The Prince and His Maid

8: Meet the princess

Far far away two weeks later

*Isolde*

I hear my crinoline dress rustle as I hurry through the castle, I have to find out if the rumours is through. Am I finally getting out of this dusty old prison of a home ?

“Sorry my lady, you cannot enter, the Kings order.. he has an important meeting”. The guard outside the throne room say, giving me a friendly smile, but lowering his halberd in front of the door.

“It’s true then.. a diplomat.. they are discussing my marriage.. right ?” I ask, feeling elated, but I only get a friendly smile, telling me he isn’t allowed to tell.

I start to nervously pace the dark hallway, feeling both scared and excited. Everyone says that a diplomat has arrived from Agreydor, a vast kingdom across the big sea. I am pretty sure he is here to negotiate marriage.. my marriage.

It might sound weird, but I can’t wait to be married, to a degree where I almost don’t care who I have to marry, I just want to get out of here and gain just an ounce of freedom.

My father, the King, is not really a cruel man, but he is a very strict man. He was never exactly loving, I guess that to him I am an asset, something to bargain. And my virtue and value has been guarded since I was a kid. I am a valuable thing to trade and he did not want me spoiled.

So most of my life have been spend here, locked up in the castle, ladies in waiting swarming around me like headless chickens. I am quite sure that no matter who my husband is going to be, I will have more freedom. But so far no one has been willing or rich enough to pay the price my father is demanding.

But as far as I had heard the rumours and whispers spreading through the castle, not only was the country of Agreydor very rich, the prince was young and very handsome. I so want this deal to go through.

Would I have preferred to have the freedom to choose my own husband ? Well.. yeah I guess I would like that, but honestly I wouldn’t know were to start.. how to know which one was the right one. I have been raised and groomed all my life to be the perfect princess and I don’t know how to do much else.

Finally, after what feels like forever, the doors open and another guards steps out, giving me a polite nod. “The King wants to see you, your highness”.

I lift my skirt slightly and sweep past him into the grand hall. My father and mother is sitting on the throne, looking like the royalty they are, clad in gold and expensive silk, their backs rigid and their faces calm and regal.

In front of them stands a mousy little man, it has to be the diplomat and to my delight he looks very happy, smiling warmly at me.

My father lowers his eyes to look at me, giving me a rare smile. “Good news my dearest daughter. Finally someone has seen your worth and your beauty. You are to leave at once for Agreydor to marry the crown prince.. you will become a queen, just like you deserve”.

“Thank you, your majestæt.. I’ll do as you command me”. I say softly, giving him a small courtesy.

I am trying to keep my face as neutral as possible, even though what I really want to do is to jump around and clap my hands.

“You will have to travel without you maids though, and with only the most important things.. the ship is to small for you to bring anything else”. My father say.

My mother is squirming slightly in her throne. “I do not like that my dear.. a pirate ship.. those vile and barbaric men. Can’t we send one of the royal ships ?”

“Keep quiet woman, you do not know what you speak off”. My fathers glare brings her to instant silence. “The waters is to dangerous for a big ship. Their King is a wise man, sending a smaller vessel”.

I am a bit shocked to hear that I am travelling on a pirate ship. I mean pirates, they kill, plunder and.. attack women, don’t they ? “Your majestæt, am I going all on my own ?”

“Count Axel here will be there to make sure you are okay. Now leave and get ready”. My father say, permanently ending the conversation and dismissing me.

Actually I don't care much about having to do things myself during the travels, actually I am quite excited about this. And leaving my things is okay to, I am sure my husband will provide me with everything I could wish for.

I hurry back through the hallways, up to my rooms, to tell my ladies in waiting the exciting news and decide which things I absolutely have to bring on this new adventure.