Peacefall: Book Two of The Fourpointe Chronicles

Chapter 3

"My dear."

Taresa sighed. "Yes, Mother?"

"What of this design?"

The Princess glanced over her shoulder, turning her sights away from the sea. To her left, her mother sat with her sister, Ermesinda, with a length of peach-colored chiffon stretched over their laps. Beside them, a tailor waited, with a roll of the fabric and three others of different hues in his arms.

"The tone will complement your skin. As will the texture," Queen Belitta added.

"You mean dry and coarse?" Ermesinda cracked.

"Young lady!" Belitta slapped her leg, the smack ringing through the cavernous room.

"Owww!" Ermesinda whined. In the far corner, Nataliya, who was being fitted by another tailor, giggled.

"Don't you start." Belitta shot a sharp look in Nataliya's direction. "The both of you behave. This is no time for your antics. This is for your sister."

Taresa sighed, turning back to the sea. It doesn't feel like it's for me.

"Taresa, I said what do you –"

"It's fine. I saw it. The one on your lap is fine."

Belitta, seemingly please by her daughter's decision, folded the length in her hands and returned it to the tailor. "Very well. That takes care of the banquet gown. Now as for the dress for the ballroom dance –"

Taresa fought back another sigh. I can't bear another moment of this. "Mother?"

"Yes, Resa?"

"All this fitting has me famished. I would hate to go on with these important decisions while being hungry. Shall we have our high tea early?"

The Queen paused, considering. "I am a bit hollow myself. Very well, then." She raised her index finger, beckoning a servant forward. "Tea, with small plates, at once." The servant, an elderly fellow with black hair save for the gray at his sides, nodded before clapping to the three subservants behind him. They scurried through the side door to Taresa's bedchamber into the hallway beyond.

The tea will take a moment to brew. "I will take in the air outside while we wait."

"Very well, Dear." The Queen motioned for Ermesinda and Nataliya to join their sister.

No, I want to be alone! "No need for company," Taresa blurted. "I mean, they should stay, pick out the next spools to go over and such. I could use their help in such matters."

"As you wish." Belitta nodded to her middle daughter by her side. "Ermesinda, you and your sister pick the next fabric to examine. Then the one after that. Plus, a third, my Lovely."

Ermesinda sighed, then nodded. She moved to rise and join her youngest sibling, but not before shooting a wicked glance at her eldest.

Taresa, in response to her jealously, only smiled. She retreated to the rear door, which led to the portico and the small opportunity of freedom beyond.

The air smelled especially sweet for autumn. The dryness of the coming winter remained absent, replaced by the warm embrace of the lingering summer. Though usually not one for any hint of humidity, on this occasion, Taresa welcomed it. The sensation reminded her of simpler days, of a time when she did not have to think of events of regal responsibility, such as her upcoming marriage.