Vanessa [A Poor Unfortunate Soul]

08. The Queen

The morning sun stung Vanessa's eyes, a rude welcoming to the day.

Derek said something in Danish, another unwelcome surprise.

"Excuse me?" She asked, sitting up.

"We arrived last night" he said. "Kaleb and I decided it was best to let you sleep"

"You and Kaleb?" Vanessa scratched her head. "Agreed on something?"

"I am not so non negotiable" he said, smiling. His smile made her want to melt into the bench.

Without saying another word, Vanessa got up and stepped out of the cab.

The wind pushed sand up her legs, as she made her way down the beach.

A woman's voice took her attention. Not that Vanessa could make heads or tails of her dialogue.

"She said, good afternoon" Derek translated, when he reached her.

The woman's eyes were bluer than the ocean itself, her hair was tied back in a bun about her head. A tiara placed in front of it, insisted her royal status. The sun beat off her hair, the color seemed to yell back at it. From the shine, it seemed her hair was winning.

"She is the queen" Derek explained.

"Do you not speak?" Asked the queen. "Danish, I mean" finally, in a language Vanessa understood.

Vanessa shook her head.

"Its alright, there was a time I didn't speak much either." said the queen. "I am fluent in most languages. Learning was a passion of mine. My daddy used to spit on the idea"

Vanessa had wanted to say 'my daddy is dead' but she simply nodded.

"You look like, you could use some cake" the queen said, referring to Vanessa's stomach. She wasn't sure what the queen meant by that, but she wasn't about to cause a scene.

"I rather enjoy cake" Vanessa said, politely. "Is it someone's birthday?"

"My daughter's" said the queen. "The princess"

Perhaps this is what I need, Vanessa thought to herself. A birthday party, to keep her mind off of other distractions.

The queen had invitations drawn up. One for Vanessa, Derek, and Kaleb. Kaleb was most excited, no surprise there.

"Did you get the princess' name?" Kaleb asked, adjusting his tie.

"Should I have?" Vanessa asked, pulling her hair over to one side.

"It is her birthday" Kaleb pointed out.

"I'll ask at the party" Vanessa told him, tying off her braided hair.

She wore a deep blue gown, Sandra had picked it out for her. It was originally meant to be for church gatherings, but Vanessa never attended those.

The ballroom was decorated in lavish pink silks, that sagged in the middle. Creating an allusion of weightlessness.

The room was filled to the brim with guests. Making the large space seem small, and air hot.

An elderly man introduced the king and queen to them, as they walked down the grand staircase. Next was the princess.

"Melody" Derek translated for Vanessa.

The princess wore a large pink gown, that seemed to have been made from the silks that circled the room. Her black hair, tied back behind her, seemed to shine lighter than its base color.

"Hi" Vanessa said, introducing herself to the young princess. "I'm Vanessa"

The princess gave her a look. So Derek translated for her. Then the princess spoke in her language, which Vanessa didn't fully understand yet. She'd have to find a book somewhere.

"She says, welcome" Derek translated.

Before Vanessa could confuse the poor girl more, a blonde young man stepped in front of her. His bright hair acted as a torch all its own. Muttering something to her, he walked the princess down to the center of the ballroom.

The young man seemed to be royal, the gold trimmings about his jacket demanded it.

"That's Prince Alex" said the queen, approaching them.

"Is he nice?" Kaleb asked, although the answer seemed obvious.

"Melody says he is" the queen answered. "But I'm not so sure"

"Does she like him?" Vanessa asked, as if it were any of her business.

"Unfortunately" the king sighed. "I don't believe we met. I am King Eric"

Finally, Vanessa thought. Someone that she didn't need to have Derek translate.

"Vanessa" she said, simply.

"How do you know Melody?" The king asked.

"I don't" Vanessa answered. "Not really, anyway"

"She's new" said the queen, to her husband.

"Welcome to our kingdom" said the king, with a gesture.

Vanessa curtsied, politely.

Derek brought them all drinks. While Kaleb smiled after a sip, Vanessa's was bitter and somewhat burned gowning down.

The dance between prince bright-light, and princess Melody didn't last long. Something involving a crustacean and cake, Vanessa didn't get a good look.

The prince stood up, expecting an apology of some kind. None was waiting for him. Instead, Princess Melody spoke to the crustacean. Eventually the party erupted in laughter.

Vanessa couldn't see why. The crab was smaller, more prone to damage. Where the prince seemed be fully equip. From what Vanessa could see through his wet clothes anyway.

The princess scooped the crab up in her hands, and ran from the laughter. The queen reached for her baby, who ran up the stairs and out of sight.

The king was not amused, making a public statement about how their princess was not one to be laughed at. As translated by Derek, anyway.