The Fight for The Princess’ Hand

The Second Chapter

I finished my small cake by the beverage table, handing the plate to the server who stood there. I waited for him patiently, and raised a brow as I waited for him to return. Another came, and I huffed with annoyance.

“I’d like a drink- some tea or maybe something with a kick to it that’ll make me feel less stressed.”

The server huffed, “You know very well that your father doesn’t permit you to drink those kinds of drinks, milady.”

“I didn’t ask what my father permits. I asked for a drink.” I glared at him, annoyed.

“Well then.” The server obeyed, handing me a small and fancy glass full of the yellow and bubbly beverage.

“Why, thank you.” I gave a sarcastic smile causing the server to stoically walk away. I sipped at it, flinching at the hard cider’s taste. While it did taste like apple, I certainly had disdain for the harsh flavor afterwards.

“I didn’t peg you for a day-drinker.” A high-pitched voice rang from behind me, and I turned to see Princess Natalia with a smirk towards me. She was considered to be one of my closest friends- and the biggest royal pain in the ass I knew. We aren’t really close- we only really talk because we’re in the same circles. That, and she’s not completely insufferable.

I raised my glass with an eyebrow, “I’d ask you not to peg me for anything at all, but we all know how well you listen to me.”

“Oh please.” Natalia giggled, “You cannot blame me for not listening to you about that baker. He was just too scrumptious to pass.”

I scoffed and giggled, “You absolute harlot. Didn’t you get him fired, or imprisoned?”

“Well, that wasn’t my fault.” She grinned, “He should’ve locked the door like I told him.”

I rolled my eyes, hiding my contempt at how she barely cared for those who weren’t, well, her.

“Anyhow, can we please discuss the fact that Queen Veronica has the gall to even try to compete not only for your hand, but against all these delicious princes?” She spoke, her voice dripping with judgement.

I shrugged, taking a sip of my drink, “It’s not like she’d win anyhow.”

“Of course she wouldn’t. Why would you even let her?” She raised a brow at me, and I huffed.

“Do you not know who she is?”

“Only that she favors what’s between your legs.” Natalia smirked, satisfied with her ‘witty’ remark. I withheld my disdain for her gritty humor.

“She’s a queen who has won every war waged.” I spoke so matter of factly, and Natalia stilled in reaction. “I hear she’s slaughtered more men than there are in this room.”

Of course, I didn’t know that. But for some reason, I felt like talking Veronica up was the best move. Then Natalia wouldn’t talk so much about it- it’s not like I wanted her to be contesting for my hand, but she was.

“Well then, here’s to hoping she doesn’t slaughter all your contestants.” Natalia flashed me a wry smile, and I huffed with annoyance.

“Here’s to hoping.”

“Hoping that I win?” Prince Liam spoke smoothly, and I turned with a raised brow. Prince Liam was very charismatic, and has courted me for a year already- I knew he must be boiling on the inside. But I never felt a spark with him- not when I knew he had courted so many others as well. What was I supposed to do about that?

“In a way.” I said coyly, and I swear I saw his jaw clench. “Certainly not hoping for Veronica to win.”

“And why not?” Someone voiced, and I looked to see King Malakai there with his usual stoic glare. I bristled.

“Well, she’s a woman-” Natalia started.

“And very ill mannered-” Liam continued, only to be interrupted again.

“And what about it?” Malakai huffed, glancing over to the subject of our conversation. Veronica looked bored, eating snacks on the other side of the room while studying various people. The king smirked to himself, “I, for one, am thrilled to see what the Queen has in store for us.”

I huffed, “Why? Isn’t it taboo to like one of the same s*x? Weren't you angered with her?”

“And who made it taboo?” Malakai raised a brow, “Old kings who also believed a woman couldn’t hold a sword? I believe she's shown promised with her earlier stance, and my anger was fleeting... She'll put up a worthwhile fight. I'm intrigued with her."

“Well… they made it taboo for a reason, didn’t they?” Natalia’s voice had an edge to it, and I tensed. This was getting really political.

“Yeah, how are you supposed to produce heirs if you like the same s*x?” Liam countered.

“Are we not in a world full of sorcery? In a world where our grandparents slay dragons?” Malakai grinned, his eyebrow raised. “If you cannot handle a woman with a sword, just admit it Liam.”

“Oh please!” Natalia giggled, “I would love to watch that.”

I couldn’t take this.

“If you would excuse me.” I walked past the three of them, glancing around for my nearest handmaid. There, I saw Charlotte standing by my seat.

I walked over, suddenly feeling very fatigued. “Charlotte.”

“Milady?” She asked, her face becoming worried at my change in attitude. “Is everything alright?”

“I wish to retire to my chambers at once.” I sighed, trying my best at not fidgeting in discomfort. I thought trials would be best, but I suddenly came to the realization I was being treated as if an object.

Charlotte nodded, and I made sure not to glance at anyone else while I followed my main handmaiden into the hallway. Charlotte stayed silent, walking beside me as I held my gown up on the way to my room. I couldn’t help but think about what Malakai had been saying. He wasn’t wrong… why did it have to matter so much that one of the contenders was a woman? God, I was going insane. This would call for… well, a trip.

As soon as we got to the door to my room, I gave Charlotte a pointed stare. “Please inform Jewel to come to my room at once.”

She nodded, sighing to herself as she left my room. I went outside and onto the balcony, smiling as I felt the night’s cool breeze on my skin. It was so refreshing to be away from it all at the moment, and I sighed as I heard my bedroom door close. I turned, my smile fading when I saw Jewel. She gave me a confused expression, and I sighed as I went to my bed while signaling her over.

“Milady?” She sat next to me, tense at my stature.

I pouted, “I… I want to go into town.”

“Milady, you can’t!” Jewel whined, “You almost got caught, and that’s why we agreed to stop with that nonsense!”

“Oh, but Jewel- I need advice. And not some pish posh advice from within the palace, but from my people! Who better to let me know what to do within a relationship than from those who don’t always have them arranged all the time?”

“Villagers have arranged marriages too-”

“Well, yes, but I do believe that the people know better about handling these things than I do. And my father is already so exasperated by these royal affairs… Just help me. Please.” I fell back on my bed, adding a little flair to my plea. “I don’t know how to go about this. One prince was talking inappropriately, and the queen was showing her thighs, and then Natalia was scolding me for letting the queen join in and-”

“Alright, alright! I understand, but you have to be more careful.”

“I will!” I whined, sitting up with a smile.

“And bring Crowley with you.”

“Crowley! Oh, but he’s such a spoilsport!” I scoffed.

“It’s that or I inform Miss Charlotte.” She smirked, and I huffed.

“And you say you’re the fun one.” I raised a brow, and she shrugged as she went to my closet. She carried the silk covered cage by the bottom, placing it on the window sill. She removed the silk, and the black crow whose head was nestled beneath its wing slowly awoke. The male bird looked at us with seeming annoyance, and Jewel looked at me with a smirk.

I stood, ignoring her smug expression, and opened the cage. Crowley immediately flew out, starting me and Jewel as he cawed and flew above the room.

This time, I looked at Jewel with a smirk. “Go fetch the wig.” I looked up at the crow, flying freely, and smiled. “It’s time to go into town.”