Absolute Lies

Chapter 2: Princess Aliana

7:30 meant breakfast with her family, all 3 brothers and both parents. She wore a simple light blue dress that was made of the softest fabric they could find. The sleeves hugged her arm down to her elbow where in fell in layers down and away. The neck scooped down modestly, showcasing her collarbones and the crystal that hung between them. The dress hugged her form until her waist where it hung loosely and glided over the floor hiding the white heels she wore underneath.

Her blond hair was pulled up into a pony tail with a few pieces curled on top and a few falling over her eyes. She was escorted to the gardens for breakfast by 2 of the larger goblins and one of the handmaidens from the Main City, who was also a Fae. They bowed to her once they had reached the gates to the garden. She nodded a dismissal and they hurried away as the gates opened.

She walked inside, and curtsied low to the ground in respect of her father and older brother. She gently stood back up and smiled at her parents before taking her seat on her fathers left side. "Sleep well?" The eldest brother asked once she was settled.

"Yes, Did you?"

He shrugged, "Better than I have been."

"I don't understand why you're not sleeping." she said as a glass was filled with water, "Why must you make everything complicated?"

They both laughed.

"Mina."

"Yes, Your highness?" she asked looking to the head of the table at her father.

"What are you planning on doing today?"

"I have a dress fitting after this, then dance lessons, then my studies, Gryphon invited me to lunch today, then I'm..."

"He did, did he?" He said a tone that made Mina slightly nervous.

"Yes, sir."

"And what did you say?"

"Well I said that I would go, he is one of my closest friends." she said simply.

She turned her head as both of her younger brothers walked in. They bowed and took their seats, Cassius in between Mina and Junior, as they playfully called their eldest brother who held the same name as their father, Toby across from him.

"Morning." Toby said happily as she smiled at them.

"Good Morning." 2 year old Cassius said sweetly, his head slightly down.

Mina smiled at her youngest brother, "How are you this morning?"

He looked up at her, his voice still small, "I'm good." he said before turning his head forward.

Mina adored her younger brothers, especially Cassius. She had been 9 when Toby was born, and 14 when Cassius was. She had been next to her mother both times, and was the second to hold the babies each time.

"Mina, you were talking about Gryphon." Jareth said staring at his daughter.

Mina looked across the table at Sarah, to see her mother lift her fork to her lips while she smiled.

"Father, he isn't interested in courting me. If he was, he would have asked by now." she said smiling lightly.

"Princess Aliana." Mina turned around in her chair and stared at the well dressed, but obvious servant, who bowed when her eyes found her, "I am sorry to disturb your breakfast, but Queen Jacklin is here to see you."

Mina turned back to her father and he nodded.

She stood, bowed to them, and followed the maid back into the castle. Butterflies flew like madmen in her stomach as she followed the servant, the Queen rarely made sudden visits to her son, especially to see Mina instead.

The Queen sat regally in a chair, sipping from a small china glass. The queen had beautiful long silver hair that made her look even more angelic than she already did. She had bright blue eyes that sparkled with unconditional love and concern for all who lived in her lands.

When Mina was younger and learning to read the fairytale's that were kept in her fathers library she had stumbled upon one that was about a princess and a fairy godmother that had been told for years Aboveground. The picture of the fairy godmother reminded her, still, of her Grandmother.

"Your Royal Highness," the servant said bowing, "Princess Aliana is here, as you asked."

Mina winced slightly at the use of her first name, but tried to hide it as she took the few steps into the room and bowed low to the ground just as gracefully as was expected.

"Aliana, please." she said gracefully placed the cup and saucer on the table beside the chair and almost floated out of her seat and held her arms open.

Mina stood up, with a smile and walked into her Grandmother's arms. Jacklin smiled and pulled her back, gently brushing a piece of hair away from the girls face and kissing the top of her head, "It is good to see you Princess."

"It's good to see you too, Your Highness."

"Please, sit down." she said as she waved her arm and a chair that had been against the far wall moved down and next to the one the Queen had previously occupied. Mina smiled a little and sat down as the Queen did.

"How are you, Princess?"

"I'm fine, Grandmother. How are you?"

"Wonderful, a bit busy planning the Fall Festivities, which you will be attending, correct?"

"Of course, We would never miss it."

"Of course not." The Queen said kindly, "Now, my dear, in your letters you have not mentioned a single courtier."

"Well... There hasn't been one." she said looking down at the hands that rested in her lap.

"That you know of?"

"I think most are a bit afraid to ask father for permission..." she said giggling a little, "Maybe I'll find one at the ball."

"Who are you going with?"

"Well, Gryphon will probably accompany me."

"The Knight?"

"Yes."

"He is one of the most respected Knights in the land."

"Are you suggesting something, Grandmother?"

"He does fancy you."

"He doesn't! We're just friends."

"That's what I said about your Grandfather."

"Grandmother, this sounds like something out of the Aboveground Romance Books I've read."

"Well, maybe you're living one."

Mina sighed and shook her head, A clock rang through the castle.

"OH! You're Majesty!" Scamper bowed to the ground, his nose brushing the rug that covered the stone floor, "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Hello, Little Scamper."

He stood back up, "Princess Mina, you have your Dress Fitting now. Would you like me to ask them to get your breakfast?"

Mina nodded, "I'm sorry I must cut this short, Grandmother. Will you be staying long?"

"Just until tomorrow morning."

"Well, hopefully I can see you between now and then." The Queen nodded.

Mina stood walked over, kissed the Queen's cheek, curtsied to the ground, then followed Scamper out of the room.