The Nine Princesses Revised Edition (Volume One)

Chapter 79: Ugly

Coralina loved every second she spent on Maelyn's throne. Well... not every second. It got a little tedious sometimes. But this was right where she belonged. Above them all.

She couldn't give it much time today, however. The play was tonight. She hadn't planned to sit here at all, but Arialain had pestered her after breakfast about a small crowd waiting outside the castle. The early hour suggested it was probably old peasants with a list of petty grievances. The knights never came until after midday.

She was partly right. A few aged noblewomen had come up from Merridell to ask for the use of an empty building for the creation of what they called a 'healing house' for young women who'd been attacked by bandits. Coralina had never heard of such a thing. Uncertain how she should answer, she wrote down their request, figuring she'd consult Maelyn later.

"Just need to check some things first," she said to save her pride. To her relief, the women accepted this and left without further questions.

The next visitor was just what she feared, an old farmer who spent twenty minutes complaining about every one of his neighbors before asking her to intervene in a dispute over a shared road. Coralina sighed and said she'd look into the matter, though she had no intention of doing so.

Willow came next-thankfully! He presented his sister, who he introduced as Lady Maple of Grunwold. Coralina liked her looks. Pretty-without being too pretty-and dressed with taste and elegance. She complimented the play's script, which she claimed to have read twice.

"I'm so glad you liked it!" Coralina grinned. "And since your brother has a prominent role, you should be seated in the front row. I'll have Briette mark a place for you."

Maple smiled. "How kind. I'm very eager to watch the play. Willow told me you're playing the Fair Maiden?"

"I am."

"Well, if I may say... the part could not be more fitting for you."

Coralina's grin widened. What a sweet sister Willow had! She seldom liked girls her own age, but she liked this one. After a few minutes of pleasant conversation, he asked permission to introduce her to the other princesses. Coralina directed them to the ballroom, where most of her sisters would be setting up for the play. And where she would be, soon as this nonsense was over.

"Morning, my lady," said her next visitor and Coralina almost jumped at seeing Gord. She'd taken a moment to put her head down and fluff her curls, raking them over the back of her head. Hence, she wasn't prepared to find him standing in front of her when she flipped her hair back again.

"Oh!" Coralina covered her embarrassment by laughing. "I didn't hear you come in!" It always amazed her how quietly he moved. He had Pipsy beside him, and in her free hand she held Arialain's doll.

The doll made Coralina uneasy. She shouldn't bring that here, not with the way Arialain had been carrying on. She didn't want her upsetting Pipsy by taking it back. And possibly angering Gord.

"Came to make a suggestion," Gord said. "And check on how you're feeling, o'course. How's the foot?"

Coralina poked out her bandaged foot from beneath her skirt. "Hurts when I step on it. But not as much as yesterday. Would my hero be willing to help me down the steps?" She picked up the crutch Ivy had loaned her, but getting down the marble steps from the throne still felt treacherous.

Gord offered his hand, which Coralina clasped as she limped down each step. His hand never wobbled. The warmth of his fingers seemed to travel up her arm and into her bosom, giving her a feeling of security that only seemed to come from him. The sense of being right where she should be.