The night was, perfect. I mean yes there was some drama but welcome to family events. No matter how much money or how 'famous' they are, there is always family drama. On the ride back to the hotel we all were in our phones getting ready to head out tomorrow.
"The weather looks horrible tomorrow night." Savannah said.
"Do you think our flight will get cancelled?"
"I hope not." I looked up at them. "I don't have the money to change my flight and I don't want to spend Christmas here. I want to be with my family." They looked back at me.
"I agree, I have my entire family in. This is the first time in 9 years!" Vanessa said.
"Wow!" I was happy that she got to spend Christmas with her entire family. "That's so great." She smiled.
"I know." I checked my bank account. I had $134.67 after my bills come out. I tapped my fingers on the back of my phone. Maybe the flight will be fine and we'll be able to leave. It didn't calm my nerves at all. I needed to text Pam.
(Me: Hey Pam. We're looking at the weather for tomorrow night, doesn't look that great. Are we bumping up our flight at all?)
(Pam: Hey sweetie! We have heard, unfortunately no. It's too much of an expense for the company, seeing as there is so many of you. If you can do it out of pocket, we are suggesting it.)
(Me: Okay, thanks.)
This didn't make me feel any better. It actually made me feel worse. What if the flight gets cancelled and I'm the only one stuck here? What am I going to do?
(Pam: How was the ball?)
(Me: Beautiful and wonderful. I think I could have stayed forever. The castle is stunning!)
(Pam: And Prince William?)
(Me: He's going to be the hardest part about leaving Baltaver.)
(Pam: Just remember, goodbye doesn't mean forever, it just means for now.)
(Me: I'll try to remember that.)
But it was for forever. I couldn't afford to ever do this again. I mean I can't even afford to stay in Baltaver or even bump my flight up and let's be honest, he's got more important things to do than chase down a dancer from California.

We got back to the hotel with a fairly silent car ride. It made me so uneasy. I just need to wash everything away, or try to at least. After I showered and blow dried my hair, I climbed into bed. The girls were all packing. My stuff was mostly in my bag, I was good about keeping everything together.
"Hey, we're changing our flights to the morning." Michelle sat down across from me on the bed. "We are doing it out of our own pockets." I huffed a little.
"I know, I just can't afford that."
"I know, we don't have enough money between the three of us either. It's $450 per person. We only have $200 between the three of us." I grabbed her hands.
"Don't worry about me, I'm sure I'll be fine." I tired to smile but my confidence wavered.
"Do you want the money for a hotel room?"
"Im going to be fine." I assured her but I didn't know if I believe that. I knew the weather for tomorrow night didn't look good but what else could I do? I couldn't afford to get a different flight and I know some other girls are in the same boat as me. Worst comes to worst we find a hotel room for all of us to share until we can leave. "What time is your flight tomorrow?"
"We leave at 11:30." I nodded. That'd put them landing in California at about midnight here and about 3pm at home. They'd still have the day left.
"I'd suggest you sleep on the plane." Michelle smiled.
"We'll be fine." I nodded. This is the first time wed ever be traveling without each other. It was a scary though, for me mostly. I had never traveled alone before.
"Okay, well I'm going to bed. I'm tired." Savannah crawled next to me and tucked herself in.
"Yeah. Me too." Michelle and Vanessa climbed into their bed and snuggled under the blankets.
"Goodnight." I said to everyone. The lights flicked off.
"Goodnight." Vanessa answered. I laid on my back and stared up. My eyes slowly adjusted so I could see the texture on the ceiling. I didn't want to cry but I couldn't help myself. I was scared and felt so alone.

All night I tossed and turned. I barley slept. My anxiety was just eating at me. At 6:30 I let myself get out of bed. I grabbed my hotel key and sweatshirt and made my way down stairs. The dinning hall wasn't open yet so I just sat on the floor and waited.
"Ma'am, it's not going to open for another 10 minutes." An employee told me. I shook my head a little.
"That's fine." I said softly. He sighed.
"I'm only doing this once, okay?" I gave him a strange look. He popped open the door and let me in.
"Thank you." I said softly. He nodded and closed the door behind me. The room was still dark but I knew where the coffee maker was. I could see the light and smell the warm beans. I poured some into a cup and sat down in front of it. Just clinging to the coffee, I thought about my flight today. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and sad. The door opened and close again. This time the light flicked on. The employee who let me in was standing in the door way.
"Are you okay?" I nodded a little.
"Just a rough nights sleep, that's all." He stuck out his hand to me. I grabbed it and he pulled me to my feet.
"Sit down Miss," he paused.
"Autumn."
"Miss Autumn, I will get you whatever you like for breakfast."
"You don't have to." He shook his head.
"Please, let me."
"I just eat eggs with cheese mixed in."
"I'm Theodore by the way, but you can call me Theo." He slide a bowl of eggs and cheese to me.
"Thank you Theo."
"My pleasure." He smiled. "How long are you here for?"
"I was here for 5 days, I leave this evening." I told him.
"Shame, I wish I would have meet you earlier." Was he flirting with me? It wasn't even 7 am and I looked like a disaster. I took another bite of my eggs.
"Too bad wishes don't come true." I answered. I wished my flight would be just fine and I'd be home for Christmas. He smiled and left. The doors behind me opened but didn't close again. My guess is it was 7 now. I ate my eggs mindlessly and stared at the coffee maker.
"Good morning Autumn." I didn't look back, I already knew who it was.
"Good morning Pam." She sat down next to me.
"Are you okay?"
"I didn't sleep well and I can't afford to bump up my flight so I'm just kind of stressed out, I guess." She grabbed my hand and squeezed.
"I'm sure it will be just fine." I nodded. I really hoped so.

After talking to Pam I always felt better. I made my way back to the hotel room. The girls were awake and packing.
"Hey." Savannah smiled at me. "How was breakfast?"
"Good. Theo, an employee here made me breakfast and then Pam and I ate together." I sat down on our bed.
"Wow, Baltavarian guys just throw themselves at you." I laughed.
"I'm not sure about that but it was definitely weird." I looked at all of them. "You got everything?"
"I think so." Michelle nodded. "If not you're always good about grabbing what we missed." I laughed.
"I am."
"I'm going to miss watching movies with you." Vanessa frowned.
"I'm going to miss watching movies with you too." I pulled my sweatshirt around me.
"I think we're going to grab breakfast before we head out." I nodded. They had to leave for the airport at 9:45. It was only 8:45 now but they are slow eaters and packed even slower. They walked down to breakfast. I told them I'd meet them down there at 9:30. I laid in bed and stared at the ceiling. This was the last time we'd all be together for a couple of days, why this made me sad I'm not sure. We saw each other constantly, a few days apart might be nice but my stomach was telling me otherwise.

I collected the girls from the dinning hall with all of their bags on golden carts. We called a taxi and waited outside.
"You guy ready?" I asked them. The looked at everything and nodded. I don't think I was ready for them to leave yet.
"Let us know if you need anything." Michelle said.
"Guys, I can take care of myself and I'll be home only a few hours after you, don't worry about it." I acted casually even though my brain had alarmed CODE RED 20 minutes ago. The taxi rolled up. He popped the truck for us. We loaded all a million and one bags of theirs. Vanessa and Michelle packed everything. Michelle was a makeup hoarder and Vanessa was a clothing hoarder. I had stolen a few extra things from her bag, just incase.
"Okay, well this is it." Savannah closed the trunk. They all had sad eyes. I think we all knew I mostly was going to be stuck in Baltaver a few more days but no one said a thing. I squeezed them all extra tight in hopes to hold them over.
"We'll talk later, okay?" They nodded. "Let me know when you all get home." They nodded. We all hugged once more than they got into the taxi. I waved to them as they left. I could see their three hands violently wagging in the back window. Sighing heavily, I had to figure out what I was going to do for the next few hours. I passed someone as I walked back to the elevator.
"You didn't change your flight either?" Hannah asked. I looked at her.
"No." She nodded slowly.
"Gina, Becky, Mariah and I didn't either." I nodded. At least I knew 4 other people would be stuck in Baltaver with me if our flight got cancelled tonight. That put me at easy a little.

I had gotten everything loaded on the a suitcase trolley. My plane left at 8:30. It was just shy of 6 right now. I wheeled everything down to the lobby and my phone dinged. I looked at it. My flight was canceled. I sighed. Of course it was.
"Hi," I walked up to the two manning the front desk. Theo must be off already. "Do you guys have any rooms available? My flight just got cancelled." They tapped around on the computer.
"It doesn't look like it, no. Sorry." She gave me a sad face.
"Could you hold all my stuff until I find a hotel?" The looked between each other.
"We can hold it until midnight?"
"Perfect! My names Autumn Leon." He wrote that down on a tag. I pushed the gold cart to the side of the counter. "Thank you." They nodded. I grabbed my purse off the top and my phone out of my pocket.
(Me: Hey, the flight got cancelled. Want to share a room?)
(Hannah: We already found a room with a queen size bed and a pull out couch. They are only allowing 4 people, sorry.)
I huffed in frustration and shoved my phone back in my pocket. Of course they did. I walked up the way a little to another hotel. They were completely booked. The one after them was $325 a night for their cheapest room. Not only was I stuck in Baltaver but I was stuck alone with no where to go. I flagged down a taxi. I'm not sure it was the right thing to do but I went to the castle to see Prince Hayes. I just needed someone to talk to. Maybe I would see a hotel on the way, hopefully a cheep one with a vacant room or two.

I grabbed the knocker on the front door and pounded. I hoped someone would hear me. It was a big castle and I'm sure they weren't expecting guests. I heard nothing for a while. Slowly the door opened. An older man answered the door.
"Hi." I was relieved.
"Yes?" He only opened the door wide enough for him to fit in. The man glanced me over.
"My named Autumn, I'm-"
"Come." He cut me off. "I'm Ben, Prince William's assistant." I nodded.
"You were the one driving the limo." That's why I recognized him.
"Yes." He nodded. "What are you doing here?" I tucked my hair anxiously behind my ear.
"I, uh, just wanted to see Prince William, I guess." I stumbled on my words.
"I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you." I sighed.
"I hope so." I followed Ben through the grand halls.

After walking a long way in the castles corridors we finally made it to a large wooden door. It was beautiful and probably more expensive than anything in my house. I just stared at it. I was outside Prince Hayes bedroom.
"Would you like me to knock?" I must have been staring a little too long.
"No." I assured him. I balled my hand up and knocked on his door. I heard the the light tap of bare feet on the other side. The door swung open.
"I was wondering," I stopped. I slowly looked Hayes over. I beamed at him. "What are you wearing?" I asked slowly. It wasn't unusual attire, it was unusual attire for a Prince. He had on loose, black sweatpants and a plain gray t-shirt. I hadn't seen him in anything less formal than a sweater and black dress pants.
"How did you get in here?" I pointed to Ben. "Ben." He gave him an uncomfortable smile. Hayes eyes found mine again. "One moment." He started to close the door. I stepped forward putting myself in the doorframe.
"Wait." He looked at me. "Do you want to go for a walk? I could really use the company."
"In my secret pajamas?" He pronounced it pa-jaw-ma's, where I say it pa-jam-ahs.
"Yes, in your secret pajamas." He glanced over my shoulder at Ben. Hayes sighed.
"Oh, alright. Let me get my coat."
"Can I borrow one?" Hayes looked at me with his brows raised. "It's kind of cold outside."
"Of course. Follow." I walked into his room. From floor to ceiling was gold and deep red. I was stuck we're I stood. I'm sure my jaw was on the floor but I had never seen anything so beautiful. His room might actually top Divus Divitii. "Are you coming?" I looked back at him.
"This is your room?" I whispered. That's the loudest I could manage to speak. He glanced around.
"Yes?"
"How do you ever leave?" He smiled.
"You get used to it." Hayes laughed a little as he spoke. "I don't know. I bore of the room I guess. Sometimes I find it too sterile. You know?"
"No." I scrunched my face a little.
"You don't ever get tired of your room?"
"No." I smiled. "I love my room, it's homey."
"Homey." He repeated. Not in a question but almost as in a foreign concept. I nodded a little.

We went for a walk around the side of the castle. He told me we had to walk here so his parents wouldn't see his pajamas. I agreed.
"Aren't you supposed to be on a plane right now?" I drew in a deep breath.
"Yeah." I paused. "Over 100 flights got cancelled, mine being one of them."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you going to be staying at the same hotel?" I laughed a little in frustration.
"No. They are full. See, most of the girls bumped their flights up to this morning and got out early. You know, before the flights got canceled due to weather. Just under half of us didn't. There are 5 girls, including me, who got stuck here. All four of them found a hotel room to bunk in and refuse to help me out." I talked in frustration. I was just so mad everything came out. I can't afford to stay in a room by myself and even if I could, it's not like a room is available.
"Well, you can stay here, at the castle." Hayes added like it was no big deal.
"No!" I argued.
"Well why not?"
"Hayes, I can't come stay at the castle. We just met and I would be imposing"
"Of course you can, you would not be imposing. My parents adore you and no one should be alone on Christmas." I almost forgot that I was here over Christmas.
"Hayes-" He stopped walking right in front of me. I almost ran into him.
"Please. I don't think I could be able to do anything else if I knew you were alone." He begged. I sighed.
"Alright. Thank you." He nodded with a smile. We started walking again.
"Of course. I'm sorry you can't spend Christmas with your family." I gave him a soft smile.
"It's okay, at least I'm not alone." I bumped into him playfully. "Sorry, I shouldn't have done that, you're royalty."
"I, uh, I like that you treat me normal." He said softly. I smiled down to my feet. "So where is your luggage?"
"At the hotel." I said slowly. "So tell me about Baltaver, since I'll be here a little bit longer."
"Well," he clasped his hands behind his back. "There was a Prince, Prince Arthur  Baltaver of Amsterdam, his older brother, Thomas Baltaver, was King and ruled the kingdom with force. His brother refused to listen to any ideas the Prince had. Arthur decided that he would start his own kingdom with his long time fiancé Elizabeth Davila right next door. They weren't far from their families but far enough away to have their own opinion. They ruled together, King and Queen, but ruled from the heart. Which was very unheard of. First, no man ever ruled with his Queen, she always just stood at his side and second, no King ever ruled from the heart. Especially back then, it was unheard of. His son took over and ruled Baltaver like the Kings book says. With the help of his heart, Arthur Baltaver made this beautiful, little country the one we've come to know and love."
"Why do people name things after themselves? It's so egotistical."
"And what would you name a small country?" I opened my mouth but closed it again. That was a valid question, I had no idea. "The country Leon." Hayes said proudly.
"No! Oh no that sounds horrible." I bumped into Hayes laughing. "Sorry." I thought about Baltaver's beauty. "Did he make the fountain?"
"Divus Divitii?" I nodded. "No, his son did. It was actually his fathers dying wish. Richard didn't want to make it but the Kings word is to be followed, even after he's gone. His son was very different from him. His son, Richard, ruled with an iron fist they say. He was said to be the meanest King Baltaver has ever seen."
"So how did the Winterhavens come to throne?"
"Well I'm not quite sure but along the way daughters would marry and their husbands would rule the Kingdom and then their sons would rule under their last name. That's how the Baltavers came out of the throne. Richard had 2 sons, his youngest never married and his oldest only had a daughter."
"When you rule, are you going to rule from the heart or from the Kings book?" Prince Hayes drew in a deep breath.
"I'm not sure."
"Well, whatever you chose I'm sure you'll make a fine King." Hayes smiled at me. It was soft and relaxed.
"Thank you." He said just above a whisper. I looked out at the snow. As much as I wanted to be home I know that the snow is something I'll miss. "Well, let's go get your luggage." I looked at Hayes.
"Thank you, for everything. Really." My voice came out vulnerable and soft.
"It's not trouble, quite honestly it's a pleasure to have you." I laughed a little.
"Yeah, sure."

We got to the hotel.
"I'll just be a second." I told Hayes.
"I can come in." He was just trying to help.
"You're the Prince of Baltaver, people will be all over you. It's fine." He nodded. I got out of the car and walked into the hotel. Two workers stood at the counter and seemed almost frantic. "Hi, Autumn Leon, I'm here to pick up my suitcases." They both looked at me. They were the two from earlier. I didn't like the looks on their faces. Neither of them spoke for a moment.
"There's been a slight problem, Miss Leon." The young man finally spoke. "We've had a lot of guest come in today." He started to tell me a story. "We must have put your luggage in one of those rooms." I drew in a deep breath. This was the last thing I needed today. My friends are already home (or almost) I won't be home for Christmas, none of the other girls would help me out with bunking so I am imposing on the royal family by staying in the castle and now the hotel has lost my stuff.
"Ha! Great." I tried to bite my tongue so I didn't lose my mind.
"We will get it first thing in the morning." The women assured me.
"The, the morning?"
"Yes, I'm afraid there is nothing we can do right now, it's 10 o'clock at night."
"But that's my stuff."
"Well if we call or knock now we will have very angry guests."
"I am angry!" I snapped at the two of them. "They all have what they need and I am wearing an outfit that I thought I was going back to California in!" Their eyes grew wide. "What am I supposed to do? It's not my fault you lost my stuff!" I was almost in tears.
"Just give us the room numbers and we will go from door to door." Prince Hayes was at my side. I looked at him and sighed. Of course, Prince Charming to the rescue. I'm glad he insisted on changing into actual clothes before we left. "Sorry." He whispered to me. I just shook my head softly and looked back at the hotel staff.
"Your majesty." They both curtsied. I'm pretty sure men were supposed to bow but I wasn't going to say anything. "Let me get you that list." I threw my hand up in the air and walked away. I walked to the painting that I always was puzzled by and stared at it. It was weird shapes and colors. It was mostly blues and slate gray. It looks familiar but I could quite put my finger on what it was.
"It was painted by Cathrine Glass. She was King Arthur Baltavers great granddaughter."
"What is it?"
"Divus Divitii."
"Where?" He laughed a little.
"It looked very different back then. We've added a lot since then." I nodded.
"Do you have a picture of the original?"
"Some where in the castle, yes." I nodded.
"I'm not mad at you." I finally said. "This is just not how today was supposed to go." I laughed a little at the tragedy that was today.
"I know, and I understand. I'm sorry." He looked at me.
"What for?"
"It was a crummy day for you." I smiled softly at him.
"It wasn't all bad." I said softly. Hayes smiled at me.
"Alright, well let's get some luggage." I groaned. I had almost forgotten.

We had to knock on a few doors and Prince Hayes had to take a few pictures with people or for people. I insisted on staying out of them. My hair was a mess and I looked weird in a men's jacket and capris. A Spanish couple that was staying on the second floor ended up getting my stuff. Hayes spoke to them in Spanish and thanks them for being so nice. Once we got back to the castle Ben helped me take my stuff up to a room that sat somewhat close to Hayes's. It was nice to know he wasn't too far away.
"This is Emma, she will be your assistant and right hand while your here." I smiled. She was the one at the ball who led us in and told me where the doors were in a ball room.
"Hi."
"Hello Miss Leon." I was taken back, she was American.
"You're American?"
"Canadian, but close." A smile flickered for a moment. I laughed.
"Maybe I'm not so far away from home." Her eyes smiled brightly but only the corners of her mouth turned up.
"Let me help you." She reaches for my bags.
"Thank you." We dragged everything into my room. I'm glad I had packed some extra clothing and stole some more from Vanessa.
"Are you set for the night?" I looked at Hayes and nodded.
"Yes, thank you."
"Of course." We stared at each other for a moment. "Will I see you in the morning?" I nodded.
"Yeah."
"Perfect." He smiled.
"Goodnight Hayes."
"Goodnight Autumn." He walked out of my room. Emma was still trying to move stuff around.
"Please don't worry about it Emma. It's okay. Thank you." She straightened herself out.
"Is that everything?" I nodded. "You don't need a pot of tea or something to eat?" I shook my head.
"No, thank you." She nodded plainly.
"Goodnight Miss Leon."
"Goodnight Emma." She bowed and left my room. I grabbed my phone and texted my dad.
(Me: Hey dad, my flight got cancelled so I'm stuck in Baltaver a few days longer. I'm not sure when we're coming home. I'm sorry about missing Christmas. I love and miss you.)
(Daddy: Don't worry about it Pumpkin, as long as you're safe that's all that matters. I love and miss you more.)
(Me: Goodnight Daddy.)
(Daddy: Goodnight Pumpkin.)
I settled into my bed uncomfortably. I drew in a deep breath and tried to sleep. They say that it's hard to get comfortable in a hotel because the beds are hard and the bedding is stale. The rooms are all the same and they are only temporary. Do they say that about castles too? The beds aren't hard, the sheets aren't stale and the rooms aren't the same. The bed feels like your laying on a cloud. The sheets are soft and smell like lavender. I haven't seen a room with the same chair in this house yet. But, this is temporary. If that's the only thing they have in common I should be asleep already, but I'm not. What was my problem?