Princess Academy By Shannon Hale

Chapter 19

She put a wedge beside my heart
And then she brought the mallet down
She sang no song to guide her work
I lost my heart without a sound

  The next morning, Miri scarcely spoke. She sat by the window and listened to the swells and whispers of conversation that filled their bedchamber like wind fills a chimney. Other girls had held private talks with the prince after Miri, and they exchanged details, how polite he was, how handsome. Others complained that he was distant and plain.

"He was kind," said Esa, "but I don't know yet if I'd want to marry him. I hope we get more chances to talk over the next few days."

"I don't need to know him any more," said Bena, yawning without bothering to cover her mouth. The prince had led her through one dance and not spoken to her again. "I thought princes were supposed to be more interesting than other boys, but he was as boring as watered-down porridge."

"I thought he was nice," said Liana. Bena glared at her, and Miri wondered if the friendship would survive their first disagreement. Knut served them breakfast in their bedchamber. Britta was feeling much better, and she sat up and ate.

"Tell me what you thought of the prince," she said to Miri.

"Nice," said Miri. "At first I was awed by him,- then I thought he was dull and a little rude. But he was just nervous. I like him pretty well."

Britta leaned in and whispered so the other girls could not hear, "Did he ask you . . . ?"

  Miri shook her head and whispered back, "But he said he liked me best of all the girls he danced with." She shut her eyes tight to hide from the thought before she could blush.

"Of course he did!" said Britta.

"If he liked me best," Miri whispered, "do you think that means . . . ?"

  Olana entered then, letting the bedchamber door slam behind her, and Miri wondered what they could have done to upset her already that morning. "The chief delegate would like to address you," said Olana. "Stand properly, never mind your beds. If you haven't smoothed your blankets, it's too late now. Head up, Gerti. Not so high, Katar. You look like a soldier."

  She opened the door to admit the chief delegate.
He glanced around the room without seeming to see the girls, though Miri thought his gaze paused for a moment on her face. She curled her toes in her boots.

"Prince Steffan bade me greet you this morning and convey the pleasure he took in your company last night. He had high praise for this academy and compliments for the quality of young ladies on Mount Eskel."

Some of the girls giggled. Miri felt frozen by the anticipation of what he would say next.

"However," said the chief delegate, and with that one word Miri felt all her self-confidence drain from her like the cold feeling she sometimes got by standing up too fast.

"However, the prince regrets that he must return to Asland today. He will revisit soon to make his choice."

In the shocked silence, Miri could hear a horse neigh a long way off.

"But it could snow very soon, maybe next week or the next," said Katar, barely above a whisper. "Then you couldn't get back up the pass until spring."

"Then the prince will return in spring," said the chief delegate.

  He adjusted his collar, which appeared to be pinching his neck uncomfortably, bowed, and took his leave. Only a handful of girls recollected themselves enough to curtsy in return. Miri was not one of them. As soon as the door shut, conversation moaned all over the room. The sound of it reminded Miri of one of the songs the musicians had played the night before. It had been a sad song, and the instruments had creaked and wailed disappointment.