I still do not know how my mother could force the hand of King Gerald to break the betrothal to Yasmin. What magic did my mother do? Who did she poison or torture to get this outcome?
Either way, I was here.
This was not how a princess should be treated. The beautifully carved wardrobe was filled with dresses too short for my tall and lithe body. My carefully brushed hair now fell in black waves around my shoulders. I fumed as once again I struggled into one of my own dresses from my trunk.
I placed my walking shoes on my feet and threw open my door, letting it slam against the wall. The loud thud brought a smile to my lips, but not to the line of girls cowering outside my door, who shrieked in surprise when they saw me.
“What is going on?” I snapped in irritation. Three of them who appeared not much older than my younger sister Aura were holding on to each other and shaking.
Confused, I stepped into the hall and looked right and left, but I could see no such troll or ogre that would send them into such a fright. The one nearest me pulled back, and I realized I was the creature she feared.
“W-We have brought you breakfast,” the one with the honey-brown braid said, her voice barely above a whisper.
My stomach growled, and so did I. “Finally.”
The short one cried out, and she might have fainted if the third girl hadn’t held her up.
Rolling my eyes, I gestured to the tray in the first girl’s hand and said, “Bring it in.”
They didn’t move. Sighing, I stepped far away from the door as they rushed in like mice, tripping over each other to set out the breakfast, make the bed, and tidy the room. In record time, they completed their tasks and headed back toward the door, except I now blocked their hasty exit.
“Names,” I snapped, knowing my face was stony. I was irritated, hungry, and still anxious from last night. It couldn’t be helped.
“Prudence, but everyone calls me Pru,” the girl with the honey braid replied, her eyes glued to her worn shoes.
“Herez,” said the second, her hand on the third’s elbow.
“Tillie,” squeaked the one who almost fainted. She looked ready to do it again.
“Why is my breakfast cold?” It was the first thing I checked after the tray was dropped off. “Is my room that far from the kitchen? Does the prince eat his food cold as well?”
Three heads shook fearfully, their eyes terrified like a young doe’s. Answers would not be coming from them.
“Well?” I asked again and stepped forward.
Tillie was in the midst of pouring me tea, and the teacup slipped through her fingers to shatter on the floor. “Please don’t turn me into a frog!” She dropped to her knees dramatically.
“W-What?” I stopped short, surprised by her display. “Where on earth did you—”
“We heard you turn the servants who displease you into frogs and then boil and eat their legs for dinner!” Tillie rambled.
“Tillie!” Pru hissed in horror. Herez clapped her hands over her mouth and stood trembling, her knees knocking together.
If I weren’t so hungry, I probably would have laughed at the predicament, but I was in a surly mood, miffed once again by the rumors that had spread about me in the last twenty candle marks.
But I could also poke fun at myself. “Yes, and if I ever receive my breakfast cold or have to dress myself again, I will do just that. But not frogs—no, amphibians are overrated. I prefer rabbits. They’re sweeter.” I smiled demurely, clasping my hands in front of my dress.
“Eep!” Tillie cried out and almost fainted again, had Herez not stepped in and grabbed her by the shoulders.
I enjoyed their reactions a little too much. “Now, Pru, please return in half a mark with the seamstresses. I’m in need of a new wardrobe.”
Pru’s eyes flickered up and down my old dress and then over the wardrobe, the open door revealing all the frilly and lace pastel dresses hung inside. It was easy to tell from her expression that she thought I was being difficult or overly picky. I didn’t feel the need to explain that all of them were at least four inches too short, created with the petite, delicate Yasmin in mind.
“Yes, miss.” Pru curtsied.
I hated all forms of formality but decided to let them continue until I had established myself as here to stay. It already seemed like I would struggle.
“You may go,” I said, and the girls scattered, tripping over themselves as they tried to escape.
Because I was starving, the cold breakfast hit the spot. I wasn’t one to waste food, and it took very little magic to reheat the slice of duck and hash. A quick glance told me I was indeed eating my leftover wedding meal remade into breakfast. A hash was a phenomenal way to use scrap food, and with the guest list dramatically cut in half, I was sure there was plenty left over.
The quiet unnerved me. My sisters were always chattering among themselves, laughing, giggling, and playing pranks. Even now, I could almost imagine Eden pulling Aura’s hair and starting a pillow fight. As the oldest, I was the one always charged with keeping the peace and order.
How I would have loved to be the one to throw the first pillow or cast a tangling spell on their hair, but duty came first. Mother stated it was my duty to care for my sisters. My duty to help them with their lessons. My duty to be the instrument of her revenge. Duty had always been at the forethought of my actions, so much that I feared I may have missed much of my childhood.
A knock came at my door.
“Enter.”
Pru opened the door, her head hung low. “I’m sorry, miss, but all the seamstresses are currently needed elsewhere in the castle.”
“What of fey? Have you no brownies?” She shook her head. “Hobs? Gnomes? House-elves?”
“No, miss. The fey kind don’t come near the palace anymore.”
“Why’s that?”
“They fear the beast that roams our land,” she whispered.
“Beast?” I asked, but Pru looked frightened. The hair on my arm rose, and I looked out the window beyond, wondering if that was what I had dreamed about. “Tell me more,” I demanded.
“It isn’t safe to be out in the woods at night, is all. People who head into the woods beyond the castle after dark… never return.”
“What about last night? Did anyone go out there last night?”
Pru’s lip quivered with worry. “Thomas hasn’t returned from woodcutting last eve. But it’s probably nothing to worry about, miss. I’m sure he’ll return in no time, right as rain,” she said with gusto, trying to reassure herself.
I didn't believe it, but I wouldn't press the subject anymore. “Well, can you sew?” Her whole body trembled, but I assumed I saw her nod. “Then you will help me. Come in.”
Frustrated with my lack of help, I took the cream from my tea and headed to the fireplace, pouring it into a dish and arranging my offerings. I would try to coax my own fey servant to help me here in the palace, for I feared that any human help I would get would probably all end up abandoning me in the end.
As I was laying out the saucer, I noticed a broken piece of teacup still on the floor and picked it up. I winced when it nicked my finger but ignored it as I arranged the saucer of cream. Only when I was done did I notice the nick was bleeding, and small droplets of blood were on the bowl. I hoped none had dropped in the milk, for that might attract the wrong help.