Chapter 21 Surprises

It was very cold that morning in late autumn. The leaves from the trees made an orange and brown carpet on the village's earthy ground. The soft breeze caressed Am's face and played with the pages of the book she was reading aloud to her students.

It was reading lesson day, and Am was sitting in front of a group of children teaching how to read. Thai, Maeh, and Brhim were also there, helping a little with the kids that were repeating eagerly the lesson. Twice a week they gathered in a designated area next to Am's cottage, placed some wooden benches and took their lessons. She was determined to make every child in the village capable of reading and writing.

Amalthea was reading some fairy tales to the children. They were very concentrated, listening attentively to the beautiful story. The thundering sound of the hooves of approaching horses interrupted the lesson. Am stopped reading and the children stood up and turned to see the carriage that was approaching amongst the trees. Everyone, beginning with Am, were surprised to see that it was the royal chariot the one that had stopped in front of Am's house.

The driver elegantly dismounted the cart and proceeded to open the door. Am, Brihm, Thai, Maeh and the children were staring with curiosity. However, though it caused a great commotion, nobody dared to move. All eyes were on Prince Alasther, as he stepped out of the cart, glowing a big smile.

"Hello, everyone. Taking your lessons? Good, you have an excellent mentor on Lady Amalthea." The Prince greeted everyone with a big smile. Everybody immediately bowed in reverence. Thai, Bhrim and Maeh stared at Am to see her reaction. She remained standing motionless, her face appalled and the blushed when she saw the prince walking to her. Of all the persons in the world that could come to her house in a carriage, she would have never expected to see Prince Alaster. She just stared at him with her book in hands, like petrified.

Am's whole body hesitated, yet somehow, after a moment muted, she managed to speak to the group, first. "Class, I think our lesson is over for today. You are dismissed. The kids left walking slowly, wondering what was the Prince doing at their village.

The prince smiled and waved goodbye the little kids that ran away, hopping and giggling. Then he faced Am's friends. " Maeh, Thai and Brim. It is a pleasure to see you again." A servant brought the prince a big wooden box. "Lady Amalthea, this is a heavy box. Can you tell me where I can place it?" The girls understood this was the signal to leave.

"Am, we come back later." Said Maeh.

"Yes. We better get going." Said Bhrim.

"We see you later, Am... Your Highness." Spoke Thai.

The three girls departed. Am walked to her cottage followed by Prince Alasther. She opened the door and let the Prince come into her house. She was so surprised to see him there, she didn't find anything smart to say. Prince Alasther placed the box over the ebony desk in the living area. He looked at Am directly as he spoke to her. "Is my presence annoying you, Amalthea? You have said nothing to me."

Am shook her head trying to release herself from the impromptu flabbergast. Reacting, yet a little bit befuddled, Am answered the prince's question. "Um... No... No, Your Highness. How can your presence annoy me? It's an honor to have you here, in my humble house. It is just I am a little surprised. I never imagine you could come to this modest village, and to my cottage."

"Well, I came to bring you the formal invitation for the Masquerade, in person... And something you can wear for the occasion... Open the box, I chose it myself..."

The maiden opened the lid of the thin wooden box. She took gently it contents. First was the envelope with the formal invitation for the Masquerade. Without it she couldn't enter the castle that evening. Then it was a beautiful mask. It was covered in white and golden feathers and decorated with pearls and shiny flecks. Am's eyes opened widely staring with bewilder the remaning items in the box. The first one, a gorgeous white dress composed by a corset and a flaunting skirt. The corset was adorned with the same sequins and pearls the mask had. Attached to the corset, two white sheers flowed freely as sleeves. The skirt was of white silk and the bottom was elegantly trimmed with beautiful golden embroidery and embellished with more sequins and pearls. It was more beautiful than the one she wore for the recital in the Prince's ball. The prince observed Am's reactions in silence.

She was so enthralled with the dress she almost forgot there were more things to see. Am took out a luxurious white fur coat. It felt so soft and rich, she couldn't believe she had it in front if her, caressing the fur so delicately. The last item was a pair of striking white boots, made of leather and with pretentious high heels, she'd never imagine it could exist in a pair of shoes. They were alike the ones she saw in the seamstress shop, but more elegant and high.

"I cannot accept this, your highness. This seems to be extremely expensive. I can't simply take it." Amalthea said trying to fold everything with care and returning it to the box.

"Why not? Don't you like it?" The prince asked terrified with Am's unexpected rejection.

"No! I mean... Yes! I love it. It is gorgeous... too gorgeous for me, I'd rather say."

"And why are you rejecting my gift. I bought it specially for you to wear on the Masquerade. I want you to be the most beautiful lady in the ball."

"That is why. I don't want to be the most beautiful, because I am not supposed to be the most of anything at your palace. Your Highness I don't want to be disrespectful, or ungrateful, but I am receiving more attention than the one I deserve to. I am a simple maiden and I want to remain simple. I don't want to be noticed. I don't want to cause any trouble." Am spoke with a mixture of despair and anger. The prince now was standing closer in front of Am and grabbing her hands talked to her softly.

"But what trouble can you cause, milady? You are so charming and innocent that you can't cause no harm."

"Oh yes I had caused enough harm. Your fiancée hates me for she is jealous of me. And I ruined your friendship with Lord Roderick. I saw arguing with him in the soirée because of me."

"Lady Katharina doesn't belong to this conversation. She has been childish in her reactions, but believe me, it has nothing to do with you. And you had not ruined anything with Lord Roderick. We were not better friends before than we are now... Now on let me choose who I want to spend my time with... And I want you to be part of my time and my life. Is that clear, milady? Look, Amalthea I just want you to come to the Masquerade and I want you to wear this. It's the best you can wear to be atone with the occasion. Everybody will wear extremely embellished garments, and you won't be the exception. I don't want anybody to hurt you or humiliate you and that includes Lady Katharina or any other friend of mine."

Am sighed, releasing out all the tension she felt. A little bit calmer, she realized that what the prince was stating had a lot of sense after all. "Alright. I accede to go and to wear this, still I think is too fancy... Thank you." Am was about to make a reverence, but the prince promptly stopped her.

"Please, don't! You don't have to." The prince stood two inches apart from Am's face.

'Oh, no! No again! Not the Prince too!' Am thought to herself. But there she was again. Another handsome man was leaning forward, too close again. 'But not this time. You need to be strong! You need to be strong Am!' Am moved quickly stepping back.

The prince noticed what was he about to do and reacted. "I think it's time for me to go, milady. The carriage will pick you up at three past noon. Please do not fail to attend. My father will be so glad to see you again- And so will I-. Good day, Lady Amalthea. The prince kissed Am's hand tenderly and left the cottage, leaving her behind perplex and even more confused.

After the prince left, Am went to her room and placed the box in her wardrobe. A moment later, her room was packed with four girls craving to know what had happened between the prince and her. It was time for gossiping, eat cakes and and drink tea. Am's life was about to change... for better or for worst? It was to be seen.