The Spider and the Wasp

Chapter 1

It all began one summer afternoon, three days before Piper's life would change forever. She and Prince Laurent were walking through the castle gardens simply enjoying each other's company and engaging in idle talk. Well, Piper did most of the talking. Laurent listened. She spent a lot of the time telling Laurent about all of the different flowers in the garden (their names and special uses). If there was one thing Piper enjoyed it was talking and spewing forth knowledge to her peers whether they were listening or not; it was never done in an obnoxious way, Piper just liked to educate. She loved to learn and she was always asking questions.

A deep sigh escaped her lips "I love coming out to the gardens when the sun is at its highest. It makes everything seem all the more beautiful."

"You're beautiful." said Prince Laurent following close behind the princess.

Piper turned a little to offer him a shy smile before going back to admire the different vines and shapes of the various plants and flowers. Her hand stopped to graze over a particular group of plants."Have you seen these? They're called Moonbeams. They may not look like much now but I read once that when night falls and the moon is full, they open up and they have these beautiful yellow petals that seem to glow. They're extremely rare it's almost impossible to find them out in the wild."

"My lady—"

"I also read once of a legend that if two lovers kiss the petal of a moonbeam after speaking the name of the one they love out loud, that love will be eternal."

Laurent smiled a little "Maybe one day we'll get the chance."

"Maybe," Piper said dismissively. "But I'm not one to believe in silly myths and superstitions. Though I will admit it is a nice sentiment."

Laurent lowered his head a little looking a bit agitated. She could feel the tension between them resting on her shoulders. "Piper…" He said clearing his throat. "You didn't answer my question."

She turned to look at him "There's no need to ask Laurent, the arrangement has already been made, since the time we were children. I am to be your wife in three days. A proposal isn't necessary."

"I know…I know it's just I would feel much better if I got to ask you for myself and not out of duty." Laurent took Piper's hand in his "As you've said we've known each other since we were children and all the summers that our families brought us together I will admit I wasn't too fond of you."

"Nor was I of you." They both laughed.

"But…I see now what a wonderful person you are and the amazing woman you have become. You're smart and beautiful and I would be a fool not to want to have you as my wife."

Prince Laurent paused a moment to gather his courage. "I love you Princess Piper of House Chapman and I am asking you out of the love I bear for you in my heart to take me as your husband. I will love you, honor you and cherish you for as long as I live. There will be no others."

Piper's eyes widened as she took in the sincerity of his words "You…you love me?"

"Yes, yes I do very much. Do you love me?"

Piper should've known that would be his next question. She felt the words catch in the back of her throat but she couldn't call them forth. Her mouth just couldn't shape them. She watched as Laurent stood hopefully waiting for her answer. All she could do was nod. He laughed a little before gently coaxing her with his easy smile."Well then say it."

"I-I love you too."she croaked.

The words felt strange on her lips, like another person had said it. It didn't feel easy and smooth, as love should. She said it again trying to sound more convincing this time. Thankfully Laurent didn't really seem to care or notice. The prince pulled Piper tightly against him and she returned his hug with stiffened arms.

"Have you heard?" Pollina asked "Sylvia Clearborne was taken from the Dauntless shortly after it was destroyed. Pirates they say."

The two noblewomen gracefully walked through the aisles of the chapel as the castle workers labored away diligently to bring it to an elaborate appearance of a royal wedding.

"I know. A raven came this morning with the news. They've never been this bold and attacked so close to Imperial Terra before. Father's worried."

"I guess its safe to assume Lord Dresden won't be among the many noble houses attending your wedding, with him being devastated over the loss of his daughter and all. What do you think Captain Vause does with all of the women he abducts?"

Piper gave her friend a look "I think you and I both know what happens to any woman aboard a pirate ship and I think we both know death would be a mercy compared to what they will do to her. From what I hear Captain Vause is one of the most ruthless pirates to have ever lived. His only match in sadistic nature would be Captain Kubra. He spares no one and the women he takes are never seen again."

Pollina drew her attention to several men scaling a ladder applying several feet of drapery "What does your father intend to do?"

"I'm not sure. He doesn't discuss current affairs with the family much and when he does its usually the bare minimum. But since these attacks are so dangerously close to Imperial Terra he's doubled the guard in the city streets. I can't go anywhere in the castle on my own or so much as relieve myself in my own chamber pot anymore without a guard standing nearby."

"That's awful."

"I know. Father has been trying to capture the Black Widow for years. And not just the Black Widow but he wants to bring an end to piracy as well. He thinks that the pirates have a hideout somewhere, he's been trying to find it since grandfather's reign."

Pollina shook her head "Hopefully he'll find it soon. I'd hate to bring my child into a world corrupted by such vicious cutthroats."

"You must admit though as ruthless as they are there is sort of a romanticism in what they do that I find most fascinating."

"How so?"

"They're not bound by laws, they live their lives each day as they come without knowing what tomorrow might bring. Everyday is an adventure. Where as those such as you and myself have had our entire lives planned out for us since the time we are born."

Pollina nodded "I see what you mean but I for one take great comfort in knowing what tomorrow holds for me. Constantly living a life of uncertainty is just frightening."

"It certainly is. But it's a little exciting too don't you think?"

"If you say so Piper."

After a brief moment silence Piper spoke again. "Something else happened today…"

"What is it?"

"He proposed to me."

Pollina glanced over at her friend. "Who?"

"You know who."

"Prince Laurent?"

she nodded.

"Why? you two are already getting married, seems a bit pointless."

"I thought so too but he wanted to ask me out of love not duty. He says he loves me."

"Well thats romantic, what did you say?"

"I said 'yes' of course."

"What about the part where he said he loved you?"

"I told him that I loved him too."

"You say that as if I'm asking you a question that requires the correct answer. We both know the correct answer Piper we've been taught that answer since we were little girls learning how curtsy, sing, and smile for our men. I'm asking you for the real answer…..you don't really love him do you?"

"Would it honestly surprise you if I said no? It's not like I have a choice in this its for the good of the family."

"So you don't love him."

"No…at least not as much as he loves me. Pollina I look at Laurent and I still this little boy putting toads down our dresses while we sat together in the gardens making head crowns out of flowers."

"Well then why would you tell Laurent you love him when you really don't. Why didn't you just tell him the truth? I'm sure he would've understood."

Piper lifted one of her hands before letting it fall to the side "God, I don't know. Because it was the right thing to say, it was what he wanted to hear. I didn't want to disappoint him. You should've seen his face"

"But you lied Piper."

"It wasn't a lie."

Pollina looked at her with pursed lips.

"Fine it was…. a half lie. I do love him just…. not that much. And what does it matter anyway we're still getting married whether I love him or not."

Pollina nodded "True except now he thinks that you're marrying him for love."

"Mother always said that love will come. She and father didn't love each other right away and eventually they grew to love each other. And if you exclude the fact that father has bedded several mistresses including some of the hand maidens they've both lived fairly happy lives."

"You still lied."

"All right, yes Pollina I lied. Can we please talk about something else?"

"You started this conversation."

"I know and now I've decided that I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Piper heard someone call her name amongst all the clattering noises of the workers' hammers. A tall red haired woman was approaching them with the biggest smile Piper had ever seen.

"Well, there's your 'something else' " Pollina said rolling her eyes

"My lady," the red head said addressing Piper. Her smile faded when she turned to Pollina.

"Pollina" she said curtly

"Sarah." Pollina said just as brief.

"How good it is to see you both and Piper you look more beautiful than ever, almost as beautiful as I looked so close to my wedding day. You're practically glowing."

"I am?"

"Well of course you are, you are about to be married into one of the most powerful houses in the country."

"I'm leaping for joy."

"Well then smile dear girl its your wedding not your funeral."

"Somehow I can't help but view them as one in the same."

"Oh you're just nervous is all, its perfectly normal to feel such things. The few days before I was to be married to Henry I was nauseous. And the wedding night? Let's just say it will definitely be one to remember."

"I'm sure you embraced your wedding night with grace."

Sarah carried on not hearing the irritation in Pollina's voice "Hardly my dear, it was quite messy and it was over before I even knew he was there."

"So Piper only three days until the grand ceremony, what are your plans?"

"I don't have any…just spending my evenings in solitude as always."

"Mind if I make a suggestion?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you not have anywhere else to be right now Sarah? Anywhere at all?" Pollina cut in.

"No not at all, I have all the time in the world. As I was saying I would like to make a suggestion. There is a tradition of sorts you see, for all women of noble birth. A chance to sew your royal oats so to speak."

"Sarah—"

"What tradition is that?" Piper asked honestly intrigued.

"Usually the night before the wedding it is tradition for the bride to go out into the city and walk among the people for a single night and bring back something as proof of her endeavor."

"What kind of proof?"

"I don't know….anything. A lot of us have done it, myself, Lady Ophelia, Lady Synclaire of House Florenz, and Lady Justine."

Pollina's forehead scrunched together. "Lady Justine? Is she not the one who not only came back with proof but also gave that proof to her Lord husband?"

Sarah shrugged her shoulders "Yes, well she's always been a dumb slut anyway. It was absolutely scandalous. The affliction was so bad they say his cock nearly fell off. Poor Lord Erin nearly killed Justine, serves her right."

"And what's the purpose of such a tradition?" asked Piper reverting back to the original conversation.

"It's all in good fun Piper. Just a little taste of excitement before you become a mere pot for your husband's seed to grow his little princes."

"It's supposed to be fun?"

"Yes Piper, fun. But then again I expect you've never heard of the word."

Pollina sucked in her lips and looked away. Piper made a face at her friend "And what does that mean?"

"It means Piper that you are the most boring person in the entire world."

"Boring? I'm not boring!" Piper looked at Pollina " Am I boring? I'm not boring am I?"

Pollina was struggling to keep a straight face and her eyes went to the floor.

"Pollina!"

"Well Piper, as much as I hate to agree with Sarah—and you know how much I hate to agree with Sarah—in fact I don't think I've ever agreed with Sarah until this moment but…."

Sarah looked at Pollina with a wry smile.

"She's right. Anything that goes against the common law you go on a rambling tirade about safety and proper precautions and all of that. You come up with more reasons why we shouldn't than why we should. You're not really one for breaking rules."

"What our lovely Pollina here is trying to say my lady is we both know you can be fun, it's just no one else does."

"Who's the 'no one else'?"

"Doesn't matter. The point is Piper you're a good girl and there's nothing wrong with that. Men love that. You're a good example of what any Lord would want."

"If there's nothing wrong with it than why does it feel like you're insulting me? I'm fun, all right? And I don't need to sneak out in the middle of the night to prove to anyone that I am."

"Of course my lady." Sarah said not the slightest bit convinced

"I am!"

Later that night Piper sat up in perfect posture staring blankly into her vanity mirror while her handmaiden brushed her mane of long blonde curly tresses. She was lost in thought of the events to come. Thinking about Laurent and his profession of love, Pollina and Sarah's teasing of her inability to fathom the meaning of the word fun. She was Princess Piper: betrothed to Prince Laurent of House Bloom, the good girl, the ideal match for any lord in the entire country, and the divine jewel of Imperial Terra.

There was a light tap on the door. "Piper? Piper darling may I come in?"

"Yes, mother."

Lady Chapman entered "You're dismissed Elaina."

The handmaiden curtsied and left the room. Caroline looked at her daughter through the mirror with a loving smile and trailed her fingers gently through her hair. Piper just sat there, her face showing nothing.

"I'm so proud of you Piper."

"Why? for doing what I'm supposed to do?"

"I'm proud of the woman you've become, a true princess, a real marvel to behold. And yes dear I'm proud of you for doing your duty by your father and your king."

"Mother?"

Caroline made a sound that said she was listening.

"Even if I wasn't a ….true princess, even if I didn't marry Prince Laurent….you would still love me…wouldn't you?"

"Oh Piper." The queen turned her daughter to face her."When both your brothers passed -God rest their souls -you became the last living heir to the throne. I've been trying to give your father a son for the past two years and I have failed in that duty. You are the last hope of the Chapman bloodline."

Piper thought about her two brothers. Daniel was the pride and joy of the family and beloved by everyone in the kingdom. When he was killed by rebel fighters it was a tremendous loss to the family. Everyone thought Daniel would be the greatest king that ever lived. Then there was her younger brother Calvin, somewhat strange and rambunctious; not her mother and father's favorite son, but still loved. Calvin was Piper's favorite brother. He died at sea three years ago in a terrible storm while making a trip to Witchmont to marry the Lady Gabriella. She still missed him terribly.

"Mother you didn't answer my question."

The queen hesitated. "Well of course I'll still love you Piper."

Piper smiled weakly. The way she said it was very much like what Pollina had told her when Piper had said that she loved Laurent, like it was the right thing to say, not because it was true. The princess never doubted the love of her mother and father but that love always seemed to have its conditions. If you love your family you will do this. We love you Piper as long as you do as your told.

"What about father?"

"He's not the best at showing it but you know your father will still love you just the same."

"You don't have to lie to me mother. Just say it he would be truly disappointed in me."

"Why are we even having this discussion dear?"

Piper let out a tired sigh "I don't know I was just asking thats all. I wish to be alone now mother. I'm feeling fatigued."

"Of course dear. You'll need plenty of rest. Don't want to have any dark circles under your eyes so close to your wedding day."

"Right." She said dryly.

Piper wasn't tired she was wide awake staring at the roof of her canopy bed. Her hair was splayed across her several white pillows, her left hand pressed to her stomach drawing circles with her first finger. She turned to her side a little and looked out the tall glass archway door leading out to the balustrade of her bedchamber. The moon was full, the moonbeams would be waking up tonight. It's bright white light cast a shadow of the door onto the marble floor.

She rose from her bed, put on her robe and walked out to the balcony. Looking down at the city everything seemed so small. She couldn't deny the lingering curiosity in her brain about the people down below, what they were like and they lives they lived. Twenty-two years and the castle was all she knew. Piper had been out in the city on several occasions before, but it was always in the safety of a carriage. She rarely saw the people.

Piper thought about what Sarah had said. She was indeed the good girl always doing as her family asked of her. Truthfully Piper wasn't really brave enough to try anything new. But maybe…just this once? No. She shouldn't. It was a stupid idea. What if something bad happened? What if she got lost? What if she were caught? What if she got hurt?

On the other hand she didn't have to go far and she didn't have to be gone that long. Just a few minutes, nothing could happen in a few minutes right? Why not? Just this one time and she would never do it again.