Anti Heiress

Chapter 6

Malissa sits on the seat of the window. The rich, mossy green of her dress makes her skin look like solid gold. My sapphire necklace rests on her neck, just between the space in her collarbone. Now that I've seen the emboridery of Talise's gown, all mine look upside down. 

"This is a bad idea," Malissa sighs.

"This is a wonderful idea. Painting will get my mind off the fact that I ran man through with a sword last night."

Malissa's nostrils flare. "I meant having Talise here. She can't stay here. Sooner or later, she'll realize who you are."

"How?" I ask. "She's barely laid eyes on me before. Now I'm much older, and taller, and who would think the dead princess would be disguised as a young apprentice?"

"Stranger things have happened." Malissa hangs her head in frustration. "But I know you're more likely to sever your arm than tell her to leave." She pretends to look out the window, though there's nothing to see other than the roof of the stable, other parts of the castle, and the others far away in the distance. The patches of grass are dull, as if all the color has been sucked out and bottled into paint. 

"What does that mean?"

Malissa repositions her head. "You love pretty and new things. Perhaps this is the adventure you were searching for."

I wipe my charcoal-stained fingers on my pants and step from behind my canvas. "You were one of my most senior ladies, were you not? You sound upset."

"I'm not," Malissa assures me. 

"You barely spoke a word to me this morning," I point out. 

"And yet, here I am sitting for you to paint me," Malissa argues. 

"You are," I agree. "I spending the morning this way much more than I prefer watching you scrub dishes, or cook."

"But you enjoy eating," she points out. Her expression softens, and she moves her head even more to see me from behind my easel, trying as she might not to move the rest of her body. "Besides, I thought we could at least spend some time together, since our dinner was interrupted last night."

That and everything that was surely to follow. "What an odd coincidence it was. I felt a envy I never thought I would for a moment," I admit. Not daring to look at Malissa, I return to focusing on my drawing. 

"It must have been difficult." Though I don't sense any malice in her voice, it still sounds like Malissa is patronizing me. "But at least she's able to relieve you."

Part of me feels as if I'm shoving all of my problems and duties on Talise, who must be even less prepared to rule than I am. If she's a better student than me, she has a wonderful teacher in her father. Hopefully, Arman's reign is a long one. 

"At least," I agree.  "When is the last time you saw Talise?" I question. 

Malissa opens her mouth to speak, then closes it again. Her fingers idly rub the small beads on her skirt. "Some years ago, maybe. She was equally talkative then."

"Talise seems kind." I haven't seen her this morning. Perhaps she's still sleeping off the excitement from last night. I wish I could have. Without Malissa to share my bed, I lied awake staring at the cieling most of the night and listened to insects chirp.

"She's well-mannered," is all Malissa can muster in agreement. 

Though she doesn't won't admit to it, at least painly, I know exactly what Malissa thinks. I set my charcoal on the ;edge f my easel. I inch closer to Malissa until she's pinned between myself and the window. "I don't know Talise. She hasn't listened to my secrets and desires these past years. She hasn't shown me loyalty beyond measure. She probably doesn't even give a decent bath." I run my fingers over Malissa's chest. "What could I want with her?"