A Peasant and A Princess

Chapter Two: Tea

I had an empty Saturday afternoon ahead of me. A rarity, as usually I had lessons, and tea parties, and trivially important affairs. However, the piano room had been directly below Louisa's room, which was still being cleaned and fixed. The only other piano in the house was in the parlour, where Mother was entertaining some friends.

My plans having been cancelled, I decided to pay a visit to Mallory Anne Huntson. I got up off my bed, put my book down on the nightstand, and walked out of my room.

"Guard," I addressed the man stationed outside my room. He looked towards me.

"How might I be of assistance, Your Highness?" He asked in a dull, lifeless voice. The guards were so boring. I suppose they had been trained that way, but I still wish not everyone who worked here was so dull.

"I wish to go out today. Alert my maid, and get someone to accompany me." I ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness."

I walked back into my room calmly, but quickly shut the door, and danced around the room. I was finally going to see Mallory again! I looked in my closet for something to wear. I didn't venture out into the city often, and when I did, it was usually for the Nationality Day parade. Those days I wore dresses with huge skirts, ruffles, and overall fanciness. Since I would be visiting a normal family, I didn't want to appear too imposing. I was, after all, thanking her. Eventually, I chose a large dress with a floral bodice that draped over the skirt. Something elegant and dignified, but not too attention grabbing. I looked at the dress for a bit, trying to decide whether or not I should attempt to pull it out of my closet. I had never tried to dress myself, but I had watched Jane dress me countless times. I was eager to get going, so I decided to try.

I began to look around for a petticoat that would fit the dress. I looked at the numerous petticoats of varying sizes, before realizing I had no idea which one would fit properly under the skirt of the dress. Did Jane even take out the petticoat first? Or did she take out a camisole? I tried to remember the order she dressed me in. After much thinking, I decided that I could try to undress myself first. It seemed like the most logical thing to do. Miss Edith would have scolded me for getting too far ahead of myself, as I so often did when I got excited. I looked down at my simple blue morning dress, before realizing that the buttons were at the back. I tried to reach my arms around to unbutton them. I felt one button at the tips of my fingers, and, grabbing hold of it, I fiddled with it for a bit before I felt the fabric fall off of the back of my neck. One button down.

When Jane got to my room, I had undone three buttons.

"What are you doing, Your Highness?" She asked, trying to hide the confusion in her voice, as to be polite.

"I'm undressing myself. I thought maybe I could speed up the process of getting dressed." I replied cheerfully. Her confusion was not going to ruin my excitement.

"I will be going out today, and I want to wear that dress." I pointed to the dress that lay on my bed.

Jane giggled a little, but quickly hid it. I suppose it was funny that I would take such initiative. She dressed me with all her usual steadiness and silence. Apparently the style of dress I was wearing did not only require a petticoat, but a cage as well, and a different style of petticoat to go over it, which she briefly left the room to fetch.

Although I would have preferred to wear the coat that Mallory had given me, Jane insisted that I wear my white coat with the pleated skirt, so that it would fit over my petticoats.

Once I was dressed, I got a small velvet pouch of money, tucked it into my coat pocket, and set out with two palace guards.

Well, I do surprise myself when I get two chapters done in one day. And this one is longer!