Black as Blood (Part Two)

Fraylon Fesses Up

“No, no. That one is just too… big,” Arianna said, wincing as the girl brushing her hair brushed a little too hard. “Sorry,” the girl whispered as a lady-in-waiting brought out another dress.

            A knock on the door.

            Arianna jerked in her chair. “Come in!”

            A soft creak and none other than the Queen stepped in. She had blonde hair in contrast to Arianna’s dark brown. Her eyes were just as blue, yet were more at the icy end of the spectrum. Penciled eyebrows always seemed to dip under her circlet. Her lip slimmed as soon as she saw the Princess slouched on the chair. “Better posture is important for a Princess. Chin up, hands off the chair arms,” she reprimanded on habit. Arianna blew a mental raspberry but still managed to sit up straight. Before she could say anything the Queen continued, “Arianna- I was just coming to ask you-well, is this necessary? You just came back and you still have so much catching up to do. Why go back to Baroke?”

            “Because I like the weather,” Arianna said, pasting a smile on her face, “It’s so sunny and warm there.”

            The Queen looked around the room for a chair to sit and finding none, sat very delicately on the bed. When she looked up her eyes were full of the annoying concern Arianna had to deal with almost every day. “Princess Arianna- I, I need to talk to you.”

            Oh, ho. Arianna thought. What now? She tried to look interested, but knew that this lecture was going to go through one ear and out the other.

            “You are nineteen, Princess. You are of age. I think now would be the time to start looking for a husband and the future King. I haven’t brought this up before only by the… King’s wishes. But I believe that your time has come.”

            A pause. Arianna was cringing internally. No. No. She’s not going there, she thought.

            The Queen looked pained. Her mouth opened then closed. She bit her lip. Then she looked at Arianna with pinched eyebrows, “Princess, are you interested in anyone? Perhaps…. Daemon?”

            Arianna said nothing.

            The Queen cleared her throat, “Or Fraylon? Is he nobility?”

            Fraylon? Arianna started laughing at the thought. “No.” she managed.

            The Queen looked frustrated. “Are you interested in anyone?”

            The lady-in-waiting wielding the dress smirked. Arianna gave her the stink eye. Don’t. You. Dare. She thought. The Queen caught the glance and jumped on the opportunity, “You do like someone? Would it be the Prince of Shanur? The Viking Prince? The Prince of Caimendur?”

            Arianna blushed, “Mother, please!”

            The Queen lowered her voice, “Is it someone in Baroke? Is that why you’re going back?”

            Arianna pretended to be very interested in her nails, “No. It’s just… they are to have a great ball at Baroke. I was hoping to go and practice my dancing.” She didn’t realize how weak and stupid it sounded until she said it.

            “Go all the way to Baroke for dancing?” The Queen asked, her voice getting shrilly. She laughed, a high, tinkling laugh. “Well, if the Princess of Grunde wants to go for a little ‘dance’ I’ll make sure she goes in proper style! Carriages, servants, dresses,” she tittered, “We’ll impress that special someone! If you are to leave tomorrow, I have to get started!” And with that, she was off in a whirlwind.