The Mistress

Two

The castle was business as usual. Servants walked the halls, Queens attended their meetings and Kings met with army generals.

The sun was high in the Narnian sky when Ella made her way back through the palace gates. A group of guards circled around her along with her personal servant, Ingrid. They spent the morning in the market buying gowns and talking to merchants.

"Lady Arabella" Ingrid says, "I'll have your new gown hung in your chambers"

"Thank you" Ella nods, making her way up the palace stairs. "Don't forget to take your dress home as well"

Ingrid smiles, "Of course, my lady. I'll use the best hanger I have"

Ella grins, nodding as she walks through the doors. Guards greet her as she rounds the corner, on her way to her chambers to rest. But she is greeted by the smiling valiant queen instead.

"Lady Ella!" she greets excitedly "How was your morning in the city?"

"It was wonderful," Ella says, hugging the queen. "I bought a few new gowns. I thought I should buy some fancier ones since I'll be attending parties with the royal family more often."

Lucy laughs lightly, "Well sure! You must try them on for me!"

The two girls go to her chambers. Lucy sitting on her bed as she waited for Ella to come out with a gown on.

Ella steps out, her silver gown hugging her perfectly. It had lace around the bust and jewels sewn into the tool. It looked like a piece of art.

"Magnificent!" Lucy cheers, "Oh Ella, you are going to make a lord fall head over heels for you!"

Ella just laughs, "I'm afraid that isn't why I'm here, my queen"

Lucy waves her hand, dismissing it. "Of course not, but there are some beautiful men around here"

"What would your brothers say about you talking that way?" Ella jokes, eyebrow raised.

"They wouldn't have it" Lucy laughs, "That's why you need to find someone special, one of us should be courting. Aslan knows I'm not allowed to."

She smiles, looking in the mirror. "Perhaps"

A knock on the door interrupts the women. Ella calling them in.

"Lady Shyler, My Queen" The servant bows. "Lady Rose is requesting you in the library, Lady Arabella"

Ella nods. "Very well, thank you"

The servants nods, closing the door.

"Well" Lucy says, sliding off the bed. "We shall have to have a fashion show at a later time."

"We shall" Ella smiles, "Thank you for your time, my queen"

"We are friends, its what you do" Lucy says, "And please, since we are friends, call me Lucy"

Ella smiles, "I shall, Lucy"

Lucy grins, closing the door behind her.

Ella makes her way through the castle, but the halls all look the same. She'd only been there a day and the corridors confused her. After a while she sits down, frustrated. She didn't know where she was. She felt like she'd gone in circles.

"Are you feeling faint, Lady Arabella?"

Ella looks up, the high king walking to her. He had scrolls in his hands as he stopped in front of her questioningly.

"No, my king," She says, looking around. "I'm... lost"

Peter chuckles, "Where is it you need to go?"