As Prince Ralph stood with his father in the square, people were showing up. "Thank you all for coming and let me apologize for interrupting anything you were doing or need to do... You all know my son and as a father you would want your kids to learn a lot and possibly everything. My son will be living in town at the inn and to work among you, all I ask of you is to treat him like anyone else. No titles just plain Ralph, under no circumstances you shall not help. In other words don't give him money, clothes, a room unless he earned it from working and paying for himself. I'll be getting reports and if I hear any of you try to kill or hurt him in any way expect to be imprisoned for a long time. Thank you all for your time; you may go back to what you were doing." "Father are you crazy?! I can't do this." "You can consider this your punishment instead o. I want you to have a new perspective and who knows you may like it; here." "What's this?" "A bag of clothes and enough money for one night at the inn.. Good luck my son." "You're not my father! You're some crazy old man who lost his mind." Ralph ran out of sight, "he's just letting off some steam your majesty... It'll be fine." "I hope so. Shall I send someone to see you back?" "No. I'm fine, thanks though." "You're welcome. Bye, get to the inn safely." "Thank you, good bye."
The inn was again busy after the king's announcement. "You! You probably implanted this lunatic idea in his head." Ralph who picked up a broom and started swinging it at Ella while Ella dodged and blocked the attacks; someone went to get a guard. "Miss are you alright?" "I'm perfectly fine." "Do you wish to notify the king?" "No. He's just mad and taking it out is all. I'm sorry gentlemen but I need get back to work." "Will do. I'll come by later." "Alright." The guards left leaving Ralph, Ella, and the guests watching until Ralph said "can you and I talk for a moment, privately?" "Of course but later. I suggest you find a job." "I will and later we'll talk." "Okay, good luck."
As Ella worked she noticed it was getting dark; in unison Orson and Robert said "hey Ella." "Hi guys. How was your day?" "Ours was fine" said Robert. Orson then picked up saying "we heard what happened." "Happened?" "Yes with Ralph trying to hurt you. Are you alright?" "Orson and Robert sorry if you were worried... I'm fine guys. Did you guys eat dinner yet?" "Well I did, I'm not sure if Orson had anything." "You both work at the general store yet have no clue if either one ate." "Sometimes we know. Right Orson?" "Yeah. I went to the stables to check on our horses." "Oh." "They're fine. Sorry Ella I also ate earlier, we need go to work early tomorrow. The boss is expecting some things like food and material to arrive so we need to be there to help unload the wagon and organize it." "It's fine, I understand. You guys best get to bed then." "Indeed. Good night Robert and Ella." "Actually I'm going to bed too, so goodnight as well." "Good night then." Ruth who came from the restroom asked "where's Robert and Orson?" "They went to bed." "Weren't you guys going to have dinner?" "Yes but they already ate. They have wake up early tomorrow." "I see." "Well I got to go, need eat too."
Ella was out the door and went several doors down to the restaurant; most restaurants are full of happy lively chatter but today from what I heard shouting and yelling. "That's it you're fired!" "What about money I earned?" "You didn't work long enough for that." "What!?" Ralph, well I made a good deal of money, enough for two meals, a room, and my horse staying at the stable. "Ralph. Do you want to join me for dinner?" Looking at the entrance Ralph saw Ella. "Why would I?" "You said earlier that we need to talk." "Yes but privately you imbecile." "I know, we can talk after dinner. That is if you haven't had anything.?" "Fine. Whatever but you're paying." They took an empty table, a worker came over to take their order, Ella ordered the food. "This looks awful." "Taste it before you judge." One bite and Ralph was smiling, "this is good!" "See." Ella and Ralph finished their meals, Ella paid for it, and both of them left. "So where can we go talk privately?" "That bench there is fine. I know it's open but considering it's dark and no one is out." "Whatever." "Before you say anything how about a thank you." "For what?" "Paying for your meal." "Ugh. You don't deserve one, I'm sure you told my father of this plan and now look." "Whether I did or didn't you can learn something from this experience and who knows you might like it and change." "That's stupid. Wait, you did talk to him!" "I overheard what he said to you. Well we better go to the inn." "Why?" "I need to work tomorrow and I'm sure you'll be looking for a job." "Fine."
Ella and Ralph came into the Inn as Ruth just looked up, "good night Ella. See ya tomorrow morning." "Night Ruth... Oh and night Ralph." "I need a room, here some gold." "Ralph this is eighteen gold pieces, a room is twelve gold pieces, here." Giving back some gold and a room key, Ralph went right on up and fell asleep some time later.
"Ralph time to wake up, come on." "Five more minutes." Ella left and came back with a cup of cold water and dumped it on him. "What was that for!" "You need to get up and look for a job... now hop, hop or would you rather want another cup of cold water?" "I'm up." Ella went downstairs to clean some, when Ella turned around she saw Ralph at the door about to leave." "Good luck." A nod only came from Ralph, as soon as Ralph left a guard came in. "I'm looking for Ella do you know where I could find her?" "I'm Ella." "Do you work here?" "Yes." "The king would like to see you right away, if possible now." "I'm working as you know." Ruth came out to ask Ella something but after seeing the guard she forgot what she was going to ask. "May I help you?" "Are you the owner?" "Why yes I am. Is something wrong?" "The king wishes to talk to Ella. If it is alright can Ella come back with me? When she's done talking with king she'll come back." "Yes of course." Ella got on the horse with the soldier and rode to the palace, they both got off the horse, walked up the stairs, and went into the throne room, "my apology for summoning you like this. I'll get straight to the point so you can go back to your work or whatever you were doing. I heard that my son attacked you. Are you alright?" "I'm perfectly fine King Richard." "Glad to hear. If it's alright with you I would like to post a soldier at the inn to protect you, so if he tries to do that again you'll be protected." "With all do respect I don't want or need that and I think it'll worry your subjects even more." "You may be right. How about near the inn? I heard you dodged and protected yourself with nothing than a stool." "Yes." "Please keep a wooden sword with you so if you get attacked again you'll have it to protect yourself until a guard comes." "Will do." "Thank you; that is all. Please Marvin escort Miss. Ella back." "Of course." Some time went by; Orson and Robert came in to get Ella for lunch and then back to work.
"Time certainly goes by fast doesn't it Ruth?" "Sure does. Hey before you go to bed can you go the general store to buy me some needle and thread?" "Sure I'll be happy to." Ruth gave Ella some money and waited for Ella's return. Ruth did some cleaning, then door opened but it was only Ralph who slouched on the couch. "I'm back." "Thank you... Poor dear must be tired if he can't even ask for a room." "Ruth give me a room for him." "Remember what the king said? We can't help him unless he works and pays for it himself." "I know, which he is. If he got a job it must be hard and how I woke him up, he'll repay me tomorrow." "You don't mean?" "Yes I'll pay for his and my room tonight. Give me a key for his room please." "Has anyone ever told ya you have a big heart?" "No." "Well you do. Alright lets do this." "Thanks."
Morning broke, Ruth came in and woke Ralph... "Where am I? In a room?" "If it was up to me I would have left you on that couch downstairs but Ella insisted on paying for last night not to mention got me to help her get you to this room. If you do have money on ya you should repay Ella." Ruth left before Ralph could say anything. What is it with her? She doesn't make any sense. Ralph descended the stairs seeing Ella hold the door open for an elderly couple; "morning." "Yeah. Hey uh- thanks." "For what?" "Last night... I heard from Ruth that you payed for a room for me, that she and you carried me up to it." "Ah, well you're welcome. You best get some breakfast before you head off to work." "Wait, here; for last night." "Yeah but I have a feeling it'll be use again tonight." "Huh?" "You were so tired last night I imagine it'll be the same tonight." Ralph still handed the money to Ella and left after her statement was said; that night was indeed the same.
"Ralph I don't know if you should keep working where ever." "Black smiths." "That would make you tired. I think you should quit and find another job, a job that won't tire you out or won't hurt your muscles." "I can't it makes a lot money." "Yes but everyday your hurt muscles and repaying me. Quit. I know the stables are hiring." "Your right. I suppose I'll think about it." "No thinking, you'll do it!" "Whatever."
Ralph left for work; "Ruth I'll be back. I need go talk to Orson about something." "Alright." Ella walked down to the general store, "Orson can we talk privately?" "Well- uh." "Go ahead we have it. Right Robert?" "Thanks." Orson and Ella went out behind the store to talk privately and quietly as possible. "You're out of your mind! Are you awake?" "Yes I'm awake but think... I'll get a new perspective, it'll show Ralph that people come and go into people's lives, and he'll learn to depend on others and himself too." "You got a point, a lot of points. Honestly though someone like you shouldn't be there." "I suppose you're right but I'm sure it'll benefit me." "Are you just going go to the palace ask for an audience with the king and ask him to be a prisoner and tortured a little for how long?" "Yes and it'll just be a month." "So why are you telling me this?" "I want you to watch my horse and weapons, please don't tell Ralph and uh Robert or Ruth." "Why not Robert or Ruth?" "They would try to change my mind, and probably would want go make sure the king won't do it. So?" "Alright fine. Are you going to ask today?" "Yes. Here take these and keep them safe. Remember your promise, bye Orson." "Bye." Ella went back to the inn to tell Ruth that she'll be gone for a month but will be back to work when she returns. Orson placed the weapons in the back room and told his boss that the weapons there was his.
Ella was standing at the staircase of the palace looking up, and starting walking up them as if it was nothing. You can do it.
Ella waited in the throne room while a servant went to get King Richard. Ella stayed perfectly calm as if it was a normal, while King Richard took his seat on the throne Ella was staying calm thinking her words to say. King Richard spoke after he sat down on the throne, saying "I hear you have a strange request, lets hear it." "By the time I finish you'll think it's unusual... I would like to be one of your prisoners and maybe tortured some." "You're right, it is totally unusual and unheard of ... A nice young lady to ask such a thing." Ella then explained why she wanted to do it excluding her identity. "Did you practice this speech.?" "I did tell my one friend just in case you agreed and yes I practiced a little. Well?" "You really want this and made so many interesting points... Fine, how long?" "Maybe a month." "Deal. Lets get you changed." "Changed?" "You'll want a clean outfit after you're done." "That's true... Oh when it comes to tortures I'll decide what and how long." "Since you requested this fine by me." Ella left, followed a servant to a room to change into a new outfit leaving her outfit behind in that room; while changing Ella kept telling herself repeatedly you can't back out now; you can do it. Once Ella came out of the bedroom, with confidence said "ready" to the king who was waiting outside with the servant who showed Ella to the room and a few guards. King Richard then said "Guards as we discussed, put her in the dungeon." The guards took Ella's arms pushing her forward like they would with regular prisoners to the dungeon. They finally reached the dungeon to the cell where Ella would be for a month. All stoned walls, a lot of rooms. My cell has one door a little tiny window that a turtle could probably fit in either wise it's dark. The first couple days I'll stay in this cell just to get the gist of it.
In town everyone was either getting dinner or heading home. As for Robert he was looking through town for Ella since Ruth and Orson, who lied about not knowing where Ella was; Ralph fell asleep on the couch. "Any luck finding her?" "No, I looked everywhere. Ruth?" "Nothing." "Maybe he'll know.?" "Don't bother trying wake him, Ella and I carried him to his room nearly every night." "We'll ask him tomorrow." Ruth was worried about Ella not knowing where she was and Orson felt guilty knowing where Ella is while Robert and soon to be Ralph not knowing. Morning broke and remembering last night, Ruth woke Ralph up for his job and asked if he knew where Ella was. "Ella's gone! Where is she?" asked Ralph, Ruth said she doesn't know, that her friends looked through the town but nothing. Ruth then ushered Ralph to hurry to work else he be late. I wonder where she went off to was on everybody's mind accept for Orson.
About four days gone by, everyone was still worried and curious, as for Ella she thought it was about time for a torture or a few. A guard was usually nearby so Ella could call for one, "guard lets do a torture." "We have a few, lets go. I was instructed to treat you like any other prisoner but to obey you since this was a request on your behalf." "Yes; so let me see and pick one or two for today." Since Ella didn't know much about the tortures she asked if they could go to each room and if possible describe the torture. The guard only nodded, not saying anything but then Ella changed her mind about them describing the tortures.
In a month Ella learned some tortures are actually torturous, embarrassing, and a few has odd names. Maybe a new friend or two, in which one will be going with Ella to a new kingdom to find work since he was fired. King Richard then said to Galvin, the fired guard "you are to go with Bertha and Ella, wait for Ella to finish." "Uh-" "Bertha is going to take you to a room where your clothes are and so you can bathe also. Galvin you may be fired but you're staying with Bertha until Ella is done. I don't want unwanted trouble." "Sir I won't cause trouble I promise you that." "Even so... After you're done why don't you and Galvin join me for dinner?" "Of course your majesty, thank you." After Ella's bath, changing into her old clothes, and new undergarments someone would think Ella didn't ask for anything like being a prisoner or tortured.
At dinner it was quiet until King Richard spoke up. "So when will you tell Galvin where to go to find work?" "If you don't mind I plan to stay here for a little bit and I want Galvin to stay at the inn with me and my friends so there's won't be any unwanted trouble here." "Well I guess I see no harm, I didn't mean to seem mad or unwelcoming about earlier comments it's just few things happened. With him trying help you in the dungeon, giving you a torture you had no clue what it did." "I understand sir." "My apologies sir. I think I'll be fine, I trust Miss. Ella." Before King Richard could reply a servant came in saying "sorry but we have a problem." "What is it?" "Your son." "Did something happen? Speak up!" "He's in the throne room." "Please excuse me." Before either Galvin or Ella could say anything, King Richard was up and out of the room.
King Richard sat on the throne listening to the guard to what happened; Ralph looked at his father as if nothing will happen. The king got up from his throne, said to the guard "hold him here while I think what to do." King Richard went back to the dinning hall to find Ella. "Miss. Ella it seems I need to punish my son, I want your thought." "What do you mean you want my thought?" "Well you've done some tortures, I want your opinion on what shall I do for his punishment." "I see. What did he do?" "The guard said he asked a kid to borrow a book from either the school or library." "Well I say the stockade for maybe a day. Yes the people will throw vegetables but to me it's not that painful and as for embarrassment it depends on the person. Before you make your decision, I'd like to talk to him privately with the acception of Galvin." "I don't know how he'll react you being here but go ahead." "Thank you."
Ella, Galvin, and King Richard came out to the throne room; Ralph then said "You! What are you doing here?" Ella ignored Ralph while Richard said "guys these three need time alone to discuss something." "Thank you sire." As they left Ralph looked irritated and asked again "why are you here?.. Wait you've been here all along haven't you." "It's-" "Do you know your friends been looking for you!" "Mhm. It's not about me, as for them I'll them where I've been. So why did you ask a kid to borrow some book?" "It's not like I wanted to, that kid would have been in trouble probably if I didn't step in." "So you protected a child; good job." Ralph started to run toward Ella when Galvin went and got in between them. "Move or your fired!" "To late for that, I'm here till Miss. Ella decides to leave, then we'll be on our way." "Don't lose your temper, I'm only saying good job because you've changed. I bet if this happened when you first started living in town you wouldn't have done a thing. Right?" "I suppose." "Well I'm done talking. I'm going to get your father, Galvin and I going to finish what we were doing and then head back to town. See ya later."
Later that night Ella and Galvin saw Ralph in the stockade, the next day as well seeing people throw few eggs or vegetables. Once the sunset Ralph was released and went straight to the inn to find Ella who only said "it's late, lets get some sleep." "Oh and how am I going to do that? Being in the stockade, and unable to work today." "Right, I would pay for your room tonight but I'm paying for Galvin's." "Why are you paying for his room?" "None of your business... I know why don't you share a room with Robert or Galvin?" "I rather not." "I suppose those two are already asleep, so you'll share a room with Galvin. That is if it's alright?." "It's fine with me." "Well it's settled, night guys." Ella then went to her room to find sleep as well.
While Ella settled into her bed welcoming sleep Galvin made a spot up for Ralph, "I don't see why she's paying for your room or why I have to be the one sleeping on the couch. That lady is to much, I bet she even gave my father the idea for my punishment." "Look I was nice enough to agree for us to share this room so stop bickering or sleep in the lobby. As for Miss. Ella she has a heart so pure." "As if!" "Well I don't have a job so she is paying for my room until I find one and then for you... you may see it as punishment but if it wasn't for Ella you may have a different punishment. Course we usually put thieves in the stockade for amount time depending on the offense." "I see but how would she know how crazy this punishment was?" "Maybe because she spent a month in the dungeon being tortured." "What are you talking about?" "I suppose you don't know. She asked your father for a request; to be in the dungeon and tortured for a month but by her terms. Somethings unexpected happen which is why I'm here and not in the palace and or being punished either thanks to Ella." "I-I had no idea." "Yeah, now you know why I was saying how nice she is; well good night." "Wait! What tortures did she do?" "Why do you want to know?" "I'm curious." "If you want to know ask Ella." "No! I mean-" "If you're going get something for her or want to apologize I suppose you want to know what she endured. Right?" "Yes." "Well let me think... Chained to the wall, the pear, stockade... the coffin, and something else, I rather not say." "I see. That's a lot, I can't even imagine her-" "Well don't repeat what she done. Get some sleep."
Early the next day Ralph woke up, got dressed, and went downstairs to find Ella. "Look who's up." "Yeah... Hey why didn't you tell us where you were last month? Galvin told me where you were." "I didn't want to tell anyone but I told one because I didn't want him to worry and he knows my family some." "You like him, don't you?" A little blush rose to Ella's cheeks as she said "I'm not sure." "Does he like you?" Someone interjected "I doubt he likes her for reasons, although I'm sure he'll be happy to be great friends with you; bye." "Have fun at work Orson... Where's Robert?" "He already left while you were in the kitchen with Ruth I think." "I see." Orson then left while Ralph asked again "who is it you think you like?" "Never mind that, you'll be late to work. I heard from Ruth you quit at the blacksmiths and got hired at the stables." "Yeah. I took your advice.. It's alright there." Ralph then left after that before Ella could say good bye or anything.
As the day went by Ella wondered more about Orson, so she went to the store to talk to him. It seems Ella was right, that he heard everything that was said earlier between her and Ralph. After chatting with Orson and then Robert Ella went to the stables, "hey. What are you doing here?" "Visiting my horse, give me some carrots and apples, and see how you're doing." "I'm good. I'm sure your horse appreciates that and happy too." "True. Hey sorry if I seemed a little unpleasant earlier." "It's fine. I'll see ya later, got get back to work but stay as long as you want." "Thanks."