Chapter 7: Brainless?

Getting to the markets and leaving the carriage behind, Alicia was filled with excitement. She and Ziva wandered around looking at the things that were on offer to buy, some were charms, others accessorises and food stalls. All sorts of food was presented in front of the towns people.

Walking along the streets of the kingdom, Alicia saw things she didn't see in Salem or in Lunaris, people enjoying themselves to the fullest without a care in the world. It was stunning to her, the way the place moved within the passing minutes. "How long will I be here for?" Alicia asked Ziva who was behind her, her voice was filled with wonder and it sounded pleasing to the ears.

"Until the princess agrees." Ziva said soon after but saying 'until you agree' in her mind. She was admiring the girl in front of her as they walked looking at everything that catches their attention. "Can I ask you something?" Alicia stopped and was now facing Ziva with a small smile on her face, "Anything, as long as you don't ask to go anywhere else, the time to leave is approaching.".

"Don't worry, I wasn't going to ask to go somewhere else, I was planning on asking what the princess is like." Among the questions Alicia has asked, this one was tricky to answer, thinking for a moment she came up with something like 'smart, pretty, has good manners and apologetic when does something wrong' but she didn't know what the princess was like as this was their first encounter together.

"I should be looking forward for this but I don't know if I should" by now, they had started walking back towards the carriage. "Whys that Alicia? This is a good opportunity to start over." Alicia stopped looking at the things she hadn't noticed the first time and now was staring at Ziva.

Ziva who was looking ahead wasn't looking at Alicia back, she was thinking about what Alicia said, at least you're clever she thought to herself.

"I get that, but I'm here not to start over but to help" she said looking disappointed, Ziva noticed it as she was now looking at her.

"You're not very good at hiding your emotions, you're easy to read, its like you're an open book wanting to be read." Alicia chuckled at hearing this "Well sorry Miss Ziva" she said sarcastically with a grin on her lips.

Arriving at the carriage, Alicia got in while Ziva told the coachman to continue with their original destination; towards the palace. As they descended once again. It went back to being quiet as they both were busy with staring out of the window.

Alicia gasped at the thought of never being able to say goodbye to her friend Emma, it had wrecked her mood altogether and she would have to pretend that she was happy but she thought to at least let Ziva know. She nodded after hearing what Alicia said "You can send a letter to her if you wish Alicia."

"Okay, thank you." and with that, they both continued minding their own business and she was no longer upset about not being able to say goodbye but a little bit was still there.

Noticing that the sky was darker and the trees were slowly side to side not picking up pace, the sky was beautiful with the colours it showed from the setting sun, the other side was getting darker and the stars starting coming out of hiding as they got nearer.

Ten minutes later they had arrived, "Don't get out yet until I come back to get you Alicia." In response she only nodded and with that Ziva left.

Alicia noticed that the palace was huge, a size that was incomparable to anything she has seen in her life, even the establishment she had spent months in, the palace had gardens as green as they can get, blooming flowers that had light bouncing off them from the nearby lighting in the garden, a path made of stone squares in the grass leading to a rotunda with soft looking seats. The building was beautifully crafted, the doors were wooden with plants on either side. Alicia was in awe and couldn't wait to see what the inside was like.

Ziva went inside and asked for someone to tell the King or Queen that what they had told her to do was done. To retrieve the princess.

"My King, my Queen" Ziva had kneeled at their presence. The king was the first to speak "Arise." and after hearing this, she rose up from kneeling, "Where is she?" the queen had spoken. Ziva now looking at the Queen answered without making them wait "Princess Alicia is in the carriage, where I had told her to stay until I came back for her, Queen Ahshala."

The Queen was about to speak but the king had spoken first "Ziva, bring her in and escort her to her quarters, you shall be her guide until she becomes familiar with the place." to not make them wait any longer Ziva quickly replied "Yes King Ayre" and thus, she bowed and left them.

Ziva walked out of the palace towards the carriage where Alicia was in opening the door for her, she smiled "My dear Alicia, you may come in, I'll escort you to your room and will be your guide until you memorise the place in your developing mind."

Alicia was surprised when she said 'developing mind', she didn't know what to think of it, she frowned when their eyes met each other.

Alicia got out of the carriage after turning away, "Are you calling me brainless?". Hearing this, Ziva laughed at her question, "No no, I mean that you still have a lot to learn, that's all. Please don't be offended by my words Alicia."