Chapter 6 Unexpected Twist
While they were walking, one of the princess's Maid summoned courage and walked to her.
"My Princess, don't you think you're being too kind? How can we take this strangers to the palace, what if they are spies, what do we tell the Emperor? Please my princess I think it's more better to rethink now before it's too late". The maid said.
"Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?, I know what am doing, and you're in no position to advice me on how to think. This man here has captured my heart, am not letting him go, whatever my father says or does, I will take full responsibility for my actions". The princess said in anger.
"Am sorry for what I said my Princess, I didn't mean to upset you, I was only concerned about you, I should have thought properly before talking, please forgive me, I ....The maid tried to plead but was cut off by the princess.
"Enough with the apologies already, It's not like I gave you a death sentence. It's okay I wasn't upset". The princess replied calmly, she looked at Zeb and gave him a cheeky smile.
" I Hope she is not taking us to our doom, why do you look so calm?you have to do something, use your magic spells and check if there's any danger ahead of us" Zeb whispered to Sagewood.
"I told you I can't use my magical powers till the next day. But rest assured, I have a feeling you're five steps away from accomplishing your mission". Sagewood replied back in a whisper.
"What do you mean Five steps away; what's he talking about?
As Zeb leaned forward to whisper to Sagewood, the princess turned, and he immediately flashed her a fake smile.
"Are you, by chance, travelers? The way you're dressed makes you look more like travelers," the princess asked Zeb and Sagewood.
"Yes we are travelers, we lost our way and were stranded," Sagewood replied without much thought.
"My instincts told me the moment I saw you two". The princess replied.
"Did she just say her instincts?" Zeb thought in his mind.
"What is your name, princess, if I may ask?" Zeb asked.
"My name is Anna", the princess replied with a smile.
"What? Your name is Anna? Zeb confusion was at its peak at the mention of the name Anna. That's his ex girlfriend's name. But the princess here doesn't look anything like his ex girlfriend Anna, which is one of the reasons he time traveled.
Sagewood looked at Zeb and slowly shook his head, quietly telling him not to misbehave.
"Oh wow! You have a beautiful name just like you, Zeb snapped out of his thoughts, and complimented the princess, who gave him a shy smile.
They walked for minutes till they arrived at the Beautiful compound.
"We are here, welcome to my home, travelers," The princess said as soon as they stepped into a huge beautiful compound.
Zeb surveyed the huge compound with his eyes, and exclaimed at the beauty of the houses in it.
"Wow! How can an ancient house look so good like this? ehmm; I mean, The house is so beautiful, it's giving an ancient vibe", Zeb corrected himself instantly.
"Of course it will give an ancient vibe because we're currently in the ancient time, in the next hundred years to come, there is going to be a great development, companies, hospitals, schools, and sports will be established by then, even AI. and there might be just fewer bushes". The princess said.
"Why is she talking like a fortune teller, could she really be from the future too?" Zeb asked Sagewood In a whisper.
"Ehmm , You're truly wise my princess, Sagewood said, to the princess, giving Zeb a "shut it " look.
As soon as they walked in to one of the houses, the princess rushed to her father and bowed before him, signalling Zeb and Sagewood to do the same.
"Greetings father, May you reign forever! I brought with me two travelers who lost their way, please, permit them to stay with us for some time, while they sort out how they will return to their home town". The princess pleaded.
"How could you bring this strangers into my palace, what if they are spies? Guards! Seize this spies and lock them up in the dungeon". The king ordered.
"Father! How could you conclude they are spies without any investigation? This men needs help, they are not spies, if the guards step an inch closer to them I will personally fight your guards". The princess challenged her father.
Stop! Let them be". the king ordered his guards.
"Please come with me", the princess said and led the two men to another building in the compound.
"Get them something to eat and drink " she ordered the maids.
Zeb on the other hand was in deep confusion, how could the Emperor look exactly like his wicked uncle Eguapo, is he daydreaming? If that's the case, will I also see people that look exactly the same like my family? He thought to himself.
"Snap out of it" Sagewood called Zeb back to reality with a slap at the back of his head.
"You are always hitting me" Zeb said holding his head in pain and frowned at Sagewood.
"Please make yourselves comfortable, this is our guest house, there are two rooms and we are currently in one of the rooms the other one is over there, the toilet and bathroom are over there, she pointed, call me if you need anything". The princess said.
"Thank you so much, imperial heiress; you are so kind " Sagewood thanked the princess with her royal title.
"Don't mention, here comes your food' the princess announced as soon as one of the maids entered.
"Enjoy the meal" the princess said and left.
"Am sure the man sitting on that throne is my uncle, he looks exactly like him including the way he speaks". Zeb said.
"You can't be sure he is the one, Don't act rashly". Sagewood replied.
At the palace, the emperor beckoned on his guards to come, "keep an eye on those strangers, don't slack off" The emperor ordered.