I wake confused to the sounds of maids and servants bursting around my chambers, emptying the chamber pot, laying out gowns, a basin to wash in, and Eliza, staring down at me, hands on her narrow hips, lips perched, eyes showing pity and annoyance, old enough to be my mother, I fill like a small child under her gaze. "About time you woke Mistress AnaRose, you missed mass, but the Queen ordered that you be allowed to skip it and break fast in your chamber, but you slept through that, the hunting party is leaving in half an hour, do you wish to sleep through that?" Thinking that James and Kyle would be there, mounted on their high horses I think about the idea of faking sickness and sleeping the rest of my life away.
"Of course not!" I snap instead, swinging out of bed, swaying on my feet.
"To much wine." Eliza says gently, grabbing my elbow to keep me steady.
"To much everything." I whisper gloomy.
"Pardon?" She looks up, brown eyes surviving me critically. I wave her away, walking to the golden tub filled with warm water, stripping off my night gown and unbraiding my hair, I sink into the warm rose water, letting my heavy head rest on the edge. Eliza sits behind me, dipping a comb in the water and brushing my hair out with hands of an angel. I think about how to get through the day with James and Kyle and the things we were exposed to last night. I will have to marry one of them, I will become a princess, and then perhaps Queen, if I marry Kyle, but did I want to be Queen one day? Did I even want to marry Kyle? Do I want to marry James either? Would they want to marry me? What if I chose one and they are sicken by the thought of touching me, and spending the rest of their life with me? With these thoughts I could almost cry, but I bite my trembling bottom lip and cruel my hands. I am Susanna Rose Knighten. Daughter to a Duke and Duchess, my great great grandfather was a King and my great great grandmother Queen and Spanish Princess. My blood is royal and strong, I have been chosen to marry a Prince, and perhaps will become Queen. I shan't act like a weeping scared little girl, but act like a strong woman, a Princess.
"I shall wear my green riding gown, my gold riding cap and my gold necklaces." I command, standing from the warm safety of the water and into a sheet, drying myself, before wrapping it around my body. Eliza commands the younger maids in waiting to do my bid. I take a cup of small Al spiced with herbs to help my headache and make me alert. After I drain the goblet I pick at a simple plate of meats and chesses and fruit. The maids lay out my bright green riding gown, my gold cap and necklaces. I shred the sheet and stand still as they pull my stomacher tight, arrange my hair so the cap fits just right, adjust the gowns so the layers fall beautifully to make my waist look as small as possible, and the green fabric making my eyes seem to almost glow. I fix the three gold chains around my neck before turning to face the looking glass. I stand tall and proud, a glow of deference and determination radiating off of me, I am cold and hard, a picture of a powerful Princess. A strain of my golden wheat hair has escaped my cap, falling over my left eyes, curling ever so slightly around my cheek. I take my brown riding gloves from Eliza and start the short journey to the awaiting Hunting party. It is as James said last night. "Let the games begin. The Prince’s games."
******
"You look impeccable my little Rose." The King shouts from his horse. I smile up at him, my hand on my steady white bay, she isn't the fastest, but she has more spirit then any other horse in the court, I can almost fill her excitement of having me back twitching her strong muscles. I stroke her soft mane, the color of night, striking against her coat, whiter then freshly fallen snow. I look at the Princes, sitting on their horses next to the King; both their horses are raven black and fast. James had nodded at me when I arrived; Kyle just stared at me, like he is seeing me for the first time. Uncomfortable I wait for one of the groomers of the horses to come and help left me. The king notices and his smile is replaced with a scold. "Will not one of my sons help Rose up? You would think we are barbarian!" The Princes glance at each other, as if the simple task of helping me onto my horse would decide who gets to marry me. James and Kyle jump down at once, and are at my side at the same time. James's hands are on my waist before I can blink. Kyle glowering at him.
