The doctor checks on Jack, then reminds me that visiting hours are over. I say goodbye, squeezing Jack’s hand before leaving the room. Outside the hospital is parked a fancy car, black, with tinted windows, and silver accents. On the hood sit little Estwese flags, showing that this is a government car. I go to pick up some items from the general store, because Mom told me to, and when I get out again, the car is still there, but somebody is getting into it. 

A gorgeous woman, not much older than eighteen, with thick brown hair. She wears thick glasses that amplify her sparkly green eyes. She wears something simple, though. A simple light blue cotton blouse, and a simple black skirt, with long white socks and tiny brown heels. A string of pearls is her only accessory.

She glances over at me as she holds onto the car door, and I look away embarrassed, realizing I was staring. Lara, you have got to get out of these nosy habits! I chastise myself, as the woman walks over to me with a smile. 

“Hello.” She says in a cheerful voice. “I’m sorry to bother, but I have no idea where I am. Could you point me towards the Royal Canal?” She asks. I nod. 

“Yeah, you just go right along that road, and turn left, and then you’ll be on the main road, and that will take you straight to the harbor.” I say, glad I’m useful for once. 

“Thanks so much.” She says. “I’m Alissa.” She puts out her hand for me to shake. 

“Lara.” I say, shaking it. “So, are you from around here?”

“No, I’ve literally never left Malbergh, and I’m here on business.” She says, shrugging. 

“Well, I’ve never left Turbrook.” I say, chuckling. “What’s it like in the capital?” 

“I didn’t get out much back home, so I wouldn’t know.” She says. “My parents were really strict about raising me, and my husband prefers I stay at home, so it took a lot of wheedling for him to let me come here.” She says. “But he’s wonderful.” She says, sighing. 

“It’s just me and my mom and three sisters, so she has to let us get out or we’ll tear each other apart.” Alissa laughs.

“That sounds fun.” She says, chuckling. “I’d love to have siblings. Or kids. Either one works. Just gets so lonely up there.” She sighs. “Anyway, thanks for the directions, Lara.” She says, and starts to get in her car. She waves as she drives away down the main road. 

“Girls, come downstairs!” Mom calls. Tessa stares at the ground, her arms and legs wrapped around her pillow, which has multiple wet spots from her tears. She slowly stands up and walks with the rest of us downstairs. Instead of finding dinner downstairs, we see Mom and Isaiah sitting in the kitchen, and to my great surprise, Alissa sitting regally at our plain little table with a cup of tea. Her mouth opens slightly in a smile as she sees me, and my jaw drops. 

“Who are you?” Little Kelsie asks, bouncing down the stairs past a dead-looking Tessa. Alissa smiles.

“I was supposed to keep that a secret, but since this is kind of important…” She sighs. “I’m the queen of Estwa.” My jaw drops again, and Mom’s eyes widen. Well, that kinda makes sense a little bit. “I’m on a trip right now to find a child from each city in Estwa, and help them have some good opportunities, right in the capital.” She says. “Each child has been selected randomly, and when I randomly selected a house on a map of Turbrook, my finger landed on this house.” She looks over at me. “And considering the fact that Lara and I know each other already, I’d like to ask if she wants to go.” Mom turns to me. 

“You already met her?”

“Yeah, while I was in town. I didn’t know she was a queen at the time.” I say, shrugging. Mom sighs, then laughs. 

“If you want to go, Lara, then I won’t stop you.” She pats my cheek. “We’ll take care of everything here, honey.” I turn back to Alissa, who smiles warmly. I sit down on the stairs, thinking over everything. I’ll certainly have more opportunities in the city, but I don’t want to be gone when Jack wakes up. You mean ‘if’ he wakes up. Because he might die, you know. 

Oh, shut up, brain. I tap my fingers on the railing, sighing. “I want to go.” I announce finally, standing up again. Alissa smiles. 

“Wonderful. You won’t need to pack any clothing or anything, because we’re providing everything for you. You’ll live like a princess.” She says. “The boat leaves tomorrow, we’re going up the Royal Canal.” 

“Okay.” I say, smiling. I’m going to Malbergh.

“I’ll miss you.” Tessa sobs, as I hug her goodbye. She keeps looking worse by the day. Mom keeps trying to get her to eat, but so far her attempts haven’t worked. 

“Don’t cry.” I say, smiling, and brushing her hair with my hand. “At least don’t cry over me. I’ll come back, okay?” Tessa nods, and sniffles. Emie hugs me, and I hug her back, wiping away the tears that fall down her face. Kelsie hugs me tightly. 

“Grandma says I can send you letters all the time!” Kelsie says, laughing. I guess Lucy is her permanent grandmother now. Wait, does that make Jack my great-uncle? I shake my head at the thought, and go to hug Mom. 

“Goodbye, sweetie.” She says, smiling. “Be safe, make good choices.” 

“Okay, Mom.” I say, as she squeezes me. I turn to Isaiah, standing behind her in his policeman uniform. Mom clears her throat, and we awkwardly hug. I wriggle out of it rather quickly, and walk out the door to Alissa’s fancy car in the driveway. 

“Can we visit my friend at the hospital first?” I ask. “If there’s time?” Alissa nods, and drives towards the hospital. We go up the stairs to Jack’s room, and I walk in. I sit down next to the bed, and take his cold hand in mine. Alissa stands in the doorway, watching me. “Hi, Jack.” I say, starting to cry. “I- I’m going away for a while. I won’t be back for a long time.” My hands start to shake. “But I made sure George would contact me the second you wake up, okay?” I wait for his head to nod, for him to make any reaction. “Anyways, I have to go, or I’ll miss the boat.” I stand up, then lean over and kiss his cheek, then leave his hand on the bed. The doctor stares wide-eyed at the heart monitor, gaping. “Is something wrong?” I ask, folding my hands behind my back. 

“I think I might’ve been seeing things, but just now, his heart rate sped up a lot.” He replies, then walks over to the heart monitor. 

“Time to leave.” Alissa tells me, holding up her watch. I nod, and we walk out into the street, getting in her car. Alissa wipes a tear from her eye as she starts the car. 

“Are you okay?” I ask, looking over at her. 

“I’m fine.” She says, smiling again. “Just… what I saw in there… it’s heartbreaking.” She drives off towards Main Street without another word, and soon we reach the docks of the Royal Canal. 

“Here is your cabin, miss.” A butler says, ushering me onto the enormous boat and through a lavishly ornate door. The cabin looks like something royalty would stay in. Inside the room, a maid lays out a dress on the bed. The dress is something only a princess would wear. Just like Alissa said, I’ll be living like a princess. 

The maid bows to me as I enter. That’s gonna feel weird. I think, as she helps me put on the silver ball gown. After she finishes tying the tight bodice, I walk to my cabin window and look down at the water in the Canal. How am I ever going to get used to this life? I think, as lunch is delivered to my cabin on a silver platter. Oh, Jack, where are you when I need you? I ask silently, staring at the brilliant silverware next to my porcelain plate.

“Oh, you look wonderful, Lara.” Alissa says after I finish lunch, coming into my cabin, also wearing a ball gown in pale green. “Come, I want you to meet someone.” She takes my hand warmly, and leads me from the room with a smile.