That's when your brother realized you were in danger and sent out a group of guards to go look for you. Your guests never got a proper welcome.", stated Clara. "Oh, well I didn't mean to cause any trouble or to ruin their welcome...",I said. "My Lady, it wasn't your fault that your horse threw you off and knocked you unconscious.", said Clara. How did Clara know that I was knocked unconscious or thrown off my horse? Maybe I'm just overthinking things. It was probably obvious with the blood on the back of my head.
Clara helped me put on the red dress with golden designs on the skirt. Then, she did my hair and placed my tiara on my head. She left the room, and I just looked into the mirror, and tried to forget about yesterday. I didn't feel pretty at all. I felt like someone that should've been dead. I kept wondering why the monster didn't continue chasing me.
"BAM!" James threw my chamber doors open. "Astrid! I'm so glad your okay!", said James. "Am I really okay though, dear brother?", I mumbled. "Are you okay? Do you want to tell me what happened yesterday?", he asked. I know that it would help to tell him what happened, but I don't want anyone to know about the dagger, or the monster letting me get away. I didn't want anyone to think I was a witch or anything, because I'm not. "Fiona got spooked and threw me off of her. I blacked out when I hit my head on the rock, and when I woke up, it was getting darker out. I was going to stay put but then a pack of wolves started chasing me until I... I entered the forbidden forest... after that they ran off and I continued to run, and then I found an abandoned cabin and I went inside it. The wind blew the door open and I walked back outside... that's... that's when... I saw... dead people hung everywhere around the cabin... they were all dead... I got scared and ran away from the cabin... that's when... I came across the pack of wolves, but they were all dead, too. There was blood everywhere... I heard a noise, so I turned around... that's when I saw it... it started chasing me, and that's when I escaped the forest, and that's also when it stopped chasing me... it couldn't leave the forbidden forest... I screamed for help and that's when the guard found me... James! I was so scared...", I cried. James walked up to me and pulled me into his arms. "You don't have to be scared anymore... your safe now.", he whispered in my ear. We walked out of my chambers to properly welcome our guests. Mother and Father were already speaking with our guests when I was walking down the staircase with James. Mother ran to me and Father turned to look at me. My guests also turned to look at me. My cousin, Princess Sapphire, smiled at me, and so did her fiancé, King Arlo of Abunadi. "Darling! I was so worried about you yesterday! I'm so glad your safe!", said Mother. I hugged mother, then walked up to greet my guests. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Teleria, Princess Sapphire and King Arlo. We are all pleased about your visit.", I said with a smile. "Oh Cousin! You know you can just call me Sapphire!", she said. "I know, but that's only when it's just family around, dear cousin.",I stated. "King Arlo is going to be family, soon. So, what does it matter?", Princess Sapphire said as she hugged his arm. "Thank you for inviting us to come to your beautiful kingdom, Princess Astrid. It is such a pleasure to meet you.",stated King Arlo. "The pleasure is all mine. Please, feel free to explore the palace. I hope you enjoy your stay. Now, I may take my leave, so I will see you at the ball this evening.", I said. I bowed and walked away with Father. "My dear, you look as lovely as ever.", Father complimented. "Why thank you, Father. It means so much from you, especially since I don't feel beautiful today.",I sighed. "My dear, you are always beautiful, just because you feel horrid, it doesn't mean you look like it.", Father stated. Father and I had a private discussion about when I become Queen of Teleria. It saddens me when he talks about him dying. Father even told me that he was sick, and only wanted me to know about it. Soon, My rule as Queen will come, and I have to be fully prepared.