Chapter 2
When we'd gotten back to my room, I wrenched my arm out of Esa's metal grip and twirled to face her, eyes blazing.
"What was the meaning of your inane behavior back there?" I demanded. Esa looked away.
"I was just trying to keep you out of trouble, miss."
"I am perfectly able to do that myself, thank you," I retorted. "And how exactly did my being with that boy classify as trouble?"
Esa was silent for a moment, staring out the window. When at last she replied, her voice was cold and her tone monotonous.
"It is my job, miss, to keep you from mixing with the wrong people. That boy—"
I broke in.
"Is harmless. He's courteous and polite and thoughtful."
"As he should be, to the princess," Esa said quickly. Then, as she once more turned her face towards the window, she continued softly, "But you don't know anything about him."
"Well I…I like him. And what in Taesse's name is wrong with him in your opinion?"
Esa's voice transformed back to its monotonous state as she turned once more to face me.
"Nothing it would seem. He's just—"
"Oh, enough of your droning," I cried out, flinging myself onto my bed and rubbing my temples. "You're giving me a headache and, as it seems you're not going to tell me anything, we might as well end this conversation. Go away and I don't want to see you until it's time to prepare for evening court."
Esa stared at me curiously for a moment, and then abruptly shuffled through the door and slammed it behind her.
***
"The Princess Asanna has arrived," the loud deep voice of the court announcer cried as I entered the grand ball room. At once, the music stopped and the couples froze mid-step. All eyes turned to me and after a moment, almost in complete unison, everyone swept me a bow. I curtsied slightly and made my way towards my gilded chair by my mother's side. My mother's slight smile morphed subtly into an icy frown as I took a seat beside her, but she said nothing; instead staring out at the twirling, laughing couples scattered about the marble floor.
As the current dance ended, I spotted my step-sister coming quickly toward us and she finally landed on her seat beside mine, breathless and gasping.
"Goodness, that was fun," she cried, laughing. I rolled my eyes. "Won't you have a try at it, dearest sister?" she inquired sweetly. I said nothing, and turned my head away. Lekia always tried to sound sweet and loving around my mother and her father, all to make it look and sound like I was the actual problem.
"Well, my dear, whatever is the matter with you tonight? You're not being very responsive," she said, batting her eyelashes at me.
"Leave me alone, Lekia," I muttered. She gurgled.
"Whatever shall we do with you, Asanna." I narrowed my eyes, stood up and crossed the room, taking a seat by a tall candelabra that brightened the dark corner it stood in. After a few moments, I heard a familiar voice above me.
"Good evening, Majesty."
I glanced up to see Kael standing at my side. He swept me a polite bow. I quickly rose to my feet.
"Good evening, Kael," I said, nodding my head slightly.
"And how do you fare this evening, Majesty?" he asked kindly. I smiled.
"Do you know, you're the first person this evening who's actually asked how I am?"
A slight frown came into his eyes.
"Well, the courtiers can be a bit vain a self-centered at times."
I giggled.
"A bit? They're always like that. Oh, and please don't call me 'Majesty.'"
He nodded and turned to stare out at the various courtiers present. I did so as well, but after a moment, a sigh escaped me. Kael heard it and turned 'round to me abruptly.
"What is it, my lady?" he inquired considerately.
"Oh, nothing," I said slowly. The patient, wondering expression on Kael's face, however, prodded me to explain.
"I'm incredibly bored, that's all."
Kael threw his head back and laughed
"I beg your pardon, my lady," he said after a moment, choking back more laughter. "Please do not think that I am laughing at you."
I giggled again, but realized after a second that I was the only one laughing. I looked over at Kael. His expression was thoughtful and he seemed to be thinking over something in his mind.
"What is it, Kael?" I inquired.
"Would you like to get away from all of this, my lady?"
Unconsciously, I took a step closer to him.
"What do you mean?"
"If you'd like to come with me, I have something I want to show you."
He reached out his arm to me. After a slight pause, I grasped it and started to follow him along the wall until we came to a small door that, had Kael not showed me, I would never have known was there.
"Where are we going?" I whispered as we stooped through. He smiled down at me as he shut the door.
"You'll see."
Ok, I'm not sure now when i'll next be able to post a chapter, (a: i have school stuff to do, b: i just finished writing this part and am at a little bit of a block....). Hope you enjoyed it, once again, and please review if you could! Thanks!!
