Chapter 1
My thumb brushed against the doll’s stitched shoulder, my childhood memories rushing back as I gently placed the doll back on my sister’s bed. Safara’s bed had been empty for a while now, making the castle feel far quieter, but I knew she was living a life of adventure with her new husband.
Just like Perdita always wanted us to.
I turned to look at the stack of packed trunks that contained my entire life up until now. It was my turn to have an adventure.
“Is everything ready for tomorrow?” Mother stepped into the room, her long, regal gown skimming the worn floors that still had scribbles on them from when I was young.
“I’m not sure anyone is ever truly ready to leave home,” I answered honestly, thinking about the tears Safara shed when she first left for the snowy kingdom of Averglas. “Though after a year of waiting for my betrothed to invite me to his kingdom, I suppose I can’t put it off any longer.”
“I’m sure I could find an excuse.” Mother pulled me into a sweet embrace, giving my back a brief rub that I hoped I would never outgrow. “I’m not ready to have both of my girls gone, but I know it will be what’s best for our kingdom, and for you.”
She pulled away, keeping a grip on my arm as she guided me out of the bedroom. We walked through the halls of Rothen’s castle together, where all the servants I’d grown up with stopped to wish me a happy and safe journey. It would have been a tearful parting had they not been so excited for me.
It had been nearly a year since our father, the king, died from illness, leaving our kingdom shaken.
Safara and I had no choice but to pair off with powerful kingdoms as quickly as possible to provide some stability for Rothen, but despite my securing an engagement first, Safara still beat me to the altar.
Her letters were nothing but joyful ever since her marriage to King Cassian, and their kingdom’s strength offered ample support in Rothen’s time of need. It was hardly even necessary for me to marry for power at this point, but the contracts had already been signed, and the prince awaited.
Mother guided me into the sunroom, where a beautiful tea display was waiting for us both. Fresh muffins, crisp scones, and tiny bowls of clotted cream and marmalade all waited for us to devour them.
“A little parting gift from the maids,” Mother explained with a sweet smile. “Perdita insisted that she needed to have one more tea party with her little princess before she left.”
“Perdita?” I glanced around the sunroom just in time to see the old nursemaid sneak in behind me. I immediately pulled her into a hug, careful not to crush her aged bones, despite her not caring if she crushed me first. “I was hoping I’d see you before I left!”
“Well, you’d better believe you weren’t going to leave without a grand send-off,” she said, pulling back just in time for a pretty maid with dark curls to offer me a cup of tea.
I accepted it graciously, my nose instantly catching the sweet scent of pomegranate rose tea. We all sat down at the table together, indulging in our perfectly sweetened tea and overly sweetened snacks.
“Do you think you’re ready to handle the people of Goslose?” Perdita asked as she lowered her tea cup. “I don’t mean to overstep, but I’ve heard a great deal about the political upsets that kept postponing your wedding.”
“The King and Queen of Goslose have assured me that the workers’ agreement has been officially established,” Mother said proudly. “The upset that you speak of should be entirely resolved by now.”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but that sounds like political talk for We told them to put a sock in it,” Perdita said, her eyes glancing anywhere but at her queen as she took a sly sip of her tea.
“Now, Perdita,” Mother scolded, holding back a chuckle. “I know you’re concerned about Emaline, but I can assure you I wouldn’t dare send her if I didn’t feel it was safe.”
“A piece of paper doesn’t feel very safe to me.” Perdita shrugged.
“But that piece of paper holds a formal agreement,” Mother argued.
“I always thought that rock beat paper. Frankly, I’d recommend the girl carry a good rock,” Perdita said, drawing a laugh out of both of us this time.
“Perhaps we can send her with something more civil than a rock,” Mother said, turning to face me with her cheery smile. “What do you think, Emaline? Would you feel better if Perdita accompanied you on your journey?”
Perdita just about snorted her tea at the suggestion.
“Really?” I asked, honestly feeling a bit excited about the thought of not going alone. “I would love to bring you as my attendant if I could.”
“And I’d love to go,” Perdita said, her lips pursing. “But I can’t. I’m sorry to say that these old bones aren’t built for travel. You’ll need a young, spritely thing to go with you. Someone like…Corrine! Come over here, dear.”
The pretty maid from earlier jumped at the summons, her dark curls bouncing as she hurried to Perdita’s side. She was absolutely adorable, with a faint spattering of freckles, heart-shaped lips, and big, bright green eyes that rivaled mine.
“Your Majesty, I don’t believe I’ve ever introduced you to my daughter, Corrine,” Perdita said proudly, placing a hand on the stiff girl’s arm.
Daughter?
“How do you do, Your Majesty?” Corrine curtsied cleanly, her curls springing up with her.
“I didn’t know you had children,” I said, noticing the shared sparkle in their eyes.
“I don’t tell you about the blisters on my feet either,” Perdita said with a chuckle.
“I’m sure you’ve seen her around the palace before, though she was always very quiet when she was small.
Nevertheless, She knows the ins and outs of royal protocol as much as the next, plus she’s heard enough about you from me to practically be your sister. ”
“Oh really?” Mother pondered, inspecting the girl in a new light.
“It’s true!” Corrine said brightly. “Mama has told me all sorts of stories about you and Princess Safara. I know it’s bold of me to say, but I think I’d make a rather exceptional handmaiden. I know your favorite dresses, your bedtime routine, and even how you take your tea.”
I gazed down into the cup she’d handed me earlier, and sure enough, it was the perfect balance of sweet and creamy. This girl was no joke, though it was a bit strange that I’d never met her before now. Sure enough, she did look familiar.
“Oh, perhaps I’ve come off as too eager.” Corrine read the room with a slight wince. “Have I said too much?”
“Just a tad, dear.” Perdita patted her on the arm.
“I see. Then I can pretend to be mute if that’s less discomforting,” Corrine suggested proudly. “I’m quite good at being quiet.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said, a small laugh lacing my voice. “It would be a mighty long trip if I didn’t have anyone to talk to. If Mother is agreeable, I’d be glad to have you attend me, Corrine.”
Corrine’s smile broadened, and the girl nearly vibrated with excitement as she turned her attention to the queen.
“I have no qualms with it,” Mother said. “Go pack your bag, Corrine. You leave at dawn.”
“Oh thank you, Your Majesty!” Corrine hopped before calming herself enough to complete another flawless curtsey. “I won’t let you down, Princess.”
She hurried off to prepare for the journey, leaving us to complete our tea in a delightful peace. Even after she left, I couldn’t stop thinking about her promise. I didn’t know if it was her smile or her similarities to her mother, but in that moment, I truly believed that she meant what she said.
Corrine won’t let me down.
Thank you for reading!