"She is where?"
"At the guards' training arena sire! Your anger is certainly understandable. No Princess should ever be seen at the training arena, let alone. . ."
"Well," he interrupted with a dark smirk. "It is somewhat understandable. She is getting to that age. . . and a duke or high-ranking knight would be an acceptable choice. . . as long as I agree of course.
"Um. . . sire?" the page said nervously.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Lita is not at the arena to catch anyone's eye. . ."
"Well what other reason is there?"
"Well sire, this may not be easy to hear."
"Out with it already!" he roared frustrated.
"Sire, she's training at the arena."
"You mean to tell me. . ."
"Yes sire."
"What!"
"One more rally with me before I have to go? Gawain, please?"
"Are you really sure Lita? Last time you asked for another round with me, you completely missed dinner and your father was furious! And what was your excuse?"
"That I fell asleep. Better than him finding out the truth! He'd have your head! Everyone knows the tyranny of my father! If not for my mother, the world would turn into poverty and slavery. And I know he plots to get rid of her too!"
"Yes, everyone knows the suffering your father inflicts upon everything he touches. We all look forward to the day you ascend the throne."
"I'm sure he will arrange my marriage to someone he finds acceptable, and then what shall happen?"
"You are a pillar of strength for many people on Jupiter. You must not let that happen!"
"But I don't know how I can!" she said, stomping her foot childishly.
"You are stronger and wiser than you think Princess."
"You know not to call me that that Gawain, and my closest friend. Why suddenly the formalities?"
"Because my dear, you have two faces in my eyes. One is the young girl whom I've come to love as my own daughter, the other face is that of Goddess Jupiter herself, and true royalty." She smiled then at him, sheepish at the attention, until the moment ended when the doors burst open.
"LITA!"
The two of them turned towards the doorway, where a dark haired man stood with eyes a-fire, and a crown of glittering jewels. Both people took an unconscious step backward upon meeting his gaze.
"Father please! Let me explain! I didn't give Gawain the choice to train me. I ordered him to! He was following the order of his Princess."
"Silence!" He bellowed. "He should know to follow the orders of his King instead of an insolent girl. He will go to the dungeon until I find a suitable sentence."
"Father, no! You can't do that! It's terrible down there!" she cried.
"Take him away. And lock her in her quarters. I'll deal with my daughter later.
The guards looked at Lita with helplessness and pity as they started on their tasks. They turned their heads downcast as her pleading glance met their eyes, and murmured a low, "I'm sorry Princess."
Lita walked the corridors of the palace as tall and dispassionate as she could, pulling herself together on the outside. She knew the guards behind her felt deeps despair for their comrade, for it was most likely he would be sentenced to death, and her, their princess did not feel she was the hope for the future they were looking for. She felt useless. She managed to keep her cool until the doors of her quarters closed behind her, then it all fell apart. She paced back and forth furious, with tears streaming down her face. Her mind was racing, thinking of what could be done, but nothing would come. Hopelessness engulfed her, and she laid herself down, staring at the ceiling and crying silent tears.
"Lita honey?" Her mother's delicate face peered inside the doorway. Seeing her daughter's grave expression, she stepped inside, gown sweeping behind her, and sat down beside her.
"Don't you worry, I'll think of something, just give me a little time." She whispered softly.
"You know that's not true! You know father! Once he's decided there's nothing that can be done about it! It's hopeless!" the distraught girl cried.
"Now daughter, there are always ways to get around your father. How do you think we've managed this far?" her voice smiling in the darkness of the chamber.
"But he's down there, with criminals! Many of them he put there!"
"You are sweet to worry, but his friends have ensured that he is safely put separate from any who'd harm him. All of this has been very draining. Rest now, and you and I will make this this is right."
Her mother stroked the distraught girls hair, whispering soft comforts, until at last, she was asleep.
"What a pity. You can't trust even your family anymore, my King. To have your daughter found in such a distressing matter. . .how embarrassing! You wife has had too much influence on her for her own good."
"You're right as always, Cobalt. It is never to late to regain influence though. We need to rein them in, both of them.
"Well, my King, I think I may have and answer," He said slyly.
"Yes? Well, what is it?"
"Well, sire, whether you like it or not, Lita will have to take the throne in a very short time, and with that will take away everything you've worked for. What you need to do is place her with someone you can trust, to watch her and keep her in line so she doesn't ruin everything with her headstrong ideas."
"So you mean to have her wed?"
"Yes my King. Some one you can trust to keep close watch on your. . . endeavors."
"You are absolutely right, she has to be taken care of. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's to trust no one, except you of course Cobalt."
"I would be honored my King."
"Wha?. . .Oh, Yes! It's perfect. With you in place, we would not lose control. We will announce it tomorrow. It will be a great occasion. My only daughter getting married, and gaining a son as well, how perfect a premise! We shall host a grand ball in celebration!" he walked away, calling planners to his side in anticipation.
Cobalt remained behind, a secret smile spreading across his face.
"Wonderful." he said, congratulating himself under his breath.
"Lita honey?"
"Mom?" came the groggy voice from within.
"You'll have to get up I'm afraid. I know it's early but your father has lost his mind." she said, panic in her voice.
Lita sat upright, sleepiness vanishing away in response. "Why this time?"
"He's holding a ball, a grand ball. Everyone is coming."
"But why? What's the occasion?"
"He hasn't told anyone, but he's extremely happy about it."
"But he hates balls."
"Yes I know. That's why I'm worried."
"I see. . ."
"Now get up. The maids will be in here shortly. Oh, and your father requests that you wear your best gown for this event, you know, the deep green one, and he's sending a selection of jewels for you to wear." she said with a marked look.
"He's going to announce his plan to dominate the kingdom, isn't he?" she joked, trying to lighten the situation, but unable to think of anything less that would bring such requests.
"Let's hope it's something we can deal with," She said with a sigh.
"You realize I hate balls. I can't stand being fawned over for hours."
"Yes I know. I would say to wear your common dress, but it would allow people to know that you sneak into the kitchen to help out with the meals, which is another of those secrets that could get people in trouble. You may be a wonderful cook, but you leave evidence all over all of your clothing. I'll see you at the ball. At least you will be able to see the other girls there too."
"Well at lest that's something to look forward to. I haven't seen Serena or any of the girls in quite some time. I'll see you soon mother."
As the door closed, Lita sighed. Finally, some quiet time. She knew it wouldn't be too long until the maids were along to turn her day into chaos and endless palace gossip as well as tugging and pulling her in many different directions trying to put her together.
She sighed again at the thought and leaned on her windowsill and looked over the castle walls into the city below. Lita often daydreamed about the simple life of the people in the city, so simple. A life unlike her own…
"Stop! Thief!"
Lita's daydream was interrupted as her eyes diverted below to the gardens where the guards were chasing a young man through the pathways of the gardens. She wondered what horrible thing he must have done to catch the guards' attention, but forgot quickly as she continued to watch the action below. The young man came closer in her direction and Lita strained to see the objects clutched tightly in his grasp. As her eyes focused, she realized the it was not gold or jewels, or anything of value, but simply a handful of vegetables.
"What could be the crime in vegetables?" she wondered, confused. It can't be right. She decided in that moment to find a way to help him. She watched as he hid away in a nestling of bushed right below her window as two palace guards passed him by.
She only had moments to gain his attention before more guards came and he moved again. She unhinged her jade necklace from her neck and dangled it above him. She held her breath and closed her eyes as she let it fall from her fingers. She didn't open them again until she heard a soft clink in the branches below her. She peered over the windowsill to see him reaching for the dainty object sparkling lightly in the sun in front of him. She leaned over as he turned to look in her direction.