“Is that our dear Queen Andromeda?” the woman whistled through broken teeth.
Andromeda, eyes wide, nodded.
“Enter, enter!” The woman excitedly moved some things around and pulled up a chair for the Queen.
The Queen took the chair cautiously, but only after using her cloak to wipe it as clean as possible.
“I knew you would come,” the woman said. She took her seat across from the Queen and continued eating her bowl of peas at the little barrel she used as a table.
Andromeda raised an eyebrow, but chose to ignore that statement. “I was told you could help me with a certain problem I have.”
“Depends on the problem,” the old lady said through mouthfuls of food.
The Queen scowled at the pieces of food that landed on the barrel in front of her as the woman spoke. “I need to prove that someone is really who they say they are.”
The woman nodded. “You want to prove the Princess Amelia really is Princess Amelia.”
The Queen was taken aback. “How—”
“Exactly how I know that you were the one that plotted your husband’s death.”
“How dare you—”
“Or how you want to rule the kingdom, but your son getting married will ruin those plans. But,” the witch raised a crooked, knobby finger, “you don’t want to kill your son like you did the King. That’s why when you heard a rumor that the sweet Princess might be a fake, you want to jump at the opportunity to try and sever their betrothal.”
The Queen’s jaw dropped.
“I’m a witch, dear,” the woman said, turning her attention back to her food. “I know things.”
It took a moment for Andromeda to find words. “You can help me then? I can pay you very handsomely.”
The witch guffawed, spitting more peas out towards the Queen. “I never questioned whether or not you could pay me!”
“Fine,” Andromeda said, annoyed. “Name your price.”
“A time will come when you will pay your price.” The woman stared thoughtfully at the Queen. Andromeda shivered.
“Please,” the Queen said. “I’ll pay whatever you want. Just help me.”
The witch looked around the space and then back to her peas, then she started giggling uncontrollably. She dipped a wrinkled hand into the bowl and fished out one of the peas with her long, yellowed fingernails. The woman closed her eyes and chanted something incomprehensible to the Queen’s ears.
“Here you go,” the witch said, grinning from ear to ear. She dropped the pea onto the makeshift table in front of the Queen.
Andromeda stared at it. “What in heaven’s name will that do?”
“You place it under her mattress.”
“That really clears it up, thank you.”
The witch nodded, ignoring the Queen’s sarcasm. “Yup. If she is the real Princess, she won’t be able to sleep a wink. But if she’s an impostor, as soon as she hits the pillow, she will be out for exactly 12 hours, as if in a coma.”
The Queen stroked her chin, studying the pea before her. “Interesting.”
“There are some rules, though,” the witch said, waving her spoon at the Queen. “You have to put it under her mattress immediately after she lies down, or it won’t work. And it only has one use.”
“Well… that may be difficult.”
The witch shrugged. “I only provide the magic, I don’t do the plotting.”
Andromeda pulled out a very large coin purse from inside her cloak and poured out a large pile of coins.
“Will that do for payment?” the Queen asked.
The witch didn’t even seem phased by the pile of money. “Like I said, your time will come when you pay your price.”
“Just keep it,” the Queen said, tucking the pea gently into a pocket inside the cloak. “And if this doesn’t work, remember that I am your Queen, and I can bring you hell.”
The witch smiled and winked. “It’ll work.”
Chapter 25
I lay in my bed, exhausted from a full day’s worth of horseback riding with not just Prince Alexander, but what felt like the entire court. My mouth hurt from smiling and saying one “thank you” after another from what seemed to be a thousand “Congratulations on your engagement!” For those who think princesses have it easy, they really don’t.
“You need to get out of that bed, Princess!” Lady Minerva snapped at me as she walked into the room. “Really, you must spend half the time lying down!”
I groaned. “I just sat on a horse and socialized for three hours, Lady Minerva.”
“Princesses don’t talk back!” Minerva grabbed my hands and pulled me into a sitting position. “The engagement ball is in less than two hours, and we have a lot to do to make you presentable.” She scowled at my dirty clothes and tangled hair from the ride. “I already drew you a bath. Disrobe.”
I rolled my eyes as soon as her back was turned, but slipped out of my riding clothes like a good princess should. I followed Minerva to the powder room and slid into the warm water.
“Don’t get your hair wet!” she snapped at me as I was about to slide my whole body under the water. “There’s no way we’ll dry it on time! I’ll make do with it as it is.”
It was hard to relax in a bath when a snobby woman was yanking at the tangles in your hair with a comb.
“Out,” she ordered me.
I stepped out of the bath and allowed her to wrap a warm robe around me. Minerva then trotted out of the room, leaving me alone for a moment in front of the looking glass. I looked at my eyes, finding the darkness Alexander had mentioned on that day. It hadn’t always been there.
“Here.” Minerva came in holding an elegant, light blue gown decorated with a pretty lace and some pearl beading.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, happy to see a dress not nearly as cumbersome and poofy as others she had forced onto my body in the past.
She looked at it, seemingly pleased with herself. “I picked this one out, thinking it would match your blue eyes and blonde hair very well.”
I was surprised by the compliment. “Thank you, Lady Minerva.”
She helped me slide into a shift then pulled the dress over my head. I was pleased with what I saw in the mirror. The dress flattered my figure, and, like Minerva said, was a good match to my eyes and hair.
“Eh, I guess it’ll do.” And just like that, the bonding moment was over. “Let’s do something with that mop on your head, and then we’ll work on your face.”
Lady Minerva led me to the vanity in the main bedroom and with a preheated fireplace poker, she carefully curled my hair around it. It was crazy what royalty did to look pretty. I still wasn’t and never could get used to it. Then came the rouge, powder, and the perfume. I coughed at the smell of all three.
“You’re done!” Minerva said. “And just in time, too!”
“Are you not going to get ready?” I asked her.
She looked down at her lime green dress and smoothed her slick, black hair that always ended in a tight bun on the top of her head.
“I am ready,” she said, glaring at me.
“Oh.”
Minerva sighed. “Let’s just go.”
The ball was a million times more extravagant than the one King Leopold threw before I left. There were at least twice the amount of people, and the decor was stunning. Banners with the red and purple Polart colors were strung about the ballroom and there were beautiful, silver candelabras adorning every side of the room. Dinner wasn’t being served like at King Leopold’s parties, but there were numerous tables scattered all over the place carrying mountains of food for people to pick at as they pleased. My stomach rumbled. I was about to make my way over to one of the tables when Minerva pulled at my arm.
“You haven’t been introduced yet,” she hissed in my ear.
We stood at the front of the ballroom, and apparently I had to stay there until Prince Alexander arrived, and then we could be introduced as a newly engaged couple. And that, of course
, was ridiculous to me. Everybody already knew we were engaged. Actually, I was pretty sure most of those people went riding with us that morning and gave their congratulations then.
“Thanks for waiting,” Alexander whispered in my ear.
I craned my neck to look back at him. “Did I have a choice?”
He laughed, offering his arm to me. “No.”
Queen Andromeda had come in with Alexander. She didn’t even look at me.
“Lords and ladies!” a burly man wearing purple tights shouted to the crowd, silencing them. “Queen Andromeda.”
The crowd applauded as she stepped deeper into the room. It was our turn next.
“And announcing, for the first time, Prince Alexander, and his fiancée Princess Amelia of Mardasia.
Cheers erupted all around me. The sound was overwhelming. After the cheers died down, the musicians in the corner began to play a soft tune, and Alexander turned me to look at him.
“May I have this dance?” he asked.
I nodded and allowed him to lead me to the dance floor. He put his hand on my waist, and I rested mine on his shoulder. He tried to lead me to the music, but was failing miserably. His eyes darted around the room. He seemed embarrassed, knowing people were watching us.
“Here,” I whispered, “Just follow my lead. One, two, three. One, two, three… There you go!”
“I’m glad one of us can dance,” he said. “I never had the knack for it.”
I laughed, but then was hit with a flashback of Joseph sweeping me across the dance floor with ease and strength. I shifted my eyes to the floor, trying to hide the sudden sadness I felt, but Alexander caught it. He was silent for a moment, but then spoke:
“Is the idea of marrying me really that bad?”
“What?” I said, looking up at him.
“You always seem to be warming up to me and having fun, but then you have these moments where you seem to lose all of that and… you seem so sad.”
“No!” I tried to assure him. “It’s not you, I’m just… I can’t explain.”
Alexander let go of my waist. “How about I go get us some drinks,” he said, bowing.
“Alexander—”
But he had already walked away from me. I sighed. It wasn’t his fault at all. I had to let him know that somehow.
“Lords and ladies!” the announcer at the front bellowed again. “Announcing King Leopold of Mardasia!”
My heart sank as I whirled around to see, and there he was, regal as always. A maroon robe spilled over his shoulders and brushed the dark boots on his feet. His large, golden crown (something that would only ever fit on his large head), glinted in the light. He looked around to find my face. We made eye contact, and he gave me a beaming smile. I felt like I was going to throw up. People parted out of his way as he moved towards me.
“Daughter!” he cried, pulling me into a hug. “Congratulations!”
I had never seen him so… jovial, but as I looked into his eyes, there was still a lack of emotion. It was rare that he ever let his eyes give him away, but there were a few times when he did. Like when he killed Joseph.
“Thank you, Father,” I finally choked out.
“And this must be the lucky Prince!”
I hadn’t noticed Alexander walk up to us, two drinks in hand.
He bowed. “Your Majesty.”
King Leopold beamed. “This is an historic day!”
I smiled back, trying to keep from shaking nervously. Alexander handed me one of the drinks, and I gulped it down eagerly. I didn’t normally drink alcohol, given that my real father was a drunk, but the wretchedness about this situation made it seem rather appealing. I yearned for something to get me through the lies and pain.
“Uh…” Alexander said. “Would you like me to get you another one?”
“Oh, no.” I forced a smile. “I can get one myself. I would like to eat some food, anyway.”
I made my way over to one of the tables with food, happy to get away for a moment. I really had been hungry earlier, but the arrival of my “father” had made me lose my appetite. I gestured for a servant to pour me another drink.
I watched from the corner as Alexander spoke with King Leopold and various other passersby on the floor. The shy version of the Prince was coming out again, and I could see him shuffling his feet with anxiety. Leopold looked up from their conversation and gave me a quick look. I knew what that look meant: “Behave yourself.”
I gulped down a third drink, not very princess-like, I’m sure, and headed back to my fiancé’s side. I was grateful for the tingling sensation of the alcohol. Leopold had already headed away to socialize with Queen Andromeda, who stood by herself watching the partygoers with her nose turned up in the air.
“You came back fast,” Alexander said to me.
I slid my arm through his. “Alexander, I’m sorry. It’s just been a little bit overwhelming. You know, with so many people around. And I’ve never been engaged before.”
He laughed. “Me neither.” He winked at me, and it was oddly comforting. “Maybe we should get away from all the people for a bit. I know I would like that.”
He led me to the edge of the room to a large balcony. We stepped out into the cool air outside. The sound of the party was still loud behind us, but more bearable. I breathed deeply through my nose.
“This is a lot better,” I said.
I heard Alexander sigh in relief next to me. “Agreed.”
I stepped over to the edge and leaned over the railing, overlooking the grounds.
“You look beautiful tonight.” Alexander stepped beside me and lightly touched his shoulder against mine.
I was not expecting him to say that. “Thank you,” I whispered.
He raised his fingers to stroke my cheek, and it felt as if my heart would pound out of my chest. I couldn’t decide what I was feeling.
“You know, I was very skeptical about this arrangement in the beginning.” He turned my face to look into my eyes. “But…” He hesitated, and I held my breath. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”
I froze and almost didn’t notice him moving to kiss me. The warmth from his lips was intoxicating, and I felt myself wrap my arms around him, but then my eyes flew open. I felt sick to my stomach. It wasn’t right. Just a month ago I had watched King Leopold kill Joseph right in front of me, and on top of that, Alexander wasn’t in love with me, he was in love with Amelia.
Alexander pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine. He had a goofy grin on his face, and it made me feel even more guilty.
“I love you,” he said.
I took a deep breath, trying to decide what to say. The tingling sensation from the alcohol wasn’t helping me get my thoughts together. I thought of Janice again… After what seemed like years, I finally knew what I had to do.
“I love you, too.” I forced a smile, and swallowed down the lump in my throat.
Chapter 26
Minerva and I were headed back to our bedchambers. The party hadn’t quite ended, but we wanted to beat the rush of people leaving to go back to their homes and rooms. King Leopold had approached before we left, saying he was headed back to Mardasia immediately. He had then given me another warning look, but I was in a daze. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Alexander had said— what I had said! I did not know if I loved him or not, but I did know hurting him was one of the last things I wanted to do.
Suddenly hearing footsteps behind us, we turned.
“Princess Amelia, Lady Minerva.” Queen Andromeda said as she approached us. Why did she always turn up at the strangest times?
We curtsied to the Queen. “Your Majesty,” Minerva and I said simultaneously.
“If I may, Lady Minerva, I would like to walk the Princess to her chambers alone.” The Queen waved her hand to Minerva in dismissal.
“Yes, of course.” Minerva curtsied again and scurried back in the direction of the party.
I reluctantly watched Lady Minerva walk away, afraid to
be with the cold Queen by myself again.
We walked in complete silence to my room, and I couldn’t help but wring my hands nervously.
“Allow me.” The Queen reached for the doorknob to my chamber and pulled the door open.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I stepped into the dark room.
“Here, I’ll light a candle.” I watched, curious, as Queen Andromeda searched the room for a tinderbox. “Do you have anything to drink?” she asked after she lit a candle on the mantle of the fireplace.
“Um, yes, there’s some brandy on my bedside table.”
She walked in that direction. “Would you care for a drink, too?”
I thought about the three drinks I had already had, but was afraid to refuse. She poured some of the brandy into the two small glasses next to the bottle and walked over to me.
“Let’s sit.” She gestured to one of the sofas in the room. I took my drink from her hand and followed her to sit.
The Queen smiled at me, raising her glass. “Cheers to your engagement, and cheers to new family.”
I smiled back, pleasantly surprised by her sudden merriment. “Cheers.” I sipped at the drink, trying to look graceful.
“I just wanted to let you know how happy I am for things to be working out.” Andromeda lounged back comfortably against the armrest of the sofa.
“As am I, Your Majesty.” It seemed as if I was starting to get on her good side.
“I assume it has been a very long day for you.”
“Very much so,” I agreed, setting my unfinished drink down on the windowsill next to where we sat.
“I don’t want to keep you up, then.” She rose from her seat. “Let me help you to bed.”
Wow, this was really a change in character. “Um… thank you, Your Majesty, but we can call the Lady Minerva to help me, if that’s preferable.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I am here, and I am capable!” She immediately went to work on undoing my gown and sliding it off of me. She then moved to my wardrobe. “Would you like a nightgown?”
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