A week later Ella was white as rain. Henry had a few guards out watching for Snow's soldiers, on the same day Ella was better the soldiers was spotted and Ella was rushed to the palace.
Henry showed Ella her room that will be hers until the soldiers leave, "thank you so much. I really do appreciate this." "You're welcome." "Oh Henry if you don't mind while I'm here please remember to call me Ella." "Yes I know. I'll ask one of the servants to get you for dinner. I will also keep that promise and send for a swordsman." "remember it can't be from one of my kingdoms." "I know." Ella then nodded, Henry left to find Authur down the corridor; "grandfather why was you in one of the guests' room?" "That's not your concern but you'll find out sooner or later. A friend is staying for a period of time. And what about you Authur, what are you doing?" "heading to the library." Ella came out, interrupting the conversation. "I apologize for disrupting but when you send a servant please see if they can bring paper. I want write some letters." "Well there's paper in the library. Authur why don't you show her since you are going there yourself." "Is this your friend that is staying?" "Yes, no further questions to be asked. So the library.?" "Right of course. Miss, sorry I forgot your name." "Ella." "Miss. Ella, I'll be happy to show you to the library." "Thank you."
Authur went to the desk and pulled out some paper, closed the draw, looked out the huge window, and then starting walking. Ella took the paper and stopped at the door, "thank you Prince Authur." "Miss. Ella you may call me Authur if you wish or whatever you feel comfortable with." "Yes, thank you for letting me know. If you don't mind please excuse me." "You may write here, I shall not bother you." "Thank you but I would like to write in my-your guest room." "Uh... never mind, sorry for taking up your time." "It's fine and if you're inquiring about me being here I'm not telling but if it's not that and about seeing me again... who knows, a big castle I'm sure you'll see me somewhere." Before Authur could say some thing Ella left for her room that is hers for the time being. Authur found a book to read, Ella was writing when she heard a knock on the door, it was a servant informing her it was time for lunch.
"Your majesties." "Miss. Ella. My father has told me you'll be staying here for some time, time unknown and he wouldn't say why. Maybe you can shine light on the subject, may you please?" "That's enough son, She nor I will say why but will be told later in the future. Am I right Ella." "Indeed." "Fine, be as it may we'll be expecting your answer." "Dear she shouldn't need to, we're all entitled to privacy in our lives including Ella. My apology." "My wife is right, please accept my humblest apology." "Apology accepted." "If you don't mind Miss. Ella may we talk later?" "I'll be honored sir."
Ella and king Alvin walked out to a bench out in the garden, "lunch was delicious." "Indeed. This was probably your first time eating so.." "Not at all, second. I did come to the party with a friend." "True. I meant you didn't need to cook." "That may be true but I enjoy the cooking as for why I cannot say for its part of the reason on why I'm here." "I see. As bringing up the earlier discussion about being here and so forth I would like to know why.. I also will leave it be for the future as I said. I do want say this my wife was right saying about privacy, so when the future comes I wish you to decide whether tell us or keep it to yourself." "Thank you, King Alvin." "My father says he is sending for a swordsman. Why would a young lady such as yourself want to learn such a thing? From my opinion ladies should not learn such a brutal sport." "Yes, I know and can understand what you mean but when you want something more, different, and or a type of adventure wouldn't you go after it?" Alvin was astounding that Ella spoke up, "sir?" "Sorry Miss. Ella, I was amazed from your contradiction of my opinion. Some people do wish for that even I at times, especially when I was younger. If you are wondering what I did or in this case do... I didn't do anything because I'm where I'm supposed to be and I have plenty of blessings that I am thankful for." "That is true, you can always have your blessings and be where you're supposed to be but it doesn't mean you have to give up. You can go out and do what you want or like me be taught something you want to learn." "My you're very decidedly for someone young and a walking contradiction." "Yes, my apology King Alvin I shouldn't be so when you are... no when your father letting me stay in one of the guest rooms and soon sometime in the future sword lessons. Any way your family is being so nice and understanding. Thank you." "No need to apologize, it's nice and in some way, you get to know that person by talking or contradicting like we did. If you wish to call me Alvin you may. Thank you for our stimulating conversation but I must be going; I'm meeting some soldiers." "Indeed, thank you as well. I'll be going back to the guest room now." "Ella you don't need to say guest room, just say your room. Well I don't want to keep them waiting." "Indeed." Ella returned to her room to write while King Alvin was in the throne room conferring with the soldiers.
Dinner arrived, everyone was seated when Authur asked... "what did those soldiers want, is there going to be a war and a kingdom is asking for help?" "No nothing like that my son. Seems Snow's daughter Raina been missing for some time and she sent her soldiers to look every kingdom for her. We haven't seen her since she was a baby, well accept you father." "True." "Who would disappear like that? She has everything one would want with a snap of her fingers. If she's been gone long I bet she married the first guy who gave her a nice act and compliment that will melt any girl's heart; after all some girls are just plain stupid." "Authur!" "What?" Authur looked over realizing Ella. "I'm sorry about that comment, I didn't mean you or all girls." "Yes I know but you shouldn't say that about girls or anyone in that matter. We all, including boys can act stupid or different in front of someone we like. As for princess Raina.." "Mhm." "King Alvin you're right it's not a good time for debating. My apologies everyone." "I told you earlier Ella you may call me Alvin." "Yes I know but I believe it won't be right for me to do so." "How about this- call me whatever you feel most comfortable with. Although I do wish for you wouldn't be formal since everyone in this kingdom who talks to us is. It'll be nice just to hear our names without the words: king, queen, prince, and even sir. Don't you agree Sophie?" "Indeed. Ella you may also call me Sophie instead of queen Sophie." "As I previously said in the library you may call me Authur." Evey one then looked at Henry, "she already knows and calls me Henry." "I will try. I don't recall this much talk at a dinner table where I live." "Your right we should be eating." "We should but I didn't finish what I wanted to say Al- Alvin.. It's sort of nice talking at a dinner table, from my opinion it makes it more interesting while eating. Please don't misunderstand. I know that's impolite but also in some way interesting and or comforting." "Interestingly I agree with you." "Thank you Henry. Sorry all my commenting and we haven't so much touched our meal." "No it's fine. Isn't it son?" "Yes indeed. It is fine."
Pacing the room thinking to herself, how am I suppose to tell Orson my unthinkable secret? If I tell him will he treat me different or even believe me? A thud at the door snapped Ella out of her thoughts. "Queen, I mean Sophie. Hello, please why don't you come in? Of course you could come in any time since this is your home." Sophie came in and took a seat at the small circular table by the window. "May be my house but for the time it is your room and a young lady such as yourself needs her privacy. I came for two reasons, the first is to formally welcome you here. The second was that I heard from my husband you're a walking contradiction which I've seen at dinner." "Thank you and yes, I'm sorry about dinner." "You're very welcome. No that was something, you remind me of the young me." "Young you?" "Yes. I use to be like you full of comments and such." "What happened?" "When you grow, years... you realize that debating and such can cause trouble at times especially to your husband." "That is true but making comments or debate like me can make people think twice or reconsider things and sometimes letting people know can have a positive output depending on the situation." "My sounds like you had some experience." "Not exactly. My parents don't think young ladies should as you put it comment, contradict, so even though it could make people rethink and or change their mind." "I see. It's getting dark, we best be going to bed. Good night Ella." "Good night Sophie."
Ella was on the balcony outside the library reading a book when Henry walked out. "I got word a few days ago that a swordsman will be here within the end of the week or two." "Thank you." "Have you written a letter yet for Orson?" "No but trying to. I just don't know how to tell him. I just don't want be treated different." "I know but you got to tell him... Well I'll let you to your book." "Yes, I know. Thank you." Henry was out of the library completely when Arthur came out. "What was that about?" "Nothing to concern you. Arthur you should of came out instead of hiding and listening to a private conversation between your grandfather and me. How would you feel if you had a private conversation with someone, especially someone important to you and I overheard it?" "You're right, I'm sorry." Ella nodded her head and went back to reading. "I know you're right and I apologize but it's making me a tad curious." Ella placed the mark, got up "I will only say that it's the reason why I'm here and about my family. The rest you will know later." Heading to the door when Arthur said "I see. Wait! Where are you going?" "My room. I don't think I'll get peace and quiet." "No. You can stay here, I'll be quiet or leave." "It's fine, I was going to leave any way. Still need to write a few letters." "Letters to who; Orson?" "As I said before- not your concern." "Alright then. I'll see you later."
Ella indeed went to her room and wrote a letter but was scribbled and erased which was also crimpled up and thrown away. Remembering the story she told Lizzy, Rob, and Rachel. Ella wrote it down all on paper saying at the end 'what if I told you that story is true and that you are the boy that is traveling with the princess? If you do believe then I hope nothing will change and that we can still be friends. Can we? Also, I ask please don't tell anyone. -Sincerely Raina or as you known Ella.' I can't believe, days of fussing with writing this letter and I finally got it the way I want it... I don't think I'll give it to him yet, I'm going to write another letter. Ella placed the first letter in the envelope and hid it in her desk drawer, the second letter was also placed in an envelope, licked, closed, and then Ella went to throne room to hopefully find Alvin or Henry. Found Alvin but he was busy with one of his subjects so Ella tried to leave unnoticed but.. "Ella did you need something?" "It's nothing." "Hm if you say so. Wait I want your opinion." Ella stayed and listened "so this person borrowed some books from the school because she can't afford to send her child to school. So then you want my opinion about what?" "I want to know what you think I should do or her punishment be?." "I would let her go. From what I heard a mother would do anything for their child and family. If she can't afford it that would be your fault for having taxes that might be to high for your subjects to handle." "That is true and if it wasn't high then this mother wouldn't need to borrow books." "Sorry your majesty I need to go." Ella left to find Henry, King Alvin sat on the throne thinking over Ella's words as the mother stood hoping to be set free. "I came to my conclusion... You are set free and please don't borrow anything else unless they, that person knows about it." Alvin got off his throne and asked one of the servants to find Ella, which they found her down the hall almost making a turn. The servant asked Ella to stay put so he could get Alvin, that he wanted to talk to her, and so Ella waited for the servant and the king to arrive. "Ella do you have any suggestions for the taxes or anything related to what happened?" "Instead of changing the taxes maybe let the subjects who is like that mother, who can't afford schooling for her child and worries about getting food on the table have free schooling or give some money to help them." "I'll think about it. What do you have there?" "A letter for a friend, I was hoping to find either you or Henry." "I see... You want to send it off to your friend. I'll take care of that." Alvin called for Daniel, "Daniel take this envelope to... uh?" "The bed and breakfast. Ask for Arlene, tell her this is for Orson Johnsons." Daniel took the envelope and left immediately.
Sometime later Daniel came back to the palace looking for Ella who was talking to Alvin in the library. "Sorry for disturbing; the envelope was delivered." "Thank you Daniel so much." "You're welcome miss." Daniel left and Alvin continued talking with Ella until dinner. Even after dinner they continued to talk although Sophie, Henry, and Arthur joined the conversation, it was getting dark when everyone was getting up; "someone by the name Orson Johnson is here to see a friend." "Yes, take him to my room please." "Will do miss." "It's a bit late Ella. Why not see him tomorrow?" Asked Sophie. "Orson has work early tomorrow morning and it's been awhile since I last saw him." "How considerate, you sound like a girl in love. Are you guys courting?" "Sophie is that any of our concern, didn't you say we all are entitled to privacy?" "Yes I did. My apology Ella." "It's fine, as for some things like this I'll be gladly to answer. We're not courting, just friends. If you don't mind please excuse me, good night as well." Everyone went to bed accept Ella who was quietly talking to Orson.
"So what does my friend want? And what are you talking about secrets and traveling?" "Friend?." "Yeah, friend?" "Never really had one. One that like me for me." "What do you mean likes you for you?" "Never mind, I'll tell you another day." "Another day?" "it's a long story, I'll tell you when I'm ready." "Fine. So?" "Right I wanted to know that if someday I decide to travel again like to Richard's Kingdom would you go with me?" "If you want to travel more of course I'll go. What if you make deals like you did with Cecil and Arlene?" "So the only reason you'll travel with me is because you'll be worried about me making deals?" "No! Because we're friends, I want to be your traveling companion to where ever even if we cross the water." "Bit extreme, I mean I doubt I'll cross the water...I'm glad though to have a wonderful friend. As for secret(s) it's about my family but it is also part or is that long story...And don't take this the wrong way but it sounds as if you like me more than a friend" "Ah. No just friends I mean uh, you're a girl who's my friend and don't want any of my friends to get hurt. Well I'll wait then for that story." "Thanks Orson." "You are welcome." "You best go, you need sleep. Good night Orson." "Good night. Uh I don't remember where I came in." "I'll show you." "Thanks." "No problem. Will I see you tomorrow?" "Maybe, don't know." Orson descended the palace stairs as Ella made her way back to her room to go to bed.