| The next morning, Elesia sat back with a sigh. "There we go! All forty of those silly, stupid, frilly, useless pieces of silk, which will probably be thrown away..." She stood up and stretched her tired arms, leaning on the kitchen table. Gathering up the sachets and dumping them into a sack, Selene grinned. "And everyone says that you're calm." Laughing, Elesia cleared the bits of lace and string, throwing them into the wastebasket. "Well, I am shy, except when i talk to you," she asserted. "Otherwise...I dont talk and turn red." A knock at the door caused her to jump. "Now i have to hide!" Elesia squeaked. "I can't bear to talk to people!" She grabbed the bundle of pink sachets and ran into the small herbal workroom with a shudder. Selene shook her head, tying on her head scarf. "Oh, you." Walking up to the door, she opened it quickly. To her great surprise, Corren stood there, garbed in a plain, rough shirt and breeches. Shaking his dark hair out of the cap, he grinned, his golden eyes shining at her. Her heart flipped over once, then twice, at his familiar smile. "Didn't expect me, did you?" he replied to her openmouthed gape. Dumbly, she shook her head. "Well, I said i would visit, though it took me a week to run away. I managed to sneak in," he said smugly, "right under Pertia's nose." As he stepped in the room, his keen eyes caught a glimpse of Elesia peeking out from the herb-room before the door tilted shut and a bolt locked. "So," Selene asked, her voice ringing in her ears, "How are you doing?" With a sigh, she removed the kerchief from her head, a habit that had begun to grow on her. "I'm fine," he said, struggling to draw something out of his pocket. "I have something for you and Elesia." He paused, aiming his voice at the adjoining room jokingly. "If she will come out, that is." The door creaked open, and the girl tiptoed out with a curtsy. Standing directly behind Selene, Elesia peeked out from the taller girl's shoulder. Corren looked startled, surprised at her timid approach. "I'm not going to bite you," he said, his brow furrowed in confusion. She nodded and sat at the table with them, her eyes wide. Corren sighed once, then held out the pretty envelopes with one hand. "There's a ball," he said, handing the papers out to both of them, "And these are invitations. My father was going to send them, but I decided to come instead." "Unfortunately, there's one for Elenia," he said, his shoulders drooping with exaggerated sadness. He looked so rueful that even Elesia's shoulders began to shake with silent laughter. The stepsister looked at Selene, her eyes beginning to light up, and giggled out loud, her posture visibly relaxing. "Corren," Selene protested. "Pertia shall never let me go." He stood up, a humorous twinkle in his eye. "If you are not there, I do believe i shall come back here and attack her...but really, I suppose she shall have no choice." He was instantly rewarded with her glorious smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ten minutes after Corren left, Elenia flounced into the room. "Where is your head scarf?" she demanded, before her attentions changed to other topics. "And Mother!" she said loudly. "Here are the invitations everyone was talking about!" Pertia walked in, spotting the envelopes. "Ah," she exclaimed. "One week away! Thats only a short time to prepare! Ella," she warned, "Whe did these come? I have not heard a messenger." "She probably tried to hide them," Elenia supplied. Snatching up the papers, Pertia sneered. "Probably, but she's too stupid to manage that task." Opening all three of the sealed parchments, she looked up. "One for you, Ella?" she said, slightly stunned. "Mother," Elesia began, before she was cut off by Elenia. "Oh," her sister hissed. "So you knew about this, too?" Elesia flinched, but held her ground. Selene marveled how the Prince's brief visit had changed her kind stepsister's nature...perhaps it was companionship that strengthened her assertiveness? "No," Elesia replied calmly, "The Prince himself brought these to our door. And the royal family would be displeased if Ella were not present." "Well," Pertia snapped. "I suppose you-" she pointed to Selene haughtily- "Shall find your own means of dress. And since my elder daughter has been an accomplice in this act, she shall be punished the same." Pertia, completely ignoring Elesia, turned back to the other room with Elenia following obediantly. "Elenia," her voice could be heard through the walls, "We shall go shopping for your gown presently." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The house was silent, for the other servants had been given the day to prepare for the coming feast. "Selene?" Elesia's voice said. "What shall we do?" "Do what?" "Wear for the ball!" her stepsister all but wailed. "I have several old gowns, but they are quite worn and obviously too small for us to actually wear for the occasion." "I probably cannot go," Selene said, with more than a hint of sorrow in her voice, "But surely I can make you a dress, with something..." She paused in thought, trying to be cheerful for Elesia's sake. "There's a bunch of velvet in the attic, under my bed, that Pertia has forgotten about. There should be enough, so I can try..." Elesia stood up. "I dont want to go if you are not coming! You deserve to go!" she said fiercely. Another knock sounded at the door. With a sigh, Selene stood to open it. A woman, her hair greying around the temples, stood in front of the kitchen holding a basket. "Are you Ella?" she said with a smile. Glancing inside the kitchen, the woman caught sight of the other girl at the table. "And Elesia, I presume," she said kindly. Selene nodded and opened the door for her. "I'm Terah," the matronly woman said. "Prince Corren sent me to collect dress measurements." Elesia let out a gasp of surprise. "I beg your pardon?" she squeaked. Terah smiled. "I was Corren's nursemaid," she told them, "And he sent me on a 'special' mission to get both of your sizes so gowns could be made. He thought there might be a mishap." Her brown eyes took in the tearstreaks on Elesia's face and the disappointment of Selene. "And I dare say he was right. Smart boy, that prince." With the help of her measuring tape, Terah's critical eye quickly absorbed their figures and coloring. "Well," she said briskly, "It shall be here by the end of the week." "Thank you, ma'am," Selene said gratefully. Elesia echoed her reply. "Oh, don't thank me," Terah said, her eye landing slyly on Selene. "Thank Corren. As I said, he's a smart boy," she added cryptically as she left. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Terah examined the two gowns, her eye catching no mistakes. "I think they're done," she said, packing them safely into the boxes. Corren groaned, running his fingers through his hair with anxiety, a habit he just couldn't quit. "Stop that," his nurse replied waspishly. "You'll lose all your hair." "And I can be coddled by Nanny at the same time I'm supposed to marry?" he said angrily, more frustrated by the situation than her reprimand. "At seventeen I'm supposed to make my life decision?" "Oh hush, you." The woman bustled about, storing jewel boxes, ribbons, and shoes industriously. "One way or another, you know your father will let you marry her." "What?" he squeaked, his voice cracking on the highest note. His cheeks flushed. Terah smiled knowingly. "You do know, and Ella is such a sweet girl." Closing her lips at his glare, she hummed innocently to herself. "Oh, dearie me, I'm late!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` The day of the ball, Elenia returned laden with boxes. "Well," she said, her voice snide, "I suppose I am prepared for the grand ball." She held out her hand, which contained four small red gemstones set in a clasp and ribbon. "Its only the latest fashion," she explained condecendingly. Selene kept quiet, for secretly she didn't know what they were for. "I'm so glad for you," she said too sweetly, her voice loaded with syrupy sarcasm. She stirred the potion for the scullery maid's toothache, pouring it into a wooden flask before turning around to smile witheringly at her stepsister. "Oh, you be quiet, Ella-Cinder," Elenia snapped before running off to try on her gown. Elesia peeked into the room. "Do you think we shall be dressed in time?" she asked worriedly. "Terah said they would be here at noon..." The sun was past its zenith by the time the woman arrived, accompanied by a carriage and four maids. "Sorry," she said busily. "There was some kind of problem or another." The attendants swept in, carrying shimmering silk gowns. Elesia gasped, and only Selene's pride kept her from doing the same. "Oh glory," Elesia whispered. "It's so beautiful..." Selene swallowed. She had a feeling this was going to be a long process... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~` And it was. Four hours later, they were fully garbed in splendid attire. The bath itself took nearly an hour, for the perfumed soap did not rinse off easily. Six basins of water and three rinses each finally removed the last of the suds. "Really," Elesia said softly. "I can do it." The maid shook her head firmly and continued combing out her tangled hair. "It's easier this way," the woman gritted, struggling through the knotted locks with a comb. "Now, put on the gown so i can lace the back shut." Elesia obliged, stepping into the pale blue gown, its capped sleeves and umpire bodice making her look like a princess out of a fairy story. "Oh, goodness!" Selene exclaimed as her gown's laces were tied. The green silk, exactly matching her eyes, swirled around her ankles heavily for it was embroidered all around with gold thread in the shape of blooming roses. The material was cut in a full, but not burdensome, skirt with tiny winking emeralds set at hem and neck. The sleeves were long, tapering down to her wrists, but began low off her shoulders. "This is glorious," she whispered to Terah. "Hold still," was her stern reply. She held out a box, filled to the brim with emerald stones and silken green ribbons, almost like Elenia's four but larger. "If you move now, you hair will unweave itself, and then you'll have to deal with me." Elesia turned around, light blue stones being woven into her auburn braid. "Elenia's going to be angry, isn't she?" the girl asked with a wicked smile. Selene laughed, trying not to create motion, while the dozens of gems were woven into her long golden braid. "She's going to throw a fit!" she told her stepsister. "Or have heart failure from shock!" Terah twirled the girl to face the mirror. "Ella, look." The reflection showed a true lady, her shining yellow hair twisted into a single braid that swung near the floor. Graceful poise, elegant dress, and for once her worried eyes filled with some kind of hope. "Corren will think you look beautiful," the woman remarked. Blushing, Selene bit her lip, shoving all thoughts about her friend out of her mind before she blurted something rash. "Oh," she said blandly. Terah snorted and stood to examine Elesia. "Silly children," Selene heard her mutter as she trotted away. "Can't see what's right in front of their faces. Making my hair grey, nowday's young folk don't have no sense..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Well," Terah said as they stood in front of the gate. "Your carriage shall be coming soon, so i better be off." "Thank you so much!" Selene said warmly, meaning every word. "This is so wonderful!" "Thank you!" Elesia repeated, her blue eyes as shining as the jewels in her hair. Terah grinned. "The prince and his cousin Trenel shall be by shortly." She laughed good-naturedly at their blank expressions. "They're your escorts," she explained with a slightly impish smile. Selene's cheeks flushed, and her eyes glowed brightly at the thought of her Corren. Terah supressed a laugh before hopping into the wagon and waving goodbye. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Elenia pranced by, clad in a red satin gown, her hair in waist long braids. "But not nearly as well done as Terah fixed ours," her sister whispered. Turning to look at the other two, waiting for their carriage, her reddened lips opened with shock. "Well, I never!" she exclaimed, regaining her composure. Her sharp blue eyes, hawklike in their scrutiny, traversed their silk gowns, bejeweled hair, wrists, and neck, even glancing at the dainty, matching dancing slippers. "Hmph! Well, have fun walking there, my escort Lord Ermer shall be here shortly." Turning her nose, the girl sniffed and ignored them after her harangue. Selene stifled a giggle. "Does she know?" she asked Elenia, for once delighted in showing up the wicked stepsister. "I know its wrong to take so much joy in this, but..." Elesia shook her auburn braids, their length falling past her hips. "I think under these circumstances," she replied, her eyes merry, "we have a perfect right." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four minutes later, a cream colored carriage was seen from the road, pulled by four lovely white mares with flowing rose and gold ribbons woven into their long, silky manes. Real blossoms, no doubt plucked that day from the rose garden, adorned the doors and windows of the small carriage. Elenia made a small, scornful cough, quite ladylike in even her distain. "I suppose that is my conveyance," she said airly, lifting the edge of her satin skirt. The rose and gold door opened to reveal the slightly tousled head of Corren. "You're there?" he said, looking up, annoyed, as a thornless branch poked him in the head. "Aagh." Selene laughed and even Elesia smiled at the Prince's obvious discomfort in social activities. "We're here," she replied, walking past the staring Elenia without a backwards glance. Helping first one, and then the other, into the small courtly carriage, they settled themselves comfortably across from one another. "Sel- Ella, Elesia," Corren said tiredly, as if the whole procedure terribly bored him, "This is my cousin Trenel. Trenel, this is Ella and Elesia." The boy, around the same age as Corren himself, grinned. "Hey," he said, his grey eyes lighting up. "I'm the cousin of this mismatched, unsociable bloke." Trenel's hair, quite fairer than his reletive's, swept back from his forehead and dangled neatly yet still giving the laid-back appearance. He wore a tasteful blue and grey outfit, matching Elesia's nicely. "Trouble maker, that one is," Corren grumbled to Selene. Trenel looked up from his good-natured but teasingly exaggerated dismay of Elesia, who had pressed herself as far away from him in the double seat as possible. "Nay, I'm not a trouble maker, just someone who finds himself in strange and unusual situations." Coren made a choking noise. "Yes, sure. And who poured that abominable mixture of- of I don't know what to call it! Oil? Molasses? And that shoe is still stuck to the floor! I can't tell Mother, she'll flay me, and the servants will tell her, and Terah would kill me! I can't even use that room anymo-" "It was a joke," Trenel said mildly. "You got me back by pouring juice down my back, while I was trying to study for my exam..." Elesia looked across at Selene, her eyes twinkling with mirth. She bit her lip, trying to supress the giggle that was escaping her, but failed. Trenel watched her, a curious look in his grey eyes that was a mixture between surprise and preference. "I think they're getting along well," Corren whispered, his golden eyes sparkling with humor as Trenel's face flushed first red, then white. "He's actually nervous." "Thats a good sign?" she breathed, trying to remain quiet. He grinned. "Surprisingly, yes. He's only worried when he truly cares." Corren smoothed his shirt sleeves, white silk under a green and gold tunic. "We shall be there soon," he remarked to the others. Selene swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. In the distance, the castle sparkled with lights, a gilded beacon in the darkening sky. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Corren led Selene out of the carriage and up the long, pale marble stairs. The sound of genteel conversation and swishing silk skirts increased in intensity as they slowly walked closer to the crowd. The musicians, sitting close to the thrones, struck a tune, their four stringed instruments ringing with the sound. Couples broke off and entered the shining gold center of the ballroom, twirling joyously in a riot of colors. "Corren," Selene breathed, her hand tight on his arm, "I cannot dance! Whatever should i do?" He sighed with relief. "I'm glad, I really don't want to go out there." Pausing in the throng of watchers, he cocked his head. "But don't you wish to try?" "Of course!" she exclaimed, "But i don't want to make a fool of either of us, surrounded by spinning nobles and such! Dancing is not training for a doctor," she reminded him. As it was, she barely remembered the lessons she had taken as a young girl, quickly discarded for the rounds and medicine of her father's occupation. His green eyes sparkled. "I think I have an idea." Taking her hand, he tugged on it gently. "Come on." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Where are we going?" Selene laughed, slightly unnerved, as Corren skillfully guided her through the crowd without any mishaps. He grinned, tugging on her hand, ignoring the flush that was growing over his cheeks. Pushing aside a curtain in a window far from the dizzying group of dancers, he led her onto a balcony set far above the castle grounds. "See?" he said triumphantly. "You can still hear the music, but no one can see you!" A giggle ticked the back of her throat, his spontaneous charm making her smile. "Its amazing!" she exclaimed. Her delicate shoes tapped quietly on the polished floor, composed of beautiful lapis lazuli and pure white marble. "Shall we?" he asked, extending his hand. Thanks to the deep blue of the sky, though starless that night, she could not see the slight tremble as he waited the tiny pause for her to accept or shy away. Taking his hand, cheeks hot, she asked one simple question. "How?" Stepping back, he spread his arms out in dismay. "I am not the most able teacher." "Instead," she replied, "I suppose I shall sit, then." Selene, carefully so she would not crease her skirts, delicately sat on the polished blue bench. The prince sat next to her, and her shyness began to get the better of her. Avoiding his gaze, she instead regarded their surroundings. Her green eyes took in the deep purple curtains, and the silver gilt lantern he had no doubt snatched from the crowded ballroom. "It's dark already?" she said. He shrugged, staring at the moon. "It's quite late," he replied quietly. He patted the top of the lamp, placed next to them on the floor. "I brought this, because the hangings do block out much of the light and brightness of the party inside. I know because," he grinned, "this is where I hide during state occasions." Her laughter filled the chilly air. "Truly? Will not your family miss your presence?" "Of course not!" Corren said, indignant. "I've been doing this for years!" She looked at him, dubious. "Are you sure?" Standing, she peered between the heavy velvet curtains. "Well...I do suppose you're right." "Of course I am," he said smugly, looking up at her. With a exasperated sigh, she gently tapped the top of his head with her palm, her fingers tangling accidentally in his dark hair. "Oh...sorry," she said, feeling horrible as one of her bracelets, emeralds set in gold, twisted in the silky locks. "Oh dear. This is terrible." She managed to dislodge it without much discomfort on Corren's part, as he tried to help even though he couldn't see. "It's out," she told him. Smiling in relief, her palm still flat on his head, the prince took her hand and held it in both of his. Selene blushed as he drew her down next to him. His eyes stared at her face, into her eyes, both worry and joy in their crystalline facets. She returned his gaze, tilting her head back slightly to accomodate the height difference. The flecks of gold in his kind, warm glance fell around her like stardust...and she knew. For sure. It was just as her father had said, a shower of love that surrounded her senses and warmed her heart. Selene brought her other hand up to clasp his, wrapped around her chilled fingers. A breath of relief escaped his parted lips, a prayer of some kind, as she silently answered his unspoken question. Dislodging one hand from their tangle, he stroked a wayward strand of gold hair away from her upturned face. Bowed over her, their eyes meeting, he swept her up in a tight hug, until she was lifted from the bench. Wrapping his arms around his neck, she sighed with happiness. "Mmm," he said, his forehead warm against the side of her face. Selene giggled as she was pulled upwards, joyfully swung and held tightly on his lap. "Selene!" "What?" she laughed, as she placed her small hands on either side of his face and kissed him. Corren responded exactly as she hoped, both thoroughly enjoying each other's love. When they parted, it was only to a hands width. "Corren," she whispered, "I love you." He simply tightened his arms around her shoulders, bringing her as close as possible to him. "I love you back." His warm breath tickled the side of her face, heating the chilled pale cheek. Tilting her head back, she watched his face solemnly. "Are you sure? A Crown Prince and a mere servant girl?" Her mind forced itself to forget her less-than-humble background. Just forget the past, she told herself, and only see the wonderous creature before you, whom you love. He grasped her even tighter, refusing to let go. "I love you. Now and forever," he said firmly. "No matter what you are, what you do." She snuggled closer with a small sigh. "I'm glad," Selene said, her eyes closed. "So glad." The girl, content, squeezed Corren's freezing hands. "Are you cold?" He shuddered. "Positively chilled." Corren smiled, his bright grin lighting up her soul to its very center. "You?" "Frozen." Undoing the button of his cloak, Corren wrapped both of them in the warm grey wool. "Now i'm warm," she told him. She held out her hand, and he took it. ~~~~~~~~~~ "Where are they?" Elesia said, peering around the room, blushing slightly from talking and standing quite near to the young Lord. Trenel shrugged. "Hiding? That's what he usually does." Gesturing with his head, he smiled and took her hand. "I think I know where, too." Leading her though the dizzying crowd, they slipped through the amethyst curtains. "Shh," the girl told him. Peeking around, they watched wide-eyed at the couple snuggled on the bench. "I can't resist," Trenel murmured, and jumped out with a roar. And as suspected, the couple shrieked and Trenel was in a lot of trouble... "Selene!" Elesia shook the girl. "Are you there?" "Huh?" "You were dazing off into the air..." The girl giggled. "Are you thinking of him again?" Selene grinned. "Maybe," she said gleefully. The maids bustled in with the sewing. "And you know," one said to the other, "If he doesn't betroth before 'is birthday, there will be a terrible famine!" "Do say?" the other said breathlessly. "Will that be true?" "Of course not!" Elesia interjected, her gentle voice sharp. "It's just a rumor." "Well, Miss," the maid said sternly, "Tell that to the townsfolk. They all believe thet. Its been generations since the last drought, but- "she lowered her voice confidentially- "my uncle said that the heir that year didn't betroth in time!" "That's silly." Stitching the hem, Selene bit her lip before she said anything rash. With less than a month to Corren's birthday, she had so little time before he would be seen on the castle Balcony, holding the hand of a suitable match...she couldn't finish the thought. Smoothing the white cloth with a shaking hand, the girl tried not to think about life without the Prince. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Father!" he complained. The king sighed. "Well, it has to be done now, doesn't it? With your future subjects whining and gossiping as they are...there is only two weeks! The invitations are sent out, for the Ball three days before. You cannot expect to get out of it," he warned Corren. "It must be." "What if..." his voice faltered. "There is no one I love out of those Mother paraded in front of me already?" His father glared. "Find someone then! I cannot have anarchy in my City!" Throwing a pouch of gold at Corren, he waved him away. "Go now. And most Princes love spending their father's money, you should do the same for once." Corren grinned. "But just this once," the King teased before turning back to his documents. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nothing happened much in the three weeks that lapsed between the first Ball and the second, grander affair. Selene turned seventeen, though none but Elesia sat with her as she lit the white candle for good luck. "You're the same age as me, almost," remarked Elesia, who had turned seventeen nearly nine months ago. "Almost." "You're still thinking about him, aren't you?" Elesia said softly. Selene nodded. "He hasn't visited in two weeks, I haven't heard any new rumors...El, what am I going to do?" she wailed. "He's to be married, and... and..." "Maybe he can marry you." Sniffling, she shook her head. "A Prince and a servant?" Smiling wryly, Selene wiped her eyes. "That's to happen when Pertia decides to be a kindly old women who sponsors charity events." Elesia grinned. "That could happen, if she needed to boost her reputation." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Corren stood in the seventh jewelry shop, examining the wares with a careful eye. "Gods, let this be over soon," he muttered. Sifting through the cases of rings, in all shapes and sizes, he sighed. Emeralds for Selene, to match her eyes? He held up a large, squarish stone set in gold. It would weigh her hand down, confine her. A glittering light caught his eye. Reaching for the delicate ring, he gasped. A sapphire, not to large or small, the diameter only the length of a watermelon seed, set in gold with two diamonds flanking it left and right. The cut of the stone, unique from the others, shimmered like a star in his hand. "Shopkeeper?" he said briskly. "I'll take this one." "Your Highness," the man said, not quite protesting. "It's not the largest stone I have in stock." Remembering the heavy, inch long diamond his mother wore, Corren shook his head. "I think this will be fine," he said joyfully to the man, who smiled understandingly. As it was wrapped in a wooden box, the only view in his mind was the band of gold and stones encircling Selene's delicate finger...if she would have him as her husband. A new problem entered his mind at this thought, sending him spinning back into the pit of agony. How would he ask her? What if she refused... Stumbling off, he locked himself in his room and sat for hours on the balcony, eyes shut, trying desperately to solve his heart's problem. ~~~~~~~~~~~ |