The Dressmaker Queen
A/N: Usual disclaimers, all copyrights go to those who rightfully own them.
This is going to explore a couple of things about the Rumpelstiltskin myth that's bothered me. One is the boast in the first place. What kind of father makes that kind of boast, especially when it's clear that the King isn't afraid to use death/imprisonment on those who displease him?
The other that's the heroine's relationship with the King. He threatens to kill her/father if she doesn't spin the straw into gold three times. Yet she marries him after spinning all that gold. I'd refuse, frankly, granted she might've felt trapped and that she had no other option.
I know Donna Jo Napoli and Richard Tchen explore these themes further in their masterpiece Spinners (awesome book by the way, totally recommend it).
A word of warning; this is far darker than what I usually write, just warning you all right now.
With all of that said, enjoy and destroy.
Straw into Gold, Gold into Blood
"Is everything ready, my Jenny?" Papa asked nervously, running his fingers through his graying brown hair.
"Papa, you've asked me this ten thousand times." I said gently, polishing the golden windmill set in our family's blue, white and gold coat of arms. Prince Leopold Gray of Cygmus was coming to visit to settle a debt Papa had. The king didn't have a kind reputation when it came to womankind, often taking those who suited his fancy…
Some he kept as mistresses in his various homes around the country, well paid until they got too old and wrinkled or he sighted another one.
Others disappeared, whether they ran away, were shipped off to convents, sent to live with distant family members or committed suicide.
All were ruined.
Fortunately for us, my little sister, Annie, was too young at eight. But I was old enough at seventeen. Papa, like any concerned father, convinced the two of us that we should lie low while he handled Gray.
"Good." Papa said, his hazel eyes lightening. We heard the sound of hoof-beats approaching our rundown manor home. "Off you two go and be quiet!" He hissed, shoving us to the small room we shared. We closed the door just as Papa went to the front door. "Good afternoon, Your Highness." I could imagine him bowing to the tall, dark and handsome man.
Sighing, I sat down on the bed, happy to continue work. While my primary concern was caring for my widowed father and younger sister, keeping our small estate running as smoothly as possible, my passion was for dressmaking. Mama had taught me many stitches before her death and I had learned many more from neighbors and friends.
Encouraged by Papa and friends, I began my own dressmaking business. Now it was growing in success. We were adding to our meager funds and there was even talk of interest from Salvation's Landing, the capital. The dress I was making was for my friend Rosie Milliner. Her fiancé was a soldier stationed in Salvation's Landing and she would join him by the end of the month with a large trousseau, most of the pieces were made by me. Even the exquisite wedding dress made of fine white cotton with needlework ivy on the sleeves.
I was contented to keep sewing. But my little sister was impatient. It was a fine day in late April and I could tell from her impatient green eyes that she wanted to play outside.
Maybe if I had suggested we spend the day with the neighbors… the events that unfolded wouldn't have happened…
"Jenny? Will you do the trick please?" Annie finally asked, pouting. "Come on, you promised to do it once we were in our room."
Sighing, I gave in and put down my needlework. "All right…but just this one time, do you hear me?" I said in a low voice. "Can you please get me some water?" Annie nodded and got the water from the pitcher and basin we had in our room. That was the distraction I needed to take off Mama's thin golden necklace and ring. I looped the necklace around the ring before palming them. Annie came back and gave me the water. "Thank you, sweet." I said, sipping my water. She watched me impatiently.
"The trick, Sissy…" Annie said impatiently.
"I'm getting there." I said with a hiss, putting down the glass. "Mama told me one time that she was so poor, they couldn't afford straw to make a broom. She adored Papa so much but feared that she could never marry him because she had nothing for her dowry."
"So she went to see her godmother, right?" Annie asked.
"That's right." I said. "Her godmother was a wise old woman with a special gift for magic. Some said she was actually a fairy. In any case, she listened to her goddaughter's unhappy plight. After a few moments, she took a single piece of straw from her broom…" Here, I picked up a piece of straw from the broom we had left. "…and broke it into two." I said as I broke the straw into two pieces and stuffed them into my hand, careful to hide the ring and chain. I blew on my clenched fist before holding it out to Annie. "She blew on them, bidding Mama to do the same." Annie also blew on my closed fist. "And what did she say to Mama?" I asked, waving my fingers over the clenched fist.
"'Your love would be really silly to pick anyone else.'" Annie said, imitating a little old woman. I began chuckling. "'Compared to you, they're no better than straw.'" Pinching my thumb and index finger together, I reached them up into my closed palm and began to pull out the chain and ring. "'Compared to them, you are as good as gold.'" We said simultaneously as I freed the two items.
"And with this ring and necklace, Mama had enough to marry Papa. She wore them proudly on her wedding day and vowed to give them to her daughters when they grew old enough to marry."
Annie's eyes lit up as they always did when I performed the trick. As corny as it was, it really was worth seeing her reaction. Although I had to come up with new tricks soon. She was very close to figuring it out.
"You turned straw into gold!" Annie shouted, clapping as I put the ring and necklace on.
The low murmur outside our door stopped. Oh no…I thought, getting in front of my sister.
"Who was that, Lord Thompson?" A man asked…I recognized it as belonging to the prince. Oh my God…my stomach twisted in revulsion. If our bedroom window hadn't been so creaky, we would've opened it, crawled out and ran away.
"That is my daughter sir." Papa said, stuttering. "Just a weak-minded child with a fancy for imagination and wild stories." He was desperate to keep us from being seen.
There was no time to react. The door flew open. Standing there, dressed in his bluish-gray military suit bedecked with medals was Prince Leopold Gray. He was as handsome as everyone said he was. Aristocratic face. Curly mop of black hair. Dark gray eyes.
I was frightened at the look he was giving me, though. It was like a starving wolf's when it realizes that it has a fattened chicken in its jaws. I lowered my gaze demurely and cupped my hands in a ladylike manner as Mama taught me. Hopefully he'll think me too boring a conquest and leave me be. I did hear that he liked girls who fought back. Claimed that it gave him pleasure when he taught them their place.
But my little attempt didn't work. "And who is this little beauty?" Gray said as he unsheathed his thin rapier.
"No!" Papa shouted as he lunged after Gray. Two of the three soldiers accompanying Gray held him back. "Please!" I was too frightened to move. Gray merely touched the flat part of the blade under my chin and pushed up my head so I was looking right at him.
"You didn't answer my question, maiden fair, what is your name?" Gray tried again, his voice angrier.
"Please, Your Highness, don't hurt Virginia!" Papa begged.
"Virginia?" Gray said, still eying me over. "A fitting name for such a classic beauty."
I felt awkward. Surely it wasn't meant as a compliment.
"A little shy, aren't we?" Gray said with a chuckle as he put his rapier away. "I consider our debt settled then, Thompson." He said as he nodded at the third. "Take the girl."
What?! Before I could react, the soldier grabbed my elbows and began to pull me out the door. "No!" Annie screamed as she reached out for my skirts. But the soldier more or less carrying me was quicker and she missed. I was frightened and began kicking and punching. But if anything, he tightened his grip on me.
Outside, there were four horses, draped with Cygmus colors; gray and white. Gray was already mounting one. "Bring her here." He ordered my captor. I was roughly thrown onto Gray's horse. He wrapped his firm arm around me. I felt the sharp tip of a dagger touch the small of my back. "If you try escaping, I will kill you without hesitation." Gray hissed in my ear. "Do you understand?" I nodded.
With a newfound strength, Papa broke away from the two guards and ran up to us. "Please, Gray!" Papa knelt before Gray and begged. "Please…I'll give you my lands, my house, everything else…but please let my little girl go…"
"That's not fair to your other little girl, isn't it, Lord Thompson?" Gray said. "At least I'm taking Virginia without asking for a dowry and leaving you here with one instead of taking both."
"Dowry?!" I asked, my voice squeaking. Oh no…he had worse in mind…
"So you can speak." Gray said with a chuckle. "Yes, Virginia. You will be my wife. I'd be foolish to dismiss a girl who can make gold out of straw. No way am I letting you out of my sight again!" Gray said, digging his spurs into the sides of his horse. "To Salvation's Landing!" He ordered as we began galloping away.
I began to cry as I looked back. The last memory I have of my home is unfortunately blurred by tears.
But I can distinctly remember Papa holding onto a crying Annie.
It was very late when we arrived at the capital of Salvation's Landing. I had always wanted to see the capital. Now I was getting my wish but not in the way I had wanted.
I was going to be married to a cruel man. It didn't matter if I couldn't turn straw into gold or not.
We rode into the castle courtyard. Torches were lit and many came out of the castle, scrambling to their knees as the heir to the throne rode back.
"Davis!" Gray called out as he dismounted. "Where is that man…DAVIS?!" Gray barked, pulling me off. My feet stung as they hit the cobblestone street.
"I'm here, Gray." A man calmly said while he stepped outside. His polished boots clicked on the cobblestones and the lights shone off the collection of medals on his military uniform. He had to be in his late twenties, early thirties, judging from his dark blonde hair and graying moustache.
I recognized him immediately. That was Christopher Agustin Davis, Gray's half-brother and second in line to Gray. He was a Captain in the military and preferred to be known as such, even though he was titled as a Prince like his brother. Just as well. He was known for the just and honorable way he led his men and was very popular.
"Meet your future queen." Gray said. "Just finished the negotiations with her father, didn't we, my sweet?" He said, turning to me. I could see the cruel look in his face and knew to keep my mouth shut.
That look told me that Papa and Annie's lives were in his hands. If I tried telling the truth, their lives would be forfeit. I merely nodded.
"Welcome to Salvation's Landing, ma'am." Davis said, bowing.
"Sir," I said, curtseying.
"Take her to her new quarters." Gray said. "I have things to discuss with Grandfather." He said as he turned to me. "But I expect to see you tonight so wait for me, love." Gray's thin lips turned up into a smile before he left.
He wasn't going to wait for the wedding night. I began shivering out of fear. Good God…will my humiliation know no end?!
"Are you cold?" Davis asked, taking off his cloak. Before I could answer, he draped it over my shoulders.
"Thank you." I said. He offered me his arm. Sensing that he wasn't going to hurt me, I took it and allowed him to lead me inside. Inside was just as grand as it looked outside. Grand paintings and tapestries hung on the cream colored walls. Servants scurried everywhere. "This place is quite a maze, isn't it?" I asked as we turned down yet another corridor.
"Don't worry, you'll learn your way quickly enough." Davis said as he led me to a door. "Here you are. I'll have some food brought up for you. You're probably hungry."
My stomach rumbled, betraying me. "If it's not too much trouble, Captain Davis."
"Christopher." He said. I looked at him in surprise. "I think since you're going to be my sister-in-law, it'd be best to address each other on a first name basis."
"All right." I said, realizing that I was liking him more and more. "Then…will you please call me Jenny? That's what everyone calls me."
A soft smile crossed his face. "If you wish, Jenny." He said, curtly bowing and then leaving.
Inside, the room was just as sumptuous as the rest of the castle. A large four corner bed sat in a corner, draped with a brocaded coverlet and plenty of plump pillows. Off in the corner was a large wardrobe and chests, no doubt filled with grand clothes. I promptly sat down at a table, still feeling the cloak on my shoulders.
I looked down at my simple lavender dress with ivory piping. While my family might've been nobles, we were still poor and chose to wear practical clothing in order to get things done. It seemed that I would have to wear things befitting a queen as my old life was over.
All because of a stupid thing my sister said…wait…I thought as I stood up….
Christopher was a kind and reasonable man. If I explained it to him and asked him to intervene on my behalf to the King…it was no secret in the kingdom that he favored his younger grandson…true there was that threat on my family, but they'd protect them. That's it, I thought as hope sparked in my soul.
I had to find Christopher.
As I was about to open the door and begin my search, a knock sounded. "Jenny?" To my surprise, it was a woman's voice. "My name is Josephine, I'm the mother of the princes. May I please come in?"
That's right…it was the Princess Dowager…maybe she can help me as well. "Yes, ma'am." I said. The door opened and I remembered to bob a curtsey. On the other side was a woman swathed in mourning black. Graying blonde hair was piled up on her round head. She smiled at me, showing bright gray eyes. Both her sons had inherited them, I noted.
"Please, there's no need to. You're not a servant." She said. "I'll call you Jenny as you asked Christopher. In return, you'll call me Josephine. Does that sound fair?"
"Yes." I said as Josephine settled herself into one of the chairs at the table. She patted a spare one next to me, bidding me to join. I did as she asked and joined her at the chair she was touching. "Christopher wasn't jesting when he told me that you looked like a frightened rabbit." Josephine said.
All right, now I had to tell her. "Look, I know my sister made a foolish boast and my father was stupid to get into debt with Prince Gray in the first place. But I can't turn straw into gold and was dragged away from home before I could explain…"
"Slow down." Josephine said. There was a sound at the door. Looking back, I saw Christopher had returned with a tray of food. "What's all this about spinning straw into gold?"
I took a deep breath and told them the whole story. Papa's debt. My sister and I hiding out in our room. The magic trick. Annie's proclamation. Gray's announcement. The abduction. The whole time, Josephine and Christopher were silent, listening to me carefully. I could tell that they were sympathetic to me. "…I need both you to talk to the King and tell him the whole story. It's the only way to stop this madness and protect my family. If I go myself, Gray will know and won't hesitate to hurt my family. Please, I'm scared of him. He doesn't exactly have a kind reputation, especially when it comes to women."
Josephine was about to say something but Christopher stopped her. "Mother, it's very clear that Jenny's been through enough trauma for a day. She needs rest. Go discuss this with Grandfather. Tell him to call me if he has trouble believing it." Josephine nodded and got up, leaving us. Christopher turned back to me. "I believe your story, Jenny. In any case, Gray's too intelligent to believe the whole spinning straw into gold nonsense. He's got more powerful motivations."
"But why would he marry me?" I asked. "I'm the daughter of a poor lord."
"Grandfather has been on Gray's case to marry or else lose the throne to me. Of course, everyone else has been hiding their daughters as his reputation is very well known. You were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I'm not going to let anything happen to you, your father or your sister." Christopher said. "I give my word as an officer and a gentleman."
"Thank you, Christopher." I said, filled with relief. Christopher merely smiled and brushed a stray lock of hair out of my face.
"FATHER!" Just at that moment, we heard a piercing shriek. My blood ran cold and Christopher leapt to his feet, clearly alarmed.
"That sounded like Josephine!" I said.
"Stay here. I'll be right back." Christopher ordered before leaving, closing the door behind me.
I paced inside my room, listening to the commotion outside. Something had happened to the King. I just knew it. It wouldn't surprise me if Gray had something to do with it. Oh God…what if the King was dead….then I would be trapped in a marriage with Gray…
My thoughts were so strong that I didn't notice somebody standing behind me until he grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back. I gasped.
"Quiet." Gray hissed in my ear. "Thought you could escape from me quickly, couldn't you, my darling pet?"
"How did you get in here?" I asked
"There's a secret passage connecting the King's Quarters to the Queen's. It was designed for privacy reasons…" He whispered, beginning to smell my hair.
I slipped out of his grip and turned around as I realized what he was speaking about. "You killed him…" I said, glad that my stomach was empty because I felt nauseous.
"I doubt anybody will be suspicious as it looks as if he merely fell and hit his head hard enough to break his neck. And you won't say anything, my lovely bride…because I have your father and sister's lives in my hands. Oh yes…all I have to do is say the word and their worthless little lives will be snuffed out like a candle." Gray said, grabbing my throat. I felt myself choking. "My valiant brother won't be able to save you. Tomorrow we'll wed. But first I need to establish my alibi. Getting to know my lovely bride…" he said before kissing me passionately.
My heart shattered like a glass vase.
Now I was trapped.
A/N: Yes, this is much darker than my usual fare as I said. I thought about changing it up for lighter fare and indeed extended it but decided to stay with the dark side.
How bad was it?
