The Fight for The Princess’ Hand

The Third Chapter

I gasped as Jewel brought a tattered wig. “Jewel! What on earth-“

“I’m sorry, your grace. It seems the wig hasn’t been kept in good condition-“

“Well I did throw it in the roses the last time I used it. Imagine the look on my father’s face had he seen it.” I sighed as I sat on my bed. “Regardless, we need to get my disguise ready. Go fetch my clothing- you know the one. And my mask. And-“

“And your satchel. Of course, my Princess.” Jewel nodded, and I rolled my eyes at her formal vocabulary. I always dressed contradictory to my appearance here so no villager could even think of me being the princess.

My lady-in-waiting came back promptly, and within the next hour- I was ready. I looked in the mirror, admiring the way the peasant clothing made me look plain. My hair was in a bun with the rest cascading down my back, yet my navy hooded cloak covered it. I gently grasped the mask from Jewel, placing the sticky blue leather securely onto my face- it only covered the area around my eyes, but it did the trick. I beckoned Crowley to me as I approached the balcony, and he landed on my shoulder. I grasped the satchel’s strap around my chest as I looked back at Jewel- “Don’t forget to fill me in on Queen Veronica once I return.”

“Of course, your grace.”

With a smile directed towards her, I turned and climbed the vines that led down into the palace’s garden.

“Ah!” I whisper-screamed as I slightly slipped, and I gasped as I let go of the vines by accident. I fell into the bushes below with another small scream, groaning and thanking the lord above that they weren’t the rose bushes. Crowley squawked as he flew off of me mid-air, flying around me with judgy eyes. I rolled my eyes, “Shut it.”

I got up, smoothing my grey dress down. I was used to the material and non-floofyness, but I couldn’t help but cringe at the feel of the dress when I compared it to the dresses I wore. I made my way to the corner wall in the garden in ten minutes, moving past the shrubbery and crawling through the small hole in the cement wall that surrounded our castle.

After walking a long, long trail- I walked straight into the small path that led into a discreet entrance into a back alley. This area of the village I visited was the place more stricken with poverty rather than the extravagant areas I was allowed to visit. This was always the way I entered the village to not be recognized- and it always worked. I walked the somewhat similar streets, walking amongst other women and men… it had been a while since I’ve been here. The sun was still high enough in the sky- it was late noon.

There was a place I favored in this area- ‘The Slum House’ it was called. Why- because this part of our town was known as the slums- and this small tavern was the hub where all people came. The higher class socialites would've recognized me with one glance, perhaps. They came to drink, to eat, to dance, to sing… to be together as a people. And I loved that about them- they were my people after all. Around these parts, I was known as ‘Tina’. Not the most common name, but one close enough to my actual name that I would respond when called.

Crowley, however, never liked this tavern. He seemed to give me a glare, and I rolled my eyes. "Stay nearby, will you?"

I entered the tavern without Crowley, lowering my hood as I approached the bar. One of the barkeeps- Estella -recognized me instantly. She smiled wide, her dark auburn hair held back with a bow as the rest cascaded down her shoulders, as her own clothing resembled that of a man. She wore a white button with a black tailcoat- as well as trousers and brown leather boots. She was already in her twenties- a widow, with a son. I thought her clothing was peculiar as always, but I said nothing. No civilians minded me as I sat on the stool by the bar.

“Tina! How have you been, o' wanderer? It’s been a while since we’ve seen that pale face of yours. Did you change your hair color?”

I snickered, drawing attention away from my change in hair, “Am I really the only pale one?”

“Around these parts? Very much so.” She smirked, “So fancy a drink? It’s free of charge.”

“As you said, ‘Very much so.’” I laughed, waiting patiently as I looked around the tavern. I frowned as I saw the empty piano and stage. “Has the piano man-”

“Edgar quit. He had to… well, he had to get a higher paying job. You know how it works around here.” She sadly mused while placing a cup of my signature pink and sweet liquid courage, “Miss your partner?”

I nodded. I used to sing from time to time here along with Edgar- he was such a nice man. “Any new takers for the position?”

“Not that I’ve heard of.” She sighed, “Anyhow- did you hear the latest royal gossip?”

I wanted to laugh, but I merely smirked instead. “No- what have I missed?”

“The princess made a competition for the suitors- and not only that, but the Queen of Riveria herself has entered. Can you believe how ridiculous that is?”

I shook my head, “I cannot. What do you make of it?”

“I don’t really know- on one hand, I believe it’ll make it more interesting and show those royal boys how well a lady can handle herself. On the other, how are the princess and queen supposed to have an heir?”

“Sorcery, I suppose.” I answered without a second thought. Estella looked at me questioningly, and I shook my head dismissively. “What are you doing for the rest of the evening?”

“I was actually about to finish work.” She smiled, “Would you like to accompany me to pick up my son?”

“Yes please.” I chuckled, finishing the rest of my drink. I always loved seeking companionship with Estella- she was one of my real friends that I made all on my own.

“Sounds well enough. Let me go get my belongings.” Estella went through the door behind the bar, and returned within the next minute. I walked alongside her as we exited the bar, walking past all the people who also walked these streets. Crowley landed on my shoulder soon after, and I chuckled in amusement.

"About time." I chastised the crow.

"Who are you- Oh! I see you brought Crowley." Estella grinned, and I nodded with a smile as she pet the crow with affection.

“How far is their school?” I pondered aloud, never having accompanied her in this specific endeavor.

“Just a couple more streets thataway.” She pointed to the left, and I followed behind as we went through a small alley. “I usually go through this shortcut every now and then since it can be longer to walk... around…”

She stopped ahead of me, trailing off as she tensed. I peaked around her shoulder, my eyes widening as I saw some menacing men ahead of us. They smirked, a deviant look in their eye.

“On the other hand, the long way would be good for fitness.” Estella swallowed, grabbing my arm as she turned us around. We stopped, seeing another two men blocking off the street where we came into the alley. “Alright.”

I could feel the terror seep into my chest. “Estella, what do we do?”

“All we can do. Give them all our valuables.”

“What if that’s not all they want?” I asked meekly, grasping onto the one piece of jewelry I held onto- my mother’s necklace. Crowley squawked with alarm, and I raised a brow at him. "Get help."

Without further prodding, the crow flew off my shoulder and out of the alley.

“I… I don’t know, Tina.” She spoke, her voice guarded despite the fear it still showed.

I felt a rough hand grab my arm, a tight grip bruising my delicate skin through the long sleeved dress. I gasped. The man, whose hold on me tightened as I tried to pull away, had a long and deep scar on the right side of his face. His expression darkened with malice, a grin on him as he pulled me flush against him. “This one’s pretty, ain’t she?”

“Unhand me!” I shrieked, struggling against him and beating on his chest with my one free hand. It was useless, but I didn’t stop.

His voice had a peculiar accent- native and foreign. His hand went to yank away my necklace with a dark chuckle, holding it up to inspect it as he threw me down onto the floor, “This is a beauty. Where’d ya get it, girl?”

I fell onto my knees, fear making my body trembling as the concrete scraped against my gentle skin. God, was I this much of a delicate flower? Easily trampled on and beaten? This has never happened to me before- I usually stayed in the tavern or by the marketplace with Estella and other acquaintances, leaving when everyone else had and sneaking back into my castle.

“I asked ya a question!” His hand tugged on my hair, and I grunted.

“I-I…” I struggled, not easily being able to come up with an answer. What was I supposed to say? If I told them who I was, it could get worse… These people obviously have no morals. Were there no guards around? Could they hear me if I tried to scream? I shrieked aloud, yelling in hopes someone would hear me. “Help! Someone! Please- Agh!”

“Shut it!”

I was thrown down again- a kick bruising my side as I coughed in pain. I could hear struggles a few feet away- Estella. I looked up, my eyes widening as I saw her and this man pressed up against a wall. Was he- No. “Stop! Please, just stop it!-”

I felt someone kneel beside me, their hands going to the ends of my dress. I tried to crawl away, only for my legs to be taken a hold of to pull me closer. My dress rode up, the cold concrete giving me a harsh awakening as it scraped against the back of my thighs as I was turned around onto my back. I struggled against another one of the men that were part of this assault crawled on top of me, “No! No, don’t!-”

The man on top of me fell over with a grunt, and I sat up and scooted back as I panted. I looked up in surprise, seeing a woman stand over the man with attire resembling a mix of a prince or… bandit? The men alongside us, as well as the man who were about to assault Estella stopped, staring at her with confusion and incredulity. She had an odd hat- brown and tri fold, while her face was covered in a mask similar to mine except that it was black. She had tight and white leather pants, black thigh-high boots, and a white frilly undergarment top with a black corset on top. Her chocolate brown hair was let loose in the back, with two braids framing her face and resting on her chest. There was a sword resting on her hip and a small bag resting on the other side…

Her eyes were as dark as the night sky, staring at me as her hand dropped a bloody rock to the floor. My breath hitched at her intense gaze. Who was this heroic mystery woman?