ch 9

ch9.

It was late in the Autumn day.  The sun slowing beginning its decent.  I was playing with my dolls mother had made me out of straw and scraps of this and that.  Maria sat on the couch, sewing a makeshift dress for the dolls only because I had asked her to.  Mother was in the small kitchen brewing up supper that would be served soon.  Father sitting at the table, a frown on his face as he read the paper.  His forehead crinkled, eyes squinted.  I could tell something was bothering him.  Beside me Maria hummed a tune and what a lovely tune it was.  A smile worked its way to my lips getting up from the rug that lay on our shabby wooden floor I took one of the dolls in my arms and began to sway to Maria’s tune.  Spinning myself, I tripped on the edge of the worn rug and tumbled to the ground.  

“You okay sweet heart?” Asked father as he paused his reading to look at me.  I nodded silently and got back on my feet.  I scurried over to him and grabbed his hand.  “Dance with me Papa.”  I begged.  His eyes flickered to where mother was.  “Please?”  I added as I pouted.  

He gave a smile and put down his paper.  “I think I can squeeze in a dance with a Princess.”  

A Princess!  Oh, how I wanted to be one.  Father bowed to me and I curtsied giggling as I did.  Then he took me in his arms and we were off.  Spinning and swaying.  Father let me stand on his feet as he led us around the tiny living space.  Maria laughed and jumped off the couch.  

“May I cut in?”  She asked moving into a deep curtsy.  

“Why there are two princesses?”  Exclaimed father.  He released me and held his hand out for Maria. “It would be an honor.”  And then they were both up and dancing about.  Although maria didn't have to step on his toes, she knew how to dance.  I Began to sway in my spot by the hearth, a tune erupting from my mouth as I sang.  Father looked up from his dancing and smiled.  

“Come little Princess.”  He said.  “Dance with us!”  I squealed and joined their dance.  Spinning and turning and laughing.  My fathers eyes, green as the lush forest around me, filled with joy.  We danced like that and even mother joined in.  Back to the days when we were a family.  Back to when my father was alive.  His dead form flashed in my mind.  I whipped my head away, even though I could never run from those memories.  

My eyes became wet and I let the tears fall.  Grabbing a dead leaf from the forest floor, I wiped my runny nose.  What would he think of me now?  I sat in the Forest.  Needing to get some air after the shopping trip in the town.  So sat there, on a boulder on the hill watching the sun set behind the castle who held the man responsible for the death of my parents.  Of my childhood.  It was well after dark before I trekked back to my rooms.

My maid brushed through the silver locks of my hair.  It was calming in a sense, the repetition of the stokes.  Starting at the roots and traveling down to the ends.  Again and again and again.  My green eyes stared back at me while she brushed.  Good God I had been in this chair for a half an hour, how much hair did I posses?  I thought back to my mother, she usually had her hair up in a bun that would be a mess by noon.  I so rarely got to see it down.  

My sister had hair nearly as long as mine, but the princess’s and even the queen had shorter hair.  I guess short hair was a sign of wealth.  One many probably overlooked.  I sighed.  My hair had become a sort of burden as of late, but would chopping it off mark me as wealthy?  If so I would never cut it.

I tilted my head to the side.  “What do you think of my hair?”  

The maid looked up from the brush.  Watching me through the mirror.  “Why I think it is lovely my Lady.”  

“And if I were to cut it?”  

“Then it would still retain it’s beauty.”  She said going back to brushing.  “It is always nice once in a while for a change though.”  

“Do you think it is time for a change?”  

“If it pleases you.”  Was all the maid replied. 

I thought about it.  What would my mother do?  She only had hair a little past her shoulders and gave my sister and I a trim yearly.  Well, I had missed a few years.  No thanks to the horrid King.  Yes, It would please me.  

“Take ten inches off.” 

“Ten inches!”  Exclaimed the maid.  “Dear lord girl that will be a change.  Are you sure you want that much cut off?  Why don't we start with one or two?”  

I shook my head.  No, it had to be ten.  One inch for every year since my mother was taken from me.  “Ten.”  I stated.  “And if you do not wish to do it, I’ll take a knife and do it myself.”  

The maids lips went thin.  The brush still in her grasp.  Setting it down she traded it for a pair of silver scissors that gleamed in the sunlight that was streaming through the windows.  The maid took a lock in her hands and sliced though it with the sharp blades.  I winced as it hit the ground.  

“You said ten inches-“ 

“I know what I said.”  I snapped.  The maid needn't to remind me.  Timidly I shot a glance in the mirror.  I just prayed I didn't regret this decision. 

Once the cutting was done I loosed a breath.  My hair wasn't that short.  Landing right at my chest.  A chest that had gotten bigger since beginning to eat on a regular basis.  I ran my fingers through it and was still surprised when it ended so abruptly.  Needing to get used to the new length I ran my fingers through again.  It still surprised me.  Damn it.  

“How would you like it dressed today My Lady?”  The woman asked.  

“Keep it as it is.”  I stood from the vanity.  “Let everyone see my new hair.”  

As I changed I heard my door to my chamber open.  

“Odessa!”  Sang adamaris.  “Where are you?”  

“Im-“  The maid who was tending to my corset pulled tighter and the breath was momentarily lost.  Then I shot a glare in her direction. “Changing.”  I finished.  

“Ok.  I’ll just wait to tell you the news.”  

The news?  Why would I be getting news?  Finally in a dress I met the Princess in my chamber where she was seated at the foot of my bed. “What news?”  

 “You cut your hair.”

“Yes.”  I said and self consciously ran my fingers through it. 

“Well, It looks great!”  

“Thanks.”  I said. “Now, what news?”

Only the best new!”  She exclaimed.  “You are aware that in three weeks is the spring festival correct?”

I nodded.  I’d only looked on the festival when the time came.  People would sing merry songs in the streets, wooden poles would be brought out and adorned with colorful ribbon.  Girls would weave flowers together to make crowns that they would wear, mothers and fathers would be drinking away and mingling as their children played.  Bonfires would be lit and games played.  It always looked like a merry time.  At the last festival I had been perched on a rooftop, a bottle of stolen wine in my hand. I had gotten drunk on my rage, my sorrow.  

“I am aware.”  Was all I said.  

“Well, a couple of days after the spring festival is Tahvo’s birthday, so mother is going to throw him a birthday celebration on Spring Festival.”  

“That sounds lovely.”  

“I have yet to tell you the best part!” 

I raised a brow.  There was a best part?  

“Father and mother have decided that he is to choose a bride that night and take fathers place as king!”  Adamaris clapped her hands together with glee.  Oh joy.  

“I am very happy for him.”  I said.  

The Princesses face fell.  “You really don't understand do you?”  

“No?”  

She sighed.  “He could pick you.”            

Me?  I almost laughed.  The Prince and I had nothing romantic about our relationship.  Nor would I want to be his wife, let alone his queen.  

“No.  We aren’t like that.”  I said. “Besides, he has Isobel.”  

“But I don’t want Isobel for a sister.”  She complained.

“It doesn’t matter what you want, it is his choice.”  I snapped.  

Adamaris’s face crumbled at my sharp tone.  “I just thought-“ 

“Thought what?”  

“That you would want to marry him.  It is why you are here.”  

I rolled my eyes, playing the game. “And countless others have been here trying to win his love.”  

“But he never has spent as much of his time with them as he does you.”  She commented.  

There was a valid reason why he did.  Not that I could tell her that.  

“If he chooses me, then he chooses me, if he does not then he doesn’t.”  I stated.  “And you will be fine with it.”  

A smile tugged at the princesses lips.  “And I will make sure that he chooses you.” 

Oh please don’t, I wanted to say, but my protests would only be deaf to her ears.  So I let her bound past me in her glee.  Let her try.  I  knew as much that there was nothing going on between the Prince and I, and if he did propose I would reject.  I had no desire to be his.  

“Oh,”  She said as she paused in the doorway.  “and the ball would be the perfect opportunity to wear that gown we just bought you.”  And with a wink she was gone.  

I collapsed on my bed and scram into my overstuffed pillows.  I just wanted to be done.  I missed my sister, missed my s****y life.  It may be awful, but it was familiar.  Suddenly regret washed over me.  I shouldn't have cut my hair, shouldn't have gotten myself into this mess.  I could be with Maria and making sure she got enough to eat.  I hissed at the thought and made a mental reminder to visit her tonight with more food.  

Pushing up to my elbows a new plan popped in my mind.  If I was going to do this I would have to be ready sooner rather than later.  Even though I had no desire to go back to the woods I would have to.  

“Out.”  I commanded.  The maids stopped their tasks and looked at me. “I said out.”  

They nodded and scurried away.  Walking to the changing room I shrugged on my pants and tunic, grateful to be free of a corset.  I had work to do.  

I didn’t know what was happening all I knew is that one second I was sprinting through the thick wood and the next I was crashing toward the ground.  Arms wrapped around me.  

I cursed as I landed, my attackers weight crushing me.  “What are you doing here?”  The man growled.  

“Why don’t you tell me why you tackled me and mayhap then I will tell you.”  I said as I squirmed on the ground.  He was much too heavy for me to get off and I still had yet to learn defense.  I cursed the Prince.  If I die now . . . 

“You are on royal land.”  His breath was hot on my neck.  “It’s my business when a girl is running though the forest.”  A knife was suddenly pressed against my throat.  

“The weapon isn’t necessary.”  I growled. He pressed it harder against my skin.  A sting, then a trickle of blood.  I really was going to die.  

“Tell me and you might be spared.”  

“Exercise.”  I admitted.  

“Bull s**t.  You're a girl.  The only reason you would be running is if you, say broke in to the palace grounds.”  

He was so close, yet so far.  “I didn’t break in.  I’m Lady Odessa.”  

“Well then Lady Odessa, why would a lady as your self be taking a nice run through the woods.  Don't you have a tea party to attend.” 

“Tea is at three, the time currently is around noon, so forgive me if I have yet to arrive.”  

“Smart a*s are you?”  My breath hitched as he pressed the blade deeper, blood now trickling down.  

“Okay,”  I croaked.  “Okay, I give.  All I was doing was running, I swear.  I’ve been training with the Prince for the past couple weeks.”  

The blade was removed, but the man made no move to get off of me.  

“Why is he training you?”  He asked.  

I rolled my eyes.  “For personal reasons.”

He grunted and then shifted his weight and got up.  Thank God.  Getting back to my feet I raised a hand to my bleeding neck.  It stung. The man in front of me winced.  “Sorry about that.”  He mumbled.  I only glared.

“Who are you?”  I demanded. 

“You don’t get to know that quite yet missy.” 

I arched my brow.  “I thought we were done with this interrogation.”  

“I still don’t trust you.” 

Smart boy.  Too bad he hadn't caught me when I actually did sneak in.  I sighed, tired of this. “Go ahead and ask the royal family.  I am lady Odessa.”  

“I still don't understand why the Prince is training you, nor do I understand what he is training you for.”  

Ugh!  Can this man just leave me alone?  And why was he in the woods?  Was he following me?  

“Why are you here sir?”  I asked, ignoring his question.”  His fists clenched.  Unclenched.  Fine, let him be agitated, it was not I who had held a knife to their throat.  

“Patrols.”

“Alone?”  

His chin jerked a nod.  “Come, we have to get you to a healer so they can bind your neck.”  

“The neck you cut.”  I added. 

It was his turn to glare.  “It isn't that deep.  You are lucky you're even alive at the moment.”  

Feeling very mature, I stuck out my tongue.  The movement made my hand press harder against the cut, my blood smearing.  God, I did need to see a healer, before I passed out from blood loss. 

“I’ll allow you to lead me to a healer,”  I said stepping toward him. “but this conversation is far from over.”  

He graced me with a smile.  “I couldn’t agree more.”