Wished: The Prince's Collection

Chapter 1- Ali

I WOKE WITH A START. Sitting up, I blinked and rubbed my temples as the visions of the nightmare quickly faded. It was the same one I have had for as long as I could remember. In the dream, a man and woman dressed in royal garb were being beheaded.

The nightmare never made sense to me. I never could figure out why I would dream about some random beheadings. In the dream, the emotions would overwhelm me, so much so that I couldn’t breathe. My heart shattering into a million pieces as the blade came down on the woman’s neck.

The first time I remember having the nightmare, I woke up screaming, causing my mother to rush into the room in a panic. She held me close and rocked me until we both calmed down. I remember her whispering softly, telling me everything would be alright, and then she would sing a lullaby that helped to ground me. There were still times the lyrics of the song would run through my head.

I stood up and stretched, trying to work the kinks out of my lower back from sleeping on the hard ground. The rug that I slept on didn’t help soften it any. I needed to get some straw from the stables after the stable hand had mucked it and spread out fresh hay. It would make sleeping a little more comfortable while I stayed in this abandoned building.

I walked to the corner of the room and knelt in front of a pale of water. I cupped my hands and dipped them into the bucket. My knuckles scrapped the bottom, reminding me that I needed to refill the water before I left for the day. I splashed my face with what little water was there, washing the remnants of the nightmare away. Scrubbing my face with my hands, I groaned and stood back up.

Sleep was gone, so I might as well start my day. I walked to the window and looked out. The sun was beginning to peek over the edge of the horizon, causing a faint glow around the palace. It was a majestic sight. I always imagined what it would be like to be royalty. Waking up every morning on a feather mattress must be wonderful. I didn’t know what I would do if I didn’t have to scrape around for everything I needed to survive each day.

The sun had just begun to come up over the peak when I heard a rustling behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to see who or what it was. I already knew. There was another rustle then the weight of the creature landed on my shoulder.

I scratched the monkey behind the ear, then pulled a piece of stale bread from my pocket. I kept it there just for this occasion. He took the bread from me and I smiled. I adored the monkey. I had adopted him when I found him half dead and starved. Apu almost didn’t make it and I did everything in my power to keep him alive. He had been with me ever since. His hand gripped my ear as he ate the small morsel. I reached up and absently scratched him behind his ear.

Apu, one of these days we are going to live in a palace and never have any more troubles. I spoke quietly, almost like I was afraid of breaking the spell the dawn had cast. My stomach growled, breaking the quiet for me. Sounds like we need to go find some breakfast.

With a deep sigh, I turned and headed toward the door. It was time to start my day. The earlier I went out to the market, the better. Shop owners were still blurry-eyed at that time and may not notice some missing fruit or other small goods. The rule of thumb was to only take a little at each place, so suspicion wouldn’t be raised. I hated having to scrape for food and duck the guards all the time, but one had to eat.

The marketplace was already congested, much to my distaste. Too many witnesses nearby. People weren’t usually out this early. The crowds seemed to be gravitating toward the middle of town and the main road that led to the palace.

Giving Apu the signal to go scavenging for breakfast, curiosity got the best of me and I followed everyone else to see what was going on.

There was a carriage moving slowly down the road. Everyone was silent as they tried to get a peek of the visitor sitting inside. 

Who is that? I asked more to myself than anyone else.

Another suitor for the princess, a short plump man answered. His tone was bored.

This wasn’t the first time there was a visiting prince calling on Princess Jade. I had never seen her personally, but I heard she was a sight for sore eyes. Stunning even. Rumors ran rampant about the princess. Especially after her last trip to meet some faraway prince. There was talk of her staying the night on a beach with him. I didn’t get drawn into the gossip, but I heard plenty while on the street.

Would you like to wager how long this one will last? A tall man mumbled to the woman standing next to him.

She gave him a sideways glance before grinning. Yes. I wager all my household duties that he won’t last three sunsets.

I shook my head as I walked away. As interesting as it was to watch a carriage head toward the palace, I had better things to do. I needed to pick up some supplies to get me through the next day or two. Since there was an extra royal here, the guards would be more active in the marketplace. They always tried to make a good impression when we had visitors.

I managed to snatch a melon and some grapes before I made my way back to my temporary shelter. When I walked in, I was greeted by Apu who had a loaf of bread and hunk of cheese sitting on the floor. I settled down beside him and produced a knife from a sheath on my side. Cutting the melon open, I gave part of it to the monkey who sat, waiting patiently.

Dig in, Apu, I smiled at him as I took a bite into my half of the melon. The sweet juice exploded into my mouth making me want to moan in satisfaction. I hadn’t had fruit this ripe in a while. It was perfect.

We enjoyed our meal in silence. There wasn’t much conversation being that Apu didn’t speak, but sometimes I would talk to him, just to fill the silence.

My mind began to wander while we sat there. I remembered times with my mother and how dinner usually consisted of a stew or soup, but the conversations were always full of laughter. She was always smiling and telling me jokes.

I sighed. It was time for me to go and visit her again. I hadn’t been to Mother’s house in quite a while. The problem with visiting Mother was that she would insist that I moved back in, but I couldn’t. As much as I loved my mother, she would smother me, watching me like a hawk. I needed space and privacy, yet she never seemed to understand that.

I had moved out a few years ago and had been on my own ever since. I did go visit at least once a week, but I had slacked on that lately. Listening to her, begging me to come home, got old. I wouldn’t change my mind, and neither would she.

I PUSHED THE CURTAIN to the side and entered the small mud hut. There wasn’t much to it, but it had been home for as long as I could remember. I expected to walk into the smell of cooking stew, but to my surprise the fireplace was cold.  The room looked like it hadn’t been lived in for a while. Dust had collected on the few meager belongings inside. I was about to leave when I was startled by a hoarse cough.

Spinning around, I noticed the shape on the straw bed in the corner. I crossed the room in two strides, dropping to my knees beside the bed. My mother was lying there curled up in a ball. Her body was racked with shivers.

I gently placed my hand on her head. Fear washed through me as I realized she was feverish. Someone her age wouldn’t survive a fever for long.

Mama, I said softly.

She turned her head my direction and began coughing again. When the cough died down, she smiled a toothless grin at me. Alejandro.

Her skin was pale, cheeks sunken in. It looked like she hadn’t been taking care of herself for a while now. I brushed her hair back.

I’m here, mama. Do you need a drink?

Please. Her voice was raspy, and she seemed to have slight trouble speaking.

I fetched her some water, returning to her side and helped her drink. When she had her fill, I set the cup down and began getting the little hut in order. It didn’t take much to tidy it up, so I started a fire and looked around to see what I could fix her to eat.

The only food that I could find was a hunk of moldy bread and some beyond ripened vegetables. I set them on the table, planning on only using the good pieces if I had to. I was able to throw them all together for a watery stew, using only the older vegetables, no meat. I took the bread and cut the moldy pieces off. I hoped the rest of it would be alright.

I sat on the bed beside her and fed her the stew. She only took a few bites, then refused to eat any more. She turned her head away from the spoon. Weakly, she put her hand on top of mine.

I’m sorry son, I just can’t eat anymore. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes. I’m just so tired. I can’t keep my eyes open.

She started coughing again. I couldn’t help but frown at her. I was worried and feeling sick from the fear of losing her.

Mama, how long have you been sick?

She shrugged a shoulder. I don’t know.

Okay, mama. Just rest. I’ll take care of you.

Alejandro, you need to be careful. There are things that you need to— she cut off with another bout of coughing. I handed her a handkerchief. When she wiped her mouth, there was a little blood on the cloth.

Mama. Rest. We can talk later. I’m sorry I haven’t been by to visit in a while. I will visit more often, and I’ll stay until you are well again.

I settled into a corner, watching her as she dozed. I was going to be here for the duration of her illness. I would make sure that she was okay. I planned on doing everything in my power to make her better again. I had to.

In the following days, she seemed to get worse instead of better. It was when she could barely lift her head that I knew what I had to do.

Apu, stay here with mama. I’ll be back.

I pulled a cloak around my shoulders and lifted the hood over my head.  The sun had just set, and darkness was settling in. What I was about to do was risky, but I had to help my mother. I couldn’t just sit there and watch her die.

Slipping out into the shadows, I kept to the darkest part of the alleys. When I found the hut I was looking for, I