The Secret of the Seven Princesses

Secrets Chapter 11

The proclamation was sent out the next morning and set tongues wagging across the countryside, of the curious kingdom where the hand of a royal daughter was to be offered simply for solving a riddle. Men of all ranks and walks of life expressed interest in trying their hand at cracking the puzzle of the princesses of Kyoria, but the repercussions for failure seemed too great for many to risk. Kyorians of lower social status—though having the greatest incentives for trying to elevate themselves—were discouraged from the contest by the threat of banishment from their homeland and the fear of destitution in a foreign land, not only for them but also for their parents, siblings, and other dependents. Meanwhile, those from neighboring kingdoms were prevented from entering the contest merely through lack of funds and provisions that would enable them to travel. Therefore, one could conclude that, though the contest was offered to any man willing and able, the only ones who would take such a gamble were noblemen who had little to lose, everything to gain, plenty of time on their hands, and the arrogance to believe that outsmarting seven females would be a walk in the park.

These considerations, as explained by Cliodne to all of her sisters, did little in easing Thaleia's mind. She lived in constant apprehension that the next moment would bring an ominous knock announcing the arrival of the first blockhead with the gall to seek to win the hand of a princess. Her preoccupation with the prince contest took its toll on her usual activities; her swordplay suffered drastically and she fell from her horse for the first time in years. She almost began to wish that the first contestant would appear already, if only to end this insufferable limbo.

Her dubious wish was granted before she had time to regret it. Prince Tavle of Auchlin, the younger son of the ruler to the north, presented himself to King Gustave within a week of the ruler's proclamation, apologizing for his delay and attributing it to his need to collect a suitable retinue and hire a capable guide to read the maps.

Fortunately for Thaleia, she was able to keep out of Tavle's sight until the dinner hour due to her wide repertoire of convenient hiding places around the stables and adjoining fields. Cliodne and Eurielle were not so lucky, however. As Thaleia entered the dining room and took her seat, fixedly avoiding looking at the bejeweled person sitting to Gustave's left, she took note of the badly suppressed look of disgust on Cliodne's face.

Eurielle, leaning across the table, hissed wryly, "You just wait!"

Thaleia did not know what it was she was supposed to be waiting for. The room was relatively quiet, with only the clinks of silverware and the sounds of gazpacho being slurped from their spoons. Aside from being rather more elaborately dressed than anyone else sitting at the table, there was nothing particularly odd or offensive about Prince Tavle. It seemed as though he would give them no other incentive to hate him than simply being the first guinea pig to jump at their father's invitation.

And then he opened his mouth. Perhaps he felt that the silence was rather oppressive. Maybe he was accustomed to more stimulating conversation. Or maybe he just liked to hear the sound of his own voice. At any rate, Prince Tavle felt the need to remark to the princesses at large:

"During the tour of the castle, your benevolent father was magnanimous enough to show me your most excellent library. Might I ask whether you often have occasion to make use of it?"

Thaleia did not feel herself equal to match his formal language; her hesitation was obviously shared by several of her sisters, as they all looked expectantly at the three eldest for a response.

"Indeed, sir," Eralie responded softly, daintily wiping her mouth with her napkin. "We all make use of the library and its resources almost daily. If you should wish to find a particular book yourself, my sister Callia would be most equipped to assist you, as she is best acquainted with the room's layout and literature."