Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(10)

Why did they pick me? As if hearing my thoughts, Edward reaches out and squeezes my hand for a quick second, like he’s reassuring me that nothing is wrong and everyone else other than him is blind.

The carriage goes on for some time. I wish I had my watch on, but unfortunately, I left it at Jason’s apartment. I couldn't be bothered to wear the watch after a shower.

“How much longer is this going to take?” I whisper. He barely hears me, though I can’t blame him. The noise from the crowds, plus the trumpets blaring from the procession that follows our carriage, make it difficult to communicate without shouting.

I sit back, resigned, and resume the nodding and smiling and waving. Finally, when I think that my arms can’t take it anymore, the carriage makes a turn toward a large building about three stories high, with a tower-like structure in the middle and an old-fashioned clock hanging on it.

“Are we there? The train station, I mean.”

He nods, and a cloud of apprehension seems to fall over his face. “Remember, Kat. Act like everything is normal.” He surprises me by taking hold of my chin and lifting it. “There. You are now the princess of Athelia. You bow to no one.”

The carriage stops. Edward helps me get down and, like he’s escorting me to the prom, he holds out his arm. After a moment’s hesitation, I place my fingers on his sleeve. After all, I have no idea which direction to go. Better wait till I can find a cellphone or something.

The train station looks rather similar to Grand Central Terminal in New York, all golden and grand. But there isn’t much time to admire its beauty. Edward leads me directly to the platform, where a huge retro-looking train is waiting. It’s navy blue with a white roof, and silver letters and flowers are painted on the carriage. Plumes of smoke rise from its top.

It is then that a sinking feeling enters my stomach—from the moment I woke up in that hospital-like room, I have yet to detect a trace of modern technology. I got decent grades in geography in high school, but even I can’t figure out which country I could be in. So far, it looks like some European country, but I’m sure that even the most underdeveloped areas would have a car.

Edward leads me to the train. A conductor is shouting, “All aboard!” I look back once, wondering how many people are getting on the train, but it seems that apart from us, there are only about a dozen more passengers, who actually look more like attendants. There’s the huge guy who helped me into the carriage, following a pretty young woman who happens to be the same person who helped me dress. She’s walking in the brisk, firm steps of a businesswoman. Were she in modern attire, I’d expect her to wear oblong spectacles and black heels.

“Where are we going?” I ask faintly. At this point, I’ll believe anything.

“Wait until we get there.” As he pats my hand, a look of alarm crosses his features. “Where is your ring?”

“What ring?”

“Why, your wedding ring, of course.” He raises his hand, where an expensive-looking diamond ring glitters on his finger.

“I never saw any ring. I swear.”

He stares at me, looking deeply into my eyes, like he’s trying to ascertain if I’m telling the truth.

“Amelie.”

The young businesslike woman appears. “Is everything all right, Your Highness?”

“I need a pen and paper,” Edward says. “Normally, I’d have some on me, but I can’t carry much in these wedding garments.”

The young woman whips out a fountain pen and a small notebook from a handbag, her movements so nimble it almost seems she made the stationary appear out of thin air.

Edward writes on the notebook, tears off a page, and hands it to the woman. “Have it sent to the jeweler’s straight away. Kat lost her ring. I want it replaced immediately upon our return.”

She doesn’t even blink or look surprised. “Certainly, Your Highness.”

“Is she your secretary?” I ask.

“Amelie is your personal maid.” He pauses for a second. “While she is not fully cognizant of your memory loss, if you fail to remember a person or event and I am not with you, you may confide in her. Her family has served us for generations, and from my experience, she has never been anything but loyal and trustworthy. Now, let us embark on our honeymoon.”

There doesn’t seem to be anything else to do but follow him. Edward pulls open a door, and I gape.

It’s like traveling on a first-class train, vintage-style. The cabin is the last word in elegance, with polished oak paneling, banquette seating by curtained windows, lacy white coverings on the seats, rose-patterned lamps, and a vase filled with orchids on a table. On another table near the wall lies a fully-laden tray, a tea set complete with a three-tier dessert stand.

“Pinch me,” I say faintly. “I must be dreaming.”

Beside me, Edward chuckles. He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “Does this feel like dreaming?”

The young giant shows up. He has to stoop in the doorway before entering, but he does it pretty smoothly, like he’s used to ducking wherever he goes.

“Your Highness. Princess Kat.” He bows and grins. I snatch my hand back from Edward’s grasp, feeling totally embarrassed. “If there’s nothing else you’ll be needing, I’ll tell the driver to get ready for departure.”