Legend of Antalasia

Chapter 8

More than two years had passed since Princess Antalasia's first encounter with the Karas. The entire nobility and all the soldiers across the kingdom had by now moved into the town by the castle. The high nobles and generals moved into the castle with their families. All the adults were on edge, snapping at the slightest mistake. 

King Charles issued a proclamation making it mandatory for every man over the age of sixteen to join the army. Murmers of dissatisfaction spread throughout the kingdom.

The Army General increased the security and made it mandatory for anyone leaving the castle to take a contingent of guards with them. With everyone being busy, enough guards were not available to accompany Antalasia, Lizzy and Michaelo on their little trips, thereby, confining them to the castle.

King Charles and The Army General decided to have all the children in the castle only taught warfare in light of the despairing situation. For the first time, the children were made to sit in a single room and listen to a single tutor. Previously, each family had their own tutor and each child was taught separately. The girls were usually never taught tactics and warfare. In this regard, King Charles was an eccentric man amongst his peers as he wanted the girls to be equally skilled and educated.

In the classroom, as is the case with most youngsters, there was a lot more frolicking than learning. 

The girls wore garish dresses in bright neon colors. The wide collars stood stiffly at a forty-five-degree angle, making it impossible to turn the head. The tight corsets provided hardly any space to breathe. The dresses were so puffed up and stiff, that at times, it was a wonder that the girls could enter the doorway. With faces so caked up with make-up that not an inch of skin could be seen, the girls would cast shy glances at the boys. Huddling together, they would pass time giggling amongst each other and pointing at different boys.

The boys were no less either. They wore flamboyant waistcoats over frilly shirts and colorful breeches with bunches of strings at the knee. The boys would try to outdo each other in wearing the most extravagant cravat (neckband similar to ties). Trying to impress the girls, the boys behaved in the most ridiculous fashion. For instance, one of the nobles, Peter, would mix his own snuff flavors. Snuff was smokeless tobacco that was inhaled through the nose. Unfortunately, the flavors that Peter mixed only ended up making the classroom stink. 

Antalasia watched all this in fascination. Protected and isolated from the rest of the world by her parents, never before had she seen such extravagance. Shocked, she went to her mother and asked, "Mama, everyone dresses so ostentatiously. Aren't these clothes from the olden days? Why do they dress this way?"

Queen Eliza Rose replied, "We don't dress this way because of your father's principles. These are times of war and everything must be consumed in appropriation. Your father and I decided that it should begin with simple things like dresses. We have adopted simple gowns in the hope that others would follow us and conserve what they can in these difficult times. Most do not agree."

Antalasia pondered quietly for a while and then replied seriously, "I'm sorry Mama for troubling you so much. I'll wear what you ask."

Queen Eliza laughed and said, "That's fine Antalasia. Rebelling is in your blood. You come from a lineage of strong women. Since centuries, King John's heirs have only given birth to girls. As girls weren't allowed to rule, the Sun Kingdom ruled us unofficially. My mother fought for an equal say and I fought for equal rights and education. At one point, tensions were so high that I agreed to marry your father for peace. The reason I push you to learn social skills is that it plays a major role in how people respond to you. It has been my experience. Also, the fact is that our kingdom is weak and you must at some point in future marry for the betterment of our nations. Which is why you must learn to behave, dress and talk appropriately for all our future."