The Crown Princess

Chapter Five

Tears rolled down Lilianna’s cheeks as she sat on her bed—a place she was beginning to get very familiar with.  Chandler had been assigned to keep watch on her for the rest of the day by his head officer, so sat with her.  He was staring at the ground, unsure of what to say.  Lilianna had begged hysterically for him to leave, but he couldn’t defy his orders, or so he said.  Lilianna suspected that he was staying for other reasons, but she was too tired and too upset to ponder them. 

“My father told your father that something like this would happen,” said Chandler in a low voice.  He was still looking at the floor, his expression hard.

“What did he say?” Lilianna asked, her voice quivering. 

“Oh, just that eventually the queen would favor one child over the other.  The queen’s heart isn’t big enough for two anymore.”

“I should have seen it coming,” said the princess bitterly.

“Me too.  When the prince came, she didn’t even mention you.”

Lilianna peered over at her friend, “wait, so the prince doesn’t even know that I exist?”

Chandler raised a brow, “gee, I guess not…man, I knew this was a bad idea.”

            Lilianna wasn’t surprised.  It was just like her mother to pull a stunt like this.  Pretend that her heathen daughter didn’t exist until the distinguished individuals left the castle.  In fact, it’d happened before, when the king of Sira visited two years earlier.

“I suppose I don’t really care,” said Lilianna with a sigh, “is it really that important that I see the prince anyways?  Certainly there will be other parties.  So what if the prince thinks that there is only Addison?”

Chandler made a strange sound. “It’ll matter eventually,” he muttered. 

            Lilianna got up off of her bed to look out her window.  The Eldowinians had begun to move their chariots to the back meadow to set up camp.  With all of the people who were coming to the palace for the princesses’ birthday, there wasn’t enough room for everyone inside.  She noticed that the people of Eldowin looked a lot different from the people of Brumont.  People of Brumont had distinctive characteristics, such as big eyes, pointed ears (to some extent), and thick accents that sounded like they were singing with every word they spoke.  The people of Eldowin were characteristically tall.  Most of their hair was either red or strawberry blond, and their eyes were slanted slightly.  Their accents made them sound plain and monotone, yet with some sort of quality that was intriguing.  She could have watched and listened for hours, but it was beginning to get dark outside.

            There was a knock at the door, and Chandler answered it.  Lilianna didn’t even look to see who it was.  When the door shut again, Chandler called, “special delivery, your highness.”

“Don’t call me that,” said Lilianna, glancing at him, “I hate that name.”  She saw that he was carrying a tray of food.  Curious, she joined him on the bed again.  He set the tray down in front of her.  “Dinner in bed?” she said, picking up an apple, “why?”

Chandler held out an envelope for her, and she grabbed it.

“This was also at the door for you.  It came from your mother, I believe.”

Lilianna tore open the letter and unfolded it.  She skimmed it and sighed.

“What does it say?”  Chandler asked.

Lilianna cleared her throat, and read:

“Dearest Princess Lilianna,

            I have recently learned from your sister that you got into a disagreement with Lyle Sumner last week.  I also found that Ashby Sumner was locked in your room for several hours today.  I am completely appalled of your behavior, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.  I regret that I must inform you that due to your actions, you are not permitted to attend the feast this evening.  I have sent you your dinner, and also a new rule.  You are no longer allowed to see Prince Emory, for his own safety, until further notice.