Dazed

by Katie Hauenstein

  “Yes, but now we know what is going on. It’s not like I made the decision unilaterally. It’s a necessary precaution the Council agreed upon.” I didn’t feel it prudent to tell her it was a unanimous vote. “Tell you what,” I continued “I’ll go down to Darrel’s lab and ask that he check the Maple blood first. If your family has the virus, I’ll see to it that he works on your cure first.”

  “Who’s Darrel?”

  “Doctor Winston.”

  “Since when are you on a first name basis with Doctor Winston?”

  “Does it really matter?” I asked, throwing my hands up in exasperation.

  “I don’t particularly like it, myself, Rose,” Peter piped in, crossing his arms over his chest.

  I looked between the two of them. Ella was smirking and Peter looked even angrier than he already was. “Oh, come on! He’s a friend. We’ve mingled enough with him that it’s kind of weird we haven’t been on a first name basis already.”

  “The King doesn’t even call him Darrel, Miriam,” said Ella, still using my real name.

  “We’re getting off track here. It doesn’t matter what I call Darrel – Doctor Winston – whatever! I want to know if that idea sounds satisfactory for you, Ella.”

  “Yeah. Since you’re going by first names now, I don’t doubt you can make it happen.”

  “I’m sure,” added Peter.

  “Jealous, much?” I asked him.

  “Jealous? What do I have to be jealous of? He’s a big dweeb. And I’m handsome and charming. You’ve even said so yourself. I’m sure Ella agrees.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and we all started laughing. I was glad for the levity he brought into the conversation. He had a way of making me laugh even in dire circumstances.

  “Alright, then. I’ll head on over and talk with him. Ella, you come with me and let him take a blood sample. Just to make sure you’re safe,” I said.

  “I’m coming, too. I would like to be there when you speak with Darrel,” Peter said.

  “I’m sure I’m fine. Like Peter said, no one in my family is showing any symptoms,” Ella said. Though, she was probably more reassuring herself than Peter and me.

  Placing my hand on her shoulder and meeting her eyes with mine, I said, “I know. But I would feel better knowing you’re safe. Can you do it for me?”

  Giving me a hug and with a sigh, she said, “Yeah. I’ll do it for you.”

  “Maybe we can switch Darrel’s focus over to Ella while we’re down there,” Peter teased.

  I slapped his arm with the back of my hand and laughed. The three of us made our way back to the palace and to Darrel’s lab. Upon entering, Darrel loudly said, “Come on back to my office, Miriam.” I grimaced at the use of my name.

  Peter quirked his brow at me and I shrugged helplessly. I hadn’t mentioned that Darrel was calling me by my first name, too. Apparently, Peter disapproved.

  We all walked into Darrel’s office and he sat up straighter in his desk chair when we all entered the room. “Oh. I did not know you brought others, Mir – Princess Miriam.”

  Thank you for having the common sense to use my title in front of my friends.

  It was too late for Peter, though. He was already glaring at Darrel with his arms folded over his chest again. Peter was obviously flexing his biceps. If they had antlers, I’m sure they would have been ramming into each other. I stifled a laugh with a mental picture of their antlers locking.

  “I was wondering if you had a chance to look at the blood tests, yet,” I said.

  “I only have results for two of the families,” Darrel replied. He tapped a few buttons on his console and opened the results for the tests. “Actually, it looks like I have three now. Sequoia, Elm, and – Maple.” He said the last with hesitation and his face paled.

  I inhaled sharply and glanced at Ella. Her eyes were already welling up with tears. Without even stating the results, we all knew what the results were for Maple.

  Gently, and without looking up from his console, Darrel said, “I am so, so sorry. But all three have tested positive.” He stood up and walked around his desk to Ella and placed his hand on her arm. “Countess Elleouise, I will immediately begin work on your family’s cure. I will not rest until I have succeeded.”

  Ella nodded, but didn’t say anything. I asked, “Doctor, do you think you could run some tests for Ella. She has not been exhibiting any symptoms, but I just want to be sure she is safe.”

  “Of course,” Darrel said as he removed his hand from Ella. “I think it would be best if we keep her here for observation until I get results from the tests.”

  “I will stay with her,” I said.

  After a pause, Darrel said, “Um – I am on orders from the King to not allow you near anyone or anything that could be infected, Princess.”

  “Father ordered what?!” I asked incredulously.

  Holding his hands palm out as if in surrender, Darrel said, “Do not shoot the messenger.”

  Ella looked at me and said, “It’s ok, Rose. I’ll be alright.”

  Pursing my lips, I gave a curt nod, turned on my heel and marched out of the lab. Peter struggled to keep up as I kept a fast pace all the way to Father’s office. I noted the wide eyes and quick steps of the maids and butlers as I passed. I was mad, and it was obvious to everyone. Without knocking, I entered Father’s office.

  Not even giving me the curtesy of looking up from his console, Father said, “Hello, dear.”

  “Hello? Is that all you have to say to me?” I demanded. Peter shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

  Glancing over his glasses, he said, “You are mad.”

  “Very astute, Father.”

  Removing his glasses and sitting up, he said, “What are you mad about, Rose?”

  “Why in the world did you tell Doctor Winston to not allow me in the lab?”

  “Peter, can you excuse us, please?” Father asked, then waited for him to leave. “Do you really need to ask that question? You are the only direct heir to the Crown. I cannot risk you getting infected with something down there.”

  “You know just as well as I do that there is no risk of me catching the Daze from any body in that lab, much less Ella.”

  “I didn’t say anything about Ella.”

  “Well, she’s getting her blood tested and Doctor Winston wouldn’t let me stay with her.”

  Father slapped his hand on his desk and shouted, “I don’t want you in that lab. That’s all there is to it!”

  “Roots, Father! There is no good reason.”

  “Language, young lady! You’re taking on too much. You’re not the Queen, yet. Roots! You are not even the Crown Princess, yet!”

  Taken aback by his statement, and hypocritical use of foul speech, I quieted down. “Do you think I am not ready to be Crown Princess?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “It was implied. If you won’t let me take on the responsibilities expected of a Crown Princess, how do you expect me to rule someday?”

  Father dragged his hands down his face, then rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. Lowering his voice, he said, “I know you’re ready, dear. I’m just – this whole situation has me scared out of my wits. I have no control over the solution beyond placing Guards up at the Noble houses. Please, humor me, Rose. I love you and I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you that I could have prevented.”

  Folding my arms and tapping my foot, I stood there silently, considering what he said. In his place, I probably would have done the same thing. Still frustrated, I relented to his will. “Very well,” I said, taking a seat in the chair opposite him. “Why did you and Mother only have me? Why not have more children?”

  “I’m surprised it took you this long to ask that question. We spent most of your early childhood dreading the day you’d ask for a brother or sister.” Sighing, he said, “We did try before you and after you, but your mother miscarried both times.”

  “Miscarriage? But that hardly ever happens anymore.”


  “Right. We took it as a sign that we needed to be happy with what we had: you. We poured all our love into you and prayed daily that you would grow to become a good and wise Queen.” He reached across his desk and took my hand. “I don’t doubt that we succeeded. You will likely be a better ruler than even me. You have this desire to not simply rule the people, but to serve them; that is what a real leader is: a servant. Many Kings and Queens don’t believe that, which is why many monarchies in history failed.”

  “Thank you, Father. That means a lot to me.”

  Removing his hand from mine, he said, “I do have some news I think you would be interested in hearing. It appears that over the last several hours, the rest of the Birch family and the Duke and Duchess of Sequoia have died.”

  “Over the last several hours? You mean, they didn’t die at once? And the Sequoia children are still alive?”

  “Yes, though I would imagine they won’t be alive for long.”

  “Right. Poor Brian.” After another moment, I said, “This may sound callous, but that will only leave four participants for the King’s Test, assuming the other men survive this.”

  Father nodded. “I’ve considered that.”

  After chewing on my cheek for a moment, I asked, “What will we do if they all die? There will be no one left for me to marry.”

  “Do you think Peter will die?”

  Swallowing hard, I said, “I hope not. I didn’t think so before you told me about the Birches and Sequoias.”

  Sighing, Father said, “If the rest of the men die, we’d have to extend the invitation to Royalty from other countries.”

  “Couldn’t we just wait for the new Nobility to be elected and wait for their children to come of age?”

  “No. While you went to talk with Doctor Winston, and while we still haven’t decided who will receive the honor, the Council decided that the new Nobility will be young adults with no children. That way, the children will be born into Nobility and there won’t be any qualms among the people about who is the right heir. We would have to wait at least twenty years. That is much too long. You would be past your prime for having children.”

  I wanted to be offended that my fertility was coming into play, but could not deny its importance. I glanced at the clock on Father’s Computer Desk. “High General Miller is running late. It’s 4:15.”

  “Yes. He is having to bring his thirteen year old son with him. He was off duty today and his wife is otherwise occupied or I wouldn’t allow it. When I asked for you to join us for the meeting, it was so you could observe the meeting, but it would be more useful if you could sit with the boy and keep him occupied.”

  I quirked a brow. “Father, I have no clue what I would talk about with a teenage boy.”

  “Anything. Just don’t let him interrupt his father and me.”

  Before I could protest further, Father’s office door chimed and he allowed entrance. I gave him a look and he smirked at me in victory.

  Oh. This is so not over.

  High General Miller and his boy came in and bowed. “King Aaron. Princess Miriam.” We both nodded acknowledgment of their bows and they stood at attention. I had never met the High General’s son before, but he was a spitting image of his Father. The High General was slightly taller than me and his son was slightly shorter. They both had military cropped black hair and blue eyes.

  Father and I were both standing and extended our hands for shakes. “High General Miller. Francis.” Father greeted.

  Francis? Poor kid got his dad’s name.

  “I do not believe I have met you, Francis, but I have been hearing great things,” Father said conversationally.

  Francis’ eyes widened. “You have, sir?”

  “Yes. You have been quite successful in the running and strength competitions at the Petrichorian Academy, yes? Have you considered joining the Royal Arborian Guard like your father? Perhaps someday you can be the High General for Princess Miriam when she becomes Queen.”

  Francis beamed. “Why, yes, sir. I have top marks in strength and have broken records in running for the PA. I already plan on joining the Royal Arborian Guard. I train with Father every morning before he leaves for work.”

  Father put a heavy hand on his shoulder. “Good lad.” Father gave me a sidelong glance.

  That’s my cue.

  “Come, sit with me, Francis. Tell me some more about your plans.”

  Francis’ grin widened and his face turned raspberry red as he followed me over to the sofa. I rolled my eyes while he was still behind me.

  Boys. Always judging me on appearance.

  Sitting down, I looked to the side at a maid and asked for a couple cups of coffee and she scuttled off. I briefly considered having an IV of coffee injected so I didn’t have to drink so much simply to stay awake lately. Glancing over, I saw that Father and High General Miller were already huddled over his desk figuring out the new Guard assignments.

  Francis cleared his throat nervously and I looked at him. “Pardon, Princess Miriam. If you do not mind me saying so, you are lovely today. I – I have never seen you in person before.” The High General heard him and made horrified eye contact with me. Father patted his arm reassuringly as if to let him know I can handle it.

  Thanks a lot, Father.

  Looking to the young man, I politely said, “Thank you. Tell me about your running, Francis. I did not have the privilege of schooling with other people, so I was never able to compete in anything.”

  “Well, I hate to brag,” Francis began in a tone that said he was actually very excited to brag, “but let us just say I can run a mile in four and a half minutes.”

  Feigning interest, I said, “Trees and Blossoms! That is impressive.” I honestly had no idea if it was or not, but Francis did not know that. What did it hurt to stroke his ego a bit?

  “It is too bad you were never able to compete in dance, Princess. You are the best dancer I have ever seen,” Francis flattered. I nonchalantly glanced over to Father who sneakily held a finger out from the edge of the table to let me know I only had to hold out a little longer.

  “When have you seen me dance, Francis? Has your father brought you to a ball?”

  He shrugged. “No, but my mother always watches the first few minutes just to watch you and Count Peter dance The Rose. I will admit, the closest thing to dancing I have seen or participated in aside from that are the formals at the Academy. The only dancing really done there is swaying to and fro in rhythm – sometimes. Mainly, the dancing is all about how close you can get to your dance partner.” He slapped his hand over his mouth and turned red again and I laughed.

  “No need to be embarrassed, Francis. I am sure that is a universal truth among all dancers. Though I have never been allowed such goals, it is certainly true even at balls, where dancing is a bit more formal than swaying to and fro.”

  Francis furrowed his brow. “What do you mean, Princess? That you have not been allowed such goals?”

  I’m not sure why I went on, but I did. I was his age when I learned about the King’s Test after all. “Well, being the heir to the Crown, I have been expressly forbidden any form of romance so that whoever wins the King’s Test will have all of me and nothing else. I will not be missing pieces of my heart, nor will I bring baggage with me into my marriage.”

  His frown deepened. “That is hardly fair.”

  “No, it is not. But that is just a part of being the Princess. The more power a person has, the more he or she has to give up. Do not get me wrong. It is not that it is not a big deal, but it is something I have been aware of and preparing for since I was thirteen.”

  “Can the King’s Test not be discontinued?”

  I looked over and noticed our fathers were finished and watching us intently. Francis’ father looked thoughtful and my father looked curious as to how this conversation would end. I briefly wondered how long they had been listening, but Francis was completely oblivious.

  “No, Francis. It cannot. As m
uch as it is a terrible sacrifice to make, it keeps things peaceful among the Nobility. Because the heir keeps her heart her own, there is no room for anyone to complain about fairness. Even if she were to fall in love, it would not matter because the final decision is made by the King, not the Princess.”

  At the mention of “the King,” Francis looked over to our fathers. He didn’t look embarrassed at being caught in the conversation. Standing, he gave Father a curt bow and walked out of his office without another word.

  “I – I am sorry, sir. I have never seen him like that. I will certainly have a talk with him about what kind of respect he should be showing to you.” High General Miller was, understandably, appalled at his son’s behavior.

  Father patted his arm reassuringly again. “It is not an issue, Francis. I know how teenagers are.” Father gave him a wink and High General Miller sighed in relief. Bowing to each of us, he followed his son out the door.

  What a strange boy.

  Chapter 24

  Dinner seemed so quiet without Ella there. Peter was still pretty angry for not being allowed to bury his family, so he stayed quiet through the meal. When Peter and Ella left from visiting, it always felt like there was a hole in the palace. My best friends seemed to complete me. Without Stephan, my small circle had become even smaller, but I was grateful I still had Ella and Peter. I just prayed I still would when everything was said and done.

  Part way through the meal, the Steward came in to deliver the news that the rest of the Sequoias had died and that the Duke of Maple was beginning to show signs of madness. At the news, we all simultaneously lost our appetites and Father began to weep for his brother.

  Mother and I embraced him and allowed him the moment of weakness. The Guards averted their eyes and the waitresses left the room without needing to be told. After a while, Ella came in. Ella had clearly been sobbing and she ran over and joined in the family embrace while Peter sat awkwardly in his chair.

  Father and Mother excused themselves to go to their room. Ella and I shifted so we were still embracing; she was still crying. Suddenly, I felt two strong arms take us into a wider embrace and I extended my arm to include Peter.