Wholeheart City

Fleshing out the fantasy kingdom of Mirrorvale and its capital city Wholeheart, the city of diamonds, that Bethany imagines. Also hints a bit as to events in Bethany's 'real' life.

Princess Bethany the Fair rose from her chair on the balcony and moved forward to the balustrade. Before her the city of diamond stretched out like an unfurled map. Directly below her was the city square, and in the centre, standing in a magnificent fountain was the statue of Bethany that gave Wholeheart city its nickname.

The diamond had been found in the depths of a Dwarfish mineshaft in the far south, on the outskirts of Mirrorvale kingdom. It had been the size of a horse, and was proclaimed throughout the realm as the most beautiful and unique object in all of creation.

The craftsmen of both Wholeheart city and the Dwarfish city Ustuk that owned the mine had suggested that it be carved into a life-size likeness of Bethany, and despite her blushing objections (for she was a modest princess) they had insisted on toiling day and night to complete their work.

The stunning sculpture now stood in Wholeheart's square, where it could be admired by all.

Presently the princess rested her arms on the balustrade and took in a deep, contented sigh. Summer had been glorious this year, but now Autumn was fast approaching and soon the kingdom would be at its most beautiful. The apple orchards behind the castle would become swathed in wondrous hues of red and gold and orange unrivaled anywhere else. The orchards were supposed to be private property of the royal family, but Bethany always allowed the townsfolk to roam them at their leisure, picking the sweet, crisp fruits to their hearts' content.

"My Queen?"

Bethany jumped. She had been completely lost in thought, and the newcomer's voice had startled her. She turned to see her steward Farlow standing to attention beneath the marble arch that lead from the balcony to Bethany's sleeping quarters. He had turned bright red.

"Apologies, my Queen. I didn't mean to frighten thee."

She laughed. Hers was a clear, melodic sound that seemed to bring joy to others by proxy.

"Don't call me Queen, Farlow my dear. You know I am but a princess."

"With all due respect, your radiance, while your mother is away on her journey you are the acting monarch. It is my duty to address and serve you as such. Besides, the peoples' hearts belong to you, not your mother. It has always been so."

"Oh pish posh. When is mother due to return, by the way?"

"In a week's time. The journey from Goblindom to Wholeheart is a safe one at this time of year."

"The journey, yes. But Goblindom itself worries me. It seems so... perverse that she should be courted by none other than lord of the Goblins himself! Lord Davidglem is untrustworthy, I can feel it."

There was no argument from Farlow. He nodded slowly and thoughtfully.

"And of course, it is entirely disrespectful to the memory of your father."

Bethany's smile disappeared. High above, a cloud rolling its lazy, meandering path across the sky moved in front of the sun.

"My father was disgraced. His memory is tainted and deserves no respect," she said, stony-faced.

Farlow moved beside her.

"You do not believe that, my Queen. He was a good man and you loved him. In fact you still do."

He slipped her soft, white hand into his own. How bold of him, to approach a de-facto monarch in such a familiar manner.

"Farlow, how is it you know me so well? My innermost thoughts and feelings are like words in a book to you, it seems."

She felt him squeeze her hand lightly.

"I merely comment on what I observe. Am I right? About your father?"

She paused, uncertain, then continued in a faster voice. This needed to be said.

"You are. About me, about my father, about everything. His death was not as it seemed, I can feel it in my heart. My soul. He would not betray me and my mother like that. I still love him, and I know that my mother does too."

Farlow did not appear surprised.

"Speaking of your mother, has she not requested that you refer to her by her given name?"

Bethany was grateful for the change in subject. What had been said had needed to be said, but old wounds were in danger of being reopened. Why spoil such a lovely afternoon? The sun had peeked out from behind the cloud and again shone its golden rays onto the city.

"She has. She is not a young woman anymore, yet she clings desperately to youth like a drowning man to a floating log. I think she desires to be my friend, rather than my mother."

"And this is bad?"

"What do you think, since you know me so well?"

Farlow smiled at the quip. He raised his free hand and pushed an errant lock of Bethany's hair behind her ear.

"I think," he replied in his deep, soothing voice, "that you need a parent. Now more than ever. It is selfish of her to expect you to treat her as a peer when she should be your guide. Your protector. In the wake of the tragedy with your father, it is vital that the two of you become closer. Instead, she chooses to pursue this ridiculous 'romance' with the lord of Goblindom. But you are a strong young woman. You will weather this storm into the calm seas that lie beyond."

Bethany smiled at him, and was shocked to feel her eyes sting with imminent tears. She lowered her head, regretting that her hair was not loose, so that it may fall like a curtain and hide her weeping face.

"Thank you, Farlow. You always know just what to say."

They shared a lingering moment on the balcony, gazing in quiet companionship out over the sprawling rooftops of Wholeheart. The sun glinted off the diamond statue in the courtyard, making it shine like a beacon. Then Farlow spoke again.

"Anyway, we have digressed, dear Queen. I came to convey a message from the cook. He wishes to know whether your excellence would prefer to dine on herring or egret this evening."

She sighed. Away from this cautious, vaguely intimate display of emotions and feelings and back into the comparatively humdrum world of day-to-day castle life.

"Whichever is the least trouble for him. Raul works so hard as it is."

Farlow chuckled.

"As you wish."

He hesitated, as if to say something else, but seemed to think better of it and turned and reentered the castle proper. Bethany stayed where she stood on the balcony, surveying all she commanded. Well at least, until her mother returned from Goblindom. The princess's mind was racing, going over and over the conversation she had just had. Specifically, she considered what had been said of her father.

The Wise King Simon was now seven-months dead. Seven months in which Bethany had suffered grief at the loss, humiliation at the circumstances surrounding it, and shock at how quickly her mother had moved on to another man.

*******************************************************

Bethany Perkins' train of thought was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the neighbour's dog barking. It was an sickly old german shephard that sounded like any bark could be its last.

"Brugh! Brugh, brugh!"

She groaned and rolled off her bed. That damned dog signified her mother leaving for her 'date'. The mutt only went off to the sound of Emma's car, which sounded sickly in its own right.

At least now you're home alone now. You can sit downstairs without risk of another argument or awkward moment, consoled optimistic-Bethany.

She looked at the piercing, red display of her bedside clock. Seven-thirty already. She had been on the balcony of Wholeheart castle for hours!

She thought of changing into a t-shirt and jeans, but even that seemed like too much work. It was always depressing to come crashing back down to Earth after a visit to the city of diamond. She slipped downstairs and made herself a quick dinner of sandwiches and kool-aid (So much for Raul's gourmet herring or egret, remarked cynical-Bethany), then collapsed into a chair in the living room - the one her father always used to sit in. It used to always be warm from his body, but now it was cold and intimidating. Bethany felt that by warming it up by sitting in it herself, she was somehow keeping that part of him alive. The warm, inviting, friendly part of him. Not the part that had lead him to do...

Best not to think about that now. Let's get back to Mirrorvale, shall we? suggested practical-Bethany. She made a good point.

She spent the next five hours in that chair. She spent those same five hours a million miles away.

Reviews

[Mikayla_Stagg]

Another good chapter. I did see a few typos but nothing too bad. Keep writing (: