Changes

The Escape

~Charlotte~
“Lottie!?” Her mother chirped.
“What is it, Mom?” Lottie replies, “I already told you that I'm not seeing Brice.”
“Alright, honey, there's no reason to get angry.” her mother sang.
“I`m sorry, it’s just everyone wants me to date that jerk!” exclaims Lottie.
“Oh, dearest Lottie, that's because you have come of age!” replies her mother.
“I’d rather date someone who gets me,” sighed Lottie. At that Lottie’s mother was up the regal staircase and knocking on Lottie's door.
“Come in.” Lottie said. Her mother waltzed into the room and plopped down on Lottie’s favorite chair. Her cream-colored dress flowed as she walked.
“Hey, Mom. May I walk in the woods?” Lottie asked her.
“That's fine. Just remember to change your clothes. I'll send Margret in to help you dress.”
    As soon as Lottie was dressed, she rode off into the beautiful forest. She spotted a handsome man about her age riding a brown horse. Lottie knew the danger of wandering horsemen, so she tried to sit up and look strong. He came up to her like a friend.
“Hello. What  would such a lady as lovely as you be doing wandering around this forest?” asked the horseman, for Lottie was not wearing her crown.
“I'm just taking a walk with my horse. It's not like it's any of your business, though.” She said firmly.
“Whoa, feisty!” The horseman said sarcastically.
“I'm James.”
“I'm Charlotte.” She said a little more calmly as she climbed off of her horse so she could curtsy.
“I haven't seen you around before, where are you from?” He asks as he gets of his horse.
“Well, what if I told you I was from a castle.” She smirked.
“Yeah, right,” he said. Before Lottie could reply a white dove flew toward them with a small scroll in its clutches. It chirped as it headed toward Lottie and perched on her wrist. Lottie read the scroll.
“It’s time for me to return home.” She sighed.
“Tomorrow?” He asked.
“Yes,” she said as she waved goodbye and then began on the trot back to the castle.


~Mother~
“Margaret !” She called. “Where is she?”
“Madam, did you call?” Margaret said politely as she turned the corner.
“Yes, I did.”
“Oh, I'm so sorry! I was in the dining hall.”
“That's quite alright. I just have something for you to do.”
“Yes, yes madam.”
“Did you send the dove?”
“Yes,”
“Good, hopefully she will be home in time for dinner. So get cooking!” She said with a wave of her hand.

~Margaret~
As I rushed my way to the massive dining hall, my flats made loud
noises on the white tiled floor. I slid through the doorway to the kitchen, rushing to start cooking.
“Umm… Margret. What are we having for dinner?” a quiet voice asked.
“Who said that?”
“Sorry to startle you. It’s just me, Emma.” The voice calmly said.
“We are having Exquisite Chickên, with a side of potatoes and gravy. Oh, and don't forget the veggies!” I emphasized
“Thank you, Margaret.” Emma whispered as she quickly ran out of the room. I knew Emma did not like vegetables. I turned around, opening the cabinet to start making the chickên, gravy, potatoes, and vegetables.
       “Ah, at last,” I looked down at the perfectly set table, and I checked to make sure i had everything.
“Perfect.”
“Margaret!” Lottie called from the other room. “Set a few more places. Mother invited Brice and his family for dinner.”
I groaned. Brice’s family was huge. He had at least 8 brothers and 4 sisters, not including the half brothers and half sisters, and she had only made enough food for Lottie and her Family.
“Emma!” I called. “I need your help making more food. Come quickly. Prince Brice and his family will be here any moment.”
Emma came in the kitchen, muttering under her breath. I caught something about ‘why does she have to help make enough food for an army with barely an hours notice’ and ‘why can't Lottie help.’ I silently agreed with her, but i couldn't say that out loud.

~Charlotte~
     As the two girls bustled around the kitchen, Lottie was getting ready upstairs. The pale blue dress she had chosen went beautifully with her red curls. Lottie stared at her reflection, wishing that for once she could fade into the background and disappear. If only Emma wasn't so boring. Lottie sighed. Oh,well. She thought. I won't be the center of attention tonight. She had no idea how wrong she was.

~6:45~
“Lottie!” Her mother bellowed. “Brice is here. Don't forget to change your shoes!”
As Lottie came down the stairs, she tried to curtsy, and fell flat on her face.
“Ah, Princess Charlotte!” Brice said. “As beautiful as ever, I see.” He offered his hand to help Lottie up. When she looked up, she saw that he was trying not to laugh. Lottie felt her face burn. She took his hand and slowly stood up to face him. Her black high heels pinched her feet, but she couldn't let that show. She straightened up and greeted Brice and his family.
“Good evening.”
Brice’s mother curtsied, and his father nodded hello. Brice squeezed her hand and grinned at her.
“Hello.” he said loudly. “Are you alright? That was a nasty spill you took.”
Lottie’s face turned red. She nodded coldly.
“I'm fine, thank you.”
Brice looked confused when he heard her tone. He shrugged.
“All right, then.”
He offered her his arm, and she took it. Together, they walked into the dining room with their parents close behind. The noisy clamor in the dining room told them that Brice’s siblings were already there. There were five empty seats toward the part of the table that was hardest to reach, so with some difficulty, they all ended up in a seat. It was impossible to hear over the noise exploding in Lottie's eardrums, so the five ate in silence, more or less. They had just started dessert when one of Brice’s brothers shouted “food fight!” And promptly threw his slice of cake at his youngest brother’s face. This started off the other boys, so while they screamed and squealed and threw cake at each other, the girls shrieked and squeaked and hid under the table. Brice dragged Lottie out of the room. Meanwhile, Brice’s dad stood up and started pounding on the table and shouting at them to stop, Bryce’s mom started apologizing to Lottie's mom repeatedly, and Lottie's mom was dumb struck at the state of her dining room. As Lottie and Brice hurried down the hall, they attracted the attention of several servants, maids, and footmen, who immediately started whispering. They made their way to the entrance hall and waited for their families. Two of the maids made the mistake of coming into dust while they were there, and Lottie caught a snatch of their conversation.
“They are totally in love. Soon we’re going to have a royal wedding!”
“But we won't be invited. We’re just servants!”
“The entire kingdom was invited to her mother’s wedding.”
Then their voices trailed off as they entered the room. Brice was trying to be romantic, for once. But Lottie knew he wasn't fit for her. Soon after, their parents came in. Lottie's mom looked like she had gotten over what happened in the dining room, but Brice’s parents were still apologizing. Just as they were about to leave, Brice stepped forward.
“Wait.”
Brice reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small black box. He knelt down.
“Lottie, will you marry me?” Brice said sweetly.
Lottie didn't know how to react, so she did the first thing that came to mind. She stormed out of the hall and up the stairs. She could feel them gawking at her as she slammed the door to her room. She plopped down on her king size bed and sighed.
“I am going to be in so much trouble.” That's when the thought comes to mind.
“What if I run away?” She pondered on the thought until a few minutes later, when she heard a sharp knock on the door.
“Let me in,” demanded a deep voice. It belonged to her father.
“Now.” She got up from her bed and opened the door.
“Now, Charlotte. Explain to me, exactly, why you have done such a thing?!?!” He said sternly. his eyebrows flex when he is mad.
“Father, I thought you knew, I-I thought you knew.” She stuttered. Lottie, at that moment, remembered all the good times she had with her father when she was younger. But now it is different. They are total opposites now. The past cannot be changed.
“And what on earth did I not know.” He demanded.
“That I, Felicity Charlotte Alexander, despise Brice and his pitiful ways.” She said firmly.
“Well, I never!” Stated her father.
“You only seem to care about your stupid money! You're telling me now who I'm supposed to marry! And the last time you talked to Emma you told her to get a life! What kind of father are you?!?” She shouted angrily.
“I am done with you, Felicity!”
“You do not talk to me that way!” Added father angrily.
“You do not treat my little sister like dirt!” She screamed.
“I am officially done with you Felicity! Done!” He responded angrily, as he slammed the door to my room.

~Brice~
I knelt down, ready to make the move of my life. Ready to marry the love of my life (or so I thought).
“Lottie, will you marry me?” I tried to say in my calm/sweet voice. Lottie just looked at me, then she glanced at the ring. She turned abruptly and stomped down the hallway and up the stairs with the final act being a slammed door. I just stood there and stared. I didn't even try to call for her to come back. I was too awestruck. My heart broken, I felt like falling the the floor to show my grief.
“Let me talk to her,” said Lottie's dad. I heard some rough talk for about a few minutes. Then Lottie’s dad walked down the stairs, his face reddened.
“What did she say?” Asked my mother.
“Never you mind,” he said as he storms into his bedroom.

~Later that night~
Lottie heard a knock on her door.
“Come in.”
It was Emma.
“What are you doing?” She asked.
“Emma, quick. I need you to go to the laundry room and bring me some of the spare dresses that belong to the maids. I'm running away.” Lottie picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder.
“What? You can't run away!” Emma said. She looked like she was about to cry.
“I have to. I can't stay here and have my life lived for me.”
“Is this about Brice?”
“Of course it is! What else could it possibly be about?”
“I think he's nice.”
“That's because you aren't facing the prospect of marriage.”
“Maybe so. Either way, you shouldn't run away. The dragons will eat you.”
“I'm not afraid of dragons.”
“Maybe not, but I am, and I don't want my sister to get eaten. I'm actually quite fond of her.”
“For once in your life.”
“Hey!”
“Hush up before dad hears you!”
The two girls glared at each other.
“Well, why don't you join me, so if I get eaten by a dragon you would be with me too. So the chances of you getting eaten too are pretty high. Boom! Problem solved, you'll die too! So you won't have to feel any remorse.” She jokes
“Ohh, no definitely not.”
“There's no such thing as dragons, Emma. Come on.”
“Fine.”
“Marvelous! Now go pack your things.”
Emma turned around and walked out of the room. Lottie could hear her bare feet against the cold, hard floor. Lottie put on her slippers, and sneaked through the hall, down the stairs and into the foyer. She opened the door to the storage room. She quietly walks up to the safe and put in the code, 2735. Then, she took out two large bundles of money, grabbed a few of the maids clothes out, and shoved them in her bag. She quickly but quietly shut the door, and found her way back into her room to find Emma waiting for her.
“Here.” She tosses Emma her dress.
“But I don't know how!”
“Emma, really, find some way to do it yourself.”
“Ugh, fine.” Emma sighs. Lottie puts her dress and attempts to rip the edges.
“Can we bring Muffin?”
“Sure, why not?” Lottie states.
“We need to get going,”
They both crawled out the window and into the lush green woods.
“Wait.” Lottie said.
“What?” Emma complains
“We need to wait for James. I told him I'd meet him here at the clearing.”
“Who's James?”
“The horseman I met the other day. He's really kind.”
“Do mom and dad know that you met a strange man in the woods?”
“No, I'd be dead!”
“I love the way you exaggerate.”
“Hey it’s true!”
“Oh, yes. Definitely. Our parents would totally kill the only person willing to rule the kingdom someday.”
“Mrrrrrrrr” comes a sound from a small brown bag.
“Lottie, what is that?”  Lottie walks over to the small bag and cracks it open. “Purr.” It’s just the cat.
“What is Muffin… Oh. I remember now.”
“Hello ladies,” sounds a calm voice.
Lottie jumps.
“James! You startled me.””
“Sorry, about that.” “Who's this?” He adds
“This is Emma. She's my sister.” Lottie replied.
“He's cute.” Emma whispered in Lottie's ear.
“I like your cat.” James patted Muffin’s head. Muffin purred.
“I didn't know you liked cats.” Lottie said.
“I don't.”
“Then why do you like him?”
James laughed. He had a nice laugh, so Lottie couldn't help but smile.
“I guess you're right. I like this cat, but usually I'm more of a dog person.” James frowned. “What are you two doing out this late? Well, I guess I should say early.”
“We’re…” Lottie glanced at Emma, not sure what to say.
“Running an errand for our parents.” Emma replied.
“Oh.” James’s brow furrowed. “Don't you two have servants to do that? I mean, if you guys live in this castle,” he gestured to the window behind them, “then why didn't your parents send one of them?”
Emma sighed. “Mom sent a maid to get the cheese this morning, but the silly girl hasn't come back yet. I told her not to send the girl from the other kingdom, but Mom is stubborn. She didn't listen.”
“Oh.” James said again. He finally relaxed. “Well, can I give you lovely ladies a ride?”
Emma turned to Lottie.
“Yes, please.” Lottie said. “Where is the nearest market?”
“Are you telling me that you mom not only sent you to get cheese at 1:00 AM, but she also didn't tell you where to go?” James frowned. “Some parent.”
Emma stiffened.
“She's the best!” She said. “She just has a...problem?”
“That sounded like a question,” Lottie whispered.
“I know!” Emma whispered back.
“Can you just take us to the market?” Lottie said, louder this time.
“Of course, m’ladies.” James said, sweeping off his hat in a huge bow. It was so big that the plume of his feathered cap brushed the ground. “Why are you really out here?” He inquired when they were both safely mounted on his horse. Lottie sighed. She knew she was a terrible liar.
“We… We’re running away.” She stammered.
“Ah, I see. Are your parents forcing you into marriage?” James asked.
“Yes.” She replied. “They're trying to get me to marry a guy named Brice who I hate.”
James chuckled.
“It's not funny!”
“No, it's not.” James said. “The funny thing is, my younger brother is named Brice and he said that his girlfriend had turned down his proposal last night.”
Lottie turned pale.
“You-you're-what the-” she stuttered.
“Yup.”
“Why didn't you tell me?” She demanded.
“I didn't want to.”
They rode in silence for hours. By the time the market was in sight, dawn was starting to break. They rode into the middle of town, where James dropped them off.
“Thank you.” Lottie said.
“Don't mention it.” James replied. There was an awkward silence.
“Don't tell anyone where we are, alright?” Lottie said. James nodded. He turned and rode away.
“You so like him,” Emma said in sing song voice.
“I do not!” Lottie felt her face get all red.
“James and Lottie riding quickly by, getting all K-I-S-S-Y…” Emma chanted.
“Hush up!”
Emma turned around in a circle.
“We need to find a place to work,” she said. “We don't have any money.”
“Oh, really?” Lottie said. She held up the two bags of money. Emma clapped a hand to her mouth.
“Lottie! You… You stole!”
“I did not! This is our savings, remember?”
“Oooohhhhh… I thought mom and dad kept them.”
“Correction: they used to keep them.”