Her Rightful Place

28: The Song

"Yes, there you go. Beautiful. Are you sure you have never played an instrument before?" Madame Zephira twitters as she hovers over Mireille's shoulder, watching as the Princess's slender fingers move delicately over the strings of her harp. The melody she plays is simple but original, composed to be played at supper as part of her 'weekly performance review.' Surprisingly, this review was the suggestion of Countess Orelanjara and not the Queen, but naturally Queen Généviève found it much to her liking.

"Never in my life. Such pursuits are considered a waste of time by most commoners," Mireille answers smoothly, letting her voice fade into the melody she continues to play. Her progress has been remarkable in every area except dancing, where she is hampered by lacking partners rather than her own ability, and those subjects taught by Countess Orelanjara. For this she can blame both the Countess's dullness and Christelle's antics, for scarce a day goes by without Christelle being scolded for wreaking havoc in some way, shape, or form. The blonde approves of music lessons, however, in no small part due to Mireille's love of them. Music and riding are the two lessons Mireille actually enjoys and as such Christelle does not interfere with them at all. Instead, she actually makes an effort to learn alongside her friend and is currently struggling with her lute. She and Mireille are meant to play a duet at supper, but Christelle is having difficulty composing her own part so that it is harmonious with Mireille's composition.

"I suppose that would make sense, given the nature of the commoner's life, but I have never before seen a student with so much natural ability," Madame Zephira exclaims.

"Mayhap we should spend time finishing our composition, instead of marveling over my ability to pluck strings in a pleasing order," Mireille answers with a hint of annoyance.

"Oh, yes, of course! Christelle, dear, hold your lute more delicately.... Much better, like a lady. Now, Mireille, can you start from the beginning, more slowly?" Mireille obliges, but only coaxes a few sweet notes from her instrument before the door to the music room crashes open to reveal a breathless Queen Généviève flanked by a posse of Mireille's ladies.

"You will never believe the news!" the Queen gushes, waving a fancy-looking parchment around in the air. Mireille gazes on her mother with impatience.

"It must be of some importance, if you have interrupted my lessons to tell me when you will be seeing me one hour hence for supper," the Princess replies, punctuating her words with discordant trills from the harp. Généviève frowns at the cacophony, which Christelle has joined, but even this cannot take away from her excitement.

"I simply could not wait! Oh, it is the most wonderful news! Mordalce has reinstated its Midsummer's Eve Ball, and Queen Bêtel has specially invited us to be the Guests of Honor! It will be your debut in royal society! Oh, it is like a dream! To debut there, in the court of the country with which we have desired an alliance for so long...and of course Prince Xavier will be there, and maybe--"

"How far off is it, Mother? How long do we have to prepare? Can I possibly be ready in time?" Mireille inquires demurely, knowing full well what a storm this will cause. She thoroughly enjoys frustrating her mother's excitements and making light of her problems, as this amuses everyone except the Queen and keeps her sane. Today, however, Queen Généviève's spirits cannot be dampened.

"Of course you will be ready! The ball will not take place until almost two months hence! Based on your progress so far, you will be more than ready by the time this momentous occasion actually occurs, and the Prince will be absolutely smitten with you. You will charm the Queen and her Advisers so that they will not hesitate to draw up the arrangements as quickly as possible, and then, my child, oh, the glorious things that await!" Mireille has heard quite enough.