The Flower Crown Princess

Part 20

The king's head lifts, his eyes serious and his face stony. "Tell me," he says shortly. For all of the smile lines on his face, he is intimidating in the moment that I stand there. 

My mouth opens- the words come, they tumble out in tangled threads. "A servant girl in Tuanc Castle- ask Lady Maren for her name. Dark hair and eyes, can't be older than fourteen. Then there's a woman in the hills, and my coachman. I know these for certain."

"Your coachman? The one who is accompanying you here? He is in my castle?"

I drop my chin in a brief nod. "Yes, sire."

The king shuffles some paper on his desk around, picking up a quill and sheet of paper. Dipping the tip of the bright peacock quill into the jet ink, he scratches my words on the surface.

"And one more,  Your Highness." My voice catches. "Queen Maridi. My brother's wife."

His quill catches and he stops, looking at me. "You're certain?"

I dip my chin in a nod, shaking from headscarf to slippers. "I am completely certain of it, King Arkhil."

He lets a blot of ink splash onto the parchment, his hands stone- still. "I heard she was a feisty one, and that she put up quite the fight to be married. Does that really constitute an accusation of treason, though, my lady?"

"That alone does not. She explicitly has told me about this group." I've gained a bit of confidence. I stand straighter and speak more strongly now.

"Why in the world would she do that? You may have spoken wise words earlier, Princess, but I believe you do not speak the truth." He sets the inked quill down, unintentionally leaving a blot of black on Kell's name. 

"She was trying to get me to join her.  She wanted me to join a revolution." My confidence wavers again.

"So she gave you information on this society? Didn't you join them?"

My fists clench my skirt. "If I had, sire, would I be betraying those who are also in the society?"

"I cannot guess your motives, Princess."

My brows knit as I stare at him, jotting down black letters on the paper. "Please, sire, don't you believe me?" I begin to lower myself to pleading.

He does not answer.

I walk closer to him. The king looks up at me with an annoyed glare but I do not pay attention.

"King Arkhil, please. I would not lie to you, not on my honor as a princess. The lakes are to be mine just as they are yours now. When I gave you those names, or those faces, I was trying to safeguard my country- both the hills of my birth and these lakes that I will gain in marriage. I do not want to see my people hurt, nor these lands." My eyesight wavers, my vision swimming in a single tear that cascades gently down my cheek. "Believe me, my lord, or all of my visit here will be for naught."

King Arkhil's face has softened. For one long, excruciating moment, we look into one another- the old king and the young princess- waiting for the other to answer. 

A small sparkle ignites in the wise eyes.

"I have a plan," he breathes. "Do you trust me?"

*****

The ball comes too fast. After the noon meal, Jennis and Lisbet hurry me to my rooms and close the door.

"I've got five hours to get ready, remember?" I question as they lead me to the closet.

"It'll take five hours," replies Jennis with surety. 

"Close your eyes," squeals Lisbet with excitement.