Days later, Ruby walked through the bustling halls of the castle, a little confused about why everyone seemed to be rushing and excited. As one of the servants attempted to rush past, Ruby hailed her down, attempting her basic knowledge of Oceranian. "Why so happy?"
Her broken Oceranian seemed very confusing to the young woman, who merely smiled and directed Ruby's attention to the end of the hall. "Jasher is that way, honey. We have strict instructions not to talk to you."
Ruby tilted her head, rubbing her temples in annoyance. "Damn language barrier. Thank you, anyway. You said something about Jasher. Is he down this way?" The young servant kept a tight smile on her face as not a word of Ruby's English landed. "Jasher."
The woman nodded eagerly. "Jasher. There." Ruby nodded, bowing her head in appreciation before heading further down the hall. The young servant watched Ruby leave with furrowed brows. "What an odd woman. Some princess." She scoffed, turning only to slam face-first into Vatic's chest.
His chilling pale blue eyes stared down at the woman coldly. "Some princess? You have no idea what she's been through. I highly suggest that you return to your duties and refrain from insulting your king's fiancée. That will serve you best."
The servant bowed her head low, feeling her body stiffen. "Of course, sir Vatic. Forgive my insolence. I only know the rumours that have been surrounding the princess, and not the reason for her sudden departure."
Vatic chuckled humourlessly. "I'd suggest you not believe every petty rumour that comes your way. Return to your duties post haste. Next time the princess addresses you, I suggest you feel pride and gratitude that she's taken the time to acknowledge your existence."
Vatic continued down the hall, leaving the servant utterly terrified. He soon came across Ruby and Jasher further down the halls. "There she is. She's surprisingly fast. Jasher, I have clear instructions that Rhudy be locked away during the festival this afternoon."
Jasher's brows furrowed as she turned toward Vatic. "Wait – why? I just invited Ruby to the festival. I was going to be her personal guard during the event. I thought she might benefit from seeing the kingdom at its best. You can't seriously expect her to miss out on the fire festival."
Vatic had to take a calming breath as he straightened his lanky posture. "If you wish to discuss this matter, I suggest you do so with King Odeen himself. It is his explicit wish that Rhudy be protected from the excitement of the festival. An assassination attempt on her would be far too easy with the bustling crowds that will be out today."
Jasher hummed, unamused with the news. He took Ruby's hand, pushing past Vatic. "So be it. I'll talk with Odeen, but I am not going to leave Ruby to rot in the palace while we go out. It'd be easy enough to put her in a disguise."
Vatic followed the duo from behind. "While I'm certain that this will be entertaining, I do have to mention how his highness has been in an... odd mood when it comes to the Otherworlder. She's become a sore spot for him."
Jasher nodded in agreement. "Of course she would be. He's being strong-armed into marrying a perfect stranger. It was bad enough when it came to Safire, but he's never met Ruby before, and their wedding is coming up."
"That's not what I meant." Vatic sighed, turning his gaze toward Ruby. "Not in the slightest. He keeps referring to her as high-spirited and eye-catching. Whilst I'm glad that he's not moping about, his behaviour is that of a love-sick puppy."
Jasher stopped suddenly, causing Ruby to run into him. She grunted, peering over Jasher's shoulder to catch his eye. "Are you going to explain a single fucking thing that's happening, or are you going to keep talking like I'm not here?"
Jasher ignored Ruby entirely. Instead, his full attention fell on Vatic. "Wait, you're telling me that Odeen is- infatuated with Ruby? The king is enchanted by a commoner. Not just any commoner, a commoner from another dimension? You're nuts."
That earned an earnest chuckle from Vatic as he pushed his bangs from his face. "I wish I were. Unfortunately, whatever it is that captured our king's eye is not seeming to lose its lustre just yet. "
"No way – The duck-obsessed King actually likes his betrothed this time? He hasn't had that much exposure to Ruby, though. What could have caught his eye so quickly that in the matter of a week, he's infatuated?" Jasher turned to find Ruby scowling at the two, drowning in impatience. "Ah, there it is."
Vatic nodded in agreement, examining Ruby's expression with mild amusement. "There it is, indeed. Perhaps that is why our King has found himself so obsessed with her existence. Exposure therapy might help negate the effects of that cutting scowl she often dons for our highness."
Ruby began to tap her foot, seeming to run out of patience. "When I finally learn Oceranian, I am going to cut into every conversation that happens around me. I will make it my personal mission to ensure privacy is a thing of the past, unless you answer my question."
Jasher held his hands up in defence, clearing his throat. "There's a celebration happening tonight. The fire festival has been the most anticipated event all year. There will be a grand party in the main square of the kingdom, a... wooden rubber duck will be erected, and burned after Odeen reads a speech of freedom or some crap. I never really understood it."
Ruby's brow raised, unamused. "So what's with all the secrecy and the giggles like high school girls? Why should I be excited about the medieval equivalent of Burning Man? Seriously, why are you dragging me around while actively cutting me out of the stupid event?"
Jasher groaned, scrubbing his palms across his face. "I thank my lucky stars every day that I'm the only one who can understand you, and weep myself to sleep every night that you're learning Oceranian. Well, if you're not interested in the 'stupid event', then I won't have to go debate Odeen about locking you up for the festival."
Ruby's shoulders raised in surprise as she rushed forward, taking Jasher's hand. "Please, no. Sweet, kind Jasher. My friend, my companion. Help me go see them burn their essential gods. I'll behave. I swear. Let me out of this fucking castle." Her eyes grew a wild gleam that was almost animalistic. "I am going stir crazy in here. I might make a fire festival of my own soon..."
Jasher backed away, nodding in fearful agreement. "Right, we don't want you to burn the entire kingdom to the ground. That old saying rings true right now. The one shunned from the village is craving its warmth. Let's go talk to Odeen before you become a convicted criminal."
Ruby's eye twitched. "Good choice." She whispered, squeezing Jasher's hand with her newfound strength. "Very wise." Jasher let out a nervous chuckle as he guided Ruby toward the throne room.
Odeen was finalising the last preparations for the fire festival, though it was clear that his mind was elsewhere. When a dull knock on the door sounded, Odeen groaned audibly, fearing more signatures would be required of him. "Enter if you must."
Ruby pushed the heavy oak doors open before bowing politely as she spoke in broken Oceranian. "Sire, I come to seek... uh – seek..." Ruby turned back toward the door. Frantic whispers back and forth came from behind the door before Ruby turned her attention back to Odeen. "Your audience."
Odeen sat up with a pleasant smile. "Not bad, Ruby. You seem to be picking up the language quite well. It's a pleasure to see you. You as well, Jasher. What brings you here today?"
Jasher chuckled as he entered with Vatic sauntering in behind him. "Ruby, you're supposed to curtsy." Jasher then changed to Oceranian to address Odeen. "Sire, I have been made aware that Ruby will not be invited to this year's festival. While I don't want to disagree with your choices, I think it would be best to allow her some freedom... before she burns this castle to the ground." Jasher muttered the last half.
Odeen sighed in defeat, shaking his head. "I cannot allow that. There will be far too many people out during the festival. It will be too dangerous to have her out in that kind of crowd. Even if you're by her side."
"I understand that, sire." Vatic cut in. "But she has been locked in the castle walls since her arrival. I think it would benefit her to be able to see the outside, be involved in our culture hands-on on and find exposure to our people."
Jasher nodded feverishly. "Please, sir. We'll disguise her well, and I'll be by her side the entire time. There is nothing but benefits to this plan. With a heavy cloak and as long as she keeps her head low, she should be able to navigate the fire festival without incident."
Odeen's eyes narrowed in irritation. "And if this plan fails and Rhudy is taken captive, what then? Or worse, what if she is killed the moment she is discovered? This is far too risky to be wise."
Jasher sighed, running his hands through his hair. "While it's dangerous, what is more dangerous is the possibility of her developing something dark. You call it the sadness curse. In our language, it means something far more ominous. You don't want to risk that, do you? Being trapped indoors where only one person understands you is a recipe for disaster."
Odeen tapped his fingers against his throne with furrowed brows before turning his attention to Vatic. "What do you think? You're my most trusted advisor, so whatever you say, we'll go with." Ruby began to wander the room, bored with being excluded. She started to take pictures of the throne room and the decorative portraits.
Vatic nodded his head, turning toward Odeen with a hardened expression. "We've seen it time and time again, sire. The sadness curse often overtakes the prisoners in the dungeon. I believe what Jasher is saying holds merit. She may very well be under intense strain. There is very little to do, and only having one outlet in the form of Jasher must feel crushing. Just because Benadin is doing well, teaching her Oceranian, doesn't mean she's ready for conversations yet. I saw it myself today."
"Then it's decided." Odeen stood, turning his attention toward Ruby. "She will don Safire's clothes, she will wear the heaviest cloak that we have to offer, and Jasher is not to leave her side. Once the festival reaches its climax, she is to return to the castle with no detours. Prepare her for the festivities."
Jasher felt his face flush as he cleared his throat. "I will do so, your highness. But I will not assist her in dressing, as that would be indecent. I will have to borrow the aid of some female servants to help."
Odeen nodded, rolling his shoulders. "That was implied. Just ensure that she will not be detected throughout the celebration, as I will have my hands far too full." Jasher smiled, hurriedly taking Ruby from the throne room. Odeen sighed in annoyance. "What should be done if this backfires?"
Vatic smirked, patting Odeen's shoulder. "I doubt it will, sire. But you seem to have grown quite fond of the Otherworlder. It's nice to see you back to your old self. Come on, let's get ready for the festival."
Later that afternoon. "This is utterly humiliating." Ruby stood in a delicate, handcrafted ballgown. Intricate lace stitched into her outer corset and fine silk patterns detailed down her skirt as Jasher draped a heavy black cloak around her. "I doubt any of the commoners would be wearing this. Don't you think I'll stick out wearing this?"
Jasher brushed down the thick velvet cloak, shaking his head. "You'll just be seen as some wealthy aristocrat. More than likely, a nobleman's daughter. Remember the plan, stick by me at all times. If you go missing in the crowd, head toward the duck statue, and under no circumstances are you allowed to pull your hood off. Are you ready to see my world?" Jasher smirked, holding his hand out toward Ruby.
-End of chapter 8-