Chapter 23: Chapter 22 - Amity Part 2
Madeline tried to wait for her mother, but as she sat on the bed, her eyelids grew heavy with sleep, and a yawn escaped her mouth. Her eyes became teary, and she decided to lie down. Hours passed, but her mother had not yet returned. Overcome by fatigue, Madeline fell asleep.
In her sleep, she dreamed again. This time, she found herself in the heart of a dense, snow-covered forest. The air was crisp and cold, with snowflakes gently falling around her. Her small feet left delicate trails in the fresh, untouched snow as she walked, the crunch of the snow beneath her feet the only sound in the otherwise silent forest. She paused for a moment, looking down at herself, and noticed she was wearing a vibrant red cloak that stood out starkly against the white surroundings. The cloak was heavy and warm, its hood pulled up to protect her from the cold, and it swayed gently with each step she took.
In her right hand, she held a wicker basket filled with an assortment of herbs and fruits. The basket was intricately woven, and its contents were a splash of color in the monochrome landscape. She could see sprigs of rosemary, thyme, and sage peeking out from beneath a layer of bright red apples and dark, ripe berries. The scent of the herbs mingled with the crisp, clean smell of the snow, creating a strangely comforting aroma.
The path ahead was barely visible, just a faint trail leading deeper into the woods. Despite the eerie silence and the unknown ahead, Madeline felt a strange sense of peace. The forest, though unfamiliar, did not seem threatening. It was as if it were waiting for something, holding its breath in anticipation.
Madeline's red cloak flared out behind her as she moved, and the snowflakes seemed to dance around her, glittering in the pale light. She clutched the wicker basket tighter, feeling the rough texture of the handle beneath her gloved fingers. Each step she took left a clear imprint in the snow, a record of her journey through this dreamscape.
The cloak she wore reminded her of the parade she had seen during her visit to Perstone City. Her heartbeat faster as confusion set in; she had no idea where she was. She looked around but saw no one around. She continued walking and noticed a silhouette lying in the snow.
As she got closer, she saw it was a boy. Despite trying hard to focus, she couldn't make out his face. He was lying in a pool of blood, which made Madeline step back. Suddenly, she heard a rustle and looked for the source of the sound.
From the nearby bushes, a huge white wolf emerged. It had bright red eyes that glowed and fur as white as snow. The wolf stared at her, studying her. Surprisingly, Madeline didn't feel afraid. She felt calm and quiet as she stared back at it. Then, Madeline woke up to find her mother's worried face looking at her.
"Madeline, are you alright?" her mother asked.
"Yes, mother," Madeline replied. She didn't share her dream with anyone or think much about it. Early in the morning at the Royal Castle, Madeline assisted her mother with the kitchen work. Meanwhile, all the maids were bustling about, diligently preparing for the upcoming Royal Ball. This grand event was held annually, with noble houses and empire castles taking turns to host it. This year, the esteemed responsibility fell upon the Carthage Empire to organize the ball. The guest list included nobles, royalty, and prominent figures from society.
The loud voice of the head servant reverberated through the halls, commanding the other servants about their tasks. Meanwhile, the butler, Barry, was fully occupied overseeing the decoration of the main hall where the royal ball would take place. Throughout the castle, the servants were busy with various duties — some were meticulously cleaning, others were delicately arranging ornaments, and a few were assisting with kitchen tasks, among them Madeline and her mother.
Madeline was busy washing dishes and assisting with vegetable preparation for the meals. A maid with auburn hair named Emily, who was twenty years old and Madeline's friend at the castle, cautioned Madeline to be careful with the knife. Madeline smiled warmly in response and reassured Emily, saying, 'Don't worry, I've got it.'
As time passed, the workload in the castle increased, keeping the servants busier than ever. Princess Vivienne, the aunt of the prince and younger sister of the king, took charge of supervising the maids' tasks. Vivienne, known for her strict demeanor, possessed a slender figure, a narrow waist, black hair, and piercing obsidian eyes — a true embodiment of royal lineage. Her pale skin and graceful movements were indicative of her royal heritage.
During one hectic moment, Princess Vivienne reprimanded a male servant who almost dropped a large vase of flowers, threatening dire consequences if he damaged the precious ornament. Despite the intense pressure, all the maids worked efficiently and swiftly under the watchful eye of the princess.
Madeline felt a tinge of sadness, for her usual place of joy was the stable where she could interact with the animals. The kitchen work, on the other hand, was a source of discomfort due to its demanding nature and the strictness of both the head cook and head servant, who often reprimanded her. Her mother, noticing her daughter's unhappiness, observed Madeline as she diligently cut a potato.
"Madeline, could you take this to the stable?" her mother commanded, holding a basket filled with food prepared for the servants. Madeline's eyes lit up at the mention of the stable, her favorite place where she found solace and joy. She had a deep fondness for animals, especially the majestic horses, and spending time in the stable always brought her immense happiness.
"Sir, sir, I brought food," Madeline exclaimed with excitement as she entered the stable. "Oh, Madeline, here you are. We were looking for you," Carl, the stable servant, mentioned with a warm smile. "I was tasked to help in the kitchen," the young girl answered, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. Madeline then made her way to the horses, her steps filled with anticipation. She gently pats their fur, feeling a sense of calm and joy wash over her as she observed the magnificent animals.
"Duchess already gave birth this morning," Carl added, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "She birthed a male foal. They're in the back if you want to see them." Madeline's eyes widened with excitement. "Really?" she asked eagerly, her heart racing with anticipation. Without wasting a moment, she hurriedly made her way to the location where Duchess and her newborn foal were kept, her mind filled with wonder and curiosity.
Duchess, an impressive mare, was one of the castle's prized horses belonging to the prince, alongside another horse named Duke. Occasionally, unbeknownst to anyone, the young prince and Madeline would venture into the forest on horseback, with Madeline always riding Duchess while the prince rode Duke. When the Duchess became pregnant, both Madeline and the prince eagerly anticipated the arrival of the new addition to the stable.
Upon seeing the foal, Madeline knelt beside the young mare and ran her hand over its soft fur. After a brief moment, Madeline hurried back to the castle, her steps quick and determined. "Madeline, watch your steps. It's slippery here!" Carl reminded her, but she continued running, calling back, "I'll be right back!"
As Madeline entered the castle, she passed by busy maids cleaning the halls. "Hey! Where do you think you're going? Playing isn't part of your duties, Maddie!" scolded Jessica, one of the maids. Ignoring the reprimand, Madeline kept running, nearly tripping over a bucket of water. "Sorry!" she exclaimed, still pressing on. "Hey, my goodness, this child!", one of the servants who is mopping the hallway exclaimed.
Climbing the stairs, she reached one of the grand castle rooms. Its door was adorned with intricate gold embroidery, and the handle featured a sculpted dragon. Madeline glanced around to ensure no one was watching, catching her breath after the sprint. She knocked on the door three times and called out, "Your Highness? Are you in there?" After a few moments, the massive door swung open, revealing the prince stepping out from within.
"What happened? You seem very tired. Did you run?" the prince inquired as Madeline entered the room. "Duchess has already given birth! It's a colt," Madeline exclaimed, her face beaming with happiness. "Really? That's fantastic! Let's go see them. But we couldn't go through the main hall. My aunt will spot us. We can sneak in using the back door of the castle," the prince suggested, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Sebastian and Madeline, in silent agreement, headed towards the stable with eager anticipation to meet the newest member of their equine family. The gentle sounds of horses welcomed them as they entered the familiar stable surroundings. Engrossed in watching and petting the horse, the two children pondered its name. "What should we call him?" Sebastian inquired. "Hmm... how about 'Maddy'?" Madeline suggested playfully, linking their names. "I suggest a name starting with 'D,' given his parents are Duke and Duchess. Plus, since he's a male horse, it shouldn't match yours," the prince chimed in.
"I can't think of a good name" Madeline admitted while pouting. As the two children deliberated over the name of the horse, a sudden commotion broke out outside the stable. Voices raised in excitement, and the stable doors suddenly swung open, and caught the children's attention.
A group of men wearing dirty servants dressed entered. Among them was Leo, known for his love for horses. Leo is one of the stable workers who tends to the horses. He's in his early 20s with black hair and eyes. He approached the children and the prince with a warm smile. "Hello, there Maddy. Your highness" he added with a bow. "What's all this excitement about?" he inquired, glancing at the horse in the stable.
"We're trying to name our newest friend," Sebastian explained, gesturing towards the horse. The man's eyes lit up with interest. "Naming a horse is always a special occasion," he remarked. "May I suggest a name?" The children and the prince eagerly nodded, curious to hear his suggestion.
Leo took a moment to study the horse, gently running his hand over its mane. "Considering his noble lineage and strength," he began thoughtfully, then looked at the eager children beside him, "how about 'Dune'? It's a fitting name for such a magnificent creature."
Sebastian, Madeline, and the prince exchanged approving glances. "Dune it is!" they exclaimed in unison, pleased with Leo's suggestion. With the horse now officially named, the group spent the rest of the day bonding with the horse, sharing stories of past adventures and looking forward to many more memorable moments together in the stable.