The Blue Bird

Chapter One

Sibeta's excited squeals interrupted my music practice.

"Prince Hector is coming to court!" She screamed.

I had never met him, but I knew Prince Hector to be the heir to the throne of Lansola, the larger and more powerful kingdom to the East of ours. Rumours of his charm and good looks had been circling for years. A recent rumour insisted that he was now looking to marry.

I sighed and put down my harp.

Now there would be no peace. Just yesterday, my father had summoned us to his throne room and informed us that, as we were both of marriageable age, it was time to start looking for suiters.

Dina had piped up and explained that, because Sibeta was a few months older than me, she would get 'first pick'. This was fine by me, sixteen is far to young to be thinking about marriage, in my opinion.

"I'm sure he's incredibly handsome!" Sibeta continued her squealing. "And stupidly rich! Mama!"

"Yes, dearest?" Dina answered.

"None of my clothes are good enough! I need a completely new wardrobe!" She demanded.

"Of course, my angel! I shall order twenty gowns made of the finest silk." Dina cooed.

Sibeta burst into my sanctuary. "Did you hear?"

"It was hard not to!" I tried to echo her excitement.

"Prince Hector is coming! We shall surely be married within the month!" She swooned.

"Congratulations!" I smiled politely.

"I'm getting a whole new wardrobe! I'm going to look so much prettier than you!" She grinned.

I kept the smile plastered on my face. Sometimes I wonder if my step-sister is actively trying to hurt my feelings or if she really doesn't realise I actually have them.

"What will you wear? Tell me you're not planning on wearing that horrible old dress of your mother's." She paused, then grinned. "On second thought - wear it. You'll make me stand out so much more."

She breezed out of my room without another word. I was planning to wear my mother's old dress, I loved that old thing, I felt like it brought out my blue eyes. But it would require mending. Last time I wore it, I stood too close to the fire and singed it.

I could already hear the frantic scrambling of servants trying to get the castle in order. There was only one place that offered me the quiet I desired. I collected my harp and my music and was about to head towards the tower when Dina glided in to my room.

"I'm sure you've heard about our esteemed guest. He'll be arriving any day now." She said coolly.

"Yes. Sibeta was just telling me about it." It took all my restraint not to shuffle nervously. I'm not really sure why she makes me so uneasy.

"You'll be sure to stay out of her way this time, I trust." She glared.

"I'm not sure what you mean." I tried not to frown.

"Don't play innocent with me, child. And don't think your behaviour with Prince Percival went unnoticed."

"What, Percy?" I asked, surprised. "We've been friends since childhood. How was my behaviour inappropriate?"

"Don't you sass me, girl. I've half a mind to lock you up until the wedding is over." Her glare darkened.

"Look, if you want me to stay out of sight during the visit, that's absolutely fine by me, I have no interest in faking niceties anyway. But don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself with this whole 'wedding' business? I mean, you can't force the man to propose if he doesn't want to." I said.