The Contest

I lay prostrate in my bed with an oxygen mask over my nose and my parents staring down at me, their faces etched in anxious lines

“What happened?” I asked.

“You took a fall from Calista, and had to be revived with oxygen,” Pop explained. But the Doctor assures us you’ll be fine in a few days, you just need to rest.”

“How long have I been unconscious?”

“Not long. It’s a good job you were wearing your riding hat or it could have been far more serious,” Mum volunteered.

My eyelids were heavy and as I drifted in and out of sleep, although I tried, I still could not remember what had actually happened. It was only after I regained full consciousness that events came flooding back.

“The photographers freaked Calista. I fell off and must have blacked out,” I said, looking into my parents worried eyes. “And why was Hugh on the balcony waving at the paparazzi?

“Ah,” said Pop. He looked decidedly shameful, unable to meet my eyes. “We, that is your mother and me, decided to make a public announcement about your engagement. We were just so happy and thought we were doing the right thing. But the press soon got wind of it and, like hungry wolves, started gathering around the palace, waiting with their cameras. As you were still out riding, I asked Hugh to go out on to the balcony, thinking they might be satisfied if they, at least, managed to get some photos of him, and unfortunately, at that exact moment, you returned and everything went berserk. Eemay, I am so sorry it was stupid of me, you could have been killed.”

At that moment, Hugh suddenly burst into my room carrying a huge bouquet of flowers. “Darling, I hope you’re feeling better, I have been so worried. But the doctor has assured us you’ll be back to your old self in a few days.”

I grasped the opportunity. “It seems this wedding frenzy is having a disastrous effect on everyone. I really believe it would be better, and cheaper, if we were to have a small, private ceremony. If this has happened because of the engagement, just think what could happen at the wedding,” I argued.

Mum placed a cup of hot sweet tea on my bedside table. “We will talk about when you’re feeling stronger Eemay.”

I needed to speak to Pen urgently, to explain what had happened. “I’m feeling really tired,” I said yawning. “Would you mind leaving so that I can have a nap?”

“Of course, Eemay. Can I get you anything else before we leave you in peace?” Mum asked.

“No Mum, I’m fine, just tired.”

Finally alone in my room, I scanned my bedside table for my cyPhone, but it was nowhere to be seen. A wave of exhaustion suddenly washed over me, and I fell into a long, deep, healing sleep.

The following morning, Zilla knocked gently on my door before bringing in my breakfast tray, along with the morning newspaper. “How are you feeling today?” she enquired.

“Oh much better, in fact I think I’ll get up to eat my breakfast.”

“Don’t you think you should see the doctor before you do, you have taken a very nasty fall.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” I picked up the newspaper and the headline jumped out at me.

“Oh my goodness,” I shrieked. “Have you seen this?”

HRH Princess Eemay of Cyberia falls for her Prince Charming in a big way…

Photos accompanying the headline showed Hugh, waving and beaming broadly from the balcony, and me in mid-air, falling from my terrified horse.

A short report followed …

“After a much publicised Contest, it appears HRH Princess Eemay has finally ‘fallen’ for her Prince Charming!

The King and Queen of Cyberia today announced the engagement of their only daughter, HRH Princess Eemay, to Prince Hughchube of Searchmoor. The happy couple will be releasing their official engagement portrait shortly. Meanwhile, a palace representative stated, that when a date for the wedding has been set, a formal announcement will be made.

The Princess took a heavy fall from her horse. Fortunately she is not badly injured but has been advised by her doctor to rest for a few days.

A breathless Penny suddenly appeared in the doorway. “My parents saw the headlines in the Cyber Chronicle, and I came straight over to see how you are.”

“Oh don’t worry Pen, I’ll be fine in a few days, but unfortunately, our plans for today will have to be cancelled.”

“Zilla, I need a private word with Penny, would you mind leaving us for a minute.”

She picked up the breakfast tray and obediently left the room.

“This wedding mania is going to be the death of me. And what about Scott, in all of this he is my absolutely priority, and now our plans for today will have to be cancelled all because of this stupid wedding hysteria, which I am now beginning to seriously regret.” Tears filled my eyes and splashed down my face.

“We won’t have to cancel because I will carry on as planned,” Pen said, with defiant determination. “All you have to do is write a letter to Vilelet, telling her that you are unable to collect the spell personally, and that you have asked me to collect it for you, we just can’t let this delay Scott’s reversal. Besides, I have booked a room at the Cyber Hotel, and will take him straight there. I promise to let you know as soon as he is back with us in person, and you should be well enough to visit him tomorrow.”

“Would you really do this for me Pen?”

“Of course, we’re in this together, remember.”

She handed me a pen and a sheet of official Cyberia Palace notepaper. I quickly scribbled a few lines to Vilelet, giving permission for Pen to collect the spell, and signed it.

“That should do it,” she said, carefully folding the letter and putting it into an envelope, which she then stamped with the royal seal.

There was a sudden, loud knock on the door, which made us both jump. It was Mum.

“And how is my girl this morning?”

“Ah Penny,” she interrupted. “How good of you to call in.”

“I’m feeling much better, all I needed was a good night’s sleep, I’m as good as new this morning.”

“Well that’s wonderful, but the doctor is calling in to see you later, to check you over.”

While Mum continued to fuss around me, Hugh appeared in the doorway. “Eemay, you look so much better this morning, would you like to go for a ride out somewhere?”

“Please Hugh,” Mum interrupted. “The doctor is calling in later, and until she has had the all clear from him, then she stays exactly where she is.”

“Oh please stop this,” I shouted. “I’m fine, and after I’ve seen the doctor, I will be the one to decide what I will and won’t do.”

Penny looked at me with admiration. “You tell em,” she whispered. “Right, I have a lot to do, so now I know you’re Okay, I’ll be off.” She bent down to kiss me on the cheek and whispered, “I’ll send you a script later.”