Regent Witch

Chapter Two

"Lady Sasha, are you listening?" Madam Crowley snapped, as she thwacked the rod on the table.

The princess bounced from her desk, returning to reality. She turned forward and met her tutor's cross expression. The old crone was at the period of her life where no amount of makeup or powder could hide her age. Thick bags were sagged under her eyes, while wrinkles drooped on her cheeks. Her hair looked like a dusty bundle of thread.

"Sorry madam, I was distracted," Sasha apologized, as she looked down at her desk.

Madam Crowley's expression softly changed, as she hid the rod behind her back. "My dear child," she began. "Perhaps you need to spend some time off your lessons."

"N-no, that won't be necessary," Sasha replied, sounding as if she were just threatened. "It's just that..."

"My child, you lost your father recently," Madam Crowley said, as she began packing her belongings. "It is only natural for you to be lost, in such a time. I shall postpone my lectures and return next week, instead. For now, relax and collect yourself."

Sasha didn't say a thing at first. She stared at her twiddling thumbs and then finally replied, "Thank you."

Having packed everything, Madam Crowley gave a low bow and exited the room. Sasha took a deep breath and stared at the window. It was a cloudless morning. The sun shined brightly in the air, pouring warm light upon the kingdom. Despite the warm and sunny climate, everything still felt cold and dim.

Just a few days ago, King Frederick Argos XIII, her father, had passed away from a grave illness. He was a brilliant man, a beloved king and a great father. Ever since her mother had passed away when she was just a child, her father had taken care of her. As king, he was buried with responsibilities, yet he always had time to be the parent she needed. He was always there for her, but now he was gone.

Sasha glared at her vague reflection on the window, recalling all the times she had spent with her father, from the earliest to the most recent. Not everything was filled with smiles and laughter, but even the bad memories brought some sense of comfort.

Her sapphire eyes began to water, as memories ran past her like a sudden flash of lightning. Before any actual tears were shed, a sweet voice called out.

"Lady Sasha, are you in here?"

Wiping her eyes, the princess turned to the door. A maiden, old enough to be her mother peaked by the door, only to enter upon being noticed. It was Rosemary, her lady-in-waiting. She was a rather homely looking creature in a navy dress. Her hazelnut hair was tied back to a knot and her irises were like beads of jade.

"Rosemary," Sasha addressed, swallowing her emotions before continuing. "What brings you here?"

"I just noticed Madam Crowley leave earlier than usual," Rosemary answered, approaching her lady. "Is everything all right? You're looking rather flushed."

"I'm fine," Sasha lied, as she brushed back her golden hair. Her tone immediately betrayed her words. "Madam Crowley had urgent business to take care of, so I permitted her to take some time off. My lessons for the week have been postponed. Great, isn't it?"

Rosemary gave her mistress a gleaming eye of doubt. "Is that really what happened?" she asked, as she crossed her arms.

"Of course it is," Sasha replied, as she stood from her desk and stretched. "It's a good thing too. I could use some time to relax."

"If you say so," Rosemary said. She kept her tongue still, despite not being convinced. "So... now that you are free, what would you like to do?"

"A walk around the garden would be a good start," Sasha replied, as she picked herself up.