A Tale of Two Princesses (12 page)

     "Princess Celeste," the man said. "I am Baron Rockford. I am so honored to dance with you."

     "Hi, Baron," she said. "It's great to see you again."

     The baron stopped leading her. "We've met, your highness?"

     "We haven't?"

     "No, your highness."

     "Oh! Sorry, I thought we had. I must have you confused with another baron."

     "Quite, your highness."

     He took her hand again and she looked down to watch his feet. Then the music changed and her partner switched again. This one was far younger, tall too. Her neck had to stretch to see him.

     "Your highness, it is an honor to dance with you."

     "You too...baron?"

     "No, your highness. It's me, Marquis Philiston."

     "Oh. Have we met?"

     "Yes, of course, princess."

     "Sorry! That's right. You're a great friend."

     "Thank you, your highness. May I say, there is something quite different about you since our last dance."

     Sienna gulped. "Really?"

     "And your voice, are you all right tonight?"

     She coughed. "Fine. Just a little nervous." She coughed for a second time. "Oh, time to switch."

     "What? Your highness, wait!"

     It was not time to switch, but Sienna turned and looked for Court anyway. He was the only safe one in the room. She found him and stepped in front of his female partner, who stopped dancing and looked shocked. The woman hurried over to the marquis in embarrassment as Sienna bowed to Court, though it was not time to bow.

     "Hi again," she said cheerfully.

     Court laughed. "You're cutting in."

     "I figured if I have to dance poorly, I might as well embarrass myself with just one partner."

     And another laugh. Sienna was really beginning to think she was funny. Then he bowed to her, though it was not time to bow, taking her hand and leading her in a circle around him. Sienna liked the circle thing; it was very easy to do. And then the music reached a crescendo, signalizing its end. Everyone applauded, and another dance began.

     "Well, I think that's enough for me," Sienna said. "Thanks for the dance, Court. It was a pleasure meeting you and everything. Bye."

     "Your...your highness?"

     Sienna hurried back to the throne, bowing to the queen before ascending the stairs and taking a seat on the smaller throne to the left. She sat back in the chair, sighing, watching the dancers. Well, she had completed two dances, as Homa had told her to do. And thankfully, she had not even had to kiss the prince. Now, she could get out of here before being executed. It had all gone so well!

     "Queen," Sienna whispered, clearing her throat and adding a sniffle, "I will take my leave for the night."

     The queen's neck snapped toward her. "Princess, the guests have all come for you and the prince."

     "I am ill, queen."

     "You are drunk," the queen hissed. "You shame me tonight, princess. You look a buffoon on the dance floor. The whole kingdom will be gossiping tomorrow of the princess' behavior. It is a wonder the prince has not left us in offense. How dare you embarrass me so?"

     "I'm sorry," she whispered, lowering her head.

     "At least sit up straight, or do you fear you will fall out of your chair? You have the posture of a donkey."

     Sienna sat up straight. This woman was so mean. Didn't she love her daughter? Sienna's mother was never so mean.

     "I'm sorry," she repeated. "You don't gotta be so mean."

     "What did you just say to me?"

     "Nothing, queen."

     "You will stay until I dismiss you, princess. Is that clear?"

     Sienna was in trouble now. What was she to do, argue with the queen? What an idea! Not an idea to act on, but quite an idea to let slip into her mind, nonetheless. "Yes, queen."

     "And do not dare to ever speak so informally to me again."

     "Yes, queen."

     Vrine was over the queen's shoulder, staring at Sienna, her lips tight on her mouth. Then the prince approached, bowing at the foot of the stair. Oh, great, what did he want now? She could not do another dance. She couldn't.

     "Have you tired so soon, Celeste?"

     "Yes, Court. I'm sorry."

     "You will address him as Prince Cross, Princess Celeste," the queen interjected.

     "It's quite all right, Queen Friora," Court said. "I invited her leave for our familiarity."

     The queen tilted her head in approval. "Thank you, Prince Cross."

     "Not at all," Court said. "Perhaps instead of a dance, a walk in the garden would refresh the princess?"

     "Oh, that's okay. I'm good," Sienna said.

     "Princess Celeste!" the queen said. "Do not refuse the prince's request, and do not speak so disrespectfully to him."

     "Sorry, queen," Sienna whispered. "Okay, Court. Let's go for a walk."

     The queen was shaking her head in disbelief. Court had his hand raised in invitation. Sienna moved down the stairs and took it, eager to get away from the queen's angry glare.

Chapter Eight

Courting Court in the Courtyard

     Court and Sienna crossed through the dancers, who halted and bowed at the waist as they passed. The doors opened for them and they came into the entertaining area. This is where the rest of the guests were, as the ballroom could not possibly fit them all, all mingling and talking. And this is where the food was! Oh, food! Sienna had not eaten since lunch, and all the hors d'oeuvres she had so diligently made were being snacked on by partygoers.

     "Food!" Sienna said. "Court, can we eat before we go on our walk? Please, please, I am so hungry."

     And he laughed again. What was so funny? "Very well, perhaps I could do with a snack."

     "They're called hors d'oeuvres," Sienna said proudly. "And the kitchen staff worked so hard to make them for us."

     "If it would please the princess, let us sample them," Court said, taking a few steps through the crowd.

     The people immediately bowed to him, moving aside. A server with a tray also bowed. Sienna hurried up to him and looked at what he offered. He was so tall she had to stand on her toes. He immediately lowered the tray for her.

     "Cheese wraps!" she said, her eyes flashing behind her mask, glancing at the server. Thankfully, he did not recognize her, though the way he was keeping his head bowed, there was no way he could. She picked one up, turning her head and lifting her mask just enough to slip it into her mouth. "Mmm! These are so good. You've gotta try one, Court."

     Court tried one next, the sound crunchy. "Interesting."

     She nodded as she chewed, talking with her mouth full. "They're not melted all the way through, could have used a bit more time in the oven, but they're still good."

     And then Sienna's head turned to another server. She hurried to him, the people bowing out of her way. "Oh, Court! Come quick!"

     This server had the little sausages with bacon around them. He held his tray steady as his head bowed. A few of the other guests were watching Sienna, whispering to each other as she took one and turned her head to lift her mask and pop it into her mouth.

     "Mmm, oh! So, so good. You gotta try these. I made them myself."

     "You made them?" he said in curiosity as he came to her side.

     Sienna cringed. "I mean, I told the servers to make them. They're my favorite."

     "I see," he said, picking one up, lifting his mask enough to bite it off the toothpick. He chewed as he nodded. "Very good."

     "Mmm-hmm," she said as she chewed another one. "You'd better hurry or I'm gonna eat them all."

     He laughed loudly. "Please, be my guest."

     "I will!"

     "You continue to surprise me, Celeste. Most princesses do not even eat in public, let alone show so much joy from it."

     "Yeah?" Sienna said, but she ate another one anyway. "I like 'em." She looked around. "Where's that cheese wrap guy? Cheese guy!" She waved him over.

     The servant looked surprised but he hurried over to his princess, bowing his head again. She picked up another cheese wrap, as well as a little sausage, putting them together, turning to stuff both into her mouth at the same time. "Oh! You should try them together, so good."

     Court laughed again, following her advice, popping one of each into his mouth. "You do enjoy your refreshments, don't you, Celeste?"

     "Yeah," she said. "I was down in the kitchen, um, sampling all the snacks, and they had these things earlier that were little bits of lobster—that's a yucky red, cockroach-looking thing that lives in the ocean—and you dip it in this butter sauce. Betilly gave me one, and just between you and me, they were out of this world."

     "I'm sorry I missed that," he said.

     "Sir," someone called, coming over to Court, "there you are. I thought I saw you leave the ballroom."

     "Oh, Wellington. Allow me to introduce Princess Celeste. Celeste, this is my valet, Wellington."

     Sienna looked at Court's friend. He was a little taller than Court, but much thinner, not as muscular, and he wasn't wearing a mask. He had dark hair and dark eyes.

     "Hi, Mr. Wellington," Sienna said.

     Wellington smiled politely. "Your highness, it is an honor to meet you. Please, just Wellington is fine."

     "Do you want a sausage, bacon thingy?" she asked, picking up another one.

     "Ah, no, you go ahead, your highness."

     "Wellington, we were just about to take a tour of the garden for a bit of fresh air. Perhaps you'd like to escort us?"

     "I would be honored, sir."

     "Celeste," Court said, "are you quite ready?"

     Sienna looked up. "Sure. Let me just grab a couple more for the walk."

     She took two more pieces of sausage and began to head out of the room. The guards opened the doors for her. Court remained at her side, with Wellington behind. They did not speak as they moved through the hall. Sienna finished her two snacks, wiping her fingers on the skirt of her dress. She did not see Court's eyes flash, nor see him glance at Wellington.

     "So, Court," Sienna said, looking up at him, swallowing the rest of what was in her mouth, "what's Cross like?"

     "Oh, it is a beautiful land. We are well known for our lakes."

     "Really? That's neat. Do you swim a lot there?"

     "Yes, but I am sure you have your own share of swimming here, what with the ocean so near to hand."

     "Actually, I don't know how to swim," Sienna said, but then, did Celeste know how to swim? She probably did. "But I'm learning. In fact, I've gotten much better. I swim all the time now."

     "Truly? Perhaps we could swim together some time."

     "That sounds like fun," Sienna said, though the idea of being out in the water frightened her. She was glad Celeste would have to go on that date and not her. "Anyway, let me show you to the courtyard."

     They walked on. Sienna did not actually know the way to the courtyard. She had hoped there might be a sign, but now that she was free to look around, she realized there were none. Maybe Court knew the way. She wondered if it would be okay to ask him.

     "Have you been to our courtyard?"

     "No, I'm looking forward to it."

     "Great," she said. "Then I, I'll show you."

     Sienna at least figured it was on the bottom floor, as courtyards so required a yard. But as they began to move down the hallways, the partygoers became fewer and fewer, with only Wellington behind them. Sienna began to worry she was going to have to admit she did not know where they were going.

     "Are we lost, Celeste?" Court asked, looking at her through his mask.

     She gulped as she looked back. "Actually..."

     "Your highness!" someone called.

     Sienna spun around, nervous, but then, thank the stars it was Homa.

     "Madam Homa!" Sienna said. "There you are. I was just taking Court on a tour of the castle. We're on our way to the courtyard. Court, this is Madam Homa, my lady-in-waiting."

     "A pleasure, madam," he said.

     She returned a bow. "The pleasure is mine, your highness."

     "This is my valet, Wellington."

     Wellington nodded. "Ma'am."

     "Sir," Homa said before looking at Sienna. "Your highness, may I accompany you and the prince?"

     "Yes, you may!" Sienna said quickly.

     "Please," Court said.

     "This way," Homa said, glancing at Sienna. Sienna and Court followed, with Wellington in the rear.

     "I did not realize we were touring," Court said.

     "I thought you might enjoy it," Sienna said with a laugh. "You'll be living here soon anyway, right?"

     Court jerked. "I, well, yes, I suppose, maybe."

     She nodded, her mask swaying on her face. She secured it. "Isn't the castle lovely?"

     "Yes, it's quite something."

     "And the floor is the best part, isn't it?" she said.

     "The floor?"

     "It's so shiny!" Sienna said. "Look, look down while you walk." She waved her hands as she walked, breaking the candle light from the chandeliers above. "You can see your reflection in it!"

     "I have to say, I've never noticed the floors before...anywhere."

     "Floors are important," Sienna said, nodding up at him. "Whenever I'm cleaning—er, I mean, whenever I see servants cleaning, I always tell them to make sure the floor is clean. You can tell a lot about a place from the cleanliness of the floor."

     "Indeed," he said. "I didn't realize the topic was of interest to you."

     "Oh, yes," Sienna said. "Wood floors are the hardest to keep clean. So much dirt gets stuck in the grains, you see. The best way for it is to take some clay, some water, and turn it to putty. Then you roll the putty over the wood floors and it picks up all the dirt in the crevices. But what a mess! It's better to just keep at it with water and a brush once a day."