The barefoot Belinda is guided back to her personal chambers

Belinda's bare feet padded along the course stone floor of the hall way, her face turning a little red to at the thought of walking about in such an undignified condition (she would have been much more embarrassed if she knew about the large wet spot on the crotch of her dress).

I don't recall so many of these floors being bare. I must remember to speak with the royal carpenter about this. It's unacceptable.

Of course, Belinda would have been much angrier if she could have actually seen the formerly grand hallway. The walls were completely bare. All the paintings, tapestries, and other works of art that once hung had been taken with nothing put back in there place. The suits of armor that once lined the hall had also been hauled away, as had all the chairs, tables, mirrors, potted plants, and every other piece of furniture. Someone had even bothered to steal the hooks and fasteners used to hang everything up!

The floor had suffered a similar fate. The luxurious carpet that had once lined the entire hallway had been sliced up and carted off. It could now be found in the homes of more than a dozen servants. Even the tack used to secure it in place had been stolen.

Not being able to see really does boost your other senses. Everything sounds so much louder and echo-ey in here.

"Where should we try next, servant?" Belinda asked her companion in her most regal voice.

"I think we should try your quarters," replied the thief posing as a servant. "There still might be something in there..."

"What?" The queen asked.

"I mean... they might still be in there. You know, your glasses," the thief said, hoping Belinda would buy it.

"Oh, yeah. That makes sense," Belinda said. She had been known on occasion to leave them on her night stand. "Lead the way."

The two walked down the large, cavernous hall until they came to Belinda's personal quarters. They were supposed to be locked at all times, but right now, the two massive oak doors with sold gold high lights and fixtures, were standing ajar...