In this chapter, the true essence of the story is revealed: The Princess and the Pauper. What a twist. How unpredictable is this? Read and long for more! Will Arletta ever find her true love?
Arletta awoke with a start! Someone was shaking her. Turning over, her heart raced. Not only did she not remember where she was, the large form kneeling close to her wore a black robe. She gasped and drew back from him. “Who are you?” she cried, “and what do you want?”
“You know me, Princess,” he replied in a raspy, singsong voice, “I am assistant to the castle chaplain, Brother Gomez…” Huffing and puffing, he crawled to the wall and supported himself to stand up, moaning and groaning. Turning, he leaned on the wall and holding his large stomach he rasped, “Brother Simon… Princess… it’s almost noon already.”
Arletta frowned. She remembered Brother Gomez, but not this man; she had not been close to any of the chaplain’s assistants. “Have… have you come for me… to take me…” she began—dreading the thought of her sentence.
“I was permitted to see you and inform you about what was happening… it is not good, Princess. You must prepare yourself… Brother Gomez asked me to stay with you… until…” he coughed and held his stomach again.
Arletta rose awkwardly from the crude floor bed and shook out her crumpled dress. She did not speak because she could not find her voice. Dread thoughts bombarded her mind at once.
“The king, your father, and the prince, your brother, have not returned…”
Arletta squared her shoulders, imagining the worst—Grahgor had killed them and she was next…
“The word is that they escaped with a small remnant of the army…”
“They are alive?”
“Yes. The barbarian, Grahgor abandoned the pursuit and is heading here to this castle, to claim your father’s throne.”
“Then should I not escape from here?” she asked, her eyes turning to look at the closed cell door.
“I am not in charge of the castle here, Princess. I cannot release you…”
“Who is in charge then?” she asked.
“It is chaotic…”
“Who is in charge?” she demanded and then asked, “Why did Brother Gomez himself not come?” She almost added, but only thought it–After all I AM the princess!–And who is this man? —He’s so fat and old…and he’s sick…he can hardly stand up…
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