The Swan Princess

Chapter 16: Talk the Talk

I am a dream come true.

Emilia braided my hair into an elaborate updo. I layered my dress in expensive chiffon, making me flounce like an heiress as I walk. My outfit is cinched at the waist, and flows out, making me look as ethereal and enchanting as I feel.

Turns out Princess Insun recovered, after all.

Emilia is currently painting rogue on my cheeks and lips, and I've never felt more pampered.

Today, I am the cosseted Princess Insun, ready to return to court.

"Any gossip about my absence?" I incline my head to Emilia.

"Well, some thought you run off. But given that we still saw the servants running in and out of your room, most thought that rumor was unlikely."

"I see," I answered, smiling.

Emilia finishes then, and moves on to powdering my face instead.

"Shall we surprise them with our presence?" I ask her.

"You shall." She looks up at me, a teasing expression on her face. "I, for one, need to pick up on Odette's slack."

"What a lazy bore," I agree, smiling in tandem.

"What do the other princesses usually do to occupy themselves during the day?"

"There's afternoon tea today, if you would like to join them."

****

The cobblestone walking paths of the palace gardens are lined with blooming wisteria. Fountain water trickles to my left, and chatter and gossip fill the air.

The golden dog sprawls out next to the table, and when I make eye contact, I swear it winks. Leaning down, I rub its belly while I assess the scene before me.

Elaborate trays are onto a long table filled with cakes, pastries, sliced meats, cheese, and fruit. Beside them, the nobles sit in high-backed, wrought-iron chairs. Servants mill through the foliage, filling glasses and restocking snack trays. Emilia brushes my shoulder encouragingly as she strides past me.

The queen, deep in conversation, has left the right-hand side chair open. With who I suspect may come later, I decide to ignore that one. The left side, however, remains open.

I slide into it, unannounced, and watch as conversation halts.

It's amazing, what a costume can do for your self confidence.

"Ladies," I purr. "Good to see you all again."

"Would you address the ladies first, and not your own queen?"

Heads spin in our direction. I meet the queen's piercing stare.

"We've already been introduced, haven't we?"

She's stunned silent. Then answers, "indeed." She sips her tea.

Is that approval in her eyes? Or distrust?

A tense silence fills our table as we stare at each other. Both of us are smiling, but not in a friendly way. I still remember her disapproval from the ball. Some things never change, it seems.

"It is good to see you out and about again, Princess Insun," the Hungarian princess, Edlyn, says. A peace offering.

"Of course, Princess Edlyn," I respond. Good. I like having allies.

"I would have thought you were dead, with how long you were gone," comes a voice from far down the table.

The dog, which has pranced over to sit beside me, growls.

I turn to see long, bleached white hair, my father's eyes, and the saccharine sweet smile that could only belong to my sister. Pity. I would have liked to be friends, but in one sentence alone, I know which parent she emulates.

"I would have been sick longer, but Prince Siegfried's most generous correspondence sped up my recovery."

There's a couple of hushed whispers to another and fake smiles thrown my way. Not only did they not know I was coming, but they failed to realize I've been actively engaging with their prince the whole time.

"Princess Insun," a young woman of the court started, "It is such a... surprise to see guests here from so far away."

"It is an honor to be here."

"I feel that everyone here is fascinated by you. The refugee, playing princess."

In the corner of my eye, I can see Princess Edlyn stiffen. The Queen, however, says nothing, and continues her watchful appraisal.

"We always thought, of course, that Prince Siegfried would prefer to marry a childhood friend, such as one of us." She gestures to the women sitting around her, who dressed in similar colors and styles. "Although perhaps he likes to... expand his horizons."

Edlyn and the other visiting princesses shift in their seats, most definitely uncomfortable. I would be too, if I actually needed to make a good impression. But since I'm not a real princess, and my revenge seduction target isn't here, I can be delightfully unhinged instead.

"One often needs to expand their horizons, when they are bored at home," I suggest, nonchalantly sipping tea. Much like the queen. A hear a bark that sounds suspiciously similar to a laugh behind me.

"Perhaps that was why he was so eager to dine with me last night," Odile nearly sings. Her teacup clatters on the saucer as she continues. "My estate may be far, but I believe I have captured the heart of someone very special close by." She smiles beautifically at the queen.

The queen remains impassive.

The other ladies look intrigued.

I, for one, am out of control.

"Who?" I ask.

Odile scowls, but smooths her expression to address the queen. "Queen Sera, I do believe the Rothbarts should get better acquainted with the crown."

The Queen returns her teacup to the table. "Queen, as I am, my son's destiny is his own."

"Indeed," a deep, sensual voice interrupts, and my prey walks into view. Smiling like that, he might as well have struck the other girls dead. Which makes it even more satisfying when he winks at me, and says, "my destiny has returned."

I blush.

The thump-thump-thump of the dog's tail wags in time to his approaching steps.

"My favorite bitch," he praises, and — before he can lean all the way down — he gets bit, hard, on the arm. He has to shake the beast off of him.

"Ow!" He jumps back.

"You deserved that," the Queen commented.

He rubs his wounded arm, looks spitefully at the dog, and then returns to gaze upon the crowd.

"My apologies, but I have such a busy schedule today..."

"It was lovely to see you, even for an instant!" Odile sputters. I hope I never get to being that level of desperate. Not even for Lukas.

"My regards to the ladies present," he nods at the crowd. "But, I do have a very important event scheduled, for which I will need use of this table." He focuses his gaze on me. His mother sighs.

"I will have to formally request all of you to leave. Princess Insun and I will start our date here, alone."