• The Story Of Fantasy

    Ch. 1

    Peaches

    A castle of gray stone stood high above the town. Brick laid upon the long streets as the people of many colors walked amongst it. The day is a brilliant shade of morning with the sun fully set. Ready for another long day of its mysterious future.

    “Elda! Watch were you are going!” Shouted a booming voice. A loud crash had rung threw out the castle‘s, over crowded, kitchen.

    Elda, a fifteen year old girl laid sprawled upon the stone kitchen floor. Dishes surrounded her, splattered and cracked. She sat up placing her hands upon her forehead as the pain rushed threw and a bump was sure to start up any minute.

    “Sorry, aunt Helen.” she mumbled softly. Picking up the shattered bits of porcelain.

    Aunt Helen, an old plump women with strict gray hair stood before Elda. Her hands upon her wide hips and lips tightly pursed.

    “Seriously Elda!!” she snorted as her face began to turn a mere red. “If you can not slow down I will assign you to the stables!” her tight kept bun almost fell apart as her head shook in disapproval.

    “Yes, aunt Helen. I am sorry, aunt Helen.” Elda got on her feet quickly and headed towards the marble sinks. Re-tightening her own dark brown bun then disposing the shattered pieces.

    Elda, was a young girl whom were an orphan when a baby. She were found upon the cold steps of the magnificent castle. Aunt Helen found the child crying out for warmth and instantly took Elda in. Raising the young baby as her own. Sadly, Helen never really gave the child the concept of fun and play. For as soon as Elda could walk she worked within the crowded kitchens.

    Often Elda would dream of leaving the stone like prison to go out and have an exciting adventure. To find the man whom will make her fall in love at first glance. He would love her, and carry her off to some distant land where piece is found. Aunt Helen only reminded Elda that her dreams are only but a silly fantasy. That only fantasy’s belong within the pages of a book.

    “Alright everybody! Break is over now back to work!” Summoned aunt Helen with force. “The Prince shall arrive at the castle with his new bride. I want this kitchen in top shape with food out and ready for the feast tonight.” Her voice always gave a loud boom without any mercy.

    Many of the cooks and maids scattered instantly to their sections to begin preparing for the large feast. For every year when the prince arrives back at the castle form his big trip a feast is held.

    “As for you, Elda,” aunt Helen deeply gestured. “I want you to deliver these basket of goods to the prince’s chamber. He deserves a nice welcome home gift.”

    Elda slightly shifted as she caught aunt Helens sentence. Not once did she wanted to ever meet or see the prince. Better yet be near his chamber. Elda could not stand the prince for her thoughts of him was most displeasing.

    Yet Elda could not defy aunt Helen and did as told. Taking the large weaved basket she went out into the bright white halls. Her mouth closed tight as she paced her own walking. Taking as long as she needed from the kitchen and the Prince’s chamber.

    “Hello Elda.” said a soft young voice. Emily, a bright blonde girl of Elda’s age, stood before with a green vase of many colored flowers. Emily has worked as a cleaning maid within the castle for as long as Elda had been in the kitchens. Forever, she and her family been dear friends.

    “Good morning, Emily,” Elda smiled in greeting.

    Emily of course smiled back as she turned to place the green vase of flowers on a medium marble table.

    “What a beautiful set of goods you have their. For whom is it for?” she questioned brightly. “For the Prince no doubt?”

    Elda gave a loud sigh of displeasure, “Yes of course, oh how I loath the opportunity.”

    “ Still not fond of the Prince I see. Seriously now, how can you hate someone you have never met? Better yet seen?”

    “Well there is a reason right their!” Elda nodded. “Our Prince is basically a mystery. No one has ever seen him once. Never! I say that is pretty suspicious if you ask me.”

    “And I am guessing that you have another reason, Elda?” Emily tilted her head to the side. Her loud green eyes wide with amusement.

    “In a matter of fact I do. The Prince has no cotton picking clue of what he is doing. He is not running this kingdom the right way as he should! Food is beginning to not be the same and people are loosing their trust in him. Because he is not willing to prove that he is really their!” Elda frowned as her own reason wasn’t put together right but it was the truth. Why didn’t the Prince let his face be shown? Or at least some part of him? It is like he is hiding something.

    Emily grew quiet as she gave a good thought, “Got a point but…maybe he has a very good reason on hiding his identity. The world isn’t very trust worthy anymore.”

    “Maybe so..” Elda mumbled as she shifted the basket to her other arm. “ Might as well drop this basket off and be done with it.” Emily gave a slight chuckle at Elda’s funny expression.

    “Alright then.” she laughed, “I will see you later.” Emily turned towards the kitchens to go help clean. “Hope your opinion changes Elda. He may be the most wonderful thing one could have.”

    Elda had no hesitation as she pushed open the large carved doors which lead into the Prince’s chamber.

    Light of the sun gleamed threw the large glass windows. Walls of royal pale blue painted the ceiling as well as white fluffy clouds. All making a nice heaven like seen with the porcelain angels dangling from the tall ceiling. Many knickknacks went loose about the chamber as well. Giving it a child like look.

    Elda laid the basket of goods down upon the nightstand of pure gold. Her blue eyes roamed the room then caught a glimpse of a long delicate white dress. Decorated with beads to give the dress a royal look. It laid neatly upon the giant bed. Right next to the dress laid a cream colored uniform with a light blue cape. Gold accessories included with the attire and more.

    ‘He must be serious about marriage.’ Elda thought to herself. Examining the special wear with aw. ‘Must really be in love if all this is out and ready.’ She walked towards the door without another thought.

    As expected, loud golden trumpets bellowed threw out the town. People were crowding into the bricked streets. Shouting in excited tones. Each waiting for the dazzling white horses to come trotting threw the tall gates.

    “Elda! Hurry! We must meet the Prince in the front hall. It is tradition that we do so!” Aunt Helen said with a proud stance. She stood with the other cooks, maids, and cleaners.

    Elda rushed to aunt Helen’s side in line. She kept wondering, will they get to see the Princes face this time? Usually he is covered with a big cloak or surrounded by so many guards. What did he have to hide?

    Elda stood still as the people outside were heard perfectly as their voices grew into a burst. The Prince is here and will be threw the over large doors any second. Elda closed her eyes as she could feel the nerves let go.

    “Ladies and Gentlemen, I now pronounce that the Prince is finally here!” Shouted the head man by the door. Everyone jumping, or leaning to get a good view. Their excitement grew mild.

    The large doors opened wide with foot steps pattering in a continuous rhythm. Solders, wearing the Prince’s colors of royal blue, came thundering on threw with blank expressions. Crowding no other then a hooded figure covered in many gold and silver small chains with tassels. Again hidden from the eyes of his people. Elda had the urge of anger within her lungs and was ready to let it out. Then her eyes caught the large lump upon his back. Hidden by the night colored cloak that drenched his body whole.

    “Welcome home you majesty!” aunt Helen greeted along with the other workers. Elda kept silent with her mouth shut tight again. Arms crossed in front as her face turned to the side.

    The Prince was only called The Prince for his name was never to be said. Seemed like such a silly rule for his people. Yet no one seemed to question it like Elda.

    “Oh your majesty! Where is the beautiful bride to be?” aunt Helen shouted out with a great smile. Elda turned her head slightly towards the hidden Prince, noticing as well, that he did not have a women with him.

    The Prince turned his head as he stopped walking. Aunt Helen shut her mouth quickly as her face read unsure.

    “My apologies,” his voice smoothed out nice and deep. The first time Elda even heard him speak. “The bride to be surely wasn’t the bride for me.” He turned his head slightly then stopped his hidden eyes at Elda whom turned her head away. He gave a soft chuckle as he began to move on.

    Maids, cleaners, cooks and more were running about frantically to get the last minute preparations in place for the big feast.

    “No no no!” shouted aunt Helen. She roamed threw the many cabinets in search of peaches, the Prince’s favorite fruit. “Elda! Please come here this is urgent!” she shouted in frustration. Slamming down a few coins on the wooden table as Elda came rushing in. “I need you to go down to the market and gather the largest peaches you can find! A feast is not a feast without the Princes peaches!”

    Elda rolled her eyes as she placed the silver coins within her skirt pocket. Trying not to give the expression of hatred against Helen.

    “Yes, aunt Helen.” she mumbled, strolling out of the kitchens back door and into the courtyard. Heading strait for the little marketing town.

    “Gee, all this racket over some peaches.” Elda scoffed. “So what if the Prince doesn’t get some mere peaches? I bet he can get them anytime he wants.”

    The town seemed to be in most silence as many of the shop owners were closed for the feast. Those whom stayed in business where forced to work to raise money.

    Elda searched for those peaches in many fruit or produce shops she could find. But none were open and some had no peaches in stock. Until finally a shop in the middle of town were spotted. A nice little stand had ,out front, rich juicy peaches.

    An old man with grey hair and mashed up looking skin stood behind the stand. A greasy smile placed up those wrinkled lips. The peaches stood a better chance then this old man.

    “Hello kind sir, how much are your wonderful looking peaches?” Elda asked in her most kindest tone she could muster.

    The old man glanced upon her with squinted eyes, grabbing a pair of rusted rimmed glasses. “Those peaches be 30 silver coins ma’am.” he answered.

    “30 silver coins?!” Elda choked out in surprise. “30 silver coins for peaches, sir? But in other shops they sold their peaches for only five coins a dozen. Surely the price you have is only fit for those of first class?”

    He gave one of his greasy grins, “Yep, these peaches are the very favorite of the Prince himself!” he laughed, “So of course these will cost more!”

    Elda sighed long as she dug threw her skirt pocket to only pull out seven silver coins. “Seems I am a bit short on silver coins.” she said softly. “I only got seven.”

    “Well that’s to bad.” the old man mumbled in a sad tone. “Not enough coins, No peaches.” he shook his head in gesture.

    Elda gripped her hands together in a begging motion, “ Please sir! I need those peaches for the feast! If I don’t get them my aunt Helen will never let me see the light of day again!”

    Again the old man shook his head in deny.

    “Sir I will do anything to get at least on measly peach! Anything!” Elda begged. She was ready to get down upon her knees if she had to.

    The old man leaned upon the small counter top on the stand. His smile came up to his ears. “Well….I am a lonely old man.” he chuckled in a fog like laugh.

    “You have got to be joking!” Elda barked in anger. Her hand in full fists. Until a big leather bag came down between the two.

    “This should be enough for five peaches I think.” A smooth velvet voice wiped around Elda’s ears. Having her legs buckle underneath.

    She turned quickly to eye a young beautiful male. Blonde shoulder length hair draped upon his perfect head. His nose well pointed forward. Yet the most stunning was the royal blue eyes he held. Oh what beautiful eyes. His skin even held a faint glow.

    “S.. sir.. you really don’t have to do this.” Elda choked out bashfully. Her cheeks turning pinkish. Never once has she seen a man like this, and he only looks a few years older yet very young.

    The beautiful man gave a kind hearted smile which made her own heart stop and re-start. “I really don’t mind.” he said. The velvet voice ringing threw her ears over and over.

    He nodded towards the shop keeper whom quickly placed five peaches within a weaved basket. Handing it instantly to Elda with a smug face.

    “Thank you, Sir.” she said breathless. Then shifted her feet as she wanted to hide in the castle. Yet the man had caught up to her with his strides. He was tall and well figured slim.

    “My name is Desu.” He said, “Please, tell me yours.”

    “Elda, sir.” she said slowly, biting the side of her lip as the nerves went hay wired. “I am offal sorry but I can not stay and chit chat. I must get these peaches to the prince.” her voice in disappointment. For she would have loved to stay.

    Desu took Elda’s hand, pulling her to face him. “Surely the Prince can wait for the peaches.”

    Elda tilted her head as her cheeks burned with warmth as he even touched her. Better yet did not care about the wants and needs of the prince. ‘He must be smart.’ she thought.

    “But sir,”

    “Desu, please call me Desu.” Desu interrupted, his hand filling Elda with a firry warmth. “Come and sit down with me for I don’t plan on asking a stranger to the feast.” he chuckled.

    “You what?!” Elda’s eyes widened in surprise. “I am ..really am truly sorry but I will have to decline for I will not be going to the feast. I will not go to the Prince’s feast if the Prince himself is a no show.”

    Desu arched his head up a bit as to make sure no one was around. “Not fond of the Prince?” he asked, eyes now filled with amusement.

    “Precisely, he is a poor ruler whom couldn’t find a wife even if it kills him. And he never shows his face to his own people, better yet give out his own name. That is disrespectful to his people.” Elda sat upon the stone bench next to Desu whom gave a short laugh at her reason.

    “You are not afraid to say it either, Elda. I can tell.” he chuckled.

    “Because I am right.” she answered with her nose raised.

    “hmmm, might be right about a few things.” he tilted his head as he stood right back up. “But you might not really know. He may change your mind tonight and show his face this time.”

    Elda smiled, “Oh Really??” an eyebrow rose, “I would like to put up a wager on that.” she gave a soft giggle as she got up and walked on past him.

    “Fine, then shall a wager it be.” Desu said happily, quickly stepping in front of her. “How about… if you win.. Then you are to do with me anything you please.”

    “You strike a hard bargain, Desu.” Elda grinned as he gathered her hands back in his as before. “And what if I loose?” she asked at a daze, as the fragrance of sweet vanilla came off his glowing skin. He was perfectly normal threw this process while Elda could feel herself tilting.

    Desu’s blue eyes reached within Elda’s pale blue, “If I win this wager, then you will be mine.” he muttered softly as he caressed her hand.

    Elda jerked in surprise, the look of his kind face of love. A stranger was in love. Such a beautiful face of which could make any angel fall in love with it. For once, Elda knew she had fallen in love instantly for her heart began to pound. She had also fallen in love with a stranger.

    “You silence tells me that the bet is on.” he said smoothly, bending down to kiss her cheek.

    Elda immediately backed away, turning into a run. “um.. I have to go.” She shouted out. Her fast foot steps quickening as her mind became blurry.

    ‘ooooh what a wreck I’ll have coming if he wins this wager… but what a wonderful man he is. Part of me is hoping he does win.’