The Princess Swap

ELLIE

The divan hid my small frame from view as my eyes trained on the door, deviously waiting for my brother to walk into my trap. Finally, footsteps sounded on the other side of the door and my lips tugged into a grin as I watched the door slowly open. The bowl filled with eggs tilted then fall as my victim’s body came through the door.

Three..Two.One. “Ellie!” an angry voice called out and I squeezed my eyes close. Oops. He glared at me as I rose from my hiding place with an innocent smile on my face. If looks could kill I surely would be dead at his feet in an instant.

“Father I can explain.” his hand raised silencing me, my gaze lowered to the floor as I waited for the impending scolding.

“Save it Ellie.” his face grew redder with every second gone by, if I had’t known better I would have mistaken him easily for a beet. “All I want is for you to act like a lady. Your crazy antics has chased away each and every eligible suitor.” His brows furrowed as he stared at me with disappointment in his eyes.

“Father for the last time I have no interest in getting married.” I said, looking him dead in the eye. Marriage is not necessary. It takes away the freedom of enjoying life. Besides, all a woman does when she gets married is stay at home and looks after her children. I vigorously shook my head at the thought, that sounds boring.

Edward popped up behind father with a knowing grin on his face. My fingers clasped tightly around my dress, stopping me from running to him and strangling. His blue eyes and tousled blond hair stood behind father mimicking what he was saying to me. Then it finally dawned to me, that little fox planned this.

“Ellie! Are you even listening to a word I say?” tearing my eyes away from my brother I looked at him. He is a handsome man. His messy blonde hair, bright blue eyes, sharp jaw and his wide smile, should have been enough to have all the women in the village falling at his feet. Women often tried to get close to him but he holds them at arm length, I suspect it’s because he hasn’t healed from mother’s death eight years ago.

“Go to your room and do not show your face until supper.” my stomach grumbled as he mentioned supper. My stupid brother purposely didn’t wake me up and I missed breakfast. My eyes found Edward’s face once more and I sent my most menacing glare before I turned and made off to my room. Just you wait Edward this definitely isn’t over, I thought as I closed my door behind me.

Father ordered the housemaid Minette to prepare his bath for him and asked Edward to follow him into town. Father is the village doctor so he is mostly visiting patients and is barely home during the day.

I waited ten minutes after they had gone just to be sure, then I began my escape. Ripping the bedclothes from my bed I swiftly tied them together tightly then fastened one end to the bed throwing the other out the window. I’m positive father was sure to tell the servants to keep an eye on me.

The tin pail went out the window and into the bushes first and next it was my turn. I eased myelf out the window gripping the sheets tightly and slowly made my way down, landing on the ground with a small thud.There wasn’t a person in sight as I made my way to the pond behind my house.

The cool water against my skin feels refreshing. I got to work quickly and an hour later the small pail had toads and tiny earthworms in it. The water beckoned me to stay but I couldn’t. I slid my shoes on grabbing the pail and headed home. The sheets were still sticking out the window and relief instantly washed over me. They haven’t been home yet.

The pail was quickly fastened to the end of the sheet and I pulled myself up climbing back the way I had come from. “And where have you been off to?” a voice says startling me as I poked my head inside. I smiled up at him as he looked down at me fighting a smile. He helped me into the window and I stood there thinking of excuses to get myself out of trouble.

“Hello father. You’re home early.” my toes curled in my slippers. It is too early for him to be home. Edward’s face poked inside the door, looking amused again. At 19 I know I should end these silly wars with him but I hate losing. I have always been a sore loser, making up excuses to why I lost, complaining it wasn’t my fault or blaming the winner. Perhaps that is why the other village children had stopped being my friends and not because I usually pull their hair because I lost.

“Edward, leave. Ellie and I have some important matters to discuss.” his face fell and I stuck my tongue out at him as he left. “Ellie.” he continued, “There’s a Duke that’s shown interest in taking your hand in marriage.” Shock rippled throw my body and it felt like he’d just thrown cold water on me. Slowly my head turned to look at him, tears glistering in my eyes.

“Father! How could you?” I cry looking at him in disbelief. He knows I hate marriage. “If it’s money you need I could find a job and help out.” The tears now flowing rolled down my cheeks and dripped onto my mud stained dress.

“It’s not money. I just want you to have a good life and a man to support you” he says looking at everything but me. The tense air between grew stronger with every passing minute until I couldn’t take it anymore. I gathered my skirts and dashed out my room and out the house. I have no idea where I was headed but anywhere is better than that house. As my legs grew tired I realized I was in the forest and sat by a large oak tree to rest.

Whenever the other girls hears they’re chosen to get married by a noble they get giddy and happy, and I always roll my eyes at them. It’s absurd to get married, and having children looks even worse. When my neighbor Mrs. Mable gave birth to little Jacob and she screamed for the entire morning. The thought of me pushing someone out of me and be in so much pain scares me.

“What’s a young woman like you doing out here all alone.” a man says standing next to me, but I ignored him and played dumb, “It’s getting late you know.” He probe still not getting an answer. He stooped lower and repeated his question louder, “What’s a you woman like you doing out here all alone?”

“You don’t need to shout you know.” I said, rubbing my now buzzing ear.

“I thought you might be deaf since you didn’t answer my question or even acknowledge me.” the man’s face was hidden by his hood, “Unbelievable!” he says startling me. “You look exactly like Am- I mean Princess Amelia. How is it possible?”

“How should I know?”

“No need to be rude. Haven’t your mother taught you any manners?” something in my eyes must’ve tipped off because he apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

I nodded accepting his apology.

“So why are you out here?” he asks as he sat beside me. He smells of expensive perfume and sweet oils, this man is clearly rich but what is he doing out here?

“I should ask you the same thing. What is a rich man doing out so late?” my eyebrow raised questioning him.

“How did you know I am rich?”

“Well, you smell too expensive to be poor.”

“I never knew ‘rich’ has a specific smell.” he laughs slapping my leg as he leaned against the tree. Our arms were dangerously close but not touching. The skies grew darker as we sat there silently, not saying anything but enjoying the company.

“My father.” I say and he nods. “He says there’s a duke who is interested in taking my hand in marriage.” I sigh, not knowing why I feel comfortable telling this stranger about what happened.

“What’s so wrong with spending the rest of your life with someone?” As if slapped I gasp not believing what he’s saying.

“You’ll have no more freedom and it will eventually get boring.”

“Who has been filling your little head with nonsense?” he laughs again, slapping my leg. What is wrong with this man? He sounds weird when he laughs and does have to always hit me?

“I want to travel and getting married stops that.” His hand still lay on my leg and I gently pushed it off. “I can’t get married to some old fat duke who looks like his belly is about to pop any second.” The full moon shone brightly in the sky and the stars looked as if they were winking at me. It looks beautiful. Father must be looking for me since its late now and I’ll get a long and boring lecture the moment I step foot in that house.

“How are you sure that the duke will be fat.” he interrupted my thoughts. I laughed at that. He must be from another land, everyone knows the dukes in this kingdom are fat.

“Because every single one of them are greedy and they eat too much. Robbing the poor and making themselves richer.” anger fumed inside me and I stood beginning to pace. “The taxes are far too high and if you don’t pay you lose your house and the worst part about all this the king does nothing about this.” I looked at him but his hood still hid his face. For a second I wondered what his face looks like.

“How are you sure the king knows about the dukes?” he says sounding weird.

“If you’re a king for god sake you should know! I’m sure they visit his castle so he surely noticed how fat they’ve gotten each time he sees them. Are you sticking up for the king?” I ask pointing at him. This time he looked up at me. His eyes looks black as he looked back at me, his perfectly sculpted jaw, pink lips and his small nose all mesmerized me. He looks strangely familiar but I can’t remember who he is for the life of me.

“Never speak on matters you know nothing about.”

“Fine. I’m sorry for upsetting you. Please accept my humble apology sir.” Tilting my head down, I bent my knees lowering myself into a curtsy. Angrily straightening myself, I walked away. How can someone speak up for a man who isn’t even doing his job to help his people.

“Wait!” he say grabbing my arm. If I wasn’t so mad I would have flushed at the tingles I felt in my stomach. I pulled away and turned around to glare at him. His hood now laid on his shoulders exposing his wavy shoulder length black hair.

“Ellie” my father voices calls out in the distance. I don’t want to face him but its than staying out here in the cold, I thought, shivering, finally feeling cold.

“I’ve got to go.” I jogged off towards my father’s voice.

“Let meet here tomorrow after your supper.” he shouted behind me. The smile on my lips never left until my eyes met with fathers’.

“Where have you been Ellie?” he shouts, spit landing on my face as I stood before him. “We’ve looked everywhere.”

“I’m sorry father” I apologized not meaning it. “I lost track of time”

Relief washed over his face, “Let’s hurry home, Simon made your favorite stew.” I smiled weakly at him and walked off towards our home. The walk home was silent and tense but comfortable. The carriage outside went unnoticed as thoughts of the delicious stew flitted across my mind.

The servants bustled around the kitchen which is quite odd. They only move around like this when important guests pays us a visit.

As I stepped into the dining area I noticed his round belly first. There sat the Duke of Staleon, his round belly stopping him from sitting closer to the table. A servant held a plate out in front of his face for him as he ate from it. I looked at him in disgust as he ate, gravy rolled down his cheeks as he stuffed more food into his mouth. Father and I stared at one another.

I am definitely not getting married to a pig. Guess I was right. All dukes are fat.