Jasher averted his gaze as his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "7years, Ruby. I've been trapped here for 7 years. You want to know why I'm doing everything it takes to get back home? That's why. Without you, I wouldn't have any kind of pull. The fact that you were seen falling from the sky, just like their beloved idol duck, means you're placed on a pedestal already. I need to use you."
Ruby stumbled her way to the bed, collapsing against the plush linen. She stared at the ground, processing every word slowly. "So if we don't get the King to agree to let us speak with the wizards-"
Jasher nodded, approaching Ruby cautiously. "We'll probably be stuck here forever. I know that Nexus wants to talk with you. But if you don't answer his call, there's no hope for us. That's why I need to teach you the language as quickly as possible. The ceremony will be set for a few weeks from now. It doesn't give us much time to prepare you, and worst of all is that your vows will have to be in fluent Oceranian. You understand the desperation now, don't you? If we can't see the wizards before the ceremony, we need to be prepared."
Ruby nodded, feeling her throat grow tighter. Her head hung low as she squeezed her hands together tightly in her lap. "So what you're saying is, I might have to stand in and marry Odeen either way... It's the only way to get home." Jasher nodded grimly.
Odeen frowned, stepping closer to Ruby to lay a heavy hand against her shoulder. "What did you tell her that caused her to make such a pained expression? You're not bullying her, are you?"
Jasher shook his head as Ruby slid Odeen's hand from her shoulder. "I would never, your highness. But I did lay out the gravity of the situation for her in plain English. We either do as you ask and get to see the wizard's order, or we deny your request, and we never get to go home."
Odeen sighed, feeling the weight of the request sitting heavily on his conscience. "Rhudy, I understand what I'm asking is no easy task. But I will provide anything that you ask for. We don't have another choice. You resemble Safire far more than any other maiden I've ever met. We'll make this extremely simple for you, and after you leave, we'll continue the lie for as long as we can."
Jasher smiled, nodding in agreement as the silence rang on after Odeen's speech. Jasher soon jerked back to reality. "Oh! Right, Odeen says that we both need you're your resemblance to the runaway princess is uncanny. But his highness will provide you with anything you require after the wedding."
Ruby sucked in a harsh breath, running her fingers through her hair. "Well, I guess I don't have much of a choice at this point. I want to go home as much as you do, and this Safire isn't coming back, is she?" Ruby set her gaze on Jasher, nodding toward him. "Let's learn a new language."
Jasher smirked, standing up to locate a quill and papyrus paper. "We'll start with simple phrases and move on to some more complex sentences. Once we have pronunciation correct, we can move on to your vows."
Ruby smirked, leaning back against the bed. "I heard that when you're learning a new language, you should start with simple words. Like a baby learning through experience. Jumping into phrases and sentences sounds like you're setting me up for failure."
Jasher smirked, tossing Ruby the papyrus. "Which one of us is bilingual in two languages? One of which isn't even found on Earth. Stop being a smart arse and listen up. School is in session."
Odeen listened to the two prattle on in their shared language, feeling left out. He cleared his throat toward Jasher, gaining the knight's attention. Vatic knocked on the partially open door, peering inside curiously. "There you are, your highness. You sure disappear fast when you want to avoid work." Another one of the king's knights, Benadin, approached behind Vatic.
Odeen lit up suddenly, a plan formulating in his mind. "You know, I don't find it fair that Rhudy and Jasher must learn our language, but we have made no efforts to learn theirs. Jasher, teach me your tongue. Benadin, teach Rhudy our language while Jasher is busy with me."
Jasher frowned in confusion, staring at Odeen as though he'd gone mad. "Sire, with all due respect, she should be taught by someone who knows both languages. Being thrown into the deep end to sink or swim is very difficult. And you've never shown any interest in learning my language before."
Odeen waved off Jasher's concerns. "Bah, being thrown into the deep end is the best way to learn! That's how you had to learn, after all. Rhudy will do just fine learning from a native speaker. Not to mention, your accent is horrific." Jasher threw his hands up in defence. Odeen took the quill from Jasher's hand, holding it up toward Ruby. "Quill, Rhudy. Quill."
Ruby furrowed her brows, crossing her arms in annoyance. "My name is RuBy! I've told you this before." She sucked in a harsh breath before taking the quill from Odeen, holding it up as she attempted her first word in Oceranian. "Kiwhl." Her face warped with the horrific pronunciation.
Odeen winced, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh – needs work. Benadin, ensure she practices her pronunciation. It's imperative that she gets this right. Begin small, with simple words, then move on to larger sentences. Jasher, with me."
Jasher yelped as Odeen grabbed Jasher's arm, pulling him from the room. Vatic groaned, rubbing his temples in annoyance. "Benadin, I'll apologise on behalf of his highness. He can get excitable at times. Ensure that the otherworlder learns the language properly." Vatic smiled toward Ruby, bowing his head gently. "I feel very sorry for you, young lady. We'll find a way to get you back home yet."
Ruby scrunched up her nose in confusion as Vatic left. "You're all... absolutely crazy for talking at me like I understand a word. You there! Where is Jasher?" Benadin stared at Ruby with wide, fearful eyes. "Oh, crap. This is going to be fun." She leaned against her palm, huffing in annoyance.
Later that night, Ruby was finally released from the study session. Her head pounded as she attempted to decipher the convoluted information that was hurled toward her relentlessly. She stumbled her way through the castle, trying to find the kitchen.
On the other side of the castle, Odeen wandered the halls, calling for Jasher. "You can run, my translator, but you cannot get away from your duties! Your king has asked a favour of you, and it is up to you to honour it. Now, you can teach me your tongue. Or you can run and have your fingers removed."
Jasher was sweating. Odeen was a well-read king, but with what Jasher knew about him, tiptoeing around Odeen's feelings was exhausting. Jasher ran into the kitchen, sliding himself into one of the cupboards to close the door over, remaining silent and inconspicuous.
Ruby entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes from the exhaustion that overtook her as Odeen entered the far door as well. Once their eyes met, Ruby groaned in annoyance, approaching Odeen. "Where is Jasher? I'm hungry. Food. Am I going to be executed for wanting something to eat? It's been nearly 2 days. Some castle."
Odeen stared down at Ruby, intrigued by her frosty glare. "Your customs are so odd. In our world, you'd be accused of insulting your king with such a nasty expression. But on your features, it's almost cute." Jasher almost choked from what he overheard.
Odeen turned his head to the side, clearing his throat as his face flustered. "You're so different to the princess I knew. She was so meek and would hardly look me in the eye. Yet you not only make direct eye contact, but it's almost as though you see yourself on the same level as me."
Odeen reached out, placing a secure grip on Ruby's shoulder. "I like it. For a commoner, you're very confident and loud. It's very amusing. I would like to get to know you more. If only Jasher were here, I'm certain you'd feel the utmost honour from a royal's attention being piqued by someone of no status. I'm sure you're honoured, regardless."
Ruby's perspective was starkly different from the reality of Odeen's intentions. From her point of view, Odeen approached her with booming, aggressive steps. His words began to rumble low and dark, muttering with a gravelly undertone. His gaze shifted away from her, almost as though he were speaking to the wall beside her. As though she were not good enough to address directly.
When his face reddened and his crushing grip met her shoulder, there was no doubt in her mind what his intentions were. Ruby brushed Odeen's hand from her shoulder, taking hold of his collar to pull him down to her level. Her heated eyes met his with burning rage. "You threatening me, punk?"
Odeen flinched, wiping his cheek from the spit that came from her final, cutting word. "My, excitable you are. I find that oddly attractive. If you're looking for a scandalous kiss, I must deny the request. Although if you wish to court me in reality..." Odeen smirked. "You'll have to work for it."
Ruby grit her teeth, seeing the mocking grin form across Odeen's lips. "You don't understand a fucking word I'm telling you. You're going to understand it real clearly when I punch you in your smug fucking face."
"Okay, okay!" Jasher spilled from the cupboard suddenly, clattering dishes around him in the fall. "Don't hit him, he's asking to get to know you better! Don't lay your hand on him unless you don't value your life! I'm sorry. I'll translate, I'll translate!"
Odeen stared at Jasher in shock and awe. "That's where you were hiding? That wounds my pride that you ran from me when I asked for your assistance. But now that you're here, please tell her not to kiss me. I'm an engaged man." Odeen gleamed proudly.
Jasher sighed, lying against the cool stone ground. "Sire, she has no intentions of kissing you. She's asking you not to touch her like that. It seems as though you've forgotten once again how strong you are, sire. You hurt her."
Odeen backed away from Ruby, clearing his throat. "Tell her I apologise. I didn't mean to hurt her, and that was never my intention. I just wanted to get to know her better. Wait – did you hear everything that I had told her?"
Jasher averted his gaze. "Uhm... I did. Don't worry, that will stay between you and me." Jasher switched to English, turning his attention back to Ruby. "Odeen wishes to get to know you better. He thinks you're very different to the runaway princess, and that intrigues him."
Ruby huffed, stepping away from Odeen after finally releasing his shirt. "Well, it didn't come off that way. I'm starving. Get oafish over here to show me how to work the stoves around here."
Jasher frowned in surprise. "Wait, you haven't been fed yet? You should have a private chef to ensure that you're well fed." Jasher switched to Oceranian. "Sire, has Ruby not been offered a meal this entire time?"
Odeen's brows furrowed in confusion, shaking his head. "No, I specifically asked the staff to prepare meals for the princess as she's returned." Odeen sighed, rubbing his face in annoyance. "They're neglecting her because they think that she's Safire. I need those imbeciles to set aside their differences and not punish Ruby for her mistakes."
Jasher grunted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, it's best this way. Imagine what would happen if they did prepare her meals. More than likely, someone would poison her. She'd be in danger if she got meals from the staff."
Odeen frowned, nodding in agreement. "Yes, I never thought about that. I'll have Vatic prepare her meals, but until then, I trust that you'll be able to make her something palatable." Jasher nodded, turning to prepare Ruby a meal. Odeen sighed, guiding Ruby toward the servants' table. "Wait here. Nobody will poison you while I'm around." Odeen's eyes darkened.
-End of chapter 6-