"I will return to the castle with you guys, but I will do it atop of Icecube." Finally, Harlow relented. If these people asked her to travel amongst them, she would feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
"That is completely alright, Your Highness," Beth said in understanding. "We value your safety utmost."
"Thank you."
Harlow climbed Icecube's back and heaved a sigh of relief. She couldn't wait to go back and rest. Her mind was in a mess and her emotional state was at the lowest point. She still needed to process the fact that Julian was not real.
And so Harlow went back to the castle with Icecube, while Beth, Dorian, and the guards followed her on the ground by horses.
Once they've all returned to the castle, Harlow could see Beth and Dorian's appearances change. They now looked like humans again.
"Your Highness, thank you for accompanying us back to the castle." Beth bowed politely. "Would you like to eat dinner?"
"Uhm… do you know where Raphael actually went?" Harlow asked. "I want to know when he will come back. He didn't tell me anything… but perhaps you know something, Beth? I would be gratified if you could tell me at least."
She wished that the Demon King was around to explain things because she still felt lost. After discovering that Julian was a figment of her imagination, she was longing for someone who was real to her.
Or someone whom Harlow attested was real enough.
Beth shook her head. "This servant does not know of His Majesty's whereabouts. Only the instructions that you must be taken care of and protected until his return."
"I understand…" Harlow sighed inwardly. "Then let us have dinner."
"Of course, Your Highness!"
And just like that, time would pass by yet again for Harlow as she ate dinner, slept and then came the next day, and then the day after that. Everything that a princess could have desired was provided, she just need to say the word.
All of the servants readily served her whether it came to meals, outfits, or forms of entertainment.
Not that it made Harlow happy. She was still searching for what was the missing piece that led her to see life in ways that didn't match with reality that others saw. Harlow was still anxious about what was wrong with her and yet she did her best to appear strong.
She had cried enough and didn't wish to shed any more tears.
***
The beautiful phoenix let out a happy warble as it flew across the air and landed among the tree branches. Harlow smiled a little as her bird was joined by several of its kind and soon they all sang in harmony.
"Niam…" Harlow liked to believe that this was real.
The princess had already had her fill of the libraries, enchanted theater room and even this conservatory for birds. Now as Harlow waited for Raphael to return from whatever he was actually busy with, the princess was struck with an urge to go look for the Magic Closet yet again.
She wanted to shut down the thoughts of it, but it bothered her again.
"Back then, it was Julian who told me about the Magic Closet… and when I actually came looking for it, it was there." Harlow murmured to herself. "So… if Julian is not real, where did I hear about the magic closet? I can't possibly make that up myself, can I?"
The incident of feeding Icecube with lots of meat at the restaurant in the demon city and even facilitating the gamble house herself was in the realm of possibility. She loved spoiling her dragon and she was familiar with gambling thanks to Aunt Kira and Uncle Gewen.
"But I have no idea whatsoever of any closet existing prior." Harlow pressed a hand on her chest. "So… either it was a coincidence that I imagined something like that existing, or another thing entirely."
"If I could go see that closet though…" Harlow wanted to go look for the magic closet again, but she was interrupted by the now two familiar people arriving to visit her. They always checked on her and at first she appreciated it, but now it was a little cumbersome.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" The door to the conservatory opened and revealed Beth and Dorian together. Dorian talked right after Beth and asked."Are you feeling famished? Or would you like to feed Niam and the rest of the phoenixes here?"
Harlow bit down on her lip.
She needed to get these two maidservants as far away as possible. So, she could explore the castle again to look for the magic closet and investigate what was so special about it.
She shook her head and smiled. "Actually… Could I make a small request with you guys? I've been missing food from home, and it would be amazing if I could have it for dinner?"
"Rabbit, Your Highness?"
"No, no. Something else completely." Harlow thought hard for a moment and snapped her fingers."How far is the sea from here?"
Beth and Dorian exchanged glances, then turned to her in unison. "The nearest sea is… half a day journey from here."
"Oh… that's really far," Harlow pretended to look disappointed.
"Do you need anything from the sea?" Beth asked patiently. "We will get it for you."
"But the sea is really far," Harlow shook her head, and feigned a very sad expression. "I am really craving for salwater clam for dinner. But it's too far. I don't want to trouble you guys…"
"Oh.. no, not at all. If you crave saltwater clam, we can definitely get one for you," Beth said.
Dorian furrowed her brows and whispered to her friend, "The mermaids won't like it if we took their clams."
Beth elbowed her and whispered back. "His majesty said we have to to do whatever Princess Harlow asked of us. He will deal with the mermaids."
Harlow's ears perked up when she caught wind of their conversation. Mermaids???
Now she was tempted to go with her maidservants to get the clams herself. Seeing mermaids sounded more exciting than finding a stupid closet.
.
.
_____________________
From Missrealitybites:
I really like the picture I am using as cover now. I kinda have enough of the old cover after one year.
Since we are now in Harlow's story, I wanted us to see Harlow and Raphel which, in my mind, look exactly like the couple in the picture.
Unfortunately, though, the art is not mine. I found it on Pinterest. I already commissioned artwork to an artist to make one that looks similar to it, but she didn't get it right, I had to throw it away.. I will commission another one soon, hopefully, next time it will be good.
