The Aldean Chronicles: Hidden

Before exams start, we have tryouts. Jason and I convince Sara to try again. After a lot of persuasion, she finally agrees. I can't wait for this semester's break. My family and I are all going to Tarwick castle. It's in Dolma, a state in Aldean. Coincidentally, it's the state Arin's mom is planning her next election. After two terms as a deputy, she's running for governor.

I dance back to my room after my last paper and stare at my already packed box. I am really looking forward to this vacation.

"Have a nice trip, and say hi to your dad for me," I say to Sara.

She hugs me. "I already miss you, have a good week. What am I saying, you're spending the break at a legendary castle. Of course, you're going to have a good break."

I laugh. "True. Bye Sara."

"Bye." She says and leaves.

I roll my suitcase to the car park and jump into Kat's car. Grey is in the backseat drumming against Kat's headrest. "Break." I cheer as I close the door. "I have been counting down the days."

"I love this Holiday. It's the only week in the year we can do anything we want." Kat agrees. "No one outside the family is there, we don't have to leave the estate. Nothing."

"I've been dreaming of this. Even aunt Freya is more relaxed this period." Grey adds. "Quick, let's get to the airport."

Kat cheers again and starts the car. Music blasts from the radio and we sing along happily, I feel great. The streets aren't crowded and the trip to the airport is quick. Kat drives to the private wing and parks her car beside a white jet with the royal family's seal on it.

I close my eyes and soak up the sun. "I love being rich." I declare and people rush to carry our bags.

"Pictures," Kat says and we crowd around for selfies. We climb up the stairs and she asks a flight attendant to take our picture. After at least a hundred of them, we enter the plane and I marvel at the sheer luxury. The inside is filled with leather chairs and tables with marble tops. There is a bedroom towards the back and a kitchenette opposite it.

The pilot emerges and offers us a bright smile. "Hello, I'll be your pilot today. Please let me know if you need anything." She walks around the plane giving a mini-tour, I'm the only one paying attention. When she's done, she goes back to her station.

Ten minutes later, another car pulls up and Aunt Freya and Seb exit it. I see them and Keri through the window. Aunt Freya is saying something to Keri and the latter is struggling to note as much as she can on her tablet.

"Hello everyone," Seb says climbing aboard the plane. I stand up to hug him. "How was school."

"Nope, not talking about that this week." He laughs. He reaches Grey and briefly hugs him. Kat has the decency to stand up and give him a proper hug. "Kat, how are you."

"Tired." She replies.

"You're in luck then." He jokes as his sister climbs the plane.

"Captain, start this thing please. We need to get a move on, thank you." She collapses on the nearest seat and takes off her shoes. She takes a deep breath and whispers. "Finally."

The flight attendant hands her a glass of champagne. Kat gives her mother a hug. "Wow, you do feel stressed."

"Tell me about it." Aunt Freya laments. "I have been putting out fires and trying to keep this country standing for far too long. If terrorists aren't wondering the city destroying everything in their path, don't call me."

Kat laughs. "I'm so proud of you. You're not worried that Dad will be there."

She scoffs. "Don't remind me. Fortunately, the castle is so big, we may not talk to each other."

Kat brings out her phone. "Oh, you need to see the pictures we took before we boarded." The captain announces that we'll be taking off soon and we should be seated for our safety. The flight is only two hours long, I liked it. Aunt Freya was the most pleasant I've ever seen her, the whole atmosphere was just really calm.

We arrive late in the afternoon, black cars are waiting to take us to the castle. Kat, Grey and aunt Freya go in one car while Seb and I take the other.

"So how's school?" He asks. "And I know you don't want to talk about it. But really, I want to know."

"Schools alright, my studies are going great, my friends are good, I'm even slowly starting to not hate the equestrian club."

He laughs. "That's good to hear. But Tristan said you guys aren't training anymore. Is that right?"

I look away. I don't want my face to give me away. "Yeah, with his preparations. We haven't been spending that much time together."

He nods. "I know you're dating him."

I cough. "Of course you do, you know everything."

He looks even more uncomfortable than me. "I trust Tristan, he's a good person. A little older than you though, he's turning 18 in a few weeks."

"I know, but I'll soon be 16, so it doesn't matter." I take a deep breath. "Let's just not talk about him for the week."

"Yes." He takes a deep breath. "It's your first time at Tarwick castle."

My knees bounce up and down excitedly. "I looked up pictures, I know it doesn't compare to the real thing." And it doesn't, the castle looks so quaint and beautiful. It's made up of four different parts with a large courtyard in the middle the size of a football field.

It's three stories high and was built in 1756 by a King who gifted it to his wife. Tours are usually held here but they've been shut down for the week. There's a long drive up to the marvelous building with trees on either side. A big black gate with the Tarwick symbol protects the castle. They open on our arrival and we drive in. I notice people standing outside the gate waving as we drive by.

I wave back even though they can't see me through the tinted windows. We arrive at the large front door. The sun looks like it's ready to set and the hues make the castle and the entire surroundings even more elegant.

"This is amazing." I breathe looking out.

"Wait till you see the inside," Seb says. On the front steps is a familiar face.

"Dad," Kat yells running up to him for a hug. "I'm so happy you're here." She says as they squeeze each other in tight hugs.

"Katya." Her mother says sternly. "Decorum, always." She looks back at the gates where photographers are taking pictures and citizens waving wildly. She waves back at them with a smile on her face.

"Freya." Maxon walks up to her. Aunt Freya smiles at him even though she's secretly burning with hate. "It's good to see you." He kisses her cheek tenderly. My aunt wraps her arms around him and sighs deeply.

"I'm glad you're safe." She says in a sincere tone. "We should talk inside."

Seb's face drops and he walks closer to them. "Is something wrong?" I ask him.

He shakes his head. "Of course not, you kids should go to your rooms. Explore the castle."

We all walk into the building and the decor takes my breath away. The ceilings are high and depict vivid images of people clothed in clouds. The walls are covered in expensive gold and green wallpaper while the marble floors are partly covered with thick red carpets. A woman in a grey blazer leads us to the East wing, our personal quarters that are always off-limits.

The apartment takes up all three floors of the wing and has ten bedrooms, two dining rooms and three living rooms. Two doors take us outside, one at the front and one at the back. The one at the back leads to a pretty, neat garden separate from the castle's main one.

The walls leading up the stairs are decorated with paintings of beautiful men and women decked out in expensive attire and jewels.

"I love the necklace too," Kat says. "I have it in my room back at the palace, you can borrow it anytime you want."

"Is it just me or is everyone nicer today." My room is right next to hers and looks like it was dragged out of the 19th century.

The walls are blue with various artworks hanging around. There's a pretty gold and light blue rug taking up most of the floor. The curtains are light blue with gold trimmings. A glass chandelier hangs in the center of the ceiling. The bed is king-size and has a big golden headboard with intricate carvings. In front of the bed is a dark brown sofa, opposite it and close to the wall are two chairs, one plush, the other made of old wood and light brown cushions. Behind it and opposite the bed are an old mirror and an ornate table. A door beside the mirror leads to a bathroom then a closet. Beside the bed and backed up against the wall is a wooden cupboard and on the other side of the bed is a little table.

After unpacking and changing, I walk to the dining room. The table is circular and I'm wedged between Kat and her mom. Throughout dinner, the adults share tense looks.

"We're hosting dinner tomorrow, a few friends. Some politicians." My aunt announces. "I'll also be dealing with an emergency tomorrow, don't worry about it. Stay around the house, or go shopping. I doubt you brought appropriate dinner attire."

"This just became less fun," Grey says.

"It's one day, you're free to do whatever after that," Seb says.

"It was my one day before mum arrives. She's going to be breathing down my neck now."

I laugh. "Shopping sounds fun, it will be nice to see more of Dolma."

Kat laughs. "Oh Cassie, you can will it as hard as you want but you are not going to run into Arin Hames."

I scowl. "Arin Hames, why would you want to run into that boy?" Uncle max asks.

My aunt rolls her eyes. "Oh Cassandra, that's still going on. After all I did to squash the rumors."

"There's nothing going on," I argue. Should I tell them I'm seeing Tristan. No need, that will just lead to more questions.

"Wait I thought you were seeing Tristan," Seb asks. Great.

"Oisin, wow. We really don't talk enough." Uncle Max jokes

"I can't do this anymore, can I please be excused."

"No, you're going to sit there in shame and ponder your bad decisions." My aunt says this with a straight face.

I groan. "This isn't fair, can we at least forget I said anything."

There's silence. "Remember the first time Cass told Tristan she fancied him." Grey jokes and he and Kat laugh.

I made a mistake coming here.