Shadowing the Queen

“Princess.” Brynn threw a pillow in Elise’s face. She groaned. “Your mother wants you in her study in fifteen minutes.” Elise opened her eyes to see Brynn – blonde and beautiful – already dressed in a red dress with a braid over her shoulder.

Elise envied her maid’s beauty, and wondered why she hadn’t been the princess.

In fifteen minutes, the two were in the study where they found Queen Gretel flipping through a large book. She didn’t seem to notice them.

Katia, however, sat in a too-large chair with a too-large book covering her lap. She wasn’t paying attention to the book; she was counting every brick on the wall. When Katia saw them she jumped to her feet, letting the book fall to the floor.

“Brynn, Brynn will you pretty please teach me how to use a sword? Mother refuses to let me leave this room and says I must read about how magic even though I’m never going to use magic, because Axel says magic causes pain to rule the land instead of people.” Katia spoke as quickly as ever. “Honestly, mother, Brynn was not raised like this.”

The Queen pursed her lips. “Brynn was not raised to be royalty, now Katia, finish your studies.” She gestured for Elise, who obeyed and walked calmly to her side. Queen Gretel pointed out a passage in a book. “What does this say Elise?”

Elise read, feeling her heart sink. “It says that I must marry royalty or a knight.” Katia made a disapproving sound. “And I already know this.” Her mother nodded.

“Read on.”

“’The princess has a duty to marry in times of great trouble. She should marry one of high salary, someone who will help her people.’ Mother, I already know all this.” Elise looked up at her mother, who just pointed to another part of the book. “’If her magic is not strengthened, she will not have the power to choose the correct prince, or knight.’ …So this is saying I must use magic?”

Katia threw her book on the ground, causing everyone to look at her. “No, mother. Magic is evil, and you know this because you never use it. If magic was good, you would use it daily, but you do not, because it is bad.”

The Queen shook her head. “Leave us.” Brynn left the room, shutting the door behind her. “Girls, you have to understand. Magic works in a strange way. It chooses us, we do not choose it. Whoever the magic chooses becomes Queen.” The princess’ stared in confusion. “I was not originally chosen to be Queen. It was my sister, but… she made some bad decisions. Whoever magic chooses – one or the other – that is who is worthy to be Queen.”

There was silence.

“Mother…” Katia spoke seriously. “You are worthy to be Queen. You are the best Queen I have ever met.” And although Gretel knew that she was the only queen her daughter had met, it still brought a smile to her face.

“Thank you, dear.” She leaned over and kissed Katia’s forehead. “As long as your father and I are around, you two should not have to make this decision, because neither of you have been gifted. We are going to have to make a move to save this kingdom. I wish we had more time.” The Queen looked very sad.

Elise frowned. “Mother… I’m not understanding.” And who would? Her mother was babbling.

The Queen sighed. “I will let your father explain later tonight at the ball. Finish your studies.” And with that, she left and Brynn returned with Golo.

“A ball?” Elise asked. “I’ve been back for a day, there are people after our family, and now we are going to open up our palace… for a ball.” She was shaking her head; neither she, nor Katia, planned to actually study. “Who is coming up with these plans?” Elise huffed, crossing her arms.

Brynn tried to hide a smile. “I believe the Queen wants you to study, my lady.” Katia was already climbing onto Golo’s lap and braiding his long, dark hair. “And Katia, Golo is a boy.”

Katia gave her a look. “Thank you, Brynn. I don’t believe I could possibly have discovered that on my own you are so helpful. Anyway, Golo do you want three braids put together or just two? Mother always gives me two because I have long hair and Axel says two is pretty.”

Elise laughed. “I have known my sister her entire life and not once have I heard her speak of this boy, when did she meet him?” She asked Brynn quietly.

“Tabor and his family only recently have been noticed by the King. They used to own a tavern in town and though I have known them my entire life, only recently have they moved into the castle.” Brynn laughed. “His majesty enjoys their cooking.” The two smiled and watched as Katia braided an unwilling Golo’s hair. “Shall we see my mother so you can prepare for the ball?” Brynn suggested and Elise nodded.

They snuck down the hall, hoping to avoid the Queen. Brynn in the front, Elise behind her, then Katia on the back of Golo. All guards who saw them gave them strange looks, but none questioned their motives. The four rushed down the stairs and into the small room where Brynn’s mother resided, making dresses.

The door creaked open, revealing a blonde girl – who looked like a replica of Brynn – kneeling behind Hardy, who looked very upset. “Ouch! Dangit, Anna! That hurts!”

“Yes, well, if you want to look nice you need to hold still, Amory.” The girl told him through gritted teeth; she had small needles in her mouth. She looked over at the door and smiled as much as she could. “Well, well look who has popped into our door, Mama!”

Another blonde woman walked out of a back room, Tabor following behind her. This woman she knew as Leah, Brynn’s mother. “Princesses!” She smiled, opening her arms for Katia to run into them. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” She asked, picking up the girl.

“OUCH! In the name of – Anna, if you don’t be gentle I swear, my business will be taken elsewhere.” Hardy groaned half-heartedly. “Honestly, Leah, you raised a violent daughter.”

Leah smiled. “I raised strong young women, Amory. If you marry one, I should say you’d be a very blessed man.”

Elise laughed. “Yes, but we all know the chances of Hardy being blessed are incredibly slim.” The room laughed. “We’re here because someone decided this is a perfect time to throw a ball and none of us are prepared.”

Leah set down Katia. “Well, I have your dressed completed. It’s a very special night, isn’t it?”

“Special?” Elise asked.

“Well it is your coming of age party.” Anna mumbled. “There will be plenty of suitors trying to steal your hand.” Elise stared in shock.

Hardy’s jaw was set and Tabor had moved toward her a couple steps. Everyone waited to hear what she had to say. “Then I supposed we should prepare.” She said, darkly.