Wow, she had some talent when it came to adornments, as each trinket glittered in perfect contrast to the one next to it. No wonder she was assigned as my dresser at such an early age. Perhaps making friends with her would be a better idea than I had imagined, especially if she could make me look this good.
“Perfect!” I exclaimed proudly, examining myself in the mirror. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should probably head down to breakfast. I’m sure I’m already running late.” I stepped into the satin slippers she’d set out on the floor for me, then made my way across the massive royal suite to fling open the large oak doors. I rushed through the grand corridors as quickly as deemed appropriate for a grown princess whose stomach was already growling at her to hurry. As I passed the occasional servant, I was greeted with the usual friendly comments of, “Good morning!” and “You look lovely today. Your Highness!”
I nodded my gratitude, but mostly ignored them as I strode past with my head held high. I’m not sure when it became appropriate for the servants to address me so directly, but frankly, I was getting annoyed by it. Speaking with my dressing maids was one thing- we needed to be in constant communication about the quality of my image— but being approached by housekeepers, cooks, and even the occasional guard was growing obscene. All they ever did was compliment me, just like everyone else. At this point, they should see that I get enough praise from the various suitors and court members who come during the weeks. I’ll need to have a word about their behavior with the butler, Earl. Any information told to him would get passed through the whole staff within a moment’s notice. Though he may still be a little distant from me after discovering I had poured elderberry juice into his jug of mouth rinse. The poor man thought his purple tongue was caused by a rare disease. As humorous as it was having a purple-tongued butler, eventually I had to confess when he started getting the royal physicians involved. While he wasn’t happy, he agreed not to tattle since I admitted my fault.
As I rounded the corner into the dining hall, I was surprised to see my mother already seated at the table. She sat at the far end with her gaze directly on her food, tapping her nails against the deep red tablecloth. Strangely enough, she was dressed rather incoherently. Her dress was simple, a plain sky-blue day dress with a floor-length skirt and a simple gold band circling the waist. However, her hair and makeup were done as extravagantly as if she were preparing to attend a ball. Detecting the scent of a fresh, hot breakfast, I walked across the elaborate dining hall. My eyes fell on the plate full of cooked eggs and thick toast, but suddenly, I wasn’t so hungry.What was she doing here?She never joined me for breakfast unless we had a visitor to keep up appearances toward, or if she had urgent news, or if I was in trouble... Anxiously, I sunk into my drawn chair as I thought through any recent pranks I had pulled. She couldn’t have known about the frog I let loose in Baroness Eliza’s room, could she? I apprehensively placed my napkin on my lap as my chair was pushed in behind me by the steward.
“Good morning, Arabella,” my mother said flatly as she stirred a lump of sugar into her tea, though her eyes never once looked up to address me.
“Good morning, Mother,” I replied, matching her flat tone. She clearly wasn’t interested in making conversation, and I wished she would just hurry and tell me what brought her here. I tried to read her expression to see if she was plotting a method of discipline, but her distant demeanor gave no clues. She didn’t appear interested in speaking until she was done with her breakfast so we sat in silence while we chewed our eggs and toast.
Queen Minerva Zakaria was a very social, charismatic woman, though you would never know it when she was with me. Even before Father’s death, we never spent time together, except when propriety called for it. Instead of being raised by my mother, I was often pawned off onto nannies, governesses, or the occasional noble family for most of my upbringing. Unlike Father, the queen didn’t like to be seen with her daughter, partially because being a mother made her feel old— at least, that what the servants used for gossip. I never understood why though, because despite her age, my mother was still very beautiful. I got my porcelain skin and most of my features from her, but my dark eyes and hair came from my father. The queen, on the other hand, had light golden hair and shiny blue eyes, and she must have been every bit as beautiful as I when she was younger. Aside from maintaining her mirage of youth, I never fully understood why my mother cared so little about my existence. Nevertheless, she wanted nothing to do with me, and by now, I was happy to comply. Plenty of other people wished to spend their time doting on me. Why would I need a mother to do the same?
I had just finished my last piece of toast when she spoke. “Arabella, darling…”
I inwardly cringed. I hated when she called me ‘darling’ or ‘sweetheart’ or any other name that would indicate we had a relationship beyond sharing a dining table.
I looked up, swallowing the annoyance before it seeped out of my voice. “Yes, Mother? Did you need something?”
“Yes, dear, I needed to inform you that we’ll be expecting a visitor late this afternoon. An ambassador from the kingdom of Drancos.” She sipped her tea with an inquisitive look on her face, as if she was looking for my reaction before choosing her next words.
Realizing she remained unaware of the frog incident, I breathed a small sigh of relief and then chose my next words methodically. “How exciting. Did you wish for me to join you for the official welcoming?” I asked innocently. Per custom, the entire royal family was expected to greet any foreign visitors to the castle, especially those representing neighboring kingdoms like Drancos. However, I highly doubted my mother wanted me around for this visit, considering she was already taking careful effort in bringing it up. She was well aware of my antics with visitors and probably didn’t want to take any risks with my presence.
“Well,” she started, finally looking me in the eyes, “customarily I would insist you join us in order to provide a respective greeting.” I raised an eyebrow at her words, wondering how she was going to talk me out of attending. “But in this case, it would seem that the ambassador is coming to prepare for a visit from King Garrett, along with his son.” She paused, folding her hands in her lap. “I haven’t received any official news, but I anticipate the king will offer a proposition of marriage between you and Prince Jasper during their visit.”
I swallowed my tea. What exactly was she getting at? I’d been offered marriage proposals before and presented with many suitors, but none of them were ever worth my time. What did it matter if the prince of Drancos wanted to vie for my hand as well? Perhaps she worried that if I refused a proposal from a royal contender, we would risk sullying diplomatic relations. The only time I had ever denied a royal betrothal was when Father was still alive, and no one had ever dared question him.
My mother’s words interrupted my stirring thoughts. “Although you have now reached the age of nineteen, I understand you still have shown no interest in marriage.” She leaned back in her chair, looking bored. “I suppose we could arrange for you to take an excursion away from the castle while they complete their visit. Then there would be no reason for the prince to establish any connection with you and request your hand. While you’re away, I would be sure to maintain proper hospitality and ensure their visit was still one that will uphold positive relations between Isalla and Drancos. This way, you’ll have a little more time to consider your marriage options before you are ready. What do you say, darling?”
I sat back in my chair for a moment, processing her words. Something didn’t make sense. Was my mother actually trying to help me? Why now? Why would she suddenly start acting like… well, a mother. There had to be more to this that she wasn’t willing to share. I searched her eyes for answers, but they were cool and even with the same familiarity as a stranger. I took a moment to consider her proposition before I grew angry. I don’t know why I was mad, but it seemed unfair that the only time my mother appeared to show any concern for me was in a situation where I didn’t even believe it. No, that’s it. I didn’t believe it. For whatever reason, she didn’t want me around. She didn’t want me to meet the king or prince, and I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of getting rid of me without at least a better lie. Nice try Mother, but it’s no surprise that you don’t know me well enough to know that I create tricks instead of falling for them.
“I appreciate the consideration, Mother, but I hardly think that’s fair,” I began with a devilish smile creeping across my face. “It wouldn’t be right for me to run away from such an important visitor; besides, if you’re right and the prince intends to on propose, then I’m sure I could politely decline without disturbing the peace terribly. Who knows, perhaps he’ll be a worthy contender for a husband after all. I just can’t imagine missing out on such animportantvisitation.” I looked for a reaction, and I got one. For just a second, she cracked, and I saw her inattentive façade slip to irritation, but she corrected too quickly for any observers to notice.
“Very well then.” Her tone was calm and collected. “In that case, I’ll be expecting you in the front garden just after teatime to greet the ambassador with me this afternoon. Wear something nice, but not too flashy.” She eyed my attire. “What you’re wearing now will do, but perhaps less jewelry. We wouldn’t want to make the wrong impression” She smiled sweetly, yet I still felt slightly offended, for Edith’s sake.
“Of course, Mother, I look forward to it,” I replied, matching her sweetness. With that, she gracefully stood from her chair, bid me a dull goodbye, and left the dining hall with only the sounds of her skirt sweeping the floor to mark her exit. I left moments after her, staying only long enough to finish my tea before rushing back toward my suite. Mother was planning something and if she wouldn’t tell me what it was, then I suppose I would just have to ruin it. I rounded the corridor that led to my bedroom and flung the doors open without hesitation. As expected, Edith was still there, pressing wrinkles out of my nightgown for the evening. I usually spent my mornings in the parlors, so there were two chamber maids present in the midst of making my bed. Surprised by my bold entrance, they all stared at me, but I ignored their puzzled looks and ran across the large room to Edith.
“May I help you, princess?” she asked, clearly startled by my presence.
“Yes!” It had been a few days since I made a fool out of anybody, and I had an excellent plan brewing in my mind— but I needed Edith’s help for it. “You coordinate with the queens dressing maids, right? You ensure that our attires never clash?”
She looked confused by my question. “Why yes, Your Highness”
“Excellent!” I exclaimed. “I need you to do me a small favor. Find out what dress the queen will be wearing for the official welcoming of the ambassador tonight, then come tell me immediately.” Before she could reply I spotted her small sewing kit on top of my carved wooden wardrobe and trotted over to it.
“If you wish, then yes, I should be able to inform you within the hour,” she replied, still perplexed, as she watched me dig through her sewing supplies.
“That would be perfect. Thank you, Edith.” I felt my fingers clasp around the tool I was searching for. “I’ll just wait here until you return, and then, I’ll take it from there.” I spoke with a dark smile on my face as Edith wandered out the door with the two chambermaids.
“Don’t worry, Mother… we’ll be sure to make an impression,” I whispered myself as I raised the seam ripper into my view.
chapter two
I stepped out of the queen’s suite only moments before she smoothly rounded the corner, making way to prepare for the welcoming. I couldn’t be seen, of course, so I quickly slid back into the room and tucked myself into the closest window alcove, pulling the satin drapes in front of me. Being a master of tomfoolery came with many useful skills, such as avoiding being seen., and I was quite adept at hiding.
The queen would need to follow her maids into the closet to get dressed, so I shouldn’t have to hide for long before I could sneak out again. I leaned against the window and shivered from the cool glass resting on my spine. It was beginning to snow and the castle grounds radiated in white from the frosty blanket coating the gardens. The door swung open as the queen entered with her two favorite dressers, Olga and Helena. Both ladies had served the queen since before I was born and held her full trust. However, they had always held a soft spot for me when I was younger.
When I was a girl, the two servants would often bring me assortments of my mother’s jewels and dresses so I could play dress-up. I used to imagine what my mother would have looked like in them, wondering what dresses she would wear if she took me to one of her parties. Of course, that was before I realized I didn’t need her. I silently hoped that the two ladies wouldn’t be blamed for my antics today, but even if they were, I was certain they’d forgive me, given our history.