Helping Jack escape is simple work. At first, I think to trick the guard by saying I saw a mouse and asking him to come nab it, so Jack can escape, or perhaps bribe him with one of the many necklaces in my jewel case. But when I see who the guard is, I know what to do.
One advantage of being forever in my parents’ custody is that I have been privy to many secrets of the castle, secrets discussed in my presence, simply because I was always there. From this, I know such tidbits as which upstairs maid is joining giblets with which footman, which coachman was arrested for beating his wife with too thick a stick, and which groom stands accused of bilking an ale draper.
I also know that the guard at the dungeon door is a drunkard.
I suspect that the bag upon which Jack kept so close a hold earlier may contain ale.
“What is in your bag?” I ask when he finally agrees to accept my help.
“N-nothing.”
“This is no time to be secretive. You are imprisoned, and I suspect that you have the item, more precious than jewels, that may buy your freedom. Give me the ale.”
He tells me where to find the bag, and I find what is needed—six bottles full. When the guard grasps what the contents are, he fairly weeps with joy, and I know it will be short work. I need only wait until he has consumed the beverage, and then, when drunkenness causes his jowls to droop onto his ample chest, I steal the key to secure Jack’s freedom.
“Took you long enough!” Jack says when we issue forth from the castle door.
“Shhh!” I whisper. “And hurry.”
“Easy for you to say,” he whispers back. “You’re not carrying anything.”
It is true. I took the trouble to secure Jack’s other possessions and those, along with my clothing and jewel case, present a heavy burden. But I am certainly not going to carry anything. He is the man, and I am the princess. “Go as slowly as you wish, but I am told that ale-induced sleep is not of long duration. If the guard wakes—”
“Okay, okay.” Jack trudges faster. When he has gone a short way, he says, “What’s in here, anyway?”
“Only the items necessary for our journey.”
“Which are?”
“Gowns…and my jewels. I have no currency, so I brought the contents of my jewelry box.” He mutters something I cannot understand, something about credit cards.
“Excuse me? Would you prefer to return to the castle…to the dungeon?”
“No. That’s okay.”
Now that I have made my escape and aided Jack in making his, I must make him fall in love with me—even though he detests me. I lied when I said I did not wish to marry him. A necessary lie. Marriage to Jack is my destiny, just as it was my destiny to prick my finger upon a spindle. I had hoped that my destiny would make me happy. However, Jack is not being very cooperative. Hence, the lie.
I would think it should be short work to make Jack love me. After all, I am quite beautiful. But the fact is, I have never made anyone fall in love with me before.
Still, I must marry Jack. For if I do so, it will show that it was all predestined—my spindle-pricking, the kiss, and our inevitable happily-ever-after. Once Jack falls under my spell and we marry, Father will have to acknowledge that what happened was not my fault. Perhaps then he will love me again.
But, on the other hand, if Jack does not fall in love with me, then—well—Father must be right. None of this was destiny. It was my fault.
Oh, I prefer not to think about that!
“Do you wish me to help you to carry some of that?” I ask, to convince him that I am nice, even though I think it entirely unreasonable to expect a princess to carry anything.
But he says, “That would be great.”
“All right. I just thought that since you were so big and strong, you would be able to handle it all.” I place my hand upon his shoulder.
“Well, you thought wrong. Here. Carry the jewelry box. It’s heavy.”
He shoves it into my hands and continues walking.