Solislunar

Chapter Six

I stay up the rest of the night, not trusting one of my other various sisters or cousins to try to attack me again. Father stays up with me for a bit, and we play cards, which I find Father is horrible at. We laugh at his massive losing streak before Mother comes in and tells Father he needs rest for some event happening tomorrow. "Goodnight, my lost Princess," Mother says, and leaves the room. Father squeezes my shoulder and follows Mother out. I yawn, but stay up, reading the assorted time-worn writings in the book cases filling my room. This world's literature is a stark contrast to my old world's. As new dawn light fills my room, a maid taps on the door, and comes in with things to light the hearth. "Apologies, Madam. I did not know you were awake. I was sent to light your furnace. Shall I send for the lady-in-waiting, to help you dress?" She asks, and I nod. She turns to go, and I stop her. "What is your name?" I ask, kindness in my voice. The girl shifts, her gaze flitting to the floor as she answered in a small voice, "Emma, Madame." A wince, almost as if she expected to be struck, but i reach into the pocket of my coat, which contains several coins Mother gave me before bed. "Here," I say, pressing the handful into her palm. Her eyes widen with surprise, but she closes her hand on the coins quickly. "Go fetch Elmira, please." I say, and she nods, darting from the room. I suspect she'll head to her chambers and stow her coins away before she fetches Elmira. 

She must have gotten Elmira first, because she walks back into my room, her wrist locked within Elmira's hand. "Please, let me go!" Emma says, and I touch Elmira's wrist, a silent command to release the poor girl. "I told you, I didn't steal those coppers!" Emma says, rubbing her wrists where a red ring shaped like Elmira's fingers wove around her slim arm. "Sorry, Madam. She was holding fifty coppers, and I was worried she had stolen it. I asked her where she  got it, and she said you gave them to her. I had to make sure." Elmira says, bowing her head. "No one has stolen anything from me. And no one shall ever steal from me. Next time, please consult me before you act." I say, placing my hand on Elmira's arm. Elmira bows, her body creaking faintly as she bends at the waist, her white-blonde hair falling into her eyes. "Yes, Madame." she says, and I sigh. Why can't they just treat me like a normal person? "Your father requested you, Madame. He wishes for you to accompany him on your trip." she says, heading to the door on the opposite side of my room from the main entrance. Here she threw wide the door, or rather double doors, as I realize there was another beside the first that blended with the wallpaper. Reaching in, Elmira grabs a blood red dress with black lace sleeves, illusion collar, and black leather corset. I gasp, and trail my fingers over the black ribbon tied at the top of the dress' collar. "Chenille, taffeta, and sheer organza. Queen's commission, for your birthday. But, she said to wear it now and make sure it fits. I used your measurements from the cell to create it." Elmira says, pushing me into another room - the dressing room? - and starts stripping me of my bedclothes. A plain white shift, underbust-style corset, and tight-fitting bodice. The dress, and combing. Soon, my face is covered in powders and paints, and my hair is knotted into an intricate butterfly braid. There's a light knock on my door. "Come in," I say, and Father steps through, Bask on one side, Flare on the other. "Well, don't you look lovely!" Bask says, throwing her arms around me, her deep green eyes shinning with elation. "Come, we must leave lest we be late."Father says, ushering me and Bask from the room. 

We go to a square, filled with bustling people. Everyone immediately notices Father and his entourage of heirs, and steps away. All but one girl, who towers over us. She's an ox of a woman, and a smaller version of her but in boy form shoves her off to the side. Bowing, he approaches. "My apologies, Your Highness! My cousin did not mean to offend you, or the new princess." He says, bowing again. "It's alright," I say, taking his hand. "It did not offend me, as I am sure my brother and sister, and even my Father, will agree. What is your name?" I add, and as he fights for words I take in his charcoal-colored hair, ink-black eyes, and pale skin. "H-Hock, Madame! I am forever in your debt for your forgiveness!" Hock says, bowing once more, and I stop him. "Please, don't treat me like anyone other then a friend, I do not truly know the ways of the Royal Family, and as such do not deserve to be treated like my brother or sisters." I say, and smile. Hock's face blanches, and a pink tinge creeps into his cheeks. "Go on without me, Father. I have a trusty guide now," I say, and Father looks doubtful. "If you hurt her, fae, I will hunt you down. Solis, take this, it will let me know if you have been harmed," Father says, placing a small agate stone, and I gasp. Back in the otherworld, these were rare. "Thank you, Father. I trust Hock will not harm me." I say, and Father nods, turning back towards his path. "So," A sneering voice behind me says. "You think because you're a royal, you can just waltz in here and steal my cousin? Highly doubtful!" I turn, and there's the tall girl, standing over me menacingly.