Blowing a Kiss to the Stars

Kept a Secret

Sucrose propped both of her pink, little elbows on the windowsill. She cupped her head in her hands, letting her long, translucent sleeves slide across the surface. She was wearing an outfit her personal maid had sewed on the day she arrived at Halcyon. The scent of pollen tickled her nose. "Ah-ah-choo!" Her fluffy animal ears flapped to the rhythm of her sneeze. She pulled them underneath her green hair, trying to keep them out-of-sight. Her personal maid was summoned by the sound of her sneeze.

Bang!

Her wooden door flew open. The ringed door latch rattled at the impact. Noelle rushed to her with a handkerchief. "Lady Sucrose! Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," sniffled Sucrose, backing away from the lace handkerchief that was being rubbed all over her face. When Noelle pulled her hair back, ready for a daily makeover, Sucrose noticed that there were colorful banners flapping over the stone turrets. Such a strange sight! The exterior of the castle was usually kept gray to ward thieves away from believing in the treasures held inside. She could see the dragon's tail run up the mountain from here.

A dragon died here long ago and the castle was built around it. Rhinedottir ordered the bones remain undisturbed, but some of the dragon's rib bones were incorporated into rooms. They served as marvelous pillars or storage shelves. Despite its many uses, the servants were not allowed to vandalize or carve the bones. Any who dared to violate this law was subject to a heavy fine. Though, no one could damage the bones even if they wanted to.

Sucrose asked, "Noelle, why are there flags today? Is there something important I've missed?"

Noelle answered, "Oh! Prince Albedo is meeting his bride today!"

"H-his bride?!" Sucrose's ears started flapping again. Why hadn't she heard anything about that? Had she been so distant from Albedo that he couldn't tell her? Her cheeks flushed as red as the flowers outside her windowsill. She sat on her bedsheets and clasped her hands. She answered as if nothing was wrong. "Oh."

Noelle had known Sucrose long enough to know that something was wrong. "M'lady, is there something wrong?"

"No, no. Nothing of the sort. I'm just happy that Albedo found someone he loved. Maybe I'll skip work today and buy her a gift!"

Noelle gasped, putting a hand over her mouth. "But you love your study sessions with Prince Albedo. We could go later, if you'd like."

"Yes, but..." Sucrose felt her chest tighten. She had to find an excuse out of this. What would his bride think if he was visiting another woman on the day he met her? She didn't want to disturb their time together. "I have much to do later on, so... Besides, his majesty wouldn't mind if I excurse one class."

"Alright, Lady Sucrose. I will tell him then."

"What? No, wait! Could it just be the two of us? Right now? I want to talk about it on our way to the market. I'm sure there's lots to know and too little time to discuss all of it. I need to know what the lady would like, and her hobbies. I want to know her favorite foods, and places I could show her. She might feel awfully lonely until she finds a new comfort zone. Do you know how she and Albedo met?" Sucrose pranced to her door, getting ready to open it.

Noelle would have blurted out all the answers to her questions, but was interrupted by the need to stop her. "Wait, Sucrose! Don't you think you're forgetting something?"

"Hm? My saddlebag?"

"No." Noelle pointed down at her waist.

Sucrose looked down. Her face turned red as the flowers outside her windowsill. "Yes, of course! I can't go out and soil this lacy nightgown you made for me!"

Noelle smiled. Sucrose was being thoughtful again. Maybe a bit too thoughtful. But then again, Noelle didn't know the balance between self-care and work. It was adorable watching the little lady cover her face and rush to her closet, while her ears flapped up and down like a bird's wings.

Sucrose started picking out an outfit. There was no way she would wear her nightgown anywhere outside of this room!