A Mouse's Tale

Chapter 10

"I can't believe it!" Arya exclaimed, storming into the room, startling Mouse who had been making her bed. "Lord Penton has gone too far! Look at this!" She thrust a small piece of parchment into Mouse's hands. She carefully unfolded it and read the note.

~ Her Majesty Queen Arya ~

Seeing as many of the guests from the Ball the other evening are still residing at the Palace, as well as many new guests who missed the other evenings festivities, I have seen it fit as your Royal Advisor to announce another Ball for this evening. I will have an escort sent for you after the evening meal. It is expected of you to attend presentably, else I should deem it necessary to replace your incompetent servant, whom should see it as her duty to make you presentable and as beautiful as possible. Tardiness will not be acceptable.

~ Lord Penton ~

"Can you believe that?" Arya cried out, flopping down in frustration on the freshly made bed, ruffling the sheets. "You'd think that he would be less anxious for me to marry as he'd lose a lot of the power that he has right now!"

Since Arya had been crowned at the young age of fourteen, Lord Penton had had a very influential position as the Royal Advisor and guardian of the Royal Children. Though he had not agreed with King Terian's decision to choose Arya rather than her older brother, Prince Marcus, who was two years her senior, he had to honour the King's dying wish.

Perhaps after two years in this position, he had grown tired of fighting with Arya, who did not always agree with his opinions.

"Mayhaps he believes that he would have more influence over your future husband than over you," Mouse suggested. "Mayhaps he thinks that a male ruler would listen to his advise more than you do."

"The reason that I don't listen to his advise is because he is pigheaded and biased!" Arya snapped. "He is very pro-male, where women stay in the kitchen while men do all the fighting, whereas I believe that women should have the chance to become Knights if they want to. Women should have the right to learn how to protect themselves and their families!"

"Yes, I remember how upset he was when you accepted Lady Isabelle as a Squire," Mouse commented. "Just think, in a couple years she will become the first Lady Knight of Keiento!"

"Yes, that is one decision that I do not regret in the least," Arya smiled. "It will be good to get the idea of Lady Knights out there, get people more used to the idea, let them warm up to it."

"I agree," Mouse nodded.

"I just hope that you won't decide to go become a Lady Knight someday," Arya remarked. "I would miss you too much!"

"No, I would never do that!" Mouse replied quickly, reassuring her. "My place is and always will be here with you. I wouldn't trust anyone else with your safety but myself. No, I could never leave you."

"You say that now, but you never know what the future may hold," Arya commented. "But until then, I'm glad I have a friend like you to rely on."

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Mouse quickly hurried over to the door and opened it, revealing a tall servant bearing a rich, red dress.

"For Her Majesty, curtesy of Lord Penton," he stated, passing her the dress.

"Of course it is," she rolled her eyes as she accepted it. "Thank his Lordship for Her Majesty." She closed the door without waiting for his response and turned back to Arya, dress in hand.

"Look what his Lordship sent you," she remarked, holding out the dress to her. Arya rolled off the bed and walked over to her and fingered the fine silk dress.