How To Train Your Princess

Settling In

Gobber led us to a far wing inside of the palace. Servants took our horses to a stable that was some where on the grounds. We stood in line for a while to receive clothes and our bunking arrangements.

Now I'm currently placing my new clothes in my wardrobe, listening to Ruff chat with the other two girls in our room. They are from the Upper Valley.

"So Heather, have you ever seen him?" Ruff presses the girl with dark hair and olive skin.

"I might have, but I wouldn't have known it if I did. He's not allowed out of the palace boundaries. People are allowed in though, but you either have to be invited by the king, work for him, or be a close friend." Heather responds.

"Why do you think they keep him cooped up all the time?" the other Upper Valley girl questions.

Her hair is board strait and reaches her butt and golden in color. She's covered in jewelry and is wearing a nice silk dress. The other girl girl's hair is tied in a side braid and is wearing a similar outfit to Ruff.

Heather shrugs. I shut the heavy, wooden wardrobe doors and flop down on my new bed for the next two months. 

"So, what's it like where you're from?" Ruff asks inching closer to Heather and the other girl.

I don't know much about the Upper Valley, seeing how I've never been there, but I've heard stories. The residents live in large houses that seem like small versions of the king's palace, with carriages to get around and fancy cloth to make the women's dresses and petty coats.

A knock on the door grabs our attention. A wide woman with reddish hair pulled into a tight bun opens the door. "Dining Hall in five minutes." she orders before slamming the door shut just as quickly as she had opened it. I blink a couple of times trying to register what was just told to me.

"I guess we should go ahead and make our way down there then?" Heather offers.

We all nod and shuffle out of our small room. A few other girls are already in the hall, so we follow their lead as to not get lost.

"What's your name?" the blond in my room asks.

"Astrid." I say holding out my hand for her to shake it. She curtsies instead, leaving me hanging.

"It's nice to meet you Astrid." she tells me.

"Right, um..." I mumble curtsying as well, more awkwardly than her, not used to performing the action. "Nice to meet you too." I add quickly.

"I'm Camicazi." she says when we straiten up. I obviously have a lot to learn in two months before the ball.

The Dining Hall is located in the center of the castle. Long tables take up most of the space with a walk way through the middle. I notice small figures walking down the East Wing of the palace. I'm guessing the king, his wife, and the prince are staying on that side while we are here. i squint trying to see if I can make out the shapes.

"Astrid, are you coming?" Camicazi asks placing a light hand on my shoulder pad. 

I look at her, making eye contact. "Yeah, sorry. I thought I saw something."

Fancy ceramic plates sit in front of us on top of place mats. a woman sets out glass tea cups next to each of us and eventually the main course. I stare at the full sized, roasted pig in the center of the table and all the bowls of soups around it. I've never seen such amazing looking food; my mouth watering at the sight in front of me.

The woman that opened our door earlier clanks a spoon to her cup gaining our attention. "Welcome ladies." she begins once the room is silent. "Before we start the meal, I want to inform you about tomorrow. I am Phlegma. I will be your teacher for the next two months. Training will commence at 5:30 a.m. You will report to the academy on the West Wing beside the chicken houses. You are not allowed in the East Wing. That is where the king and his family stay. If we find you on that side, you will report to detention. If you get in trouble again, you will miss the first two days of the ball. Get in trouble again, you will be sent home. Is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am." We answer monotoned. 

Dinner was delicious, but slow as we received all the rules and information about how things were going to go. Although, I was glad to be sent to bed with an overly full belly.

                                                                                                    ***

After tossing and turning nonstop, I decided to get up and walk around, hoping maybe that will make me sleepy. I pick up the candle on my nightstand, running my hand along the top searching for the box of matches. When I find it, I light the wick and put out the match flame quickly not wanting to wake the other girls. I tiptoe across the room and pull on the door, it slightly creaking as I do so. 

Small torches line the walls throughout the massive halls. I stop when I reach the Dining Hall. I stand in the center, peering at the full moon through the large windows that cover the back wall. I move forward to get a better look outside. I'm reaching out to stroke the long draperies when I hear a booming voice echo throughout the palace. I draw my hand back and spin around, afraid I've been caught. I scan the darkness, moving my eyes and the candle back and forth trying to see if anyone is there. I hear the voice again, but it's quieter and coming from the east side. I scamper down the isle of the Dining Hall, my bare feet making soft smacking noises on the tile floors.

Phlegma said we weren't allowed in the East Wing, but the voice is coming from barely inside the restricted area. I take a deep breath and continue down that path. I stop at a large study, the wooden doors slightly ajar. I lean back against the wall, my ear pressed against it trying to make out what the voice is saying. 

It most definitely belongs to a  man. i estimate it to be the king seeing how it didn't look like at dinner the servants weren't allowed in the East Wing either.

"This has to be done. You've waited long enough. You are eighteen. It's what's best for the kingdom. You are taking over as king after the ball. A wife is going to be your backbone. You may not think so now, but-" 

"Dad. Lining up girls and telling me to pick one is not how I want to find a wife. I want to marry for love." another voice cuts in.

My heart skips several beats realizing I'm listening in on an argument between the king and prince.

"You'll have a week to find love at the ball." the king counters.

"You know that's not what I mean. If you would let me past the palace boundaries, maybe I would have already found a wife. I want to explore. Meet people. How can I govern a kingdom if I can't get to know the people I'm governing? I wont be able to make the right decisions if I'm too naive to know about their troubles. I can't hide forever. I want to see the real world, not this fantasy I'm trapped in where everything seems perfect all the time. I know that's not it's not the truth. You can't protect me forever. I want to learn about the world, follow my dreams. Fall in love for real."

I suddenly feel sorry for him. The thought of being trapped and wanting something new. My pity form him so much more knowing how that feels. 

The prince shoots out of the room, running down the long corridor. I watch, trying to get a good look at him, but it's too dark.

"Son!" the king shouts after him, running into the hall. 

I dart around the corner, blowing out my candle as not to be seen. I peer around watching the dark figure that is the king, shoulders slouched forward in defeat. It's completely silent except for a clanking sound that seems to follow the prince as he disappears into the darkness. The king sighs and returns to his study, shutting the doors.

I let out a gust of air realizing I've been holding my breath. I decide to head back to my room to sort through what I've heard; where it's safe. I just hope I don't hear any mention in the morning about a blond headed girl in a white nightgown wondering around the castle last night.