That afternoon, just after lunch, and after a bit of thought, Matthew took a small carriage down to the village, heading directly towards Madam Carp's. As usual, she was at the front of the store, futzing with the dresses out front. When Matthew opened the door, the little golden bell hooked to the top of the door rang out across the shop.

Madam Carp turned around quickly, spotting Matthew's expensive clothes, provided by the palace funds. She smiled, giving him a slight bow, acting like a lady. "Welcome Sir. Are you looking for a gown for a special lady? I can tell you, we have only the finest at Madam Carp's."

Matthew backed away from the obviously insane woman. "If it's not too much trouble, I would like to speak to one of your seamstresses. Miss Christina."

Madam Carp was noticeably shocked. "W-why her?" She said, trying to shove back her anger.

"Oh, um..." Matthew thought about it, trying to hide his true intentions. This woman looked like she could be easily fooled. "She sewed one of the princess's favorite gowns. She had requested her to help with a large tear in the skirt."

Madam Carp pursed her lips. "Fine." She muttered. She grabbed Matthew's hand, shocking him, and stomped over to the back. She slammed the door open, making a loud noise that shocked all three seamstresses, including Christina, and also Matthew.

Madam Carp, still strangling Matthew's wrist, grabbed Christina's as she passed by, dragged them both outside, practically threw them out, and out the back door, shouted, "You can keep her for as long as you need!" then slammed the back door, nearly knocking it off it's hinges.

Matthew and Christina looked at each other confused. Christina shrugged. "Wait... I know you! You're that guy that was with the princess!"

"Well, yes, but-"

"I don't believe it! The Princess sent for me! Me!" She squealed, excited about the possibilities this could bring.

"Um, actually-"

"I'm going to sing at the castle! I- Me!"

"I came because-"

Christina gasped. " But I'm not ready! I have to rehearse!"

"If I could just-"

"I should change my dress! Wait, what am I talking about? I only have one dress-"

"Please let me talk!"

"Sorry."

"I'm sorry, but that's not the case. The princess has gone missing, and I need you to help me find her." Matthew explained.

"Me? What can I do?" She asked.

Matthew took a deep breath before saying what could easily be a death sentence. "Pretend to be Princess Stephanie." He whispered.

Christina gasped. "Are you out of your mind?!" She whisper-shouted.

"Yes." Christina's eyes went wide. "Just listen. I suspect Preminger, the queen's adviser, has taken the princess off somewhere so the Royal Wedding will be cancelled."

"That's awful!" Christina said, partially to herself.

"If you pretend to be the princess, just for a short while, I can trick Preminger into revealing where he's hiding her!" Matthew explained.

Christina stepped back. "Pretend to be royalty? I could get thrown in prison! Or worse!"

"As can I, but..." Matthew bit his lip.

Christina looked out over the wall. The wall behind Madam Carp's that separated the back of the shop from a hundred-foot drop. She had loved to look out over the mountains, all her life, dreaming of what lay beyond. Before, she had feared that she would never see past those distant mountains. Now, she was afraid that she would never see even the mountains again.

It was then when she remembered the princess. Leaning out over the wall, she tasted the high mountaintop air that ran throughout the village, savoring what might be her last time to feel it. She remembered the princess's dream of being free to go past those mountains, just like her. But now, she might never be able to go past them, no matter what happened along the road.

"She's in real trouble, isn't she?"

Matthew didn't even have to say anything to give his answer.

"A girl like me... count me in."