The Unwanted Princess

An Uneasy Introduction

My goodness I didn't know what to do with myself, where to put my hands or place hurting feet. The dining hall was grand, fitting with a table too big for the family of three that lived here. A fireplace crackled on the back wall and the room was ambiently lit by candles scattered about the table. The ceiling was a beautiful array of architecture that cascaded down the walls until met with the ornate wallpaper.

I felt the nervousness in my bones, I only hoped it didn't show on my makeup caked face. My mother was as stoic as ever and my father seemed as unbothered as the next gentlemen. Everything felt surreal as the doors creaked open and waltzed in the King and Queen of Britain. They had daft smiles that didn't reach their eyes and stiff postures I almost mistaken with arthritis. Me and my parents stood on cue and gave out bows and curtsy of a warm greeting.

"Good evening, I thank you for making the trip to London," the Queen said plainly.

My mothers painfully grotesque grin spread across her face, "It is our pleasure to be here."

We all sat and, while we waited for the food, they spoke in low tones about frivolous things I couldn't bring myself to care about. Trade routes and farm lands. I was beyond bored until Queen Mary, I finally discovered what her name was, engaged me.

"My dear, you will be the one to wed my dearest Simon, If I am not mistaken?" her toothy and unemotional grin made my bones clatter beneath my skin.

"Yes, it wouldn't be my mother now would it?" I don't know what took over me to make such a joke, but it felt like I needed to break this suffocating ice we are all trapped under. The fireplace wasn't melting it and my mothers remarks were only making the sheet thicker. Not only that, but who asks something so obvious like that?

To my surprise, King Mattias, who I also learned the name of tonight, cracked a bit of a genuine smile. The Queen was not amused. "Obviously," she said with a flat and drawn out tone. "Anyways, let us discuss your role here at the castle. I would hope you have gone through some basic etiquette training and by heavens some at-home training..."

She was rambling on and on, bringing up anything to get under my skin. Though I didn't care much, my mother was the one who was drained of all the color in her skin. Not that she had any to begin with. The Queen's little retaliation for embarrassing her was slightly amusing at best. I tried my best to look offended so she felt like she had gotten proper revenge. I kept my eyes downcast and let my lips frown slightly. She seemed satisfied.

My father cleared his throat to interrupt this rude and one sided banter on my appearance, my speech, my behavior. "Your Majesties," he began with a steady voice, "I assure you, our daughter has been well-prepared for her new role. We have taken great care in her upbringing, and she is ready to meet all the expectations placed upon her."

The Queen raised an eyebrow but remained silent. The tension in the room was palpable, but King Mattias seemed more relaxed, perhaps even amused by the subtle clash of wills. I would laugh too if such scrutiny wasn't directed towards me.

As the first course was served, the conversation shifted to more neutral topics. The King asked about our journey, and my mother eagerly recounted every detail, her enthusiasm filling the awkward silences. I focused on the array of beef, mutton, veal, swan or goose, capon, conies, fruit, custard and fritters, manchet (small loaves of white bread), ale and wine on the table, which was exquisite, and tried to ignore the tight knot of anxiety in my stomach.

In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder where Prince Riley was. This dinner was so we could all meet, right? I was almost sad at his lack of appearance, but how sad could I really be about the man I was yet to even meet? Still, his absence felt like a shadow over the evening.