The Rejected Princess

by Clark, Katie;

  “Thank you. We will take the red dress.”

  The seamstress went to work pinning and measuring for Roanna’s exact fit, but Mother crossed her arms and gave Roanna a shrewd look.

  Roanna forced herself to stand still for the seamstress, but she wanted to squirm under Mother’s gaze. Mother knew something was wrong in Roanna’s heart, and as soon as the seamstress left she would pelt Roanna with questions.

  At last, she put her own clothes back on and the seamstress was gone. Roanna stood in front of Mother’s desk, shifting like a naughty child. She scratched an itch at the nape of her neck, and her fingers slowly massaged their way into her pinned up hair. Asking Mother about her hair could be so simple. Or it could be disastrous.

  What did she fear would happen? Surely, Mother wouldn’t reveal Roanna had been cursed by the Dawsonian doctor. That was absurd.

  As absurd as a person having magical hair?

  She swallowed hard. “Mother, I have something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

  Mother slipped into her office chair. “You obviously didn’t enjoy any part of that. Please, speak your mind.”

  But Mother didn’t understand what was bothering her. It wasn’t the wedding or the dress. Roanna swallowed her fear. “Why have you always insisted I keep my hair short?”

  Mother’s eyes widened. Then she frowned. “What on earth brought this about? Is it because you wanted to grow it long for the wedding?”

  “No, Mother. I’ve always wanted longer hair. It’s just—” How did she say it? Telling Mother about her secret trip to the dungeon with Ben didn’t seem like the best idea. Telling her about the strange bouts of mind reading seemed even worse.

  She took a deep breath. “I found an old history. It mentioned a doctor who was visiting the palace on the night I was born.” She watched Mother’s face carefully, but Mother was a master at hiding her true feelings.

  “It said he warned you to keep my hair short, and he was thrown in the dungeon for it.”

  Mother didn’t speak. Only blinked, keeping silent for long seconds. Finally, she waved a hand dismissively. “I can’t imagine what kind of history would have had that written in it, Roanna. There was a visitor to the palace when you were born, but he was thrown in the dungeon because he was suspected of stealing military secrets. He was from Dawson’s Edge, and back then we had no hope of the peace we have now. Did your little history book mention that?” So, Mother was willing to lie to hide her secret.

  “I saw the dungeon file myself. It didn’t mention anything about military secrets.”

  Mother narrowed her eyes. “You what?”

  Roanna paced to the window. She wasn’t about to be thrown off because Mother tried changing the subject. “It doesn’t matter how I know it. All that matters is that I saw the file, and I know the doctor warned you. It upset you, but what’s worse is that you listened.” She spun toward Mother. “Why did you listen?”

  Again, Mother fell silent. At last, she sighed and looked to her lap. “He kept shouting it like a maniac. It frightened me.”

  “But after all these years, why stick to it?” Could Mother know about Roanna’s strange abilities? This was the first she’d contemplated the idea. Perhaps Mother followed Dr. Presnell’s direction because she knew of Roanna’s capabilities.

  Mother buried her face in her hands. After a moment, she looked up. “The law requires that all expecting mothers undergo Termination testing. I complied, but later I had the results destroyed before anyone could see them—including myself. I didn’t want to know, and I didn’t want my child Terminated no matter what a test said.” She shook her head. “No one ever saw the results, I was sure of it. But then the doctor came, shouting his warnings. I thought, surely, he had somehow seen the results and he knew something. He believed you had an anomaly that would be set off by growing your hair.”

  Mother’s words made no sense. How would a Dawsonian doctor know her Termination results? He didn’t live in Chester’s Wake and was only visiting for a short time. They did not practice Termination in Dawson’s Edge. It would have been impossible for him to know the results of Mother’s testing.

  Yet, he knew Roanna would have an anomaly.

  How?

  “Roanna.” Mother moved to her side. “I’m sorry I never told you. You obviously do not have an anomaly. It was the fearful actions of a loving mother.” She hugged Roanna, and Roanna forced a smile.

  You obviously do not have an anomaly.

  If only Mother knew the truth.

  “I understand, Mother. Thank you for answering my questions truthfully.”

  Mother smiled and kissed Roanna’s forehead. “I love you, daughter of mine.”

  “I love you, too.” She took a shuddering breath. “I think I’ll go rest for a while.”

  Mother nodded, and Roanna left the office and headed toward her room. It was one of the only places she found refuge lately. As she walked through the palace, Gregory bounded around a corner and raced in the direction of Father’s offices.

  “Where’s the fire, brother?” She smiled, teasing him.

  But Gregory didn’t return the smile. He barely slowed. “There’s been an attack on Lox.”

  Roanna’s smile fell. “What?”

  Gregory didn’t stop to explain, and Roanna hurried after him.

  42

  Roanna raced behind Gregory, her legs working to keep up with him. “What happened, Gregory?”

  “I don’t know for sure. I was sent a short briefing and told to report to Father.”

  “But you must know something!” She grabbed his arm. “Who attacked?”

  He gave her a sympathetic look. “I don’t know, Roanna. But you can come with me to see if Father knows.”

  He took off again, and she tagged along.

  Father’s offices buzzed with aides rushing around, talking into Messengers, typing on keyboards. Gregory bypassed them all and went straight into Father’s main office.

  Father sat behind his desk, looking into a Messenger screen. “I understand,” he said. “Please keep me up to date.”

  As soon as he’d ended the call, one of his aides rushed forward. “Your Highness, a message from General Keefe.”

  Father held up a hand. “Give me a moment with Gregory.”

  The aide nodded and stepped aside, and Father waved them forward.

  “What happened, Father?” Gregory’s mouth was set in a firm line. His eyes were serious, his chin set, and his shoulders broad. He was all business. Roanna had seen him work with Father before, but never on something so important. This Gregory? He was the future king, and he would excel.

  “An attack at the Loxian-Dawsonian border. Bartholomew Dawson is denying involvement or knowledge, but the responsible party has not been apprehended yet. So far, the Dawsonians are cooperating in the search.”

  “Casualties?” Again, Gregory’s professionalism surprised her.

  “Six that I know of. King Neville was among the wounded.”

  Gregory’s eyes widened. “The king was on the front lines?”

  Father gave a solemn nod. “He was visiting his troops when the attack was made. From initial reports, it appears a remote controlled war bot was used.”

  “What reason would the Dawsons have to attack the Loxians when they’re in the middle of a marriage negotiation?” Gregory shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense.”

  Roanna needed to tell them what she’d heard from the Dawsons. They needed to know King Dawson faced a rebellion and Roland was arguing on whether to enact a plan before or after their wedding.

  Her mouth was dry, and words wouldn’t form.

  “I would like you to travel to Lox,” Father said to Gregory. “Make a good will visit and offer our aid.”

  Gregory nodded immediately. “Of course.”

  “I want to go.” The words were out before she could stop them. She needed to see for herself the damage and figure out if the Dawsons meant them all harm. She raised her chin so Fat
her would know she meant it.

  Father looked to her for the first time. “You will certainly not be going to Lox.”

  “Why not? I’m the princess, aren’t I? Gregory is the prince. We would be making a good will visit, as you said. It would not seem improper at all.” But she knew she would lose the argument even as she spoke.

  Father shook his head. “It’s too risky. Gregory can handle things.”

  “Won’t Dawson’s Edge be sending an ambassador as well? It will be Roland, and you know it. Why shouldn’t I go?” she broached with her last and best argument. How could it seem improper when Roland would be there as well?

  Father wavered, and hope sprang up. “I can spend my time with Queen Frieda,” she pushed.

  Father sighed and nodded. “Very well. You will need to leave immediately.”

  Roanna nodded in relief, and she and Gregory hurried from the offices. Bette helped her pack quickly, and within the hour she met Gregory at an auto to take them to the air station. A few of Father’s aides were coming along as well, and they boarded the airship together.

  Gregory gave her a curious look as they settled into their seats. “Why did you want to come so badly?”

  Her mouth went dry again. Ben was the only person she’d told about her secrets, but Gregory used to know them all.

  “Do you remember I’ve been growing out my hair?” She spoke quietly so the aides surrounding them wouldn’t overhear.

  He frowned. “Yes. So?”

  She licked her lips. “Sorry. Strange lead-in. Weird things have been happening over the last few weeks, and Ben and I have been working to figure them out.”

  His eyebrows rose. “You and Ben? I thought you weren’t supposed to speak to each other. I sent the one message on your behalf, but that was weeks ago.”

  Roanna’s cheeks warmed. How did Gregory know so much? Palace gossip must be alive and well. “Yes, well, the truth remains. Anyway, Ben and I discovered that Mother’s rule to keep my hair short was a rule that came out of a warning from a Dawsonian doctor on the night I was born. We started investigating, and other strange things came to light.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell him about the shivers or mind reading.

  “I overheard King Dawson and Roland. I don’t know what they were talking about, but they mentioned something about a rebellion and a plan. They argued over whether they should begin their plan before or after the wedding.”

  Gregory stared at her, his eyes wide. Finally, he scoffed at her. “Why haven’t you told Father this?”

  Roanna shrank back, embarrassed. Why hadn’t she told Father? She’d been so confused about her hair, about being able to hear people’s thoughts, about being forced to marry Roland Dawson as she struggled to deal with her feelings for Ben.

  She rubbed her forehead. “It’s all happened so fast. I haven’t had a chance to figure it all out.”

  His unsympathetic features melted away, and he took her hand. “Well, tell him now. He needs to know.”

  “But, Gregory.” Telling Father would mean confessing the other strange things going on. Admitting she feared she had an anomaly. Her family might Reject her. Disown her. She would never be allowed to be with Ben, or anyone else.

  “We don’t know it meant anything. We don’t know the Dawsons are up to no good.” And he spoke the truth.

  She didn’t want to marry Roland, but for the most part the Dawsons had been nothing but kind to her. Accusing them of this attack because of things she thought she’d heard in their minds seemed ludicrous, even to her.

  “Father will know that, but he needs to be aware.”

  They fell silent, but the closer to Lox they travelled, the more her stomach churned. She should have kept her intel to herself, at least until she’d figured out how to tell Father.

  43

  Roanna and Gregory were met at the air station by a driver who took them to the Loxian palace. She had used the time on the airship to consider her options. If the attack had been ordered by King Dawson, it meant he had been using them all along.

  But King Dawson was denying involvement. If Dawson’s Edge wasn’t responsible for the attacks on Lox, then who was it? The offense was a serious one because King Neville himself had been injured. If an enemy could attack Lox, they could certainly attack Chester’s Wake.

  Fear twisted in her stomach, and she took a deep breath. They would find whoever was responsible and punish them. In fact, it was unlikely Father even needed her extra intelligence. His network of informants would yield him all he needed to know in aiding Lox. Until then, she needed to be smart, stay away from Ben, and stick close to Queen Frieda. She would have time to tell Ben her thoughts later when King Neville was healed and the attackers had been identified and caught.

  Roland would likely be arriving, and he would expect her full devotion. Until they knew more—until she found the words to tell Ben and her family the truth—she would give Roland the devotion he sought, but what about his words to King Dawson at Edge River? The words he’d only spoken in his mind? If Roland had communicated with King Dawson via his thoughts, and it appeared the king had done the same…did they also have an anomaly? Could it be why Dawson’s Edge had rejected Termination for so long?

  As the auto pulled into the rotunda in front of the palace, Roanna spotted Queen Frieda waiting for them. She pushed the thoughts away, climbed from the car, and greeted the queen.

  “How kind of you to visit.” Frieda kissed Roanna on the cheek then did the same with Gregory.

  “What a terrible tragedy,” Gregory said. “How could we not come?”

  Queen Frieda smiled at him. “I’ve instructed Jeremiah to take you to your rooms. From there, you may see me in my offices. Benjamin will be leaving to see the king in the morning. You are welcome to go along.”

  Gregory nodded solemnly, and a moment later, the servant, Jeremiah, stepped forward to take them to their rooms. Roanna had always been fascinated by the Loxian palace. The waterfall against the mountains behind them filled the air with a calming, rushing sound. And the glass dome in the palace entryway filled the space with light and life.

  The guest rooms were situated on the western side of the second floor, while the family’s rooms were situated on the eastern side. The butler led Gregory to a room at the entrance of the guest hall, but he led Roanna deeper down the corridor. At the end of the hall was a wrought iron servants’ elevator, and beside it was a fancier elevator used by the royal family.

  As children, Roanna and Ben used to play on the elevators.

  She smiled at the memory.

  Jeremiah stopped at the door to the very last room, near the royals’ elevator. “You may ask for me should you need anything. Do you know how to find Her Highness, the Queen?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Roanna had visited Queen Frieda’s offices more than once.

  Jeremiah bowed slightly, opened the door to her room, and then stepped away.

  Roanna pushed through the door. Bette would be along shortly with her things. She would unpack for Roanna.

  Roanna would hurry to see the queen. Getting more information on the attack was her main goal, but it was also always important to foster relationships between the kingdoms. That and the fact that she loved Queen Frieda and King Neville almost as much as she loved her own parents.

  She closed her door, turned to take in the room, and then gasped. Ben stood near the window. He smiled at her. “We keep running into each other.”

  Roanna laughed nervously, her resolve to stay away from him melting into a puddle of nothingness. She rushed to him, and he enveloped her in a hug. She relished the feel of his arms around her. “I thought we were sticking to written correspondence.”

  He shrugged, but he didn’t let her go. “That was the plan, wasn’t it? I guess I changed my mind when my father was attacked. It changed my perspective, if you will. Made me want to tell all the people I love that I love them. When I heard Mother say you were coming, I couldn’t stay away.”

 
She pulled out of his embrace. “I’m sorry about your father, Ben. How terrible.”

  A shadow fell over his face, and he turned to the window, which looked out at a forest on the mountainside. The sun was low in the sky. It was nearing sunset, and the forest would become a dark kingdom of its own soon. “I spoke with King Dawson. He swore to me he was not behind it.” He looked to her. “I believe him.”

  Emotions warred inside her, and she turned to the window herself. If the Dawsons didn’t order the attack, who did? They could all be in danger.

  Ben gently took her chin and turned her toward him. “I did my own investigating while in Dawson’s Edge, and I feel the Dawson family is genuine in their interests for peace. If anything, it is Dawsonian rebels who are working against our alliances with the royal family. I fear our mission is doomed.” His voice cracked on the last word.

  Roanna’s stomach twisted. “Our mission?”

  “We’ll not be able to discredit their family. Not before you have to marry the peacock.”

  His words sent burning tears to her eyes. She swiped at them angrily but forced a smile. “It’s the way we always knew it would be.” And Ben still didn’t realize the truth. Her truth.

  He stroked her cheek with his thumb and leaned closer. Oh, so close. “Say the word, Roanna.” He spoke in her ear, his hot breath tickling her skin. “Say it is worth it, and I will give it all up for you.”

  Roanna’s breath caught in her throat. Say the word? “You would start a war for us?” It came out in a painful whisper.

  Slowly, their eyes met. They knew the truth; whether or not the Dawsons had orchestrated the attack on Lox, they would retaliate if both Lox and Chester’s Wake broke their marriage agreements with Dawson’s Edge. Especially if it was to create a union between themselves.

  His gaze lowered from her eyes to her lips. Was that his answer? He would start a war?

  He lowered his lips toward her and she held her breath. Ben’s kiss was what she’d dreamed about for weeks.

  But just before his lips brushed her skin, the door opened.