Chapter 11 #2
The tour of the castle had taken the entire morning.
Ingrid led me through endless hallways and corridors to the great hall.
Afterwards, we headed outside to the busy courtyard where servants bustled and guards conducted training exercises.
My favorite, however, had been the gardens and the maze crafted from towering boxwood hedges.
From my window, I’d underestimated how vast and impressive it was.
It extended all the way to the fortification wall that hit the edge of the cliff upon which the castle was built.
Beneath the wall, the ocean lay hidden from view.
But I didn’t need to see it to hear its summons.
It seemed the ocean was not prepared to let me go.
***
I was midway through lunch in the small guest dining room when there was a knock at the door. I had barely swallowed my mouthful of bread when Princess Amalie came bounding into the room.
“Your Highness,” I said, almost forgetting I was supposed to stand and bow.
“Hello,” she said cheerfully.
I eyed her as she took a seat at the table. What could this child possibly want with me? “How are you feeling?” I asked cautiously as I sunk back into my chair.
“Oh, much better now, although people do like to fuss,” she said with an exaggerated eye roll, just as Ingrid entered the room, looking most put out.
“Your Highness, as I explained before, Miss Alara might like to finish her meal in solitude before receiving any guests,” said Ingrid in a voice I assumed was her attempt to sound pleasant and patient.
For once, we were in agreement. I had been enjoying the peace and quiet, and I most certainly wasn’t one for entertaining children. That’s what nannies were for.
Although… she was Tarben’s sister. Saving her life had been extremely beneficial to my plans. Perhaps I should keep her close. Become like a big sister. It could only win me more favor with the royals. Besides, she was bound to know all kinds of things about Tarben.
Yes, this visit from Amalie could work to my advantage.
I plastered on my most welcoming smile. “It’s alright, I’d love some company.”
The girl grinned back at me while Ingrid left the room, muttering about fetching some tea.
“Ingrid said she showed you around the castle. Did you see the kennels? Or the stables?” Without waiting for my response, she went on.
“The horses are my absolute favorite. My mare is the chocolate one with the white star on her nose. She’s called Hazel and she’s my best friend, although Father says I need to spend less time with the horses and more time focusing on my studies. ”
I nodded along as the princess chatted away. There was no sign of the tired, timid little creature from the day before.
“Do you not enjoy your studies, Princess?” I asked, knowing this would be an easy topic of conversation. A safe one.
“No, I find them terribly boring. I’m hopeless at sitting still and learning for hours on end.
Not like Hugo,” she grumbled. “I detest doing my numbers, and don’t even get me started on history!
I keep telling Father that I don’t see what use it is to memorize who belonged to what house, which King married whom, and which lands warred against each other.
It’s all so mundane.” Another dramatic eye roll.
It seemed she said exactly what was on her mind. Perfect. “I’d imagine that some of it might be of use to you if you become queen of your own land someday.”
A look of revulsion painted her face. I bit back a laugh.
“I’ll never marry. I wish to travel the world, and, in between my fantastic adventures, I shall live at the castle and care for the horses.”
“That does sound appealing,” I said truthfully. Who would have thought we’d have something in common?
“Have you traveled much, Alara?”
“Not until recently. But, when I was your age, I wanted nothing more than to ride a dragon to the peak of the Nyonos Mountains. That’s why I have such a love for books—they can transport you to any land at any time.
” A truth I had never admitted out loud.
My grandmother believed in reading books of fact rather than fiction.
She said my time would be better spent filling my head with practical information rather than fanciful tales.
Unfortunately for her, I, like Amalie, found those kinds of texts to be the perfect antidote to enjoying myself.
For that reason, reading storybooks was my own little act of secret rebellion.
But I wasn’t in Vantillios anymore. Here, I could read as many epic adventures and saucy romances as my heart desired and no one would bat an eyelid.
“I suppose so,” she reluctantly agreed.
I was struck with an idea. “In fact, Ingrid was going to show me the library after lunch. Perhaps you could do the honors instead, if it’s not too much trouble?”
Her face lit up. “Yes, I know it very well,” she said proudly.
Almost instantaneously, a grim expression crossed her features.
“Although the librarians can be terribly prickly about their collection. ‘These volumes are the cornerstone of our civilization and should be revered as such, Your Highness’,” she said, adopting a deep, serious voice.
I snickered. “Aside from that, you will adore it—it’s filled from floor to ceiling with old tomes. I’ll take you there now!”
Grabbing my hand, she steered me out of the room at the same time Ingrid entered with a tray of tea.
“We’re going to visit the library,” Amalie announced.
I shrugged apologetically at the matron and allowed the princess to lead the way.
***
Entering the quiet and dimly-lit library, I felt a rush of excitement at the familiar smell of aged parchment and leather bindings. Stacks of books indeed lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Aside from the occasional wooden table and chairs, rows of bookshelves occupied most of the space.
An ancient librarian asked if we needed any assistance, but I was already making my way down an aisle, surveying titles with enthusiasm. Amongst them were some that I knew and loved.
I reached for a thick text with a dark blue cover. The librarian inclined his head in approval. “A fine choice, although often overlooked.”
“Surely that would take you a lifetime to get through. Look at the size of it.” Amalie’s blue-green eyes widened.
“This,” I said, cradling the book to my chest, “happens to be one of my favorites. I’ve sacrificed many hours of sleep for this story. It’s about a long and devastating war between two ancient cities over the most beautiful maiden in the land.”
Her expressive face looked somewhere between disbelieving and impressed. The librarian nodded stoically, and then, as if satisfied that his precious books were in good hands, he left us to roam. I continued to scan row after row while Amalie chatted away absentmindedly.
“Something like that would put me to sleep. In fact, all books seem to put me to sleep. Especially the ones Lord Helvig assigns to me for additional studies,” she said, face pinched.
Now was my window. “You mentioned that Prince Hugo enjoys his studies. Is Prince Tarben much the same, or is he more similar to you?”
“Oh, Tarben hates reading! He’s like me—he’d rather be outside.”
“Does he share your love of horses?” I pulled a book off of the shelf to examine its worn leather cover. It was likely to fall in the category of putting a child to sleep, so I carefully slid it back into its slot.
“Yes, but I have to beg him to take me on rides. He’s always so busy with his royal duties these days.” She frowned deeply. “He always makes time for the dogs, though. He walks them every evening.”
Anders had said something similar. An idea began to take shape in my mind.
“I can’t ride, but I’m never too busy for a turn around the gardens, and I would certainly be grateful for the company,” I said, eyes focused on the titles in front of me.
Gently, I retrieved a thin book from the shelf and handed it to the princess.
“Give this a try. It’s another one of my favorites and it’s not too long. I have a feeling you’ll like it too.”
“Really?” she beamed at me, accepting the book. “I could take you to the stables, you’ll adore Hazel.”
An hour later, as we left the library, my arms strained from the weight of the books I carried. Still, it wasn’t enough. I cast a longing gaze over my shoulder.
As if reading my thoughts, Amalie spoke, “You can take as many as you wish, you know. I could send for the servants to deliver more to your bedchamber?”
It was tempting, but I couldn’t afford to spend all my free time reading.
I had other, pressing matters requiring my undivided attention.
“That is thoughtful of you, Your Highness, but I can’t be sure how much longer I will remain at the castle.
Your family has been kind, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome. ”
“You could remain here permanently. At the castle,” she said nonchalantly, as if inviting a practical stranger to live in her home was perfectly normal. “There’s plenty of room, and Father won’t mind in the least.”
Well, that was never going to happen. The moment the curse was broken, I would flee like a sprite in lightning. I shook my head, making a show of humility. “I’m not sure that’s possible. But I will forever be thankful that our paths crossed.”
“We’ll see about that,” she responded, a conspiratorial smile on her face as she headed towards a staircase I assumed led to the royal quarters. “See you at dinner.” With that, she breezed away.
A smile tugged at my lips. This was almost too easy.