And if her fate happened to be unable to ever find her … well, then so much the better. Perhaps she would manage to avoid it forever.
Looking down the long halls stretching out before her, she wondered where she should go. As if in answer to her silent question, a breeze blew through the corridor, beckoning her outside.
A morning ride was just what she needed.
Changing course, she quickly wound through the castle halls to the lower doors that led to the stables, but the sight that met her there brought her to an abrupt halt in the doorway.
Halfway down the row of stalls, she was stunned to see her sister standing with a muscular, blond man. And even though she could not see the man’s face, the way her sister was blushing as she stared adoringly up at him was all she needed to see to know exactly who the man must be.
Her supposition was soon confirmed as she heard her sister praise, “Why, Prince Cornelius, these horses will be the pride of our palace! Such beauty and such strength! I have hardly seen anything like them before.”
Liesel’s eyes traveled over the horse to measure him against her sister’s praise. He was indeed a magnificent creature. And he wasn’t alone. Several identical horses filled the stalls around him, making Liesel wonder where the regular palace horses might be.
But she wasn’t about to risk detection to find out. As she had no interest in confronting her sister’s companion, Liesel began to step backwards to retrace her steps into the security of the labyrinth of castle hallways. She was almost successful in her escape, but just as she stepped back beneath the doorframe, she collided with an approaching servant.
Liesel tried to quiet the servant’s profuse apologies, but it was too late. The slight commotion had given her presence away.
“Liesel, there you are! I’ve been looking for you all morning!” Adelaide called out.
Liesel brushed a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, and after inhaling deeply, she walked forward to join the pair.
“You overlooked the obvious then, for I’ve been in my room all morning.”
“I assumed you would be unable to stay confined so late, especially after retiring so early yesterday.”
Liesel shrugged her shoulders. “I was unaware that there was anything especially significant about today.”
Adelaide rolled her big blue eyes toward the tall man at her side. “Well … as you can see there is something very special about today. Liesel, look who has come for a visit!”
Liesel forced a smile.
“Hello, Prince Cornelius,” she greeted.
“Good morning, Princess Liesel,” he answered in his smooth and confident voice. “You are looking lovely as always.”
Liesel hated the blush that spread across her face. She had long ago resolved to always be (or at least always appear to be) completely immune to his charms.
“I did not hear any warning of your visit. Is everything well in your kingdom?” she inquired.
“Your father has invited my father and me to another one of his treaty councils.”
“Ahh,” she answered, relieved that he was indeed only there on a mission of routine diplomacy. “The never-ending work of kings and princes. If you are not off fighting a battle, then you must be at home discussing the possibility of one.”
“When there are such great treasures to protect, can you fault us for it?” he answered with a wink.
Liesel reflexively looked away and cleared her throat. She glanced around for an idea to change the conversation. “I see you have brought half the horses from Levenstein with you.”
“I should never think to arrive empty-handed at your castle without a gift.”
“A gift? Why, how kind … I’m sure my parents will love them.”
“Liesel,” Adelaide chided in an exasperated tone. “Don’t be daft. They’re for you!”
Liesel’s eyes widened in horror. “I beg your pardon!”
Cornelius smiled one of his easy smiles. “I raised them myself. Twelve of the finest, strongest horses Levenstein has ever born. And all perfectly white, without blemish. Perfect, just like you.”
Liesel stepped back and waved her hands before her. “Oh, no, no, no. I’m afraid I cannot possibly accept such an extravagant gift.”
“Nonsense! I’ll hear none of your protests.”
“But, really …” She looked to Adelaide for support, but Adelaide merely shook her head in wonderment. Turning back to Cornelius, Liesel reasoned, “But surely, there is no need to give me so many of your fine horses. As I can only ride one at a time, a single horse would have sufficed.”
“Ah, but you see, fair Princess, you are only thinking of your customary rides. I have brought you so many, because I want to make sure that whenever you should wish to visit my kingdom, you will have a team of horses to carry you there at the swiftest speed.”
“And what makes you think, in such a case, I should wish for speed?” she asked with an arched brow.
Out of the corner of her eye, Liesel could see her sister flush in embarrassment, but she refused to change her determined course.
Cornelius seemed at a momentary loss for words before he recovered with a smile and answered, “It seems I have neglected to adequately convey the beauty and charm of my kingdom. The fault is mine if you are not yet longing to see it. Perhaps if you would allow me to accompany you on your ride this morning, I may have the chance to properly expound on the subject.”
Liesel shook her head. “I thank you, but I actually prefer to ride alone. Perhaps Adelaide can keep you company until your treaty council convenes.”
A glance at her sister filled Liesel with shame as she read the disappointment etched across her sister’s face. She inwardly cringed. Hopefully Adelaide would one day understand.
Having made everyone in the company sufficiently uncomfortable with her presence, Liesel knew it was past time to offer them some respite with her departure. “And now if you will excuse me, I must find where the stable hands have moved my favorite horse.”
She then spun away from the pair without waiting to see how her last comment had affected the young prince.
Perhaps it had been unnecessary to slight his gift even more, but she reasoned that the sooner he adjusted his expectations where she was concerned, the better.
But considering he was hailed far and wide as “Cornelius the Young Conqueror,” such a task would not be easy. He was just such an exasperatingly determined person.
She hoped she would find the other prince, if he proved to have similar intentions, more amenable to rejection.
Chapter Three
That afternoon when Liesel returned to her bedroom, she found Gretchen laying several dresses out around the room.
“What do you think you are doing?” the princess inquired.
“Time is short since you have dallied the day away. We must now get you ready for the feast.”
“But what are you doing with my dresses?”
“I’m trying to decide which one would be best for you to wear tonight. There are so many to choose from, I’m having trouble making up my mind … But I’m thinking I’m favoring this bluish-gray one. It matches your eyes so perfectly.”
“Thank you, but I think I’d prefer to select my own gown.”
Gretchen shrugged her plump shoulders. “If you insist. But if I may say it, I must remind you that I have flawless tastes in these matters.”
“I think I can manage such a task on my own,” Liesel murmured as she rifled through one of the piles of dresses on her bed.
“Just be sure you choose one of your finest. Your father has ordered that I make sure you do.”
The dresses in Liesel’s hands fell back to the bed with a soft thump. “He has what?”
“He wants you to look your best for the visitors,” Gretchen answered matter-of-factly.
Liesel narrowed her eyes for a moment before she spun around toward the pine chest in the corner.
Gretchen scuttled across the room to beat her to it.
Holding her hands straight out from her sides to guard the chest from the princess she declared, “No, Princess. I’ll not have your brash temper ruin everyone’s evening tonight. If you don’t want to wear your best dress, then that is fine with me. But I refuse to let you provoke your father’s wrath in such a flagrant manner.”
Liesel folded her arms and stared her maid down. “I will call the guards to make you move.”
Gretchen plopped down to sit on the chest and folded her own arms across her chest. “And I will call your father.”
“I believe he is meeting with his treaty council as we speak. He would never let anyone disturb him there, and you know it.”
Liesel knew victory was almost within her grasp by the look of despair that crossed Gretchen’s face. “Please, Princess. May I at least beg you to reconsider?”
“My mind is quite made up. Now please stand aside.”
Gretchen reluctantly rose to her feet, but hesitated where she stood. Liesel waved her off and then knelt before the small wooden chest.
The stubborn lid seemed to be in league with her maid, as it took a fair bit of strength to pull it open. And even then, it continued to creak and groan in protest until it stood upright.
Liesel then pulled out the dress that had been stored within. After rising to her feet, she held it against her chest and studied her reflection in a nearby full-length mirror.
“Yes, Gretchen. I do believe this dress will be perfect.”
“Liesel! What are you wearing?” Adelaide shrieked as Liesel walked past her door.
Liesel stepped back to stand in her sister’s doorway. Holding her skirts out for inspection, she asked, “Don’t you remember it?”
Adelaide’s face completely drained of color. “Father is not going to be pleased if you arrive at his feast dressed as a peasant.”
“He didn’t object at his last feast.”
“Because it was our kingdom’s annual commoner celebration! Everyone was dressed that way!” Adelaide’s eyes scanned over her sister’s coarse, brown skirts and graying blouse. “Have you gone mad?”
Liesel waved her sister’s concern away. “Of course not.”
“Please change, Liesel,” her sister implored. “You can even wear any of my dresses if you’d like. Any of them.”
“I like the dress I’m wearing.”
Adelaide brought a delicate hand to her face and turned away. “This is not going to end well …” she warned.
“Don’t be ridiculous. The worst that can happen is father will banish me from the feast. And I would hardly be distraught about that.”
Adelaide turned again toward her sister and pleaded, “Must you do this?”
Liesel shook her head, amused. “It’s just a dress.”
“And father will ‘just’ have his heart come to a halt when he sees you.”
“Nonsense. He hasn’t fought a hundred wars to be unsettled so easily.”
“I suppose we shall soon see,” Adelaide nervously noted.
“Come,” Liesel invited. “If you are finished getting ready, you should walk with me.”
Adelaide hesitated.
“Unless you are worried what people will think of you for being with such a sister …”
“I’ve never been ashamed of you. I’m just trying to understand you.”
“What is there to understand?”
Adelaide walked to her and took one of her hands. “Liesel,” she began in a soft voice. “Is this about the suitors?”
“What do you mean?” Liesel answered irritably.
“I know you don’t seem to like Prince Cornelius much, but you haven’t even met the other prince.”
“I don’t need to meet him. My mind is completely made up about marriage.”
Adelaide dropped her sister’s hand in exasperation. “Not this again …”
“What is it to you?”
“Must you really ask that question? You know Mother and Father will never let me marry until you are married.”
“That’s nonsense.”
“It’s true! And you should know it!” Adelaide said, placing her hands on her hips. “And little Frederick is not going to want to have to take care of two spinster sisters when he’s king.”
“Oh, Adelaide. Do not fret. Frederick loves you. Even if Mother and Father won’t let you marry, he will let you when he’s king.”
“Wonderful. I’ll get to marry an old man when I’m forty.”
“Maybe Father will abdicate the throne sooner …”
“That will never happen,” Adelaide answered with feeling.
“True,” Liesel agreed before she motioned back toward the door. “Are you ready to go now?”
“Are you really wearing that dress?”
“Adelaide!”
The younger sister sighed. “I suppose there’s no point in delaying the inevitable.”
“Please don’t sound so grim. We are going to a feast, not an execution.”
“We shall see …”
Liesel rolled her eyes.
But in her heart she had to admit, she was beginning to wonder if she was making a mistake.
Princess Liesel spotted Gretchen waiting for her outside the banquet hall when she turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs.
“I thought you didn’t care for large social gatherings,” Liesel commented as her maid stood to greet her.
“Ay, but I’ll suffer the crowds if the entertainment is promising.”
“You are wasting your time,” Liesel answered as she flicked a crusted piece of dirt from her sleeve.
Gretchen looked pointedly at where the dirt had been on the princess’s shirt. “I dare to disagree.”
Liesel moved to continue walking toward the banquet hall, but Adelaide pulled on her arm. “Are you certain about this?”
Liesel pretended as though she didn’t feel like her heart was about to pound straight out of her chest and calmly replied, “If you don’t stop asking me that, then you will have to begin worrying about being scolded yourself for being late. Now come, dear sister.”
Liesel stepped forward to precede her sister into the banquet hall, but one of the guards at the door blocked her progress with his spear.
He didn’t bother to look at the peasant, but instead addressed the younger princess. “I’m sorry, Princess Adelaide, but all beggars must be served outside when royal guests are present.”
“Beggar, soldier?” Liesel questioned, feigning innocence.
Recognizing the voice, the young guard’s eyes widened and he stammered, “Apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t expect, I mean … I umm … I didn’t know …”
Liesel smiled sympathetically at him and sidestepped his frozen spear to enter into the great hall.
Although she had originally envisioned herself marching directly to her place at the head of the room immediately upon her entrance, she instead found herself hesitating, lingering just inside the entryway so she could survey her surroundings.
Servants swarmed around the room like bees, placing the finishing touches on all of the long banquet tables. The minstrels were gathered together in one corner, giving their instruments a final tuning, and the aroma of roasted meats filled the air as the cooks began parading the first courses into the hall.
At the head of the room, her parents stood talking with King Waldemar, Prince Cornelius’s father. She noted that the king apparently possessed the same charm as his son, for her parents were both smiling delightedly at whatever story he was telling them.
Faint traces of her mother’s melodious laugh made it through the thick noise of the room before her mother happened to glance in her daughters’ direction.
It was obvious the queen could hardly believe the sight before her for her neck instantly snapped back to take a second look. The color drained from the beautiful queen’s face, turning her already fair complexion an ashen white. One of her shaking hands had to grasp at a nearby chair for support.
Liesel flushed under the queen’s
stare. If she hadn’t had Adelaide at her side, she would have fled the room to escape her mother’s obvious disapproval.
She was still debating this as a possibility when Prince Cornelius appeared before them.
“The prettiest princesses looking beautiful as always,” the prince greeted the twosome with a deep bow. “But I can’t help but ask you, Princess Liesel … is your attire a traditional piece, or is this just another one of your endearing eccentricities?”
“Neither,” she coolly quipped. “This is simply my favorite dress.”
“And you’ve never looked more charming,” he smoothly returned with a grin.
Liesel silently cursed her dress.
The prince then extended his arm to her. “May I escort you to your table?”
Liesel opened her mouth to offer an excuse, but Adelaide quickly answered for the both of them, “We would love that.”
“Thank you, Adelaide,” Liesel muttered before she forced a smile and dutifully accepted the prince’s right arm.
At the head of the room, the two kings were still enveloped in their conversation, but the queen was now standing to the side, awaiting her daughters’ arrival.
Prince Cornelius greeted the queen with a slight bow. If he noticed the queen’s clenched jaw or tightly folded arms, he gave no sign of it, but instead turned to offer Liesel the chair to the right of the king’s place.
But the queen stopped him. “I think she had better sit by me. Adelaide, take her seat.”
Only when they were all seated with Cornelius safely away out of hearing distance, did the queen turn on her elder daughter.
“Liesel, what do you think you are doing, embarrassing your father and me in such a way? Return to your room this instant and change out of that ridiculous dress before your father sees you.”
But it was too late.
“Liesel!” the large king bellowed. King Waldemar quietly excused himself to join his son.
“Richmond, we mustn’t make a scene,” the queen scolded softly. “And you needn’t lose your temper. Liesel was just about to leave to change, weren’t you?”
“Well, actually, I-”
Princess without a Palace: A King Thrushbeard Fairy Tale Page 2