Chapter 7 #2
I didn’t know what to say, even though all eyes turned to me. Even Lady Kanahele, though she tried to silence Pua, now seemed to want an answer.
A distant bell distracted us and Pua motioned for a maid standing nearby. “Fetch me some tea and clean this up,” she ordered.
My heart sank as I watched the maid scurry like a mongoose, rushing to pour the woman some tea. When the maid returned, she set the tray down and began gathering Pua’s things. Other noblewomen began snapping their fingers at the maids too, treating them like animals.
“No, no. I can do that,” Pua said. There was suddenly a loud crashing sound.
We all gasped as the maid had accidentally tripped on one of Pua’s samplers while pouring the tea. In an attempt to keep the boiling water from spilling on Pua, the maid had stepped in Pua’s things and a sharp pair of scissors cut her foot.
“You clumsy–” Pua stood up, but caught herself from screaming. “Don’t you dare get any blood on my work.”
The maid looked around, her eyes frantic and pleading. But the noblewomen looked at her in disgust.
“So clumsy,” said one. Even Princess Malia, though kind, did not move.
And that’s when it hit me: I would never be like these women. Never be refined, cold, or callous.
I’m me. And that was valuable and I had valuable skills in this new world that would help me survive.
I moved, kneeling next to the maid. “Are you alright?” I asked, then, realizing I had no other resources available to me–as I wasn’t about to use the women’s quilting projects in the room–I ripped the hem of an underskirt.
A collective gasp sounded but I ignored them. I would never beat these women by becoming one of them.
“Here.” I applied pressure to the wound, which stopped the bleeding, then tore another cloth to bandage it. By that point, the other maids stepped in.
“Come on,” they said, helping one another.
“She just ripped that exquisite dress,” someone whispered.
“That’s not what a refined woman would do.”
“No.”
But something in me changed, knowing that I could not be like these women or the people in this world. All those noble accomplishments—quilting, etiquette, fashion vernacular—were useless.
Sure, the court valued refinement, but life valued competence.
The women returned to packing their things, each giving me disapproving looks.
I don’t care.
“It is time for the ball,” said Lady Kanahele, breaking the silence. “I hope you all have a grand time.” She smiled, though it failed to mask the worry behind it. What was she worried about? Making a good impression? Because I did not have a good impression of any of these women.
Since Lady Kanahele seemed to be orchestrating things, I figured this Wahiawa palace belonged to her, and she was hosting.
As I helped Malia put her things away, I didn’t waste any time. I had a riddle to solve, and this ball was taking away from my research.
“Do you know much about the night marchers?” I asked.
Malia gave me a look, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Who are they? Why do they roam the nights? How do they break their curses?”
She packed her things, taking her time. The way she cared for her projects reminded me of Kiki and her quilts. “I was told my great grandfather became one of them,” she said.
“How did you know?”
“Because he defied the gods, especially Kāne. Any ali‘i or warrior who does that is cursed in the next life.” She gave me an odd look. “Why?”
“Just curious.” I was not a good liar, so I quickly turned away, pretending to fix my hair.
So what did Keanu do? Did breaking his riddle have to do with fixing whatever he did to defy Kāne? I would find out.
When I stood, after helping Malia pack her things, a woman purposely bumped her shoulder against mine, then glared at me as if I had been the one to stand in her way.
“Watch your step, new wife of Keanu,” she said, leaving an icy feeling in my stomach, then left the room.
“Who was that?” I asked Malia.
“Kalani’s wife.”
I blinked, and Malia again looked confused. “Kalanikupule. You know? Rumor has it his troops are on your borders now, as we speak.”
I'd tolerated my ignorance, but now I felt completely irritated with Keanu. There were troops on the borders of his kingdom! Why didn’t he tell me?
Then it dawned on me. He didn’t spend the day with me because he had been with his army. He told me last night, and Peter even went to check on the border.
But was the war necessary? I would have to speak to him later.
No, no, no! My mind warred with itself. You’re supposed to be figuring out the riddle, not participating in political discourse!
But there was something about it that seemed to…
fill me with purpose. It made me realize how much bigger and scarier the world was, so much more than the things I used to worry about.
Battles. Allies. Warlords.
Again, I wondered if I could trust anyone here. Could I even trust Malia?
We walked in the hallway in silence, but the sound of music echoed around. I was unfamiliar with the music, which sounded rich with violins, cello, and other foreign instruments.
“That was generous of you to help that maid,” Malia said.
“It was the right thing to do.”
Malia studied me, then nodded. “You’re going to be alright as queen.” Then we faced the double doors to the ball. “I better get inside,” she said, her face growing pale.
“Are you alright?” I asked, taking her arm, fearing that she might faint.
“Just nervous.”
I frowned. “Malia, you have been my only friend since I got married last night. You welcomed me in the other room. Please let me help you now. What’s on your mind?
” I wasn't usually one to speak this boldly, but my new realization helped me to know I wouldn’t fit in here.
Never would, so why not be the same practical person I was?
“My father is in there.” She swallowed. “I’m expected to woo one of the great chiefs tonight, hoping they’ll ask for my hand in marriage. Our kingdom desperately needs allies.” Her fingers began shaking. “I just don’t know if I can be as charming as the other women. What if I fail?”
“You are good,” I said, taking her trembling hands in mine. “If you show even the slightest kindness to them that you’ve shown to me, I know someone will ask for your hand.”
Malia visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Oliana.”
“You can call me Oli.” I smiled, the first smile since I said goodbye to my mother and sister, though that smile had pained me.
“Thank you, Oli. You know…” she sighed. “This world of nobility… it’s a lot sneakier and more mysterious than you’d think. It’s full of liars and murderers. Take care of yourself.” She squeezed my hand, we kissed one another’s cheeks, as was the custom of the islands, and then she left me.
Before entering the ballroom, she looked back at me. “See you around, and be careful Oli.” Then she disappeared inside.
“Oli? Is that what you go by?”
My stomach fluttered at the voice, and I turned around to find none other than my husband, the man I hadn’t seen since last night.
Just the sight of him made my knees weak.
Resentment filled me too. He left me the whole day, and I wasn’t about to let him call me “Oli” like those who were close to me.
Keanu and I were certainly not close.
When I didn’t answer, he held out his arm for me to take. “I see you’ve made a new friend,” he said. I took his arm and he placed his other hand over mine, as if he’d missed me. His hand was rough and warm.
He’s flirting again. I wasn’t ignorant.
“Her name is Malia,” I said. “She was helpful in there.”
Keanu chuckled. “I know her.” Of course, he knew. The hallway was getting crowded, with people flooding into the ballroom ahead of us. Instead of going inside, Keanu led me to the side, up some stairs, and onto a balcony.
“Are we allowed to be up here?” I asked, thinking of Lady Kanahele hosting this event. Surely this was her home, and I didn’t want to intrude.
“The entire palace is open,” Keanu reassured me. I looked up at him as he stared at the forest below us. He was wearing a black suit with maroon and gold accents that matched my dress. Why did his hair always look so soft, as if it tempted any girl to touch it?
“Did you enjoy the day?” he asked. I averted my eyes to the forest landscape, but felt his gaze still on me. I couldn’t help chastising myself for the very thought of touching his hair.
“Well. I didn’t particularly enjoy it.” I pursed my lips.
“Why not?” He released my hand and leaned over the railing. “Did my cousin bore you to death?”
On the contrary, he was more sincere than you were. I didn’t say the words aloud, but I avoided Keanu’s gaze, afraid that he’d be able to read my thoughts.
“No.”
Keanu waited patiently for me to speak more, but I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t particularly miss his presence that day. He owed me nothing, after all, but I felt… lonely. Lost in this entirely new world. For some odd reason, being with him now caused me to feel a little safer.
“Did you have a good day?” I asked instead, and Keanu raised an eyebrow, as if surprised I should ask how he fared.
“Oh. It was…” He shrugged, as if to recompose himself, and then he smiled, his easy-going smile, as if nothing in the world bothered him. “It went well.”
“You mentioned you were with the army?”
“Yes. At the borders. We were making preparations in case Kalani’s troops fall upon us tonight.”
“But Kalani is here?” I asked. Would he really send his troops to attack Keanu’s kingdom? The thought made me shudder.
“Yes, he and his wife are here.” Keanu looked at the forest, distracted.
I didn’t want to mention that Kalani’s wife bumped me earlier, then blamed it on me. It was too petty, and we had other things to worry about anyway.