The Lady’s Wish
The room was quiet and still, a great deafening silence filling its walls. I sat quietly in my king sized bed, staring across the large expanse of my room. Tonight was the night.
Reaching over to my nightstand, I picked up a handheld mirror and looked down at my reflection. A pair of dark, red eyes set in a pale, tired face stared back. I tried relaxing my shoulders
, and smoothing out the crease between my brows. I disliked my outward demeanor to betray my true feelings. Studying my reflection, I noted my cold expression, and smooth closed-off features. When was the last time I had experienced true joy?
A sudden knock pulled me out of my thoughts, turning my face sharply towards the door. I breathed deeply, and rearranged my face into a neutral expression.
“You may enter!”, I announced.
Two maids walked in silently and promptly bowed.
“Good morning, your majesty”, they chorused in unison.
I regarded them as they stood, heads bowed, their gazes trained to the floor. They would not dare raise their eyes without my permission.
I regarded them cooly for a couple more minutes, enjoying their obvious discomfort before I finally spoke.
“You may prepare my bath” I said, my voice deathly soft, “but first, call for the tailor to bring my dress.”
“Yes your majesty”, they answered, and quickly exited the room.
Pulling back the covers, I climbed out of bed and walked to the window. It was a beautiful day. I breathed in deeply, taking in the crisp fresh air. When I closed my eyes, I could hear the sounds of birdsong as they happily flew about their day. My long hair gently rippled in the morning breeze caressing my skin.
Another knock sounded, this time accompanied with a low voice.
“Your majesty, may I enter?”
Realizing who it was, I looked towards the door and called out.
“You may!”
I turned back towards the window as soft footfalls sounded behind me, and Countess Olivia appeared at my side.
“Good morning, your majesty”, she said smiling up at me.
Countess Olivia was the only person whose presence made me feel at ease. I felt a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
“Good morning, countess” I answered. “Come let’s sit down at the table. I will ring a maid in for some breakfast”.
The countess chuckled.
“Are you trying to find an excuse for me to sit down, your majesty?” she teased. “These old bones aren’t ready to quit just yet!”
I shook my head, my smile widening. Grasping her hand, I pulled her gently to the tea table. AAcquiescingcquiesing, she sat down as I pulled a chair out for her.
I rang the bell, and a maid walked quickly through the door.
“Bring us both plates of breakfast” I commanded.
The maid bowed her head and backed out again, shutting the door behind her.
Countess Olivia reached out for me as I sat down on the opposite chair. I grasped her soft, wrinkled hands in mine. When had she gotten so old?
“Today is your big day, your majesty” she said smiling brightly. She squeezed my fingers. “You will finally become our crown princess. Your mother would be so proud.”
I looked down at our grasped hands, trying to quell the rising emotion in my chest.
“Would you do me the honor of preparing me for the ball, one last time?” I asked.
The countess ducked her head, and I looked away.
Regaining her composure, she looked back up at me and nodded, her eyes moist with unshed tears.
“It would be a privilege, your majesty”.
The maid returned, her arms holding a laden tray of food. Placing it on the table, she began pouring the tea, when all of a sudden a guard came rushing into the room.
Shocked, I stood up quickly, knocking the tea cup over.
“How dare you enter my rooms without permission!” my eyes burned with rage.
Realizing his mistake, the guard fell to his knee, bowing his head.
“Forgive me, your majesty! I did not think!” he said addressing the ground.
I stalked up to him, cold anger rising in my chest. I could feel my cheeks redden with unkempt fury.
Suddenly I felt a light tap on my arm, and the countess’s fingers intertwined with mine.
The anger whooshed out of me, and I felt myself go limp. Her hand was a welcome support.
“It’s alright, your majesty. The door was left open. He will not repeat it again.”
She turned towards him.
“Why did you come!” she demanded.
I glared down at him.
“I-I came to deliver a message from the Emperor” he stammered. “He summons your majesty to the garden.”
“Your message has been received” I answered coldly. “Leave.”
He bowed his head lower, and then scampered to the door. The maids who had gone to prepare my bath walked in as he hurried out.
“Your bath is ready, your majesty”, they chorused.
“Keep it ready for me until I return from the Emperor’s garden”, I said “Come now, I must get dressed”.
They bowed again, and walked over to my wardrobe to select a dress for the day.
“Not that one”, I said as they brought forth a dress in crushed blue velvet. “I want something light and airy”.
Reaching back in, they produced a light pink summer dress with sleeves half way down to the elbows. I nodded my approval and they brought it over. They slid it over my head, then buttoned it up from the back.
I walked over to my vanity table and sat as the countess came up behind me pulling my hair into a simple bun. She pulled out a circlet of pearls to wrap around my neck, and placed a jewelled tortoiseshell comb at the base of the bun.
“You look beautiful, your majesty”, she said as I stood up to leave.
I smiled as she looped her arm in mine and we walked out the door. The maids fell into step a short distance behind us.
When we reached the stone steps to the garden, I turned to the maids.
“Go and keep my bath ready and waiting.”
They bowed again, and left.
“Your majesty”, the countess said patting my arm, “Please don’t argue with the Emperor. He cares for you deeply”.
I pursed my mouth, but said nothing.
She sighed. “I’ll be waiting for you in your rooms.”
She wrapped me in a swift embrace, bowed, and walked away.
Steeling my gaze, I straightened my back, and made my way towards the Emperor. He was sitting under the shade of an oak tree at a small garden table, silently drinking tea. With his wavy salt and pepper hair stirring slightly in the breeze and his stance and demeanor assertive and powerful, he looked every bit the powerful ruler. His age did nothing to mask the strength emanating from him.
His dark red eyes, my eyes, looked up at me and crinkled up at the corners as I crossed the stone path.
Reaching his table, I nodded my head in respect.
“My greetings to the emperor”, I said.
“My greetings to the princess”, he answered back, smiling slightly. “Come”, he gestured to the empty seat in front of him. “Join me.”
I walked stiffly to the chair, and sat down, folding my hands in my lap.
“Why have I been summoned?”
The Emperor chuckled.
“Maybe I just wanted to have a conversation with my daughter?” he said.
I regarded him silently, daintily lifting a cup of tea to my lips.
He sighed, deflating slightly.
“Very well. Tonight, you will be crowned, and resume new responsibilities as Crown Princess.”
I looked up at him sharply.
“I am aware of what my duty entails.” I said.
He opened his mouth, but I cut him off.
“You do not need to worry about me father.” I said placing my cup down firmly. “I will hold myself accountable to my responsibilities.”
I met his gaze.
“Will that be all, your majesty?”
His eyes misted over and he suddenly looked very sad.
“I wish your mother could have been here to guide you”.
I felt a sudden pang in my heart, and I stood up in a rush.
“Father, I must take my leave. I have a great deal of preparations to make for tonight”.
The Emperor looked off into the distance, lost in a memory.
I waited impatiently.
Finally looking back at me, he nodded.
“You may go” he said.
Inclining my head, I turned to go when he grabbed my hand. I looked back at him, surprised. I did not remember the last time he’d touched me.
“Alyura, you must not continue on this path you’ve chosen”, he said, his eyes bright with sudden urgency. “There is only darkness in the end!”
I shook my head.
“It’s too late”.
Just as suddenly as the emotion had appeared in his eyes, it disappeared, leaving me to wonder if it had been there at all to begin with. Letting go of my hand, he looked away.
“May providence be with you.” he said.
Taking my cue, I bowed my head again, and turning round, walked back into the palace.