The Nine Princesses Revised Edition (Volume One)

Chapter 32: Casting

"We have to talk about casting," Coralina said.

This caused an eruption of groans from the princesses. They seldom enjoyed the parts given to them for her theatricals, especially since Coralina kept the best roles for herself. But the plays were popular, brought in money, and gave the princesses a way to connect with the people of Runa. Not that it seemed to help much.

"I'm playing the Fair Maiden." Coralina read from a long sheet of parchment. She sat in her cushioned chair with her knees up and the paper propped against them. She had tied back her black curls with a violet ribbon and they bulged over the back of her chair.

"Of course you are." Heidel said in her seat by the bookcase. She had already resumed her summer habit of carrying a fan wherever she went, and used it now to cool her face. Maelyn didn't think the library felt warm, just crowded, with all nine princesses lounging on chairs and footstools.

"And I'm the bad one, right? You always make me the bad one," Heidel said.

"Yes. You're the gypsy," Coralina said. "You're the one who traps me in the tower."

Heidel smirked as if she liked that idea.

"Coco, can we do this later?" Maelyn asked. "We're supposed to be reading."

She had assembled her sisters for the Royal Reading Hour which had been neglected for two nights. Among many things decaying since the loss of—well, everyone—was the refinement of her sisters' minds. They needed to keep reading, keep learning, keep growing. They needed to stop finding ways to interrupt this hour.

"This will only take a minute," Coralina said with a petulant look. "Now... I have Jaedis and Shulay as the monsters in the tower."

"Oh please, I hate being the monsters!" Jaedis cried. "I want to be human this time!"

"Can't," Coralina said unsympathetically. "No other roles but the three knights. I have Kerrick down for First Knight, Gord for Third Knight, and unknown for Second Knight. I might ask Sir Brunner."

"I'll be Second Knight!" Jaedis said.

Coralina rolled her eyes. "I want a man."

"Story of her life," Heidel mumbled.

Coralina shot a murderous glare and continued. "Briette, you like stage work, right?"

Briette nodded.

"As usual, costumes are Lace, and Ivy does set design. Can you paint a burnt forest, Ivy?"

Ivy smiled. "I certainly can.

"We need Ari to let the audience in, and... Maelyn does nothing." Coralina faked a smile at her eldest sister. "You just watch."

"I'll be watching Uncle Jarrod," Maelyn said dryly. Four-and-a-half weeks until his visit. Much too soon. "Are you sure he'll like this, Coco? It seems a bit silly to me."

"Excuse me?" Coralina arched an eyebrow.

"It just does! I'm sorry. I think Uncle Jarrod would like something serious."

"Nobody likes a serous play," Coralina said as if speaking to a child. "People watch them to have fun, not to be depressed. Uncle Jarrod will love this, trust me."

Maelyn trusted Coralina like she trusted the Book Miser. That said, she usually put on a good show that seemed to please the audience. The peasants, in particular, loved her plays and showed up in droves to watch them.

Doom! Doom! Doom!

Arialain sighed loudly and rose from her chair. Barely a minute later, she returned.