Sorry this is lateish, we've been sick and busy.
Servants were rushing down at the courtyard, their hushed voices barely reaching a girl watching from above. Princess Clarissa Morgenstern saw many taking bags from silver and gold adorned carriage, which gleamed even in the thin gray light of their kingdom. She gazed out the window of her study, down at the commotion by the front gates. Someone important must have arrived, if her brother was greeting them personally. Her brother was shaking hands with a refined looking young man, although it was hard to tell from here what he looked like, or what Kingdom he was visiting from.
Princess Clarissa turned her head rapidly, causing some red curls to bounce slightly from the sudden movement. Sighing, she cast a final glance at the court yard before carefully setting herself down on one of her two cushioned chairs. The red-haired princess watched her maid as she straightened aged books and dusted wooden shelves, all the while thinking about the young man she had seen with her brother.
"Maia, have you heard word of anyone visiting?" Clarissa inquired, an almost desperate tone taking hold of her voice as she added, "Please, I must know..."
The maid seemed to think for a second, a far-away look in her warm brown eyes before she straightened up, letting out a sheepish and slightly embarrassed laugh. Maia nodded once, setting down her duster on a nearby stool as she answered. "I had heard some rumors, although it slipped my mind to tell you before now."
Gesturing to the plush chair across from her, Clary allowed a quiet and slightly relieved laugh to escape as she said, "Then please, sit, and tell me now."
Quickly walked across the large room, Maia gently set herself down on the chair across from the princess, all while chuckling at Clary's impatience. The princess smiled broadly in return, showing of straight white teeth, not at all bothered by her maid's silent teasing. Emerald eyes sparkled as they bore into the maid, silently portraying her desperation to know about the visitors. Maia leaned forward slightly, the princess doing the same, a mischievous look appearing on both their faces. Somehow, the two girls managed to look like young school children sharing secrets, something Clary had never seen or been part of.
"Well," Maia started, lowering her voice as she continued; "I had heard that Prince Jace Wayland was coming to fight for your hand. Of course, all rumors were quickly stopped by your father..." The maid's voice trailed off near the end upon watching the smile quickly drop off the princess's face as she leaned backwards, looking anguished.
"Must we do this again?" Clary whispered, anxiously biting her lip, sending her friend a distressed look. Her delicate hands fidgeted nervously on her lap, already thinking of the many things she might be made to do.
"I'm afraid so My Lady." Maia sighed; an air of sadness suddenly surrounded her as she recalled the events of the previous visit from a wealthy prince. The maid looked at her sympathetically as she stood up from her seat, extending a firm hand towards the princess. Taking the offered hand, Clary pulled herself up, walking resolutely towards her closet with Maia by her side. Noticing the redhead's shaken form, Maia was quick to try and lift Clary's bad spirit.
"But let's not fret; you may not even have to help this time! You know as well as I do that your father should be enough to scare anyone off!" The maid said archly, knowing the princess often enjoyed making fun of her father as she tried her best to sound enthusiastic. Noticing no change in Clary's mood, Maia sighed quietly before forcing her voice to sound light again. "Now, why don't you go sit on your bed as I pick out an outfit for you today?"
A quiet hum being all Maia got in acknowledgement, the princess allowed herself to be steered across her large room towards her extravagant bed. Sinking down into her soft mattress, Clary distractedly watched her maid step into the closet and disappear out of sight. Left to her own thoughts, the princess took a deep shuttering breath, slouching slightly, trying her best to calm her own fears. Dropping her head into her hands, she allowed her eyes to drift close for a second as she thought back to the past few days, knowing there must have been some signs of the coming visitors. The princess shook her head as she couldn't recall a single oddity in the castle; everything had seemed normal, or as normal as they could get in the Morgenstern castle.
My father and brother must have been careful to hide this from me this time, Clary thought, somewhat succeeding in calming her racing heart.
The red-haired princess let out a loud squeak, straightening up as a booming "Aha!" was heard, echoing through her large chamber, followed by the loud rustling of many gowns. Maia re-appeared from the closet, sending an apologetic glance towards Clary as she took in the princess's startled form. The corners of the maid's mouth pulled up into something resembling a small smile as she held up the chosen dress, already approaching her mistress.
"This is will do nicely, don't you think?" Maia asked, knowing full well that this was in-fact, the princess's favorite dress. Clary's emerald eyes aimlessly inspected the dress, from the tight forest green bodice to the layers that fell at the bottom of the dress in different shades of green. Her eyes seemed to settle on the small silver diamonds that adorned the outlining of the small v-neck, Maia had to admit it herself- the dress was quite eye-catching.
If this doesn't get some sort of response from her, I don't know what will..., she thought, a small spark of hope shining deep in her eyes. All hope diminished as she caught Clary's absent minded nod. Fighting back another heavy sigh, the maid went to put the dress behind the changing screen, leaving Clary to follow her. Setting herself down on a nearby stool, Maia listened silently to the sound of heavy fabric rustling as the princess went to put on her dress. Upon hearing the nearly silent ask for help, the maid got up and helped the princess lace up the green dress.
Setting the princess down at her vanity, all while being careful not to tear the dress, Maia asked, "How should we arrange your hair this morning?" Not expecting an answer, she continued hurriedly. "Let's put it up in a bun. That should please your father, don't you agree?"
"Yes, I would think so." The princess murmured quietly, straightening up as she stared at her reflection in the mirror, an unreadable look in her emerald eyes. Her hands fidgeted nervously on her lap, trying her best to remain still as Maia, who was humming softly to herself, pinned up Clary's hair with a variety of jeweled pins, leaving red curls to frame her face. The maid perched an orange and black tiara on the princess's head, smiling softly to herself as she watched it light up Clary's face.
Stepping back to admire her work, she clapped her hands together, the sound echoing in the large room. "Just lovely." She laughed, sniffing slightly and pretending to wipe a tear from one eye. A grin grew on Maia's face as she caught the quiet giggle coming from the princess.
For the first time that morning Clary felt the dread that had settled in her ease a little, making way for some positive thoughts. The princess stood, rolling her shoulders back and picking up her skirts. Her voice was lighter, although some distress was still evident in her words as she said, "I think I should join the court for breakfast now. Must not keep the visitors waiting." Sending a thankful smile towards her friend and maid, she added, "Thank you. Please, come down when you are ready."
Maia nodded, hurrying to open the door for the Princess. Her voice grew serious, the joking attitude leaving her as she said, "I might not be here tonight..."
Clary sent an understanding smile towards Maia, who nodded in response, both exchanging a silent 'be careful'. Taking a deep breath, the princess steeled herself for the harrowing day that was to come. Lifting her chin slightly, the red-head stepped out into the cold, dark corridors of the castle, a single thought running through her head.
Time to meet the prince.
