Men & Monsters

Princess Susan

"And here we are. Her Majesty's chambers." Casa stopped and turned on her heel as she stood beside a mighty door. Eira kept her head low, pulling her bonnet up over her head as far as she could when she graciously bowed to the young lady. Casa, as uptight and proper as she was, instructed the Green Folk on how to curtsey, as opposed to bowing, which was reserved for gentlemen. With a timid gulp she mimicked the maid, and with a cold, condescending grin, Casa wished her to best of luck and took off down the hall. Eira stood outside the door for a moment, reminded of the magnificence of its massive doors and towering frame, when she knocked on them softly. She couldn't help but wonder if anyone inside could even hear it.

"Come in darling!" Came a voice from the other side. With another gulp, Eira took the door's heavy handle and opened it, unsure of what to expect. The room was spacious and pampered with the best that royalty could afford, from the soft bed arrangements to the massive mirror at which the young princess sat before. A roaring fireplace kept the stone walls from making the room an ice-box, which Eira felt immediately upon entering the chamber. The stained-glass windows taking up much of one end of the chamber had all been pushed open, allowing pure light to pour into the room in radiating beams of light. Deep red curtains flanked the wall of windows on each side, as they themselves had been parted for the fresh breeze.

Princess Susan sat at her dresser, combing her fine golden hair with a melodic hum when she turned toward Eira. She set the brush on onto the beautifully carved drawer and stood up elegantly, her face a bit puzzled by the girl's entrance. She wore a deep purple dress, adorned with jewels and gold along her neck and waist that clanked with her movements, with flower-like frills spreading out at her wrists.

"I don't remember bringing with me a servant from home." She said. No matter how melodic her voice was, her words nearly made Eira panic as she inched back toward the door. Susan smiled. "You must be new. I am Princess Susan Gladview, sole heiress to the Gladview lands and fortune. I...understand it isn't customary to speak of such things, but what might my dear servant's name be?" Eira cleared her throat, intimidated by the very way Susan held herself, when she nodded.

"Tis Eira Your Majesty. Eira Aune."

"Eira Aune? How charming." Susan laughed in an utmost girlish manner. "Tis a good name Miss Aune." Eira smiled meekly.

"W-what is it that you would like for me to do Your Majesty?" Susan brought a hand up to her soft cheek, dragging her long, painted fingernails slowly down toward her chin, when she hummed softly.

"Let us see. My bed has been made, good work Eira. The windows have been opened to let the fresh air in. The fire made to perfection. Hmm...oh! May I see your hair?" The young woman spoke with an enthusiasm Eira couldn't help but admire, so despite Green Folk traditions, she pulled her bonnet down to reveal her light brown hair. "Oh I love the braided crown you have! Will you not do the same for me? After all, a princess certainly deserves a crown yes?" Eira swallowed again. What choice did she have? As she readjusted her bonnet back to her head, she nodded.

"O-of course Your Majesty."

"Lovely!" With an elegant spin the princess sat back down in her seat and looked toward the mirror when Eira approached her timidly. From her straight posture to the smile she had yet to see leave her face, the Green Folk could only imagine what the life of royalty was like, when her hands gently took two thick strands of hair just behind Susan's ears. Likewise, the princess closed her eyes and raised her nose slightly, when Eira did precisely what her mother had taught her since she was a child. "So tell me Eira, where is it that you come from? I questioned myself for a moment, but I am certain you aren't the maid I had in mind from home. As I've said darling, they said she would stay there, but you certainly don't hold yourself as the other maids I've seen here do." The Green Folk felt her heart race for a moment, but she remained collected. If anything positive came from this day, it was her ability to lie and make up stories. Her mother wouldn't be particularly proud.