DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: 6.6 GIGUE ~ PETER GREGSON, RICHARD HARWOOD & REINOUD FORD]

Oriana's heart sank. This was not part of the plan. She had hoped to avoid any one-on-one interaction with the infuriating prince. Now, the prospect of being his personal guide filled her with dread.

"Actually," she began, desperately searching for an excuse, "I'm afraid my schedule is quite full with…royal duties."

"Royal duties?" Adric questioned, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "Such as?"

"Well, there are…important meetings with my governess to improve my speaking skills, inspections of the palace gardens, and…" Oriana stammered, her mind frantically searching for plausible activities.

Both Sophie and her mother turned to look at Oriana, wondering where and how these duties turned out to be on her schedule. Someone who missed her etiquette classes most times.

"How very…tiresome, but I think you speak just fine, perfectly even," Adric drawled, his amusement evident. "Perhaps the Princess could delegate some of these…duties to her lady-in-waiting?"

"Bessie is…indisposed today, she..um..She has to milk the cow in the royal farm," Oriana lied, feeling a pang of guilt for the maid who was standing at the door.

"Then we should find an alternative solution," Queen Saline interjected, a hint of authority in her voice. "Surely, there must be some way for the Princess to fulfill her…obligations while also assisting His Highness." The woman gave her daughter a pointed look.

"Indeed," Sophie chimed, her head bobbing in agreement. "After all, Oriana knows everything about the towns in Orion!"

Oriana felt trapped. There seemed to be no escape from this predicament. Taking a deep breath, she formulated a new plan.

"Perhaps," she began, her voice feigning enthusiasm, "His Highness would be more interested in a formal tour conducted by one of our esteemed court historians. They possess a wealth of knowledge about Orion culture and traditions."

"Historians?" Adric repeated, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "But wouldn't it be more…enlightening to learn from a firsthand source? Someone who can truly offer a glimpse into the everyday life of Orion?"

His words, though seemingly innocent, held a tinge of mischief. Oriana knew he was simply seeking an excuse for more one-on-one time, a chance to taunt her more.

"While I appreciate the sentiment, Your Highness," she countered, "I wouldn't want to deprive you of the opportunity to learn the finer points of Orion etiquette. After all, first impressions are paramount, wouldn't you agree?"

Adric narrowed his eyes, studying her intently for a moment. Then, a slow malevolent smile spread across his face.

"First impressions can be quite…revealing, Princess," he remarked, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

Oriana felt a shiver crawl down her spine. Was he going to reveal their first encounter here?

Queen Saline intervened. "Tour guide it is, then. Perhaps you and His Highness can begin this afternoon with the Crown Princess?"

Oriana's stomach churned. An entire afternoon alone with Adric? This was going to be a long day. Resigned to her fate, she forced a smile. "Of course, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice devoid of enthusiasm.

Adric, whose morning had started a little boring, now relaxed in his chair with a wide smile aimed at daunting the princess opposite him.

"Your Highness, you seem to be quite a friendly and lively person," Sophie commented, with a naive smile on her face.

Oriana turned to look at her sister. This was why you should never say you look up to any woman until you see them in front of a man. And how was this man classified as friendly? She scowled.

"That is a sweet compliment, I would love to cherish in my heart for a very long time," Adric said. Then the smile on his face faltered, "It's sad a lot of people wouldn't agree. You're the first to tell me such heartwarming words."

Sophie blushed, covering her face. "Anyone who sees otherwise is just blind and tasteless for class and quality."

"I totally agree with you," The Crown Prince said, raising his cup to make a toast with the Crown princess while his eyes fell on the younger princess.

Oriana pushed her chair back. She didn't know what else she would do if she stayed here listening to this man who was indirectly shading her with his words.

"Thank you so much for the meal; it was lovely." Oriana bowed. Before she could reach for the door, she heard Adric say,

"Don't wander off and forget about our tour. Afternoon is already near."

If eyes had daggers, they would pierce into the heart of the Crown Prince with the way Oriana turned to look at him. Then she forced a smile on her lips,

"Definitely," she said through her teeth before stepping out of the dining and banging the door behind her.

"Gracious heaven!" Startled Queen Saline held her chest.

Oriana opened the door again and walked inside, "Sorry, Your Majesty, Your Highness. I came to explain it wasn't me who banged the door; the wind is unusually strong today." She said, and bowing once more, she exited the room.

Running far away from the dining room, outside with Bessie running behind her. Oriana ran to the garden where she was sure nobody would seek her out. And she got down on her knees and screamed.

"Princess Oriana, it's okay you're going to have a headache." Bessie tried to stop her.

Oriana finally stopped screaming, her hair already looked out of place, her eyes lacking strength. She got on her feet, "Bessie, where do you think is the best place to bury a body around here?" She turned with a serious look on her face, checking for a hideout.

"Princess Oriana, you're not possibly thinking of..." Bessie trailed off, dread filling her face.

The princess nodded, "It won't take long, I promise; you just have to be on the lookout when we are done we quietly bury his body for manure. It's like giving back to nature, don't you think?"

Bessie shook her head; there was nothing about giving back to nature in this whole plan. The maid let out a sigh of distress, "Princess Oriana, if the Crown Prince should die here in Orion, it would cause a rift. I think the better plan is to hasten up the marriage the way you did with the letter and send him away."

Oriana turned to look at the maid; then she nodded, walking closer to hug her. "You're right, you're right. That's it." She murmured, turning to Bessie she said, "What about the tour? Would you like to go in place of me, I mean, with the right dresses and make up we could look a little...teeny bit alike."

"I don't think that's how it works." Bessie informed.

"It is what it is, then," Oriana sighed tiredly, she was stuck with that insufferable Man for the rest of the afternoon.

"Heavens help me, so I don't have to send him to his maker today," The princess muttered, now walking towards her room.