The Flower Crown Princess

Part 17

I make up my mind then and there to turn them in. The little maid's words cemented my resolve; they scared me beyond belief. Of course, I'm so tired now... My mind wants to wait for morning, when there will be light to chase away the darkness and fear I feel. I have never been more scared in my life- in all the fifteen years I've experienced.

My heart is beating like a cornered rabbit's. I turn towards the food that I have no appetite for. As much as I want to believe otherwise, I'm terrified that it was poisoned or something of the like. Traitors are all around me- would anybody have cared? I am the next generation of monarchy- do they see me as a threat?

Of course they do, Nivh.

I don't touch the food. I put it out the window- or part of it at least, to make it seem like I've eaten something. Then I change into my nightdress and get into the bed.

The room is so huge and so empty, even for all the luxurious furniture it holds. Something doesn't feel right in this castle- it's a feeling akin to when you're about to do something you know you shouldn't. A strange echo of danger pervades every tapestry, but somehow I fall asleep.

I wake up to the gray light of predawn shining through a crack in the drapery eastward, then I open them further. It's lighter than I thought it would be, with pink and orange clouds bright over the rippling grey lake. Already smoke rises from chimneys in the city, already boats sit buoyant on the wide lake.

A knock comes at my door. I jump, my reverie interrupted.

A middle- aged woman comes in. She curtsies. "Your highness," she begins. "Your presence is expected for breakfast in a half- hour." Pushing a blonde curl behind her ear, she closes the door behind her, going to my trunks. She pulls out a red gown and leaves with a small, seemingly genuine smile on her face. Am I seeing such evil everywhere? I can't imagine everybody I meet is a traitor, but all the evidence I have suggests it's so...

I dress myself, missing the maids I had at home, back in the hills. I have my two ladies, yes, but they aren't really servants- they never truly were- but companions, friends. Have they no servants here to help me? It's certainly lucky that our dresses are one piece and relatively easy to lace up the front. Except, of course, that today's dress laces up the back.

Somehow I manage to tie it up. The back of the gown will be covered by a cloak most of the day anyways. It's almost as if we weren't expected...

I don't see my hairbrush, but my hair is still braided, pinned up even. I comb the front back with my fingers and put on my headscarf. Only the front few inches of my hair will show anyways. I'll have to make do without pinning it on. What I'd do for a maid!

Another knock. The door opens to the woman again, peeking in. "Are you ready, Your Highness?"

"I believe so," I reply. The door opens wider and the servant gestures towards the right.

"This way, please." Her pale blue eyes take in my long and flowing dress, so different from the layered creations that are worn in the lakes. Has she never seen a headscarf before?

She blinks and takes her eyes away, leading me to a flight of stairs. Jennis and Lisbet stand at the top of it.

"How long have you been waiting on me?" I ask, worried that I've held things up for a long time.

"We've both only just gotten here, don't worry," says Jennis

"We're not even expected for another five minutes," adds Lisbet.

Jennis' dark blue eyes go wide. "Well, let's hurry up then! It's a fairly long walk to the eating hall from here." She lifts the hem of her yellow skirt and starts down the stairway. Lisbet and I follow her.