The Blue Bird

Chapter Three

"It's out of the question!" Dina's voice was rising above what was regarded as acceptable. "Hana cannot be married before Sibeta."

"It is true." My father nodded. "I promised my wife that Sibeta would be married first."

"I am happy to honour that." Prince Hector said courteously. "And I am happy to wait."

He bowed and took his leave. Once he was out of earshot Sibeta stamped her foot.

"He was supposed to be my prince." She hissed, taking angry steps towards me.

"I didn't know!" I took a few steps backwards. "We only danced! I didn't know he was the prince!"

"Oh really?" Dina rose from her throne. "You never heard of Prince Hector's love for hiding his true identity on his first night in a new palace?"

"N-no, of course not!" I stammered. "But Sibeta certainly didn't do herself any favours by being so rude to everyone not dressed like a prince last night."

I slapped my hands to my mouth, wishing I could catch my foolish words before I uttered them. Dina stood over me with a murderous look in her eyes. She glanced sideways at my father, then her expression went calm.

"I've heard enough on the matter, my love, have you?" She turned to my father.

"Yes. You may go now, Hana." He said.

I bowed and turned away. The parting look Dina gave me made it clear that this wasn't over.

Prince Hector was waiting for me outside.

"Did I get you in some kind of trouble?" He asked sheepishly.

"Nothing I can't handle." I smiled. "That was a sneaky move you pulled last night, though."

He nodded. "I find that how well people treat someone lower on the social hierarchy is a greater measure of character than how well they treat a prince."

My smile grew wider. "I like that."

"I like to think of it as a test." He said, stepping closer. "You were the first princess to pass."

"Really?" This surprised me, I would have thought royalty would be better at treating their people well. After all, they make our lives so much more bearable.

He smiled and tilted his head to the side. "I hope you didn't find my proposal too forward. I don't believe in rushing these things but my father has been on my case about securing a suitable wife, and you have been the only marriage prospect so far who hasn't filled me with an incredible dread. But, if you're not interested, I will - of course - respect that."

"I..." I stammered. "I didn't realise I had a choice in the matter...or just about any matter."

"Well." He reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes. "You certainly have a choice in this. I have no desire to marry anyone against their will."

"I appreciate that." I couldn't keep the smile off my face. "And I am happy to give you a definite maybe."

There was a spark in his eye. "I can live with that. And if I have to wait twenty years for that maybe to become a yes, I can live with that too."

"How do you feel about waiting twenty-one years?" I asked.

"Well at first I was going to say a thousand years but that may be a little unrealistic, you only live for so long." His charming smile was contagious.

"You're right, it's better to be realistic about these things. How long do you think your father will let you hold off on your marriage?" I asked.

He shrugged. "The worst thing he can do to me is disown me, but then I'd be free to marry for love instead of convenience."

"And that's what I am? Convenient?" I teased.

He grinned. "Pretty much. I've made up my mind now, if I have to marry a princess, it will be you and only you."

"That's...very strange...but I kind of like it." I grinned back. "And I guess if I must marry a prince, it will be you, and only you. But I'm too young to get married right now so you may actually have to wait those twenty years."

He shook his head in good humour. "A deal's a deal."

I offered my hand to him. "Then it's agreed."

He accepted my hand and shook it. "Agreed."

The touch of his hand sent a surprise thrill down my spine and I looked into his warm brown eyes longer than I care to admit.

"Now if you don't mind, your highness, I have neglected my harp long enough for today." I said, regaining my composure.

"I do apologise." He bowed. "We shall resume our pleasantries at another time. And hey, dancing with you last night was the most fun I've had in ages, so if nothing else works out, can you at least promise me one more dance before we part?"

"I think I can manage that." I smiled, and curtsied in return.

With one last grin, I headed back to my bed chamber.

As I approached my door, I became aware of movement inside my room. I slowed and stepped towards it cautiously. A shadow blocked some of the light from beneath it. I took a step back, slamming into someone behind me.

Suddenly, everything went black as something I could only guess was some kind of bag was pulled over my head. I was hoisted over their shoulder and carried up some stairs - if the violent jolting was anything to go by.

When the cover was removed from my head I found myself in the tower; my tower.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked, utterly confused.

"By order of the king, you shall stay in this tower until Sibeta has married the Prince Hector." My abductor announced.

"What!?" I burst out. "Seriously? How on earth did Dina convince him to do this?"

"You know her majesty." The man sighed, he seemed as displeased with the situation as I was. "That woman always gets what she wants."

"I've never fought her for anything, I had no intention of starting now." I tried to reason. "But why, of all princes, does it have to be this one?"

"I'm sorry, princess. I don't make the decisions. I just have to follow your father's orders." The regret was clear on his face.

"I understand." I sighed. "Can I at least have my harp?"

"Your belongings have already been brought up." He motioned behind me.

I looked. It was true, all my most treasured possessions were here in the tower with me.

"I guess this is a good opportunity to fix my dress." I frowned, trying to see the bright side was getting harder and harder. "I'm clearly going to be here for a while."

"I am sorry, your highness. You don't deserve this. It's not your fault that you are so much more lovely than Sibeta." He said with remorse.

"You mustn't say such things." I scolded, more for his protection than in defence of my step-sister, though his kind words also made me feel a little uncomfortable.

He gave me a sideways glance, bowed, and walked out of the room. I heard the clink of keys as he locked my door.

I tried to remain composed, but I found that the turn of events had left me shaking. I slowly let myself sink to the ground. My body heaved as I sobbed.

I couldn't understand it. I had tried so hard to stay out of the way and not draw attention to myself. Yet I still ended up with Prince Hector's affection, worse still, he now had mine. And now I was stuck in the tower, waiting for the news that Sibeta had married him.

When I was finished feeling sorry for myself, I sat up and wiped my eyes. A quick search led me to my harp. I gently caressed the strings, bringing forth my favourite tune.

As the tower filled with the sound of the sweet melody, I managed a smile. At least Sibeta wasn't interested in keeping me from my music.