by Anna Santos
The preparations for the festival had been enjoyable as the fairies and Claire made the perfect costumes. Even the prince got a new outfit made just for the occasion. The fairies turned out to be the most excited. Not being around crowds in a long time, they wanted to look their best. Claire was wide-eyed when her tiny friends turned human size to try on and measure their dresses. Due to the fairies’ sewing skills and creativity, everyone looked fantastic.
The fairies, Claire, and the prince arrived at the festival with the other visitors, without drawing attention to themselves. Together, they roamed the streets. The prince’s gloved hand intertwined with Claire’s as she took charge. It felt strange leading their ruler, but he had wanted to stay anonymous, and it’d been several years since he came to the capital.
Claire and William wore black and white matching costumes with masks. Perfect for the masquerade ball and to keep William happy since the mask covered his face. The fairies went all out, wearing vibrant colors for their dresses along with long capes and eye-catching hairstyles. Many men bowed their way, mistaking the disguised fairies for female nobles. Amused, the fairies were enthusiastic about the number of young males who were mesmerized by their beauty.
At the capital square, Claire and the prince danced among the other couples. They switched partners a few times. Then, the couple walked the streets as Claire showed him around.
Believing she had spotted Myka, Claire followed the young lad to the street famous for its taverns.
“It’s him! It’s really him!” she cheered when her friend turned around without a mask covering his face. “He’s alone. I’ll be right back.”
The prince stopped in front of her. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to talk to him.”
“And tell him who you are?”
Claire nodded. “Of course.”
The prince shook his head. “He’ll ask what you’re doing here and who you are with. We can’t risk discovery.”
“Myka would never tell anyone who we are if I asked him not to,” Claire insisted. “We can trust him, William. I promise.”
“Please don’t.” The prince caught her arm. “I know you trust him, but being among so many people is daunting for me. I need you by my side.”
Claire reconsidered. “Fine. I will stay with you. But remember, we have to see my mother before we go home. These parties are not her thing, and she wrote in her last letter that she had a fever and needed to rest. My parents are probably at home. She told me she had improved when the winter ended, but now I’m worried about her health again.”
“I understand. I would see my mother every day if I could.”
“Let’s dance some more and eat before we leave the party and walk to my village,” Claire proposed.
William grabbed her hand and twirled her around before guiding her to the dance floor.
When the time came to visit her mother, the pair left the fairies at the party and walked the cobbled road to the village. Though far on foot, William seemed happy and talked nonstop, which lead Claire to believe that he had enjoyed himself.
An hour later, and Claire faced her home that seemed smaller than she remembered. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. Knowing where the spare key was, she let herself in and was surprised when she didn’t see her father in the kitchen next to the fire.
William waited outside, stargazing.
“Mother, are you here?” she asked, crossing the threshold from the kitchen to the living room.
“Who is there?” Mother called out from the bedroom.
Claire entered her parents’ bedroom.
“Who are you?” Mother squinted from the bed.
Claire hurried over. “It is me, Mother. Can’t you recognize me? I must look different dressed like this and with this makeup, but can’t you recognize my voice?”
Mother’s eyes grew wider. “Claire? You look like a princess. So beautiful and shiny in my dark, little room.”
“Flattering as always, Mom.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I just wanted to see you and prove to you that I’m doing well.” Claire took her hand. “The prince and I are getting along, and guess what?” She whispered in her mother’s ear, “He’s with me in disguise, waiting out front.”
Mother gasped. “He came with you? That has to mean something. I knew you were meant to be queen. My daughter and the prince of our kingdom.”
“Oh, Mother! I will tell you everything if you stop saying that. It makes me extra nervous,” Claire shared.
She told her mother about the palace and listened as the feeble woman recounted what happened in her own life. Both had shed a few tears when they finished talking, and Claire readied for departure.
“Goodbye. I promise to return.” Claire kissed her forehead.
“I’m glad you’re happy, my child,” Mother said. “Goodbye, my daughter.”
Claire went out to meet the prince. She searched for him, and, to her surprise, wandering down a nearby path was a drunk Myka. Her friend was singing an old tune and chugging alcohol from a bottle. Myka didn’t enjoy drinking.
“Be careful, Claire. That person seems like a dangerous drunkard.” William blocked her.
“No, William. That’s Myka, my friend. He’s harmless,” Claire explained. “He looks sad. May I talk to him?”
“Do you really need to?”
Claire peered past the prince and nodded. “Please. He’s my best friend.”
“He’s going to ask you a lot of questions. How will you explain your presence here?”
“I’ll tell him that the prince allowed me to visit my family, and you’re my escort.”
“Fine. Go talk to your friend. I’ll be here if you need my help, and he isn’t a gentleman with you.”
Claire grinned at him and place her hand over his white mask. “Myka is the kindest person I know. You don’t need to worry.”
“You’re the kindest person I know,” the prince said with a husky voice that made Claire grin wider.
Shivers ran up her spine with the closeness between them. Myka’s out of tune singing sounded closer and brought her back to reality.
“Wait here while I see what’s going on with my friend.” Claire brushed past William. “Myka! It’s me, Claire. What happened?”
Myka stopped. “Hi there, beautiful maiden! Want to hang out with a handsome lad tonight?”
Claire’s cheeks reddened. “No, Myka. It’s me, Claire.”
“Claire?” Myka hid the bottle behind him. “I didn’t—” He squinted. “Is that really you?”
“Yes.” Claire hugged him despite the smell of alcohol. “I’ve missed you.”
Myka didn’t move. “Am I hallucinating? How much did I drink?”
“You’re not hallucinating, silly.” Claire stepped back to study him. “Did something happen to you? Why are you drinking? Is auntie sick?”
“No, Mother is healthy.”
Claire frowned. “I saw you alone in the capital. Were you with Tanya? Is she still working for the wealthy family? Have you married? You haven’t been writing.”
Myka rubbed his elbow and looked at the ground. “I don’t know exactly what to write to you, Claire.”
“Mother hasn’t said anything about your marriage, either. Are you hiding something from me? Who did Tanya choose to be the maid of honor?”
Myka took a sip from the bottle and chuckled. “Stop with the questions.”
“I’m sorry. I let myself get carried away. I’ve missed you. I want to know everything about you.”
Myka hiccupped and chuckled again.
Claire frowned at his attitude.
“You look good. Life must be amazing at the palace, and that’s why you haven’t come back yet.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Women are all the same. Flash them a bit of money, and they are all over you.”
“Myka, why are you saying these things?” Claire tried to hold his arm.
He pushed her away. “If
you have to know. I’m not marrying anymore. Tanya left me for a butler. He works for a rich family and promised her a better life. Happy?”
Claire covered her mouth with her hands. “I am so sorry, Myka. You must be devasted.” She moved closer to hug him.
“No one wants to marry a poor shoemaker,” Myka complained, pushing Claire away.
“Enough of this.” William walked up and secured Claire’s shoulders. He glared at Myka. “You better not do that again.”
“Who are you? Why are you touching my friend?” Myka questioned, pointing the bottle at him. “Get your paws off her.”
“Myka, calm down,” Claire asked, looking back at the prince and then at her friend.
The prince stepped around her and tore the bottle away from Myka. “I think you had enough drinking for today. Go home and sleep.”
“Give me back my bottle.” Myka lunged at the prince but ended up falling on the ground when William evaded him.
“William,” Claire protested. “Don’t hurt my friend.”
“I didn’t touch him,” the prince retorted.
Claire hurried to help Myka get up.
“I’m not feeling well,” Myka mumbled as his legs wobbled, and he sat on the ground.
“Tell me where he lives, and I’ll take him home,” the prince proposed, leaning down to grab Myka’s arm.
Myka pushed the prince’s hand away. “Don’t touch me, noble bastard. I don’t want your kind to touch me. You’re all the same, looking down on us and making fun of our struggles.”
“Myka.” Claire folded her arms, placing herself between the prince and her friend. “Stop insulting my friend.”
“I’m your friend, not him,” Myka said, pointing at himself and then at the prince. “I’m your best friend. You’re my only friend, Claire. I have no one to talk to about what happened to me. Did you know that? You’ve been partying in the palace, and I’ve been here, suffering on my own.”
Claire crouched in front of Myka. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry that Tanya left you. But drinking won’t fix your problems. She didn’t deserve you if she cheated on you.”
“I know. I know. When are you coming back?”
“There’s still a few months left.”
“She’s not coming back,” the prince said, helping Claire up and placing an arm around her shoulders.
Claire’s eyes bulged as she removed the prince’s arm. “Myka, this is my escort from the palace. The prince allowed me to visit my family, but I need to return today.”
Getting up, Myka nodded with a tired expression and waved away. “Go back to the palace then. Go make everybody happy by melting the heart of our royal monarch. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
“Yes, let’s get you back home,” the prince agreed, showing her his hand for her to hold.
Claire hesitated. “Give me a few more seconds.” She faced Myka. “Do you know where my father is?”
“He’s with my father, playing cards at the tavern,” Myka replied. “They often do that now that there’s less work in the mines.”
“I wanted to see him,” Claire said.
“I’ll tell him you were here.”
“If you can remember anything that happened in the morning,” the prince said.
Myka smirked at him. “I’m perfectly able to hold my liquor, mysterious new friend of Claire’s.” He took a step forward. “I’ll prove it to you by walking—” He fell back on the floor.
Prince William shortened the distance between them and offered Myka his hand. “Some women are not worth our sorrow.”
Myka reluctantly accepted the prince’s hand and stood up. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Myka pulled him closer instead of letting go. “You take good care of my friend. Don’t let the prince take advantage of her. She’s innocent and only sees the good in people.”
“Don’t worry, young man.”
“Myka!” Claire protested.
Myka let go of the prince, twirled around, and grinned at her. “I’m good. I’m good. I’m going home now to sleep. I’m sleepy.”
Claire moved to catch him, but the prince stopped her. “We need to go.”
“He probably doesn’t even know where home is,” Claire said.
“I know where it is. Third home on the left,” Myka assured. “Go back to the palace, Claire.” He put his hands on his hips. “And save our kingdom!”
Claire shook her head while smiling at his goofy face. “I’ll do my best.”
“Goodbye.” Myka waved.
“Stay sober,” Claire said before leaving with the prince.
Chapter 23
Going to the capital had been fun. Seeing her mother made Claire happy. She was still upset about not being able to see her father. Knowing that they were living a good life was enough to make her feel better about the time she had been away from them.
On the other hand, Myka’s situation left her worried. She wrote to him a few more times, but he didn’t write back. Claire’s happiness decreased, and she often sighed and thought about home.
Her absence of mind didn’t go unnoticed by the prince. He tried to cheer her up and spend more time with her. Claire appreciated his preoccupation and care. She was also aware that her sadness might affect his recovery. Therefore, she went for walks, talked about books they read, ice-skated on the lake, and selected new plays for her and the fairies to perform. The prince seemed pleased and often offered presents to show his gratitude to her. Yet she couldn’t help thinking that the more she opened up to him, the more the prince hid from her.
Not being allowed to enter his part of the palace without being requested remained a strict rule. From time to time, the fairies asked Claire to bring food to the prince in the library. The corridor to the library had many closed doors and only one with a glass panel. That door seemed to give entry to an extraordinary garden made of crystal. She often peeked, but it was hard to see from the outside. The prince never invited her for a walk there. They usually walked outside and spent time in the common areas. That room was mysterious and forbidden. A bit like the library where he read, studied, and meditated. That part of his life was closed off to Claire, and he didn’t seem to want to share.
With only one month left, Claire wondered what more she needed to do for him to understand how she felt about him.
We are more than friends, aren’t we?
“Talking alone again?” Ming asked from the counter where she was seasoning the fish.
Claire faced Ming. “I’m leaving in a month.”
“You’ve been saying that for the past week,” Kara said, flying past her and landing on the counter next to Ming. “That smells good.”
Claire stopped chopping the vegetables, pulled up a chair, and sat back. “What will happen to the prince once I’m sent away?”
Ming and Kara shared a look and then shrugged.
“Do you want to go back home?” Ming asked.
Claire folded her arms. “I have a family that needs me and a friend who’s depressed.”
“You could ask the prince to revisit your family,” Kara proposed. “Maybe even spend a couple a days before returning to the palace to live with us for a few more months.”
“Visiting isn’t the same as spending quality time with my mom and dad. They must miss me. I also miss my home, even if it’s tiny and poor compared to this palace.”
“Do you want to go back home and never see the prince again? See us?” Kara asked, flying and hovering in front of Claire’s face. “Aren’t you going to miss me?”
Claire grinned. “Of course, I’m going to miss you. But the prince—”
“Yes?” Kara smiled.
“He doesn’t seem—” She pursed her lips. “My presence here can be replaced by someone else who will keep him company during his strolls and will read to him.”
“Do you think so?” Ming asked from her spot.
“He’d rather spend his days in the library than with me,” Cl
aire grumbled.
Ming giggled, and Kara flew back to her former spot.
“I believe Claire is feeling jealous of the library,” Kara teased.
“What if I am?” Claire countered.
“Then, you should cut a slice of cake, prepare some tea, and take it to the library where he’s meditating,” Kara replied.
Clara unfolded her arms and smirked. “That’s a great idea.”
“Yes. You should probably sit beside him and ask him if he wants you to stay,” Kara added.
Claire shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare. That would be embarrassing.”
“Being in love isn’t embarrassing,” Ming claimed.
“Who’s in love?” Claire asked, folding her arms again.
Kara and Ming giggled.
Following Ming and Kara’s advice, Claire prepared a tray with food and tea. She happily strolled her way down the corridor with her heart fluttering with the notion that she was going to see William for the first time that day.
As she turned to the prince’s aisle, she noticed that the door to the garden opened, and the butler exited. That door was always locked, and she had no idea the butler had a key. Maybe he was there to clean. Not even the fairies were allowed in that part of the palace. Claire had asked them about it, and they clamped their little mouths with alarm.
Claire rushed past the prince’s bedroom and proceeded on her way. She was going to ignore the open door to the garden, but her curiosity got the best of her.
Placing the tray on a table near the wall, she peeked inside the forbidden room.
Her mouth dropped when she saw a variety of beautiful flowers that seemed to be made of crystal and glowed in the sunlight that cascaded from the skylight.
As she ventured farther in, all of the plants, including the trees and vines, were formed from crystal. They were too beautiful to have been sculpted. Someone with such talent was beyond her dreams. Who would be able to make such perfect plants out of crystal? She continued to walk around, touching and wowing at the details.