"19, 20.." I let out a sigh as I finish counting the tomatoes my mother had told me to fetch from the market in town, just to double check I had enough before I had to walk back, realising I was missing some. We don't live in the town because we're simply too poor, and the further away from the castle you live, the less the tax; it's the law. As a result, we live across the forest. The one separating the kingdom from the 'outlands', as the villagers call it.
In any case, the outsiders are excluded from the kingdom events, even from the schools. As this would be including me, my brother and I were taught by an older lady who lives next door to us, my younger sister is still having lessons from her. Mildred, or as we know her as Millie, is a lovely woman, always thinking of everyone before herself.
One time, when my mother was gravely ill, Millie nursed her to health, with the help of my father. I remember he said he was forever indebted to her for it. As well as thus, she allowed my brother and I stay in her home, as we were only young.
As I recall the fond memories of me and my brother chasing each other round the apple trees in Millie's orchard, I stumble on a tree root and fall to the ground, the tomatoes scattering everywhere.
"No", I mumble to myself as I gather up the tomatoes. That's when I hear chattering and laughing behind me. I flinch and swiftly glance around, and that's when I knew I was in front of the Tavern.
I look hesitantly towards it and see the run down building that seemed to glow against the darkness of the trees. The atmosphere around this place is one of horror as the windows flicker from the light of the candles. Along with this, I notice a collection of big built men, staring at me and laughing when they speak.
As I get back to clarity, I quickly put my head down, knowing what this Tavern has a reputation for. The stories I have heard from the village people and from Millie, are something to fear and I was always warned never to go near it by the ones who care for me. I must've wondered here whilst I was daydreaming.
As I finish putting the last tomato into the basket I begin to stand up, when I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder. He pushes me back down onto my knees, causing my tomatoes to go everywhere, again.
"What're y'doin 'ere" A gruff voice asks, his hand still on my shoulder, now grasping on it with a brutal force.
"It was an accident, please, excuse me" I say politely before the man roughly pulls me off the ground and slams me to the tree behind us. The splitting pain I gather from the action causes me to wince, and I bite my lip to try and suppress my scream.
"Y'shoudn't be 'ere" He mumbles, his breath smelling of alcohol and smoke, a terrible mixture.
"Please, let me leave" I ask, tears now building up in my eyes, from the mixture fear and pain and it causes my vision going blurry.
"Y're 'ere now, why not make use of 'ya" He proceeds to touch my cheek with the tip of his dirty, chubby fingers and I try and turn my head away from his touch.
I decide to scream for help, but his grubby hand covers my mouth before I can even begin, "N'one can 'ear ya' darlin', don' bother tryin''" He says, leaning in closer and I close my eyes in fright of what's going to happen. I hear horse hooves coming towards us and the man seemingly loosens his grip on my mouth.
"Let the lady go" I hear a deep and authoritative voice order and I open my eyes slowly, to see a silhouette of a man, behind the one grabbing me.
"Bugger off," The man holding my mouth lets go but continues his grip on my shoulders, keeping me from getting away. I wince in pain as my bruised shoulder gets hit back onto the tree. The mysterious man comes forward and puts a hand on the thugs shoulder, yanking him away and ordering him again
"I said, let the lady go".
The thug glances at the man and his eyes visually widen and he quickly stumbles away muttering a 'sorry', almost intimidated by the mystery mans stare, it seems. I breathe a sigh of relief as I fall down the tree to the floor, exhausted from the awful experience.
"Are you alright?" The mysterious man, still shadowed the darkness, squats down in front of me and offers a hand.
"I will be, thank you" I say taking his hand as he pulls me up gently, but the bruise of my shoulder stings, causing me to wince again. My hand reaches for the spot, hoping the action will provide some sort of relief from the pain.
"Are you sure?" The man comforts, now holding my arm in both his hands. I simply nod as I look to the floor, seeing my tomatoes squished into the ground from the previous predicament.
"Would you like a hand getting home?" He asks politely, gesturing to his horse, tamely nibbling grass, behind him. I quickly shake my head saying,
"no, I couldn't possibly-"
"Please, it's no problem" That's when I look up at him, seeing half of his features not shadowed, including his amazingly crystal blue eyes.
The amount of concern in them provides me with the information I need to be able to trust him, and so I do.
"Thank you, Sir" I manage to get out as his eyes pierce into mine. He replies with a nod, as he swiftly gets up on his horses back, reaching his hand out to me. I take it as a help up, even though I'm not sure I need it, as I grew up around horses. I put my arms around him, to secure myself on the steed and the stranger looks to me, twisting his neck.
"Where is your home?" He asks politely, and I look down in embarrassment whilst mumbling "the outlands".
"Don't be so ashamed" He tells me, then turns back to face forwards and slams his reigns, making his horse run through the forest, us soon returning to the path I should've stuck to.
As the forest comes to its end, I see my house. I see the dim light from the candles in the windows, but also a light from a lantern. As we come closer I see my brother is the culprit, my mother, sister and Millie all standing with him. As they notice my approach, my mother runs towards the strangers horse.
"Oh Evangeline, where did you get to, we've been worried sick" My mother starts as the stranger gets off of his horse, before reaching a hand out to me to help me down. I don't spare a second to look at him before I run into my mothers open arms.
"I'm so sorry mother, I wandered off path and.." I trail off, not wanting to recall the memory and pressing my face further into my mothers shoulder. As if she already knows, she runs a soothing hand through my knotted hair.
"I found her outside the Tavern, a thug had got to her before I had a chance to offer my help" I recognise the soothing tone of the mans voice and I take in a sharp breath, trying to gain some composure. My mother then passes me to my older brother and his free arm wraps around me as my mother speaks.
"We're so very grateful, your Highness"
My eyes grow wide at the title and I quickly turn around to see my mother, sister and Millie in a curtsy, my brother beginning to bow. I then look to the mysterious man, who has come out from the shadows of the woods and is standing right in front of me, his eyes looking into mine. He's a Prince of Harinford, Prince Alexander.
"Oh, Prince Alexander, forgive me for my informalities. I had not-" I bend into a rushed curtsy before he cuts me off with a raise of his hand and a slight smile on his lips.
"I understand," he replies "please, stand" he says gently, coming closer to me.
I stand up straight as feel a hand on my hurt shoulder and groaning from the instant pain. "Angel? What happened to your shoulder?" Stefan questions from beside me, his tone of voice the usual for a caring brother as he uses the nickname my dad gave me.
"Oh it's nothing I-"
"It's not nothing, Evangeline" my mother speaks as she comes round to look.
She pulls my sleeve down and can obviously see the mark as her face twist, Millie scanning the wound with her eyes too.
"Oh, Angel, who did this?" She asks her eyes mirroring mine, brimming with tears.
"I don't know, mother" I reply honestly and take her hand which is still placed on my delicately shoulder.
Catherine comes over to me, hugging my leg as thats how small she is at the age of 5. She is not my sister by blood, but mother took her in when her parents left.
"Angel's hurt" I hear her voice cracking and my heart breaks at the tone. That's when I release my shoulder from my mother's grip and bend down to face my sister.
"Hey, it's alright Katie! I'm fine, see" I exaggerate as I wipe her tears and smile bigger to convince her that I'm happy.
"But-but.." Katie pouts and I smile genuinely at her concern and pull her into a hug, her head snuggles into my neck as I smooth my hands over her back.
"It's alright.." I repeat as I feel her tears drip onto my collarbone
After that day two weeks ago, my mother won't allow me to go to the town alone anymore. Even though I loved walking with just me and my thoughts through the forest, seeing the light twinkle through the branches and going at my own pace, I can understand her reasoning.
My mother and I are currently walking towards the village to get some groceries, in addition to her wanting to meet an old friend she knew when she used to live this side of the trees.
"Angel, when do you suppose you'll be searching for a husband?" My mother asks out of the blue, as the village starts to peek through the swaying trees. I turn to her with a curious look wondering where this sudden eagerness has stemmed from. She doesn't look at me though, only at the view in front of her.
"When I find the right man, mother. I am only 19, I think I still have a few years before I need to concern myself with such things" I speak with a soft tone, not wanting to offend her, though it was an odd question. She then turns to me and gently holds both my hands in hers.
"Evangeline, I want you to have a better life than what you are living now" she speaks with a clear look of sincerity written in her eyes. An heartfelt smile grows on my face as I bring a hand to hold her cheek,
"mother, I am not unhappy with my life. I have you, Stefan, Katie and Millie. I only need you to be happy. I'm not searching for a life with an absurdly rich husband" I explain to her as her hazel eyes start to well up and a small smile graces her lips. I turn and link my arm with hers and we start to walk towards the bustling village again.
When we reach the town I see bunting and banners plastered across the street lanterns, shops and houses.
"What are they celebrating, mother?" Of course, our family is kept out of all the kingdoms occasions, we are always unaware of what they could be celebrating.
"In Miriam's letter she wrote something about an announcement from the palace today"
My mother explains and I nod slightly, wondering what could be this special. "Adeline!" I hear a female voice say my mother's name from behind us and we quickly turn towards that direction.
"Oh Miriam! How have you been!" My mother embraces her old friend with a large smile on her lips. I stand back and let them have their moment whilst I look up at all the decorations, trying to read what they say, something about one of the Princes?
"Oh! I'm so sorry miss, please excuse me" I hear a small voice say after something hard hits my hip. I turn to face the owner of this voice and am met with a small boy carrying a large crate of apples, his eyes only just peaking over the edge. He must only be a little older than Katie.
"It's alright, please don't worry, would you like some help?" I duck down to his level and take the crate cautiously in my hands, not wanting to scare him.
"Would you? Wow miss! Thank you! My father was called away so told me to take this the rest of the way home" The boy explains as he let's go of the crate giving all it's weight to me as the boys stretches out his arms.
"It's my pleasure! Where are you heading?" I ask as he starts to lead the way. "Just over there, to that stall" he says pointing in the direction of a fruit stall. We make our formalities and he introduces himself as Carter Locket, saying he will turn 10 in 2 months.
"These are quite heavy! You must be really strong!" I say laughing as the boy smiles up at me.
"We had to get them from the outlands! That's through the forest!" He exclaims excitedly as we near the stall and I place the crate behind it. "Did you get them from Mildred, by any chance?" I ask him curiously, and he nods with a look of confusion on his little face,
"how did you know?" He asks but I don't have time to finish as a mans voice sounds from behind me.
"Carter, who is this?" The boy looks behind me and smiles, grabbing my hand and swiftly turning me around.
I am faced with a gentleman who looks to be in his early 20s. He's over 6ft, and his white shirt and suspenders exentuate broad shoulders. His hair is a dark brown, with a slight curl to it and his eyes seem to be the same colour; he's very attractive.
"This is Evangeline, she helped me carry the apples! After I bumped into her..." Carter says enthusiastically then trails off as the man gives him a stare of false disappointed and walks nearer to us.
"Evangeline, this is meany here is my brother" Carter explains as the man gets closer and holds his hand out for a handshake.
"I'm Derek, thank you for helping him, he can be clumsy" Derek laughs slightly and I smile and grasp his hand
"I'm Evangeline, it's lovely to meet you and trust me, it was no trouble" I laugh as well and he looks me in the eyes, an expression I can't make out on his face.
"Evangeline? Come on, Darling, we're going to have some lunch" I hear my mother's voice as she cracks me out of the trance Derek had just put me in with his stare. I shake my head slightly to clear my mind and look to my mother who has a gentle smile on her face, arm in arm with Miriam who is also smiling.
I say "Okay, I'm coming" before I bid farewell to Carter and Derek. I go around the stall and manage to greet Miriam before my mother asks the question I was thinking she'd ask. "Who was that young man? He was very handsome".
After finishing our lunch at a nearby bakery, Miriam offering to pay for ours, we all walk back to the middle of the town near the palace, when Miriam starts to tell us about the announcement.
"We all had a letter posted through our doors, telling us that at 2 o'clock, the Prince will be coming to make an announcement" she explains and mother and I nod in understanding.
"What Prince is that? Samuel or Alexander?" My mother questions.
Miriam puts a dainty, but wrinkled finger to her chin as we walk, stopping by the town clock. "I'm not sure the letter specified, but who knows with the Royals, it might not even be the Prince!" She says and we all laugh, even mother and I knowing how both the Princes are very unreliable when it comes to special occasions.
I stand comfortably against the clock tower, my back pressed against it but only delicately, as my shoulder is still healing. Consequently, it almost got dislocated from the thugs brutality, one more push and it would have been much worse.
Luckily, Millie helped me by making some medicines, as well as my family helping me rest by doing my chores and jobs around the house.
All of a sudden, I hear the trumpets sound and my heart jumps to then hear a little someone calling me.
"Evangeline! Come quick, the Prince is coming!" I hear the voice of Carter as he forces he way through the crowd that had quickly gathered around the palace gates, which is not too far away from where we're standing.
When Carter reaches me, he pulls on my good arm and tugs me with him, to which my mother and Miriam have a giggle and they wave at me as I'm pulled into the crowd, I don't think they're too interested in what the palace has to say.
Carter brings me close to the front of the gates where I bump into Derek, who's standing with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face, until he notices who we are.
"Hello again, miss Evangeline" he smiles slightly and I smile back, not being able to reply as the trumpets sound again, the gates opening, the crowd being herded back by guards. I hear chatter all around me, women fawning over his classically handsome features, accompanied by the grumbles of some men who don't seem as interested in this whole ordeal.
"What exactly's going on, Derek?" I whisper loudly to be heard over the crowd. I can't see much of what is happening in front of the gates, due to the mass of people and my just over 5ft frame.
"Prince Alexander is there, his advisor next to him" Derek bends down to whisper in my ear and I nod still trying to see through the crowd on my tip toes.
"Silence everybody! The Prince needs to make an announcement!" One of the guards shouts loud so the villagers all stand silent, probably scared stiff of the loud voice.
"Derek lift me up!" I hear Carter whisper from in between us and I look down to see him pulling on Dereks shirt. He roles his eyes but lifts Carter on his shoulders anyway and I smile at the gesture. It reminds me of Stefan and I.
"Now, people of Harinford," I hear the authoritative voice of Prince Alexander project over the crowd; much less soothing than the other night.
"I'm glad you're here as I need to make a special announcement. All of you shall be invited to a ball I am throwing for my 20th birthday," I hear multiple squeals and cheers from the crowd and I can no longer hear the Prince until,
"SILENCE" as the guard yells and the crowd does just that.
"As I was saying, you will all be invited. There will be food for you all as well as beverages. This will be in a weeks time and invitations will be sent through your doors before hand, you must show them to the guard before you enter. Thank you for listening and I shall see you then" I hear the Prince say before the eruption of the crowd below again.
"Great" I hear Derek say as he places Carter back down on the floor once the villagers start to disperse.
"What's the matter?" I ask when I see a scowl on his face. He swipes a hand through his hair and looks at me.
"Nothing.. don't worry about it" he waves me off with his hand, forcing a smile on his face. I still don't trust it was nothing but I decide to leave it there. He has only met me today, after all.
"Eva will you go?" Carter asks me as we start to walk back to where I left my mother and Miriam. I laugh and shake my head,
"I don't think so Carter, I might not be welcomed there" I say, referring to where I live; I won't get posted an invitation, we never do. We didn't for Prince Samuel's 13th birthday ball last year, or even the Kings coronation.
"What do you mean, he said we would all be able to attend?" Derek says quizzically. I open my mouth to reply when I hear my mother calling me,
"Evangeline! What was the announcement?" My mother takes my hand and encloses it in both of hers.
"The Prince is having a ball ma'am! He said we'd all be invited!" Carter says excitedly to my mother and she smiles down at him, putting a hand on his cheek,
"well aren't you a dear little soul" she smiles; I think he reminds her of Katie.
"It's nice to meet you, young man," My mother holds out her hand and Carter shakes it forcefully; introducing himself. Derek puts a hand on Carters shoulder, which catches my mother's attention and she looks up at him with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you ma'am, I'm Derek Locket" He gives her a genuine smile and reaches his hand out for her to shake, as my mother gives me a quick glance with a smirk on her face.
"Oh, dear, thank you so much for making Evangeline here feel welcomed" she enthusiastically takes his hand in both of hers, like she did with mine just a minute ago.
"She's a lovely girl, ma'am. It wasn't an issue" he states.
I feel a blush come to my cheeks as my mother side glances to me again, giving me a satisfactory raise of her eyebrows, making her approval of him known to everyone present.