Chapter Nine

It was Andy who arrived to escort Emily to the dining hall. It wasn't the regular dining are she had been accustomed to. Andy had informed her it was farther and much bigger and filled with people. Emily felt nauseous at the prospect.

"Are you ready?" Andy asked just before they entered the room.

"I think so. As ready as Ill ever be anyway." She took a deep breath.

"It'll be ok. You can sit next to me. We'll get through this together." He said with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Andy." He was always so kind. He didn't know Emily at all, but he still shared so much kindness with her. They walked in together, Emily's arm looped through Andy's.

"Don't mention it." Andy whispered. The room grew quiet at the site of the two. Emily had been done up one again. A large purple flowing dress covered her a small body, her long black locks had been left to flow, only a small portion braided behind her head. Emily tried not to look at the many gawking eyes. The room was filled with people, most seated at numerous tables. Emily imagined a whole kingdom worth of people were in attendance.

The dinner didn't start right away. Emily was anxious but she was also better prepared for this dinner. Emily kept her head lowed and avoided eye contact. Andy's kind presence seemed to help her stay calm.

A man sat on the other side of Emily. She dared a quick glance at the man, but his stern eyes were focused ahead. He had very dark hair and looked much older than her.

Andy slid a folded napkin to Emily, dropping it to her lap. She looked over at him, a little confused. He gestured for her to open it. She did, there was writing inside.

'The King of Rose Bud Kingdom.' It read and Emily's heart thumped. It made sense heart skip a beat. Was the man beside her supposed brother? She always wondered if her life would have been different with siblings. Would her father have been kinder? He had to be at least 10 years older than her.

Adam called the dinner to order from his seat. He stood and clinked a glass to gain his guest attention.

"I would like to officially welcome the Rose Bud Kingdom's people to our home. We wish you a pleasant stay. Let us kind and be courteous to our friends." His gaze seemed to particularly turn to a sour faced Alex. "Enjoy the meal."

And so, they did. It seemed any princess talks would be held until after the meal. The anticipation was killing Emily. It felt like a vice was tightening around her chest. Nonetheless she made it through the meal, though she hadn't eaten as much as she wanted to.

Afterward there was a kind of party, mostly people wandered, chatted, and drank. For Emily that wouldn't be the case. Andy took Emily to a separate room where the king of the Rose Bud Kingdom sat alone.

"Ill be just outside if you need anything." Andy whispered before leaving the room.

There was a moment of silence while the door came to a complete close.

"Do you know who I am?" The Rose Bud King spoke, now looking directly at Emily as she still stood.

"Yes, your majesty." She said with a curtsy. She had seen it done in a video once or twice, she hoped he couldn't tell she was inexperienced with such tasks. "The King of Rose Bud Kingdom." Her voice was soft and timid. She didn't know what to expect here.

"You may call me Jason. Come closer." He said, his voice deep and gravely.

She did as he instructed.

He stared at her a long while before saying anything. "You truly do look like her. Tell me, where were you before you entered the North Star Kingdom?"

Emily had been prepared for this question. She planned to answer as truthfully as she could. "I was with my father. I-I don't know exactly where. I don't even remember how I left."

"Why have you not returned to your father?" Jason asked he was studying her.

Emily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Well, I'm not sure if I can, but in any case… It's the last place I'd ever want to be again."

"Hm." He said. "Please have a seat." He said, pointing towards a seat across from him. "May I tell you a story?"

"Of course." Emily said, adjusting herself in her seat.

"My father was a good man, but he was not home often. I fear my mother grew lonely. I remember, when I was young, my mother waiting for late night and sneaking out. I didn't think much of it, honestly. Not until I noticed her belly growing larger. My father was away nearly a year, fighting a war we would not win. I asked my mother if she were having a child, she told me not to worry my pretty little head about such matters and so I didn't. She had gotten exceptionally large and hadn't been leaving the house for days." Jason said, taking a sip from a glass in his hand.

Emily listened in silence.

"In the middle of the night, one windy afternoon, my mother's screams filled the castle air. I had never heard anything so spine chilling in my entire life. Every available attendant rushed to my mother's bedside. A child was born, and with it my mother died. Her last words to me were to keep that child safe. She instructed me the child's father would be waiting outside the castle and he would take care of her Emilia." He said, staring at Emily. "Where that child went, I will never know however I do know that baby had a birth mark in the shape of a rose on the back of her neck, just like my mothers."

Emily's heart froze in her chest. She felt the air stop moving through her lungs. She stood and turned her back to Jason. Without a word she lifted her hair to reveal a birthmark just as he had described.

When Emily sat again and looked at the man before her a tear had formed in his eye.

"H-how is this possible?" Her voice was but a whisper. She rubbed her hands into her temples. The feeling of relief Jason felt was not shared by Emily. How could there possibly be this whole other life? In another world? It couldn't be. She had to be crazy.

"My dearest sister. There are so many things I wish to say to you." He reached for his sisters now trembling hands and took them in his own. "I thought I would never meet you."

"I-I never knew you…existed." She said, her voice trembling.

"Did your father never mention us?"

"No. He told me my mother died because of me. That was all. I…I'm so sorry." Tears now filled Emily's eyes. She had no idea how these things were happening.

Jason sighed. "You have nothing to apologize for. I got a bad feeling from that man the moment I met him, but I wanted to obey my mothers wishes. She was supposed to go with you. She was leaving my father and I…" Jason's eyes were filled with sorrow. "I understand it now. The pressure of being a ruler, my fathers' absence. He was cruel in the times he was home. I only wish we could have all escaped together. Are you sure you don't know where your father is?"

"I… It's hard to explain. I think you'd call me crazy." Emily said.

"I promise. I will not call you crazy." Jason squeezed her hands, reassuringly.

"It's like… he's in another world. These kingdoms don't exist. I wouldn't know how to get back there even if I wanted to."

Jason was silent but he didn't release his grip on Emily.

"I swear it's true. I can hardly believe it myself…"

"I believe you. I truly do. I don't know how it's possible but it you say its fact then it is. How did you get here then?"

"I honestly fell asleep and woke up here." Emily thought she should leave out the bit about the video game. She was already risking it telling him as much as she had.

"Have you told anyone else?" Jason asked.

"No. I lied when anyone else asked me, but it didn't work out in my favor."

"Well keep it quiet for now. I will try to do some digging on the matter. In the meantime, I plan to remain in this kingdom for a bit longer."

"Why? Don't you want to return to the Rose Bud Kingdom? I… I could go with you." She said. If he really were her brother shouldn't they go, there together.

The delight she had previously noted in Jason's eyes had faded slightly. "I don't know if that will be possible."

"Why not?" Emily's heart felt as if it cracked at the announcement.

"My father found out about my mothers' child with another man. Suffice it to say he was furious. I worry the rest of the kingdom may not be as forgiving as I. Let me try to arrange some things. I'll have to see what I can come up with." Jason said with a deep sigh. "For now, perhaps we should return to the gathering. I'm sure we are missing the festivities."