Cara cleaned up her books, and walked down the long, cold, bare corridor to her bedroom in order to dress for the dinner. She closed her door, and walked to her closet and began sorting through her many gaudy dresses. Her wardrobe was filled with frilly gowns that had been deemed acceptable by her mother.
Bypassing the many garishly provocative dresses that were becoming so common, Cara selected a pale blush colored dress that fell just above her knees, which complemented icy blue eyes nicely. She knew her mother would call the gown "dreadfully outdated", but Cara adored the dress's ability to be modest, without seeming matronly. As Cara held the dress up to her and admired her reflection in the mirror, she heard yet another set of familiar footsteps coming her way.
This time she wasn't on edge. These light steps came not from her mother, but her maid Abimyne.
Abimyne was a young, pleasant maid. She was easily Cara's favorite among the palace staff. With her golden blonde hair, and bright green eyes, not to mention a rather high death date, Cara couldn't help but wonder what had happened in the past for kind Abimyne to not be raising her own children, but to be waiting on those of others.
Abimyne interrupted her thoughts.
"Hello, Princess. You will make a beautiful figure in that dress, absolutely gorgeous! If you're not careful, that young prince who's visiting might just try to snatch you up and not that sister of yours," Abimyne paused. "Now, let's get you ready."
Cara smiled to herself; Abimyne was the only one who was always there for her.
"Yes, of course Abi. Thank you." She replied.
Abi helped Cara get dressed, and then brought her over to the luxurious bathroom to apply her makeup. While Abi rubbed an unwarranted amount of powders and creams onto Cara's face, she shared the latest staff gossip.
"I overheard from one of the new scullery maids that in your father's meeting, he mentioned he was having Prince Hadrian as guest of honor at the palace for the next few months to become acquainted with your sister and family better."
"In the palace? You're sure?" Cara questioned. "Surely he'd be staying with a lord or renting rooms nearby, wouldn't he?"
Abimyne shot her a pitying look as Cara felt her stomach drop. No one stayed in the palace. No one more than was necessary.
What's to get acquainted with? Cara thought bitterly. A king who cares more for his gold than for his family? A queen who half the time is too drugged to keep her eyes open, and spends the rest ridiculing her daughters? The golden child who admires her father as if he were a god rather than a man inflated by power? Or the estranged daughter? The one who would never truly conform? The one who is always a disgrace?
"There you go, my lady. I believe this look suits you perfectly; the perfect dress, hair, and makeup." Abi beamed.
Cara looked in the mirror and had to agree; Abi had done a great job. She was the perfect combination of sophistication and simplicity.
She thought about the upcoming dinner, sighed, and thanked Abi for helping her prepare.
Cara, indulging in a moment of masochism, couldn't help but read Abi's watch while she was tidying up the bathroom; 50:09:05:23:45:30. Cara felt a pang of self pity, but reminded herself she still had much to accomplish before her ultimate end. She still had eleven more months; eleven months to make her mark.
YOU ARE READING
The Kalixian Chronicles: Behind the Smoke and Mirrors
Fiksi RemajaIn the kingdom of Kalixia, there lives a princess named Cara Ellin with less than a year to live. In an attempt to learn more about herself and her family, she uncovers some palace secrets that she was never meant to know.
