A Tale of Two Princesses (4 page)

     "What a bother. He's probably dreadful!"

     "I have heard he's quite handsome. His eighteenth birthday passed just weeks ago. And as your mother said, he is trained as a knight. And I believe he practices swordplay in hobby, as well as wrestling."

     "A wrestling swordsman? How terrible! He's probably all hot and sweaty to the touch, a disgusting, smelly mess all the time, wrestling his fellow knights or whoever it is whom he wrestles."

     "I haven't an idea, but he has built a name for himself in his kingdom, despite living in his brother's shadow. Remember, he is the second son of King Cross. Never expecting to rule, Prince Court has spent his time in adventure."

     "Oh, now wait a moment, wait a moment," Celeste said. "A man who lived never expecting to be king?"

     "Yes?"

     "A man who is used to living in the shadow of his brother?"

     "Yes?"

     "Oh, Homa! He may just be perfect!"

     "Your highness?"

     "And he's even a prince! Maybe I have reacted too soon!"

     "Indeed, your highness! I am so pleased to hear you say that."

     "Oh, but then," Celeste said, settling back in her seat, "he's got a father who is a king, a rather powerful king, and he may just wield his son like a tool from afar."

     "That is a possibility, your highness."

     Celeste sighed, looking out her window again. Her eyes suddenly flashed. Just off to the side of the road, a woman fell to her face, but the girl standing beside her did not.

     "Stop the carriage!"

     The landau came to a halt, the escort guard slowing all around her.

     "Your highness?" Homa spoke up. "Why ever are we stopping on this rural rode?"

     "Open the doors!"

     The doors opened and a footman placed a set of steps on the ground, offering his hand to the princess. A valet was waiting to cover her with a lacy umbrella, yellow to match her yellow dress. She looked down from her steps, seeing the girl now bowing beside her companion, both with their faces in the dirt.

     "You there, peasant," Celeste called. "Why did you not bow the moment you saw my carriage traveling about the road?"

     The girl looked up, her eyes wet. She sniffled before she spoke. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I was talking to Mrs. Crockery, and I had my back to the road, and I was crying, and I didn't see you coming up from behind."

     "Do you know who I am?" Celeste demanded, stepping up to the girl's face, her feet right beneath her nose. "I am Princess Celeste!"

     "Oh! I am so honored, your highness!" the girl said, wiping her eyes to see properly. "You're just as beautiful as they say. My name is Sienna."

     "I did not ask your name, peasant," Celeste said. "Are you aware showing disrespect to the monarchy is a death sentence?"

     "Oh, no!" Sienna said, putting her face back down. "I'm so sorry! It was an accident! I beg your forgiveness for being so stupid."

     "Why, I could snap my fingers and my guards would take you away to the gallows. Do you wish to hang?"

     Her guards, all dressed in silver, were standing with their hands on the swords at their belts, waiting to follow their princess' command.

     "No, please, your highness!" Sienna whimpered. "Please, give me another chance. I throw myself on your great generosity and kindness to spare me from my own stupidity."

     "You would beg for your life? Then show me the respect you denied me. Come, kiss my foot."

     Sienna glanced up, but then she crawled forward as Celeste stretched her foot out, displaying her shoe, a curled toe with an arched heel, matching her yellow dress. Sienna kissed her shoe.

     "You can do better than that," Celeste said, grinning down. She slipped her barefoot out of the shoe, a barrier of white stockings separating her from the ground. "Do not let my foot touch the earth."

     Sienna's hand came up and she cradled Celeste's heel.

     "Now, kiss it."

     Sienna's lips opened and closed against the knuckles of Celeste's toes. Celeste took her foot back, stepping into her shoe. Then she lifted her other foot, catching Sienna's chin, tilting her head up so she could see her eyes.

     "You are honored to kiss the foot of a princess, are you not?"

     "Yes, you're highness."

     "Few peasants would be granted such favor."

     "Oh. That's very nice of you then."

     "Stand, both of you." Celeste looked at the other woman. "Are you this girls' mother? You should teach your child some respect."

     "Begging your pardon, your highness, but she's not my child, not even kin. And I rightly agree with you that she needs to be taught respect."

     "Indeed." Celeste looked back at Sienna. "And who is it that is your master?"

     "My uncle," Sienna whispered. "He owns the tavern just up the road." She pointed.

     "What is this that keeps catching my eye?" Celeste said, narrowing her eyes at Sienna.

     A few locks of golden hair were falling out from behind Sienna's handkerchief. Celeste ripped it away and Sienna's long golden hair fell down her shoulders, coming to the base of her back.

     Homa gasped. "Her hair, your highness."

     Celeste stared at it. Even the guards did double takes as they saw Sienna, a couple of them mumbling, the words "golden hair" drifting on the wind.

     "Lift your head," Celeste said.

     Sienna met Celeste's eyes. They were hazel, contrasted against Sienna's green. The dissimilarities deepened from there. The princess had a much rounder face and weighed a bit more, with a nose that was long and pointy, and thin lips that made her look almost angry as she smiled. Sienna had a small nose, a button really, and a shallow face, which was mostly from malnutrition. Her lips were far fuller though. Her ears too, were bigger, which may not have been a credit, as they stuck out her hair often enough and Mrs. Crockery occasionally pulled on them when she wanted her to go somewhere, whereas the princess' ears were pressed to the side of her head as if by glue.

     "Your hair is a beautiful shade," Celeste said.

     "Thank you, your highness. I was told today it resembled yours." Sienna took a glance at the princess' hair. "Yours is far lovelier, if I may say."

     "But of course it is," Celeste said. "Homa, have you ever seen anyone with hair so akin to mine?"

     "No, your highness. It is stunning; though as the child said, it pales in comparison to your magnificence."

     "Indeed, but what an interesting similarity. Do tell me, whatever did you say your name was?"

     "Sienna."

     And then Celeste touched Sienna's hair. It made Sienna jerk.

     "Oh," Celeste said. "You're sensitive."

     "Forgive me, your highness," Sienna said.

     "I believe I will let it go this time," Celeste said, putting her hands together. "Homa," she said, glancing over her shoulder, "what do you say we meet this girl's uncle and see his tavern? I do think I could do with a bit of culture."

     "You wish to stop at a common tavern, your highness? I have never known you to do such a thing."

     "Yes, but I find this girl ever so interesting with her beautiful hair." She looked back. "What was your name again, girl?"

     "Sienna, your highness."

     "Sienna. Please, escort us."

     "Yes, your highness."

     Mrs. Crockery and Sienna bowed as Celeste returned to her carriage. The tavern was not far, but Mrs. Crockery grabbed Sienna's arm and hurried her along.

     "What were you thinking, you foolish girl!" Mrs. Crockery hissed. "Disrespecting the princess! You've lost all sense!"

     "I didn't mean to," Sienna said. "Please, Mrs. Crockery, don't let Uncle Banyan sell me to that man."

     "I told you, enough crying about that!" Mrs. Crockery pushed her through the tavern's front door.

     "There you are!" Banyan said. "Took you both long enough. Sienna, I want you to head on upstairs. Mr. Raphael's waiting for you."

     "No," Sienna cried. "Please, Uncle, don't!"

     "He just wants to spend some time together."

     "Banyan," Mrs. Crockery said, "we've got a guest coming right on our heels! The princess herself!"

     "What?" he said, his eyes flying open. "The princess, in the flesh? My stars and scrolls, I don't believe it!"

     Mrs. Crockery shoved Sienna forward. "Go, girl! Get your broom and tidy up! Quick, we don't have but a few minutes!"

     Sienna nodded, glad for any work to postpone the inevitable. The three patrons in the bar nervously jumped up, running their hands through their hair, straightening their clothes. Banyan began checking his mugs and glasses, hiding the dirty ones. Sienna came back with a broom and Mrs. Crockery began wiping down the tables.

     And then the door opened, held by a soldier. The princess' guards filled the bar, forming a line. One of them stepped forward, speaking to everyone.

     "Show absolute respect in the presence of her highness. Bow before her and obey every commandment she issues. The sentence otherwise is death."

     Banyan came around the bar and knelt on one knee. The patrons also climbed down and bowed. Mrs. Crockery and Sienna were next. And then Celeste walked in, her chin high as she looked around. She placed a finger under her nostrils.

     "Oh, my, what is that dreadful smell?"

     Everyone looked at each other, unsure if she was asking one of them a question.     "Your highness," Homa said from the princess' side, "I believe it is the smell of ale and spirits."

     "No, not that. The other smell. It is, hmm, yes, peasant sweat. Disgusting. Do keep the door open, captain."

     "Yes, your highness," the captain of the guard said.

     Celeste took a seat at the table closest to the door. She looked out over the people kneeling before her. "Rise."

     Banyan rose quickly. "Your highness, my name is Banyan LaBrough. I am so graced and honored to have you step foot in my tavern."

     "You should be, but I was ever so thirsty. It is a smart man who opens a tavern on the road outside of town. Better to get the travelers on their way in, yes?"

     "Yes, princess, though I'm not often so lucky to catch them."

     "But, really, Mr. Banyan," Celeste said, "are you this girl's uncle? You ought to teach her manners. She neglected to bow to my carriage."

     "Did she, your highness?" he said, turning a furious glare around on Sienna. He slapped her in the back of the head. "Sienna, you miserable child! Don't you ever dare show the princess such disrespect! You put shame on me and our whole family!"

     "I'm sorry, Uncle."

     Banyan turned back. "My sincerest apologies, your highness. I'll be right sure to see she's punished."

     "Do that," Celeste said. She looked down at her table, raising an eyebrow. "What is that?"

     Everyone looked at her table. It was clean, nothing on it, except a streak from wiping it down. She looked at Banyan. Banyan snapped his fingers at Sienna.

     "Sienna! Clean the princess' table!"

     Sienna hurried over with a rag, wiping it down again. The princess put her wrists on it. Homa sat across from her. The soldiers took up places behind her, as well as six more around the room. The others, Sienna assumed, were just going to wait outside.

     "Wine, if you please," Celeste said. "Let us taste the grapes of the rural peasant, shall we, Homa?"

     "If her highness so wishes."

     Banyan hurried over with a bottle of wine and two glasses, filling each. Celeste picked up the goblet between two fingers, swirling it and smelling. She took a sip.

     "Just as terrible as I expected," Celeste said, pouring the wine out on the floor. "Not at all a surprise."

     "Begging your forgiveness, your highness."

     Celeste set the glass down. "I said it was not a surprise."

     "Sienna! Clean up the wine!"

     Sienna hurried forward, bringing her rag and bucket, falling to her knees as Celeste watched her clean the wine.

     Mrs. Crockery came forward, keeping her head down. "If I may say, your highness. To have you grace our establishment with your presence is an honor unthinkable. I am but a humble cook, but may I offer you anything?"

     "I think not. It is quite one thing to suffer under mediocre wine, but to dine on trash would sully the royal name. You have nearly offended me."

     "Forgive me, your highness," Mrs. Crockery said, bowing again, backing away.

     Celeste's eyes returned to Sienna as she cleaned.

     "Do tell me, Mr. Banyan," Celeste said, "wherever is this girl's parents?"

     "Bastard, she is, father unknown," Banyan spoke up. "Poor mother was carried off by the dragon."

     "The dragon?" Celeste said. "Oh, how dreadful! But it hasn't been seen in several years."

     "That was the last time," Banyan said.

     "What a tragedy," Celeste said.

     Sienna stood up, the floor now clean. She took her bucket into the kitchen, letting the door swing closed. She rested for a moment against the counter, her eyes glossy at the thought of her mother. Then Mrs. Crockery came in.

     "The princess! Can you believe it?"

     "No, ma'am."

     "Me either. Quite a story this is!" Mrs. Crockery said. "Well, no more time to waste. Come on then. Mr. Raphael is upstairs waiting. He rented a room for the night, and you've kept him waiting long enough."

     "But, but what about the princess?"

     "What about her?"

     "Doesn't this mean I'm not going to get sold tonight?"

     "Of course it doesn't. One thing has nothing to do with the other. Just stop your bellyaching."

     "But, but—"

     "But nothing. I want you to get on upstairs and mind Mr. Raphael before he comes down looking for you. I don't want the princess to even have to see that scoundrel in her presence."

     Sienna's lower lip trembled. "Please, Mrs. Crockery. I'm not...ready."