Simina came to, waking up in the exact same place as before. She stared up at the chandelier dangling from the ceiling, mouth open. Her head ached something monstrous. Even with thick blankets piled up on top of her, she shivered like she was cold.
She pulled the covers up tighter, curling up, bundling. Simina didn't feel very good. She felt cold, but hot at the same time. Her entire body hurt, and her head felt too heavy to lift. She rolled all around, trying to get comfortable, but just kept tossing and turning.
“Ugh...” she groaned, and massaged her temple. Simina stared across the room at the window. How long has it been? Her aunt would be expecting her, the Government had notified her just before she left. Now, she couldn't get there because she was stuck in a stupid castle, with a person she didn't even expect to be real.
Simina coughed, feeling quite feverish. Someone knocked lightly at the door. Simina froze. She didn't say anything. It was probably the Prince, and she didn't want to tell him to come in. He gave her the chills. No one said anything, and the door opened. In walked Nar, carrying a silver tray. On top she saw a steaming bowl of something, along with a steaming mug. He smiled kindly at her as he walked across the room, and set the tray down on a table next to the bed. Simina narrowed her eyes at him as he came to stand by her bedside.
“How are you feeling?” Nar asked her. Simina looked away from him. She did not like him, and therefore did not want to talk to him. Simina ignored him, and acted like he wasn't there. When she said nothing, he continued.
“I brought you tea, and some warm broth. I know you must be hungry. You probably haven't eaten in a while,” he offered. When he said that, Simina felt an ache in her stomach, and she heard it rumble. She turned back around to face him. Though she didn't trust him, she was hungry.
“It's really hot, and my body hurts,” she said in a raspy voice. She swallowed and cleared her throat. “My throat hurts too,” she added.
“I think you have a fever.” He picked up the mug from the tray, and offered it to her.
“Drink this. It'll help you feel better,” Nar said. Simina pushed herself into a sitting position. She reached out both hands to take the mug from his offering hand. The heat from the mug spread warmth through her fingertips as she took it from him.
Her hands shook as she peered over the lip to see what was in it. Simina saw a light brown liquid with fuzzy white bubbles swimming on top. Feeling wary and distrustful, Simina pinned a suspicious glare on Nar. How stupid was she? She can't drink something from the Dark Prince! He might be trying to poison her!
“Did you poison this?” Simina asked him snappishly. Nar blinked. He felt slightly offended.
“No. Why would I do that?” Nar gave her an incredulous look. Simina scowled at him.
“Because you're the Dark Prince and you're evil!” Simina shouted at him with a nasty sneer. Nar cocked his head at her, looking seriously confused as his brow drew together.
“No I am not,” Nar disagreed. Simina sniffed indignantly, but said nothing. She stared at the brown liquid, displeased.
“I assure you that I did not poison it. That is absurd,” said Prince Nar, sounding startled. Simina thought he sounded legit, so she raised the rim to her lips. She blew on it to cool it, and daintily took an experimental sip.
A bitter taste rolled over her tongue, filling her mouth. It was such a terrible taste Simina couldn't fathom even to swallow her small mouthful. She spat it out, the liquid spewing out of her mouth, some of it spraying on Nar, and because of this, Nar stepped aside with a disgruntled expression on his face.
Simina coughed, choking on the liquid as little droplets of it dribbled down her lips and trickled down her chin. She wiped her mouth off on her sleeve, running her tongue all across her teeth, trying to get the bitter taste out.
“Bluk! What is that? It's disgusting!” Simina stuck her tongue out, and set the mug back down on the tray. Nar gave her an agitated look.
“It's a medicinal tea, it isn't supposed to taste good,” he said irritably. Simina stuck her tongue out at him, and crossed her arms over her chest in a very stubborn manner.
“Well, I won't drink it!” she said stubbornly. Nar shrugged.
“Fine. Don't drink it. You'll just never get better,” he told her sarcastically, sighing. Simina growled at him and said nothing in response. Just to prove that she could drink it and would get better, Simina picked up the mug, raised it to her lips, and took a huge gulp.
Forcing it all down, Simina guzzled it, drinking it gulp after gulp, even though her reflex told her to throw it back up because it tasted so nasty. Despite that though, she forced it down, letting it burn the back of her throat. Once she emptied the mug, Simina breathed heavily, groaning with disgust. She set it back down.
Nar looked amused, and he chuckled. Simina shivered, trying to shake off the bad taste. Surprisingly, after drinking that, she did feel better after all. Her body and muscles still ached, but her head didn't hurt anymore and neither did her throat.
“Feel any better?” he asked her, voice slightly mocking. Even though she did, Simina didn't want to admit that, so instead she said, “No.” Simina set her jaw in a defiant way. She thought about her aunt again.
“How long have I been here?” Simina asked the Prince. The Prince walked over to the window, and gazed out of it.
“About two days,” Nar said. Simina flipped her lid.
“Two days!?” Nar grimaced at her loud, screechy voice. He nodded.
“Yes. You were asleep for a really long time,” he explained. Simina did not like this. She did not know what to say, so there was a moment of silence where neither of them spoke for a while. Nar broke the silence.
“If you don't mind...I wish to know your name,” Nar said, speaking softly to her, voice curious. Simina glared at him.
“I wish you'd leave me alone,” Simina snapped. Nar said nothing, just took a deep breath. He bowed his head to her in a very respectful way.
“As you wish,” said Nar, and with that, swiftly left the room in a few graceful strides, closing the door behind him. Simina breathed out in relief, glad that he was gone. She did not like being around him, even though he hadn't displayed any of the things described in that book. The physical appearance was right, but she wasn't sure about everything else.
Now alone, Simina drank the bowl of broth, quenching her hunger.
* * *
A few hours later, while Simina was pacing about the room, trying to ease out the pain in her muscles by moving, someone knocked on the door. Simina stopped, and turned back towards the door. Should she say something? She hoped it wasn't the Prince again. She gulped.
“Who is it?” she called. An unfamiliar woman's voice answered her.
“Matilda, the handmaiden dear,” the woman answered in a kind voice. Simina breathed out.
“Come in,” she said. The door opened, and a young, stout little woman entered. She was young, but looked to be a good few years older than Simina. She had auburn hair pulled back into a bun.
“Good day miss,” she greeted Simina. Simina waved, feeling a little shy.
“Hi,” she muttered.
“My master has requested that I escort you to another room,” Matilda told Simina. Simina wrung her hands.
“Master?” Simina wondered what she meant by “master.”
“Prince Nar, dear,” Matilda said.
“Oh.” She calls him master? That's a little weird. Matilda held the door open, waiting for Simina to walk out first. Simina walked out and into a hallway. Matilda walked out after her, brushing past Simina, turning left.
“Follow me please,” Matilda called out to Simina. Simina followed behind her, taking in the high ceiling, the flying buttresses, and the foyer down below her. They walked up another set of stairs.
“Where are you taking me?” Simina asked.
“You'll see,” Matilda chimed. Simina noticed that Matilda waddled rather than walked. Matilda took her through some corridors and turned a few corners until finally stopping at another door. Matilda opened the door for her. Simina walked in. Inside was a smaller room, one that looked more fit for a girl than the other room. This room looked more flowery, and the bed had a pretty canopy, with an antique rug underneath with beautiful designs.
Simina liked this room better and took a look around. She walked over and sat on the bed and sank right into it. The handmaiden, Matilda, opened up a wardrobe that was to the left of the door when you entered. Matilda opened it up, revealing a wardrobe filled with lovely dresses. She pulled out a long, graceful purple dress, with long, fluffy, frilly sleeves and the neck slanted down into a V.
Simina's eyes widened at the beauty of it and her jaw dropped in awe. Matilda brought it over, running her hand across the fabric, gazing at it with admiration. She laid it out across the bed next to Simina. Simina stood up to get a better look at it.
It was a deep shade of purple, a luscious color. It matched the color of Nar's eyes. Simina stopped for a second. She wondered why her brain had automatically made that comparison between the dress and his eyes. This made Simina angry, and she hated herself for making that comparison.
There was a gold belt sewn into the dress, around the waist. Simina liked the dress, just didn't like the fact that it reminded her of Nar's eyes.
“Prince Nar picked this dress out for you. He thought you might want some new, fresh clothes after what you've been through,” Matilda told her. Simina tensed up. Nar picked out the dress. Why was he picking out her clothes?
She inwardly denied the fact that she secretly appreciated The Prince giving her these clothes. In this castle, Simina felt like she was living in a fairy tale, just like a princess. She felt like a princess, but Simina decided to keep that to herself. Now, Simina just felt guilty for being rude to him earlier when all he's been trying to do is help her. Simina immediately dismissed that thought. Nope. He's the Dark Prince. He's probably using his wicked powers on me to make me think that, Simina told herself.
“There's a washroom right over here.” Matilda's voice brought Simina out of her thoughts. Simina followed Matilda to another door to the right of the room, just a little way across from the bed. Matilda opened the door and led Simina in.
“Just right in here,” Matilda muttered. Simina observed the washroom. It was the strangest, and most fancy washroom she'd ever seen. There was a white porcelain tub, not built in, one she'd never seen before. It was shaped like a tub. Attached to the wall were some strange knobs, one in the middle that had an arrow pointing up or down, and two more on either side, one with an H and the other with a C.
Above that was a strange looking nozzle thing, aiming down into the tub. What's that? Simina wondered. She turned to Matilda. Simina pointed to the weird nozzle thing.
“What is that?” she asked Matilda. Matilda rushed over to explain. She indicated to the knobs and nozzle thing.
“You turn these. Turn the middle one up, and that thing up there, called a shower nozzle, sprays water into the tub when you wash. It's called a shower,” Matilda explained to Simina. Simina was absolutely fascinated.
“Ooh, a shower,” Simina said with fascination. Matilda pulled out some towels and other bathing materials and set them to the side for Simina's use. She bowed to her.
“I will leave you to bathe. If you need any assistance, I will send for Nar,” Matilda told Simina. Simina opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Matilda left. Simina did not want any of “Prince Nar's” assistance.
* * *
It took Simina a while to get the hang of this whole shower thing. Luckily, she figured out just enough to not need any assistance. She wrapped her body in a towel, drying herself, and brushed her wet locks. After she finished doing that, she walked out of the bathroom. The dress was still laid out across the bed.
In a jiffy, she put it on, and once thoroughly examining herself in it, she decided that it looked good on her. Simina smiled happily and turned to leave her room. Once she'd exited, she found herself in a dimly lit corridor. Her footsteps echoed with each step across the narrow hall. There were two hallways. One that went to the left from where Simina was standing, and another directly in front of her. More light was coming from that direction.
Simina went forward, towards the more lit area. She was curious and hadn't really explored the castle. She followed the hall until it ended and to her left was a grand set of stairs. Curious, and with light, dainty footsteps, climbed up the steps. So Simina wouldn't trip, she held up her skirt. It didn't take her long to climb up all those steps and she soon entered into a very large, very vast room.
Simina looked all around, taking in all the details. On each wall, there were four windows, so long that they went from the floor to the ceiling. At least three glorious chandeliers hung from the ceiling, dazzling bright in all of their beauty, filling the room with light. The floor was made from marble and polished so well that Simina could see her reflection when she looked down.
There were lots of chairs in this room, lots of chairs, lined up neatly on either side of the wall. Taking in all the detailed beauty of this large room, she slowly walked across the floor, footsteps echoing loudly, bouncing all around on the walls. She looked across the room at the opposite end and saw two chairs, which she presumed to be thrones. There was a bigger one, and a smaller one next to it. Simina noticed someone sitting in the smaller throne. She recognized them as the Prince. Nar noticed her walking towards him.
Simina wanted to turn back around and walk away but figured it would be pointless since he'd already seen her, so Simina just continued walking. She wondered why he wasn't sitting in the bigger throne. Then she thought, well, he is a Prince. That must mean the King is still around. That seemed about right.
For a Prince, he sat in a very relaxed way. He slouched a little, arm propped up on the arm rest, resting his head on his fist. His legs were slightly spread apart as he stretched out, lounging. Simina secretly admired the way he sat. He sat in the throne like he owned it, almost like he was posing, but also with an authoritative manner.
Nar perked up at her presence. Before, he'd just been sitting there, thinking about what he'd do when he'd become King. But he saw the girl approaching and immediately rose to his feet with a flourish. Simina stopped a few feet from him. With one hand behind his back, Nar placed a hand over his heart and bowed to her. Not once did Nar take his eyes from hers as he bowed. Out of respect, Simina curtsied in response to his bow. Nar straightened and took in her appearance. He smiled in admiration as he saw that she wore the dress he'd picked out for her. Nar liked how the dress fit snugly to her waist and curves, pronouncing her body shape. He hadn't noticed before, but he did now, and found Simina quite attractive. He wanted to know her, if she'd give him the chance.
“You look ravishing,” Nar complimented her with vigor. Simina curtsied again.
“Thank you.” Simina didn't know how she felt about the Dark Prince giving her a compliment or receiving it.
“Are you feeling any better?” Nar asked her. She seemed better. She was actually walking without looking faint or stumbling.
“Yes, I am, thank you,” Simina said. Simina felt wary of him but was still trying to be polite. If anything, her father taught her manners.
“Thank you for these new clothes. They're wonderful,” Simina thanked him kindly.
“It's no trouble.” Nar cleared his throat and spoke again.
“Forgive me, I know we started off on the wrong foot, but I'd like to get another chance to know you, if you please,” Nar offered. Simina wondered why he'd taken such an interest in her. Because of what she read, she didn't know whether or not she should trust him. She decided that it didn't matter. She was already figuring a way out of here; Simina didn't plan on staying here too much longer.
“Simina,” she told him, feeling like she owed him at least her name. Nar's eyes widened in surprise.
“What?” he said, though he did hear her. Nar just didn't understand.
“My name is Simina,” she repeated for him. Nar felt surprised that she'd tell him her name. He didn't expect that. Simina, he thought, a beautiful name. Nar took a step towards her.
“Simina,” he repeated, feeling how it sounded in his mouth, on his tongue, “What a lovely name. Simina.” He smiled at her.
Nar was happy to finally know her name.
* * *
The next day, Simina went to Nar to ask him how she'd send a letter. She wanted to let her aunt know that she'd be there a little later than expected. Simina found him in what she learned to be the Great Hall, where she'd found him yesterday.
“I need to send a letter,” she told him. Nar nodded.
“Okay. Follow me,” he said. Nar took her to some sort of mailing room, with a few cubbyholes. Simina counted at least ten, perhaps more. It wasn't a very large room, and to her left sat a slant top desk, the kind a secretary would have.
On top was a pile of envelopes, some paper, along with an ink pen. Nar indicated for her to sit in the chair that was there.
“Write your letter,” Nar told her. Simina sat, took a piece of paper and picked up the pen. She pressed the tip of the pen to the paper and began to write.
Dear Aunt Lyda,
How are you? It is Simina, your niece. I am writing to inform you that I may arrive a little later than expected. My horse went out of control and crashed my carriage. I am slightly ill but have been recovering and am staying somewhere safe until I am better. I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Simina.
Once finished, Simina folded up her paper into thirds and put it in an envelope. She sealed it up and wrote her aunt's address on the back of it. Nar had been standing behind her the entire time, watching her write. He liked her handwriting. It slanted right and her letters were wispy and swirly, very elegant.
Simina stood and handed her sealed letter to Nar. He took it.
“I will make sure this gets to where it needs to be,” Nar assured her. Simina nodded.
“Thank you.” She stood up. Nar bowed to her before he left and then walked out. Simina twiddled her thumbs, gears in her mind working. She needed to get out of here. Soon.