A Tale of Two Princesses (7 page)

     "Rise," Celeste said, as if she was used to it. "What have you brought me for breakfast?"

     Homa picked up the tray, carrying it over to her mistress, setting it on her lap as she sat in bed. "Betilly has prepared for you a lovely omelet with your favorites, peppers, onions, and tomatoes."

     Celeste picked up the fork, cutting into it. She took a small bite, chewing with her chin lifted. "She's not at the top of her talent today."

     "Forgive her," Homa said. "I am sure the early hour caught her unprepared. I will speak to her."

     "Do not bother about it," Celeste said, dotting her mouth with her napkin. "So, is that you there, Sienna?"

     Sienna stepped closer, lifting her head. "Yes, your highness."

     "How was your first night with us?"

     "Oh, it was wonderful, your highness," Sienna said. "The view from my room was spectacular. I could see the whole ocean. And the stars! I've never seen so many, even at home. And, and the bed was so soft! I fell asleep instantly, like I was on a cloud. And everyone has been so, so gracious to me. I am so thankful for the chance to serve you. It's more than I ever dreamed."

     Homa was smiling as Celeste laughed with her hand over her mouth. "Come now, you exaggerate a little. Is it so different from home?"

     "It is to me, your highness. I've never seen such extravagance, and to be in the midst of it is an honor and a blessing. I'm sure my mother is looking down at me and she is so proud."

     "Yes, that's right; your uncle mentioned that, didn't he? The dragon destroyed her?"

     Sienna nodded. "Yes, your highness."

     "Do tell me, how exactly did she die?"

     Sienna swallowed the lump in her throat. "It was about five years ago. She was outside late at night, hanging clothes. I heard a scream and looked out the window. The dragon had her in its, its paws. It took her away toward the Tempest Forest." Sienna wiped her tears. "Forgive me, your highness."

     "It's quite all right. What a horrific story, dreadful. But the dragon has not been seen since, has it?"

     "No, your highness. I don't think so."

     "Hmm. Well, I know every bit the pain you are feeling. As I am sure you know, my father, the king, rest him, perished when I was but thirteen, about the same time your dear mother passed."

     "Yes, your highness."

     "Oh, and my pain is doubly so," Celeste continued sadly. "As the whole kingdom knows, my mother's health has been failing her in recent months. It is a sad state of affairs."

     "Yes, your highness. I'm so sorry."

     A knock sounded at the door.

     "Come," Celeste called.

     A very old woman with long gray hair came in, her face twisted in a permanent scowl, her eyes black with red all about them, her nose long and hooked, wrinkles turning her frown into something that sagged against her whole face. She wore black clothing, as if she were attending a funeral. She bowed at the waist, holding the gesture only long enough for due honor.

     "Good morning, Princess Celeste."

     "Good morning, Vrine," Celeste returned.

     "Madam Vrine," Homa said. "How joyous that you've come to greet the princess so early in the morning."

     "Her majesty wishes to speak to Princess Celeste. Prepare her for tea within the hour."

     "It shall be my pleasure."

     Vrine turned her black eyes to Sienna's downcast face. Then she lifted her arm, moving Homa aside as if she were on wheels. "Who is this?"

     "A servant of no consequence," Homa said.

     Sienna felt an ice-cold finger touch her chin, lifting her head. And then Vrine yanked away her bonnet, revealing her white hair, wrapped up in a bun at the back of her head.

     "A girl? Homa, you've brought a maiden into the castle? Have you lost what little sense you have?"

     Homa did not move. "I can explain."

     "The queen will hear of this."

     "Vrine," Celeste spoke up, "it is not what it looks like."

     "It isn't, your highness? Because it appears a maiden is serving where the queen forbade her to serve."

     "I do not have to explain myself to you, Vrine," Celeste said. "And your sharp tone is quite displeasing to me. If you have no further message to relay, you may return to my mother and tell her I will see her in an hour for tea."

     Vrine pursed her wrinkly lips, turning and disappearing.

     Homa turned to Celeste. "Your highness, forgive me. We must get Sienna out of the castle before the queen takes action."

     "Be at ease, Homa. I can deal with my mother. As you reminded me yesterday, I will be queen. A little diplomatic practice is in order. Send Sienna back to the kitchens and help me dress."

     "Yes, your highness."

     Homa took Sienna by the lower back, leading her out of the room, passing through the door. She re-secured her bonnet.

     "Return to the kitchens, Sienna. Stay there."

     "I'm sorry I got you in trouble, Madam Homa."

     "Oh, you sweet child," Homa said, patting her head. "Do be careful on your way back."

     "Um, how do I get back, exactly?"

     "Find the staircase and take it all the way down, then follow the windows until you can't see the ocean anymore. You should reach the hall. You can remember from there."

     "Okay. Thank you, ma'am."

     "Off you go."

     Homa returned to the princess' chambers. Celeste was finishing her breakfast.

     "Not even the juice tastes good this morning."

     "My apologies again, your highness."

     Celeste climbed out of bed. "Let us get started on my hair."

     "About Sienna, princess, what will you tell your mother?"

     "I'll think of something. Don't worry, Homa. You're far too nervous about such things. I won't let her hang you. I rather think of you as how I wish my mother would behave toward me."

     "Your highness, you do me such praise by saying such a thing," Homa said.

     "Dear Homa, I only meant it insofar as you worship the ground I walk on," Celeste said with a laugh. "Come now, my hair."

     Once her hair was cleaned and brushed, Celeste chose a green dress for today, with a green sash that covered her neckline. Her hair had green feathers in it from birds which were so often hunted in the kingdom just for her. Once dressed, she made her way to the royal state room. Her mother did not rise as she entered. Vrine gave the princess the usual half-hearted bow. Homa fell to her knee, bowing to her queen.

     "Rise," the queen said, "and leave, Homa."

     "Yes, your majesty," she said before departing, closing the doors.

     Celeste took a seat across from the queen, separated by a table.

     "Tea for the princess, Vrine," the queen said.

     "Yes, your majesty," Vrine said, coming around the queen, pouring the tea.

     "Three spoonfuls of sugar, Vrine," Celeste said, "and a dash of cream. And do stir it properly this time or you shall be wearing it."

     Vrine obeyed the princess' orders, stirring it with a dainty spoon. "I do hope it meets with her highness' approval."

     Celeste sipped. "It will have to do."

     The queen took a sip of her tea as well, looking at her daughter. "I understand you have committed treason."

     Celeste let out a laugh. "Oh, Mother, please. You are so silly."

     "I am not amused, princess," the queen said. "On the matter of treason."

     "I am afraid you'll have to hang me, Mother," Celeste said with a sigh. "Ever so sad this will be the end of the kingdom, what with your failing health and all. I do so hope we will be buried near each other in the family plot. If I might have my choice, I would prefer to be on daddy's right. You may have the left."

     "You mock me?"

     "Mother, it's just us now, and dear old Vrine, who is ever so loyal to you. If I cannot mock you when we are alone, whenever can I?"

     "You mock me publically by disobeying my decree. You know the law. No girl of child-bearing age may serve in this castle. Yet you bring a maiden here and parade her through my halls, in front of my soldiers. That is mockery, my daughter."

     "Mother, the girl is very ill, much like you, I'm afraid. If you saw her, you'd see this, as her hair is so sadly white, like yours. It seems she was stricken with a dreadful illness some years ago and it has taken away all fertility from her body. So you see, I did not disobey you, Mother. I would never dream of doing such a thing."

     "And because she is sterile, you interpreted my law in your own eyes?"

     "Precisely. What is more, she is mute, a wretched thing I found in a tavern the other day and whom I took pity on. Do tell me, Mother, have I committed such a great crime? Do you not always tell me to be mindful of the people's welfare, for they are our foundation? I merely thought this gesture would show the people that I am a caring princess. I did not set out to disrespect you. Far from it."

     "Perhaps I misjudged you."

     "Perhaps you did. You do me respect by admitting so."

     "Nevertheless, you will keep your pet in the kitchens. I am not to see her."

     "Have you seen her?"

     "No."

     "Then you need not worry. And what is more, she is only here for a few days."

     "A few days?"

     "That is all."

     "Very well."

     "Good. Now that that unhappy misunderstanding is out of the way, whatever did you wish to speak to me about?" Celeste sipped some more tea. "Vrine, you really are wretched with tea. I so worry you are trying to poison me."

     "Shall I take it away, princess?" Vrine asked, her lip curling.

     "I shall suffer through," Celeste said, her eyes returning to her mother. "I apologize, Mother, you were saying?"

     "There was a messenger last night. The prince will be here the day after tomorrow."

     "Oh, so soon? Will he be staying in the castle then?"

     "No."

     "No?" Celeste said in surprise. "Wherever shall he stay?"

     "His messenger said he would like to meet you at length, and as I understand it, he is a rugged man. He and his knights will be staying somewhere outside the castle."

     "I must say, I do prefer that."

     "I thought you might. However, we will welcome him as a guest of honor with a ball in his name, a masquerade ball."

     "A masquerade ball? Why, Mother, whatever for?"

     "He is clearly nervous to meet you, as you are nervous to meet him. I began to think that perhaps behind a mask, you may both be at ease for the night, and upon the morrow, we will remove them and allow you to speak face to face. I did this for you, Princess Celeste."

     "Truly, Mother? You wish to make this easier for me?"

     "I do. You are my child, princess."

     "If I am so loved, dear Mother, why not dismiss the prince. That is my desire."

     The queen sighed. "I do so labor to do you kindness, and you do so labor to find fault."

     "Yes, where are my manners? A masquerade ball? Oh, how exciting, Mother," Celeste said without excitement in her voice. "Whatever will you think of next?"

     "Daughter, how much joy must it bring you to mock me."

     "A little bit only, I promise."

     The queen began coughing, hacking, leaning over. Celeste waited, sipping her tea as her mother bent over to bring up whatever was caught in her lungs. She came away with phlegm coated in blood. Vrine supplied her with a cloth, cleaning her hands and her lips.

     "Better, Mother?"

     "You will attend the ball and meet him there for the first time. You will dance with him. You will woo him. And we will hope he asks for your hand in marriage by your eighteenth birthday."

     "I will so look forward to that."

     "Do not do anything to offend the prince. You are to be the picture of elegance and beauty."

     "I am always the picture of elegance and beauty, Mother."

* * *

     "A ball! A masquerade ball!" Celeste shouted. She threw a statuette across the room, breaking her freshly replaced mirror. "He's going to walk in here and court me, like I'm some simple girl he can take to bed on a whim!"

     "Your highness, your anger," Homa said. "I am sure he will not offend you."

     "And if he does, I am to grin and bear it, because I am a woman, because I have no say in who I marry! Where is it written a woman must marry to rule? Where does it say a queen must be second? This is my kingdom! My father built it and it is mine! And now I am to turn it over to an arrogant prince from another land! I cannot tolerate this!"

     "Your highness, it may not be as you foresee. He may be an honorable man. He may yet rule with you as his equal. Your father ruled beside your mother for many years in equality."

     "Until he slept around behind her back and she murdered him for it!"

     "Quiet, your highness!" Homa whispered, glancing over her shoulder, despite the empty room. Guards were just on the other side of the door, and if there was one thing weak on a soldier's body, it was his lips. "This is how rumors spread."

     "I'm furious!" Celeste shouted, throwing another statuette at the already broken mirror. "I won't marry him!"

     "Mistress, what choice do you have?"

     Celeste slumped down to her bed, putting her face in her hands. "I hate her."

     "Do not say that, your highness," Homa whispered.

     "I wish she'd die and get out of my life."

     Homa gasped. "Your highness, you do not mean that. You're upset."

     Celeste looked up. "If I refused to see him, what would happen?"

     "Your mother would be humiliated. The kingdom would be humiliated. The prince would be humiliated. If he returned to his homeland, it could invite tension between our lands, maybe even war."

     "But in time, my mother would pass away and I would be queen."

     "Yes, your highness, but you would still have to choose a king."