I Am Not Cinderella

Chapter 29

"Hold still Princess," Claude admonished Barrie as he helped her try on her armor.

Barrie gave an aggravated sigh and held her arms out.  Claude tugged on one of her sleeves and pulled on her waist.  He circled her before he stopped in front of her.  He nodded and smiled up at her. 

"It fits.  Make sure that you have Grekken help you bind your breasts.  The tighter they are the less people will notice that they are there."

Barrie looked down at her bosom.  "I don't think people will notice them anyway.  They're so small."

Claude chuckled.  "You will find a man who enjoys that part of you one day Princess."

Barrie blushed and turned to look in the mirror.  Her armor was some that Claude had bribed one of the blacksmiths to make.  It was serviceable and plain.  Barrie liked it because it fit right and didn't restrict her movements.  Barrie would have to braid her hair and stuff it up into her helmet to keep it from giving her away.  She also planned on dirtying her face with some soot.  Barrie shifted her shoulders and did a couple of deep knee bends.  She jumped and lunged before she stood up with a smile.

"I like it Claude.  It's light yet strong and it'll protect me."

Claude nodded before he cautioned her.  "A sword will still bite even though you wear armor.  You might not get cut, but you'll get bruises and some broken bones."

Barrie met Claude's eyes and spoke boldly.  "I am not afraid of getting injured."

"What are you afraid of Princess?"

Barrie looked out the window to the stormy sky beyond.  "I'm afraid of being forced to act against my nature.  To being made to act a certain way and to be molded into nothing more than a trophy."

Claude shook his head slowly as he stepped forward and took her left hand in both of his.  "You are too strong willed for that to happen Princess.  Stay true to yourself and let no one sway you.  Keep to your own council and stay on target.  Surround yourself with people who you trust.  That is what makes a strong leader."

Barrie smiled and surprised both of them by hugging Claude.  She hugged him hard before she stepped back.  Claude looked embarrassed and shuffled his feet on the floor.  Barrie giggled and place a hand gently on Claude's shoulder.  Claude met her gaze as he reached up and covered her hand with his. 

"You have been more of a father to me than my own.  You have treated my mother with respect and love.  I hope to one day to experience the love my mother has for you.  One day I wish a man would look at me the way you look at my mother.  I would be proud to call you father."

Claude cleared his throat and rubbed at his eye.  His voice was gruff with emotion as he spoke.  "I would be honored to call you daughter.  I am the lucky one to have found someone like your mother."

Barrie grinned and hugged him again.  She pulled back with a wishful sigh and tugged at her chain mail.  "Can you please help me back out of this?  Knowing my luck, the Queen will decide to stop by and catch me dressed up like this.  She can get riled up real good and I'd hate for her to ruin my plans of becoming a Warrior Queen."

Claude laughed softly as he stepped forward and began loosening ties and removing the light armor.  "Don't worry Princess.  Grekken is busy keeping the Queen busy."

"How is she keeping the Queen busy?"

Claude gave Barrie a wicked grin.  "She hired one of the castle urchins to steal the Queen's favorite necklace.  They are busy chasing the urchin all over the castle and have all of the guards scattered looking for the urchin."

Barrie couldn't help but laugh.  "I hope the urchin won't get caught and punished."

Claude shook his head.  "Nah,this urchin is one that has made it a goal to cause trouble within the castle.  He'll be fine and he promised to return the Queen's necklace to Grekken later tonight."

Silence descended on the room as Barrie and Claude heard shouting and running feet in the hallway.  It sounded like a stampede as guards shouted and they could hear a young boy taunting the guards.  The commotion soon faded.  Barrie looked at Claude and burst out laughing.  Claude chuckled along with her.  Barrie made a mental note to ask her Mother about the chase later tonight when she came to tend to her.

Once Barrie was free of her armor, Claude helped her hide it in the bottom of a chest.  Claude left through the secret passageway and Barrie stripped down and took a sponge bath.  She gave a warble of pleasure at the feeling of the cool water against her skin.  Barrie preferred the rougher sponges to bathe with.  They seemed to last lot better than the soft sponges.  Barrie dried off and wrapped herself in an embroidered robe and took a seat at her newly installed sand table.  She began writing and drawing in the sand with her finger.  Battle formations and fighting tactics formed beneath her finger. 

Barrie sat back and rubbed at her aching neck.  She stretched and gave a huge yawn.  The sand table was filled with drawings and writing.  Barrie's eyes blurred as she looked at the table.  She rubbed her eyes before she wiped the sand table clean.  The first tournament was to be held tomorrow.  So far a dozen suitors had shown up, but Barrie knew that number would be higher tomorrow.  She had to do her best.  No way would she get defeated on the first day of fighting. 

She planned on winning.  She couldn't afford to lose.