C2 The Strange City!

The man stared at me like I was running mad. I paced around the field looking at the horses. I was even wearing a different dress. I could vividly remember that I wore a white blouse and a shirt yesterday. Presently, I was wearing a loose brown gown with a dirty slippers. My hair was styled like the ladies from the early 18s.

"Um, sir, could you at least give me some money to go back to Alexander city? I could book a ride and..."

I realized my phone wasn't with me. Nothing was with me at all.

"You need a ride, that would be three gold" he said. I squeezed my face, wanting to understand what he meant. If I had gold, I would have become a billionaire in Alexander city. I really need to find my way back.

"Just help me. I don't know where I am. I think I'm f*cking lost!" I yelled at him. It was like I was making him more confused.

Suddenly, we heard horses whining from behind. The man adjusted his raggy clothes and fell on his knees.

I frowned. What was happening?

"Greetings commander" he said to the man who was dressed in his heavy armour. He was a handsome man with thick eyebrows and pointed nose that stood firm. His long hair which he tied into a ponytail was shiny and looked soft. I could tell it was softer than mine. He look muscular, I couldn't tell because of his armour.

The man stared at me and I stared back at him. Wait, was he expecting me to bow or what? The ones behind him, looking like palace guards from Disney movies I watched while in Alexander city grabbed their swords. I snapped out of the thought when the strange man was pulling my gown. I lowered my gaze to stare at him.

"Bow to the commander" he said in a whispering tone.

"Why? He's just a human like me" I frowned.

"Please, you'll get killed" he said. Okay, that last word got me. I didn't want to die so I fell on my knees and looked away from the so called commander.

The commander cleared his throat.

"Aren't you going for the prince coronation? I heard everyone in the village was invited" he said. It was the first time hearing his voice and it sounded... Bad.

"I'll be on my way to the Royal palace soon commander" the strange man replied.

"Who is the girl?" The commander asked, with his gaze traveling to where I knelt down.

"She...um..she is my niece" he lied. So emotional.

"I never knew you has such a beautiful niece. You know I haven't been with a woman ever since we left for war. Now I'm back, I could get married to your niece" he said. He doesn't know me, yet he wants to get married to me.

The strange man gave a soft laughter.

"I'll think about it commander" he replied. The commander smiled and stared at me. He smirked and kicked his horse.

He rode off, so did the guards behind him. They were just arriving from a war just as he said.

.

The man stood up and helped me up.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Irene" I replied.

"Listen Irene, it's obvious you're not from Asturias but if you want to survive, keep quiet and live low. Follow me" he said and walked away. He was heading towards an old looking house. I hurriedly followed him and started asking questions.

I had like a million and one questions I wanted to ask. Whose coronation are they doing? Where do I get a car to take me back home? Who was that commander? Why does he want to get married to me?

I snapped back to reality when we got into the house. The building looks so weak that I was scared that it may crumble and fall on my head.

The house had just two rooms. This was had a small table with a fireplace. The stool was wooden, so is the table. That was the only thing in the room where I stood. I don't know what the other one is but I knew it was the bedroom.

"I know you are hungry, you have to wait till my sister gets back" he said.

"Sister?" I asked. He stared at me.

"Yes, sister. I'm Aspen by the way" he said.

"Aspen, nice" I muttered. I could finally stop calling him a stranger. I saw him with a bag made with animal skin, I couldn't tell what animal it was.

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked him.

"Yes, I have to go to the royal palace for the prince coronation" he said, staring at me. He looked way older than me, like an elder brother. I wish I had one.

"Let me go with you, please" I took few steps closer to me.

He sighed and lowered his gaze.

"Fine, let's go" he said. Excited for no reason, I smiled and walked out of the house.

After locking up the door, he hung the key on a rope tied around his stomach. That is what we call belt on my world.

"Remember, you are my niece and your name is Irene"

"Yes Uncle" I replied.

"We should find your family. Once we are back, I could check the map for Alexander city"

"Okay" was the word that came out from my mouth. The road to the palace was so empty. Everyone was in the palace.

"They'll be free food and drink, make sure to fill up" he kept on telling me that. I was getting tired of talking to him.

After some minutes of walking, we got to the palace.

"Aspen! It's nice to see you again!" The palace guards greeted him. It was obvious that Aspen was quite popular.

"Thank you gentleman" he smiled at them.

"Who is this beautiful lady before us?' one of them asked with his eyes traveling to me. He glanced at my body and I frowned.

"She's my niece. We'll get going now" Aspen grabbed my hand and walked into the palace with me.

There were a lot of people dancing and eating. I thought it was going to be some hot party but, I was seeing ladies dressed in huge gowns swaying their hands in the air as they twisted their waist. They call that dancing.

Aspen was enjoying the view while I wasn't. It disgust me.

"This way please" a maid said to us, leading us to table where we could sit down.

"Have your seat" Aspen said.

"We could see the prince and King from this angle" he added. I sat down and stared at the assorted dish in front of me.

"Don't just stare, eat! You only get to eat meals like this once a while" he said. I took the golden fork and knife and started digging the roasted chicken. Aspen was eating the pig meat. Only if he knew what those animals do in my own world.

Everyone had a smile on their faces, waiting for the prince's coronation already.

"The royal family has arrived!" I heard a loud voice announcing. Everyone stood up, except me. Aspen stared at me and pulled me up by my arm. I frowned and silently groan in pain.

My eyes travelled to the so called royal family. My eyes shot wide open when I saw Mr Jay. Yes, he was the one. He had a crown on his head. He was the King of Asturias. I think we got lost together.

I was about to leave my seat to talk to him when Aspen pulled me back.

"Where are you going?" He asked me.

"That man... He's my former boss in the company I worked for. We must have gotten lost together" I said, wanting to leave again. He grabbed me and scowled.

"That man has been our king for sixty years so watch your mouth young lady" he said.

"Ohh" that was the only word that escaped my lips. I lowered my head in sadness. Was I going to live here for the rest of my life?

Everyone sat down after the King has sat down. He stood up once again and started talking about what I couldn't understand. I didn't listen to him at all. All I was thinking about was how I would leave here. This was just different from my own world. No cars, no stake, no high buildings just nothing.

"...the crown prince of Asturias!" He announced. Everyone stood up again as the crown prince walked in. This time, I wanted to see who the crown prince was. Was it someone I knew?

No, I have no idea who he was. But he was cute. There were other guys behind him wearing a similar royal wear. It was evident that they were his brother.

They look so cute especially one of them. His walking style alone is making my heart flutter. His black hair was as long as mine. He was blessed with thick shaped eyebrows and long lashes. He wasn't muscular but he's built.

"Stop day dreaming! Have your seat"

Aspen snapped me back to reality when I realized I was the only one standing. Everyone's gaze were on me, including the royal family.

"Oh" I muttered and sat down, quite embarrassed. The princes diverted their gaze away from me. Then they started the so called coronation. It was going to be hard living here since there are so many rules. I hated rules.

I watched as the king place the crown on his son's head.

"Prince Albert is now the crown prince of Asturias. All hail the crown prince!" He cheered.

"All hail!" Everyone chorused. Those annoying ladies that were dancing earlier, came out and started dancing again. I rolled my eyes and it met with the prince's own. I quickly lowered my gaze. Does he know me? Does he want to get married to me also?

A guard walked towards our table.

"The king would like to speak with you" he said.

"Sure, come with me Irene" he said. The guard bowed and left.

"Me?" I asked. He shot a hard glare at me.

"Yes, you! Come!" He said and we walked towards where the king and his family were seated. My heart was racing really fast as I wondered what Aspen was going to do to me.