Magic...

Beth was filled with gratitude, utmost gratitude towards Bessie as well as Mr Graylock and the kind Lady Osborn, not excluding her daughter, Giselle, who was quick to establish an acquaintance with Beth, as they journeyed to Aegremonth.

"Thank you once again for your kindness. I cannot say that I have little appreciation of it." This, Beth said to Giselle's mother.

Lady Osborn had her reservations, but she chose to let it go. She wondered not once but many a time, why Elizabeth's parents had excluded her from accompanying them.

"This is as much kindness that I can show you. And truly, my dear, there is no need to fuss so much about it," said Lady Osborn.

"I am happy that you journeyed with us, Beth. Assuming I was alone, imagine when mother becomes engrossed with having a lengthy conversation with my aunt who lives in Aegremonth. Then imagine how lonesome I would have been." Giselle informed Beth. She really was the most pleased to have Beth among their company. They never had got a chance to strike a conversation. Now that the opportunity presented itself, Giselle could not let the chance escape her.

Elizabeth smiled at Giselle before speaking, "You are also very kind, Giselle. It is a privilege to ride with you."

There was momentary silence as Beth began to develop cold feet. Why? Because this was the bravest she had ever been, and she really had no idea what was in store for her. Also, she had only informed the kind Lady that she would join them to Aegremonth. Furthermore, she knew that they did not expect her to spend the night over at Giselle's aunt's. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that she could have planned things better from the start. She reasoned within herself that it was already too late to back out now. From her calculation, they had been on the road for a couple of hours now, and having to sit for that long a time, didn't do her the much-needed comfort.

At that instant, Mr Graylock beamed excitedly as he caught sight of the castle right ahead. His hands and feet had grown weary from doing the job of a coachman.

"Alas!" he exclaimed with great degree of cheerfulness, "We have reached Aegremonth!"

His voice was thick and loud enough to convey the message to the occupants of the fancy carriage. Beth was the most curious to peep outside from her seated position, in an attempt to see for herself.

"Wow! I can see the castle from here. It is the tallest tower ever built!"

With her handkerchief positioned to cover her mouth, Giselle took a peep to see things for herself. She was impressed by the boldness and magnificence of it. She had always imagined what a castle looked like, now there it stood from a distance, uniform grey—a citadel of vigour, sculpted with the finest stones; rocky stones of varying sizes and shapes with each one stone unique.

"In truth mother, I have never seen such beauty as this. Imagine what it would look like from the inside. I am overwhelmed by this much magnificence." Giselle said to her mother.

By the time she had finished speaking, Lady Osborn had opted to also see for herself what had gotten both girls excited.

For Beth, she was completely dumbstruck, she could not keep herself from looking right ahead in the direction of the castle with all its glory. She could feel her heart thumping beneath her chest as her breathing quickened. Her cheeks became visibly flushed and the excitement she felt caused her burnished skin to tingle. Her perfectly green irises lit up to convey her curiosity and intelligence. Beth let her mind wander. She remembered most books she had read of princesses and princes and began to imagine what the real world of Royalty was all about.

'I hope the people within the tower are as fulfilled and content as the beautiful picture the castle presents to us from the outside.' Beth resulted to think.

As they completely made an entrance to Aegremonth, Beth began to feel a cloud of awkwardness envelop her. They had passed by many inhabitants of the town. Most of the men she had seen so far were clothed in Gothic style, they gave off a rebellious vibe, but she decided not to pay much attention. They passed by women and children, beautiful young maidens of marriageable age. Everyone looked so friendly in Beth's perspectives. She began to wonder if this enormous gathering of people ever had to worry about war-related territory encroachments.

"The inhabitants look so peaceful and content, Lady Osborn. I doubt that such matters as war were such a bother to them," asked Elizabeth.

"Do not mistake their content faces for them having only experienced rosy living, Beth. It was not always the case," Lady Osborn replied to Beth.

"Really? Please tell me more. I like to know," said Beth pleadingly.

The curiousness that beamed in Beth's beautiful irises delighted the old lady as she decided to feed her audience with the little she had heard about the enormous city.

"The kings before the recently deceased King, Lord Voldemort had constantly gone to battle with strange armies, seen and unseen." This revelation from the old lady piqued Beth's interest. Even Giselle had all her senses engrossed in the topic of discussion.

"By seen and unseen, you mean what exactly?" Beth asked.

"Magic... You ever read about magic?"

"Those are not real, mother." Giselle declared.

"Maybe not. But, the story has it that the late king Voldemort made a pact with a seductive demon goddess, to cleanse the land of deathly spirits and magical armies. The king became so mighty and unconquerable in battle that every human kingdom stayed away. It was said that this demon queen bore King Voldemort a son. As at that time, the Queen of Aegremonth was not with child."

The revelation was too much for Beth to deal. She had only learnt from Louisa about a certain Prince Aldrich. Surely, if the story that Lady Osborn had just said was true. Does it mean that Prince Aldrich has an older brother who is in fact the rightful heir?

The switch in Beth's countenance did not go unnoticed to the old lady so, she decided to add.

"I know what you girls are thinking. The answer is yes. Prince Aldrich has a brother he did not get acquainted with much early in his life, but this brother of his did not stay in the castle for reasons best known to the king. Prince Aldrich is the legitimate one and therefore deserving of the throne. But, then again do not take all I have said to heart. It could be a rumour. The news went about at one point in my youth. Besides, only Prince Aldrich is well known among the people."

'But what if it were all true?' Beth imagined in her mind. She thought about her sister Louisa and imagined how devastated she would feel from learning that Prince Aldrich was not the rightful heir to the throne. But, did the kind Lady not just say that Prince Aldrich was the legitimate son and rightful heir? She concluded in her heart that he would certainly be the one to assume the throne of his deceased father; the said Prince Aldrich would be the king.

Soon after, the carriage came to a halt and Beth knew it was time to sort herself out. One by one they exited the carriage, Mr Graylock first, who made it to the back to lead the women out of the carriage. He held Lady Osborn first by the hand, to usher her out, then Lady Giselle and finally, Lady Beth.

Beth had gotten out the small bag where her items for the following day were kept. The evening air was blowing coolly at this time. She intended to take her leave but Giselle had other plans.

Seizing Beth by the hand, gently, Giselle went further to speak, "Where do you think you are going? Did I not initially inform you that I needed your company? Please, if just for the night, stay with us. And you can go be with the rest of your family on the morrow."

Beth had her reservations. She wasn't so sure. Moreover, she felt they had already done enough.

"I do not mean to bother."

"Nonsense, Elizabeth. You are always welcomed." Lady Osborn added.

Mr Graylock joined in because he knew that Bessie had charged him with the responsibility of taking care of her lady. He wanted nothing more than to have her close.

With everyone's insistence, Elizabeth agreed. She truly had nowhere to go, and appreciated the gesture of Giselle and her mother.

Meanwhile, the Blythes had arrived Aegremonth some thirty minutes early and had settled in with the Harrows. Dinner was set and as everyone set out to have supper, Mr Harrow, who was Mr Blythe's second cousin, had a question he was itching to ask.

"There is one person missing," he began, "Where is Elizabeth?" he directed his question at Mr Blythe who avoided his long stare and remained silent. But his wife had something to say.

"She had matters to tend to at home. Hence, she insisted to stay behind."

"Is that so?"

"It certainly is!" Mrs Blythe re-affirmed and continued with her dinner.