The Flower Crown Princess

Part 18

They didn't send an invitation. The letter we got was not from the king.

I furrow my brow. "My liege, I'm afraid I don't understand. Around a month ago King Finen received a letter from you, inviting me to your court for a short stay. Do you mean to say that it was not you who wrote it?"

"We received only the reply to a letter we hadn't written. You are welcome here, however unexpected your visit may be." The king stands and smiles kindly, but it's clear he is confused and perhaps worried. "We shall speak of this later, Princess. Your trunks have already been taken to your chambers."

A grey-clothed young woman drops a curtsy and beckons me to follow her. 

Once I'm alone in the room, I sit at the window and look out at the city. Leaning against the glass, I see only outlines and even those are blurred. After a long time, my fingers move to unlatch the window so I can see the city more clearly.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The feminine, familiar voice of Jennis startles me. "Sorry. I guess I didn't knock loudly enough. And don't open the window, the bugs in the evening are awful."

"There wasn't a single bug out when we arrived..." 

"There are now." She sighs. "You can open it if you want, I guess, but you'll have to do it later. King Arkhil wishes to speak with you."

"Of course." I step off the window seat and straighten my skirts. "Show me the way, would you? I'll take a few days to get used to the castle."

Jennis smiles her dimpled smile. "This way, please, Nivh."

I'm glad she's dropped my title. We feel more like friends now, instead of a princess and her lady- in- waiting.

We go down a starcase and turn left, heading to an ornately carved wooden door. Carved with a picture of the city, with every minute detail worked in, and every ripple of the lake shown, it's a wonder of artistry.

The door swings open at Jennis' knock. The king, queen and prince- my betrothed- are all inside the council room.

Small, but with a high, vaulted ceiling and colourful windows, the room is airy and bright. King Arkhil steps towards me.

"My liege," I say, dropping a deep curtsy and bowing my head.

"You may rise, Princess." His eyes are worried, but his face is calm and happy as he closes the great foor. "Be seated here, my lady." He himself holds out the chair for me. 

"Thank you," I murmur, gently sitting with a smile. Even in this strange and possibly dangerous time, the king is willing to pay attention to a princess not yet fourteen. If only every ruler were like King Arkhil! Instead, many are cruel and heartless, thinking only of their bellies and gold coins, and what pretty trinket to buy their latest mistress...

I stop with a jolt, realising just how much like a traitor I sound.

"The matter of your visit, Princess Nivh, is a serious one," begins the kings, interrupting my thoughts. I am glad for the distraction. "We received a letter from you- or, rather, your brother, King Finen- saying that you would arrive in three weeks' time, and that it would be a great honor. I sent a reply saying that of course the future queen of the lakes was welcome, but inquiring after the reason  to your visit. Did you or did you not receive this letter? We never received an answer."

His voice is firm, his stare direct. He looked steadily at me, but I know he isn't mad. "We never did," I reply with shaky surety. "My brother didn't say a word about it,, and I'm sure he would have if we'd gotten it."

I'm fairly sure... wouldn't Finen have said something of it?

"Who would have written the first letter?" asks the queen.

Arkhil leans back n his chair, his hand at his chin and his eyes lost in the distance.

"My queen, I myself have had experiences with rebels who wish to kill us. My being here is a trap- I'm sure they planned it out."

I've exposed them! My conscience feels light, like a huge yoke has been lifted from my shoulders.

The prince's face darkens. "I knew it, Father," he says. "I knew there were traitors in our midst! They're a danger to us, they must be executed for treason-"

"Asdagh, nobody's getting executed," snaps the queen. The prince rolls his eyes and sets his jaw firmly.

The first thing I've ever heard my future husband say is that he wants to execute people. What a lovely first impression.

"He's got a point, though," says the king, leaning forward and staring at some point in the distance, thinking. "We certainly won't just run amok chopping of potential traitors' heads- sorry, love," he says as his wife glares at him. "We can't execute people without solid proof first, and a confession."

"But after that, we have to," says Asdagh. "We have to set an example to the people!"

More desire for an execution? This was most definitely not what I had imagined in my betrothed!

"You might have to," I say as firmly as a fifteen- year old can, "but you don't want to make the impression that you'll put anyone you suspect to death. Show your people that you can give them a fair trial, and they'll respect you more than if you reign with an iron fist." Where did that come from? I'm not sure my father ever gave a fair trial in all his life, and Finen's not been king long enough to have held many trials. Of course, the few he has held were fairer than our father's.

Asdagh rolls his eyes and glares at the ground. He's acting like a four year old who didn't get a cookie, it's ridiculous!

"Well said, Princess," smiles the queen. I like her very much. She and the king look at me with a respect of sorts.

"The lady is right. But now that we've decided to hold trials and find the traitors, is there any specific persons that you-any of you- suspect?" Arkhil looks around.

Do I speak up now, or do I wait? I've said that there are rebels; do I dare expose their names? If it is made known that Princess Nivh was the cause of people's deaths, it would certainly make me an enemy, just another royal who cares only for themselves. I don't want to be that.

But they're a danger to me, to my birthright, to my people. This could lead to a bloody revolution that would never really solve anything.

Should I open my mouth to speak? Should I betray those who are close to me- Maridi, or Kell? I'd have to spend a long time without a proper coachman if Kell died...

I keep my head down and my mouth closed. I know that I'm supporting the cause of the Dawning. I'm not proud of that fact, but I can see that there will be other times.

Besides, I don't want to endanger my future of being queen. 

Another thought strikes me. Asdagh is to be king after Arkhil dies- which could be anywhere from next week to ten years. And from what I've seen, he will rule with an iron fist and a head that won't see reason. He'll drive himself mad with power; he won't listen to me, even if I am queen. 

Do I want to be his queen? Will I be resigned to a life of watching innocent people die from Asdagh's lust for complete and utter dominance?

"If there are no specifics yet, I'll conclude this council," states the king, standing. "You are dismissed." He turns to me as I stand. "My lady, you are looking rather pale- will you still join us tomorrow for a celebration of your arrival?"

I smile. "Of course I will. I'm sorry, I'm only uncomfortable with the idea of treason."

"Sundown tomorrow," he smiles. Then his expression fades. "I hope you'll be safe here. If your trip here truly is a trap, there is utmost need to be very, very careful."