I spent the next two weeks trying my best not to show how upset I was from being denied going to Nessarose's birthday party. I never asked for much, but when I did, I could always count on my great-grandfather to say no. I wondered if people would still say 'no' to me when I became Eminent. Every time my great-grandfather conducted official business, I became his shadow. Even though he showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon, he was still making it very clear that my time to rule was approaching fast.
"And so, Your Eminence, the nuns of the Sister Saint Aelphaba Orphanage are requesting a bit more funds so they may keep their school open."
Great-grandfather looked down at a bill of Munchkinland's funds and looked back at his advisor. "What would the money be used for?"
"Fixing leaks in the roof, ordering new books, hiring better teachers, and the like, Your Eminence," the advisor said, also reading from a paper.
I sat silently in the corner, watching. I supposed I should have been taking notes, but I figured I wasn't going to be tested on this particular matter.
"How much are they requesting?"
"Three thousand green pennies."
Great-grandfather sighed. "That is quite steep." He rubbed his brow. "I will grant them two thousand so they can fix the roof and make any other major repairs to keep the school open."
"And the books and teachers?"
"Will just have to wait until the next term." He signed a paper and put it aside. He looked back at me, probably to make sure I hadn't fallen asleep. I had been completely silent the entire time. "Are you paying attention, Elphaba?"
"Yes, sir," I nodded.
"This will be your job soon. Listening to endless requests from your people. It will be your duty to help them."
"I understand, sir."
Great-grandfather hummed and wrote something down. I looked at him to avoid looking at the advisor, who was looking at me. I shifted my gaze down to my lap, playing with the hem of my uniform skirt.
An hour and a lot of official business later, Great-grandfather dismissed me to go up to my room and study. I curtsied to him and left, going up the stairs to my room, but having no intention to study. I had more important things on my mind.
I went over to my desk and looked at the calendar. April sixth was exactly one week away, and I still didn't have a present for Nessarose. What did ten-year-old girls like? I tried to think back to what I liked when I was ten, but my childhood was filled with so much official business, I didn't have time to like things that other girls liked. I barely knew anything about Nessarose's personality or preference, so I was at a loss. And even though I didn't know much about her, I doubted she wanted a book on the history of Munchkinland's industrial revolution.
"What do ten-year-old girls like?" I asked Nanny as she brushed my hair that night.
Nanny paused, considering the question. "Books, dolls, things that are sparkly and pretty, new dresses… why do you ask?"
"I need a present for Nessarose. I am missing her birthday… again… and I want to get her something special."
"Maybe jewelry. Nothing too fancy, since she's still a child, but something very sparkly and shiny."
Sparkly and shiny. Nessarose would probably like that. I figured that anything Galinda would like, Nessarose would probably like, too. And even if it wasn't her personal preference, she would hopefully still like it because it came from me.
Saturday was tomorrow. With to duties to perform with Great-grandfather, I could ask to go to the village stores and try to find a present for Nessarose. I just hoped I would be allowed to.
Much to my surprise, Great-grandfather allowed me to go out. Albeit not by myself, of course. Never by myself. I had to go with two guards, which was a fair price to pay for me leaving Colwen Grounds. As I settled myself in between them in the carriage, I suddenly felt unsure. What if Nessarose didn't like the present? What if she already owned what I gave her? I really wished I knew her better.
When we reached the busy down, my hope was to make this trip as quick and painless as possible. But my two bodyguards clearly had other ideas.
They quickly, and loudly, announced my presence and the whole square seemed to go silent. I pressed my lips together in a tight smile, trying to not show how annoyed I was with what just happened.
As I walked, the people around me immediately quieted down and bowed their heads in deference. Even the young children, who clearly didn't know what was going on, but were merely mimicking their parents, bowed to me. I continued walking, trying not to look directly at anyone.
My first stop was the jewelry shop. It wasn't the most expensive jewelry show, but clearly not meant for people who were of the lower-middle class and below.
"Your Excellency," the man behind the counter bowed. "What a pleasure. How may I help you today?"
"Hello," I greeted him. "I'm looking for a gift for… a friend. She's turning ten, so nothing too fancy."
"Of course," the man said, immediately bringing out samples of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
I said no to most of them. None of them were really catching my eye. I knew I wasn't shopping for myself, but I still figured that if it didn't interest me, it probably wouldn't interest Nessarose.
Suddenly, a pink, metal bracelet studded with sparkly, colorful jewels caught my eye. "May I see that one, please?"
The man nodded and gave me the bracelet to inspect. I immediately declared that I wanted to purchase it. It was pretty, sparkly, and shiny, everything Nanny told me ten-year-old girls liked.
"Would you like it engraved, Your Excellency?"
I thought for a moment. "No, thank you," I said. It seemed a little extra, especially since I figured that I don't know Nessarose well enough to get her something engraved. To me, that was something to do exclusively for your close loved ones.
I paid for the bracelet by telling the man to put it on my personal Colwen Grounds tab. I never carried actual money around with me when I went out, and I barely went out. I was told that it was dangerous, in case something was to happen to me. I thought it was ridiculous. Everyone carries money around, not worried about what would happen to it if something happened to them.
"Not everyone has a fortune like yours, Your Excellency," I had been told.
I didn't know the exact amount of my fortune, but I knew it was a lot, even outside Munchkin standards.
I thanked the man and walked out of the store with my bracelet. As I walked out, I noticed that a crowd had gathered by the store, eager to see what I had purchased. I gave everyone a soft smile, but the guards shooed the crowd away. I felt a bit bad. I never really showed my face in public, and this was probably the first time a lot of people were seeing their future leader. Although, I must admit, having everyone staring at me made me feel a bit uncomfortable, but I knew this was just the beginning. Once I became the Eminent, a lot more people would be staring at me.
"Is that all, Your Excellency?" one of the guards asked.
"Actually, I would like to walk around for a bit," I said, looking around.
"Your Excellency –"
"I've never seen the village before, and I don't know when I will ever get another chance like this again."
The guards clearly weren't happy with this, but agreed and walked beside me, glaring at anything that looked suspicious, which included people who stared at me for longer than two seconds.
As we passed a toy shop, I stopped to look in the window. There, standing on a small, glass table, was a beautiful, porcelain doll. Her auburn hair fell just past her shoulders and was lightly curled and half pulled up with a pink ribbon. Her eyes were greyish-green, her nose was dainty, and her lips seemed to curl into a very subtle smile. The dress she was wearing was a frilly, light blue, and stopped at her ankles. The long sleeves were puffy and the cuffs of the sleeves, as well as the skirt of the dress, were adorned with a lace-patterned ribbon.
I smiled, immediately going into the store and purchasing the doll. When we came out, the guards offered to carry my bags, but I assured them that I was perfectly capable of carrying both bags; especially when I placed the jewelry store bag into the toy store bag to condense.
As we walked, we passed the ice cream parlor. There, sitting outside, was a group of around five or six girls. They looked around my age and they were all eating ice cream and laughing together. They were clearly best friends, or just regular friends laughing at a very funny joke. Either way, they were laughing and looking like they were having an amazing time. They didn't have to worry about the ruby mines or an orphanage school in need of repair. They just had to worry about the latest fashions and boys and… other things like that.
"It's getting late," one of the guards said. "Perhaps Your Excellency would like to go back to the carriage and head back to the palace."
"I suppose," I sighed, not really wanting to go back. "I got what I came here for."
"Very good, Your Excellency," the other guard said as they escorted me back to the carriage.
As soon as I returned to Colwen Grounds, I put both presents in my closet. I felt like I was hiding them, which I didn't understand why. It wasn't like Nessarose was going to sneak into my room and try to figure out what I got her. I had received a short reply from her after I told her I couldn't come to her party. She said that although she was disappointed, she completely understood and recognized that my duties as future ruler came first. That made me feel even worse. Even a future monarch shouldn't have to miss important family events like this.
Nanny came in to check up on me, but I shooed her away. I didn't want to be rude, but I was exhausted and wanted to rest before Great-grandfather called me to look at, read, or study something else. I collapsed onto my bed with a groan. My feet were beginning to regret all the walking I had done. I made a mental note to request a pair of walking shoes.
Three days before Nessarose's birthday, I wrapped both of her presents and wrote a quick card saying how sorry I was that I couldn't make it and that I hoped she had a wonderful birthday. Once I was finished, I called for a maid to post the package for me.
"Please be sure to tell the postal office to be extremely careful with this package," I said as I handed her the large box. "Something very fragile is in here."
"Of course, Your Excellency," she curtsied and hurried away.
I watched her go, hoping that Nessarose would like her gifts.
On April sixth, Nessarose's birthday, Nanny woke me up to get me ready for the council assembly. After a soothing bath, I came out, clad in only my robe, to find my official uniform laid out on my bed, along with my Colwen Grounds sash.
"Must I wear the sash?" I asked Nanny as she helped me with my blazer.
"Your great-grandfather requested it, Miss Elphaba," Nanny responded as she sat me down at my vanity and brushed my hair.
I frowned at my reflection as Nanny finished. A servant came to announce that the council had assembled and my great-grandfather was waiting for me. I thanked him and Nanny as I hurried out of my room. I didn't want to keep Great-grandfather waiting.
As I arrived at the meeting room, I saw Great-grandfather standing with two guards. They weren't the same guards that escorted me to the city, and I didn't know their names.
I curtsied and he nodded. The doors opened as we were both announced. As usual, all the men gathered there bowed their heads as we passed.
As we sat down, I really had to try and focus on the meeting instead of letting my mind drift off to Nessarose's birthday. Did she get my gifts? Did she like them? How was her party going? Was she having a good time? Did she miss me?
"… Which is why I believe that it is in the best interest of all of Munchkinland, as well as Your Eminence's, that there be a regency if Her Excellency must ascend to the throne before she is old enough."
I snapped back to reality as I felt everyone's eyes on me. I glanced over at my great-grandfather, wondering if I was allowed to speak. He narrowed his eyes at me, signaling that if I didn't speak, I would be in trouble later.
"I turn seventeen next month, so I will be of age soon," I said, addressing everyone, since I didn't know who spoke last.
"With all due respect, Your Excellency, you are still very young."
I adjusted my gaze to the man who spoke, an older senator who had been on the council for as long as I can remember. "I have been preparing to take charge since I was a child, have I not, Sir Liunes?" I asked, sitting up straighter. After all these years, now was not the time I wanted to be questioned whether or not I was ready to rule.
"But you still have so much to learn, and this is not a 'learn as you go' type of job."
"So, if I must ascend to the throne before I turn seventeen…"
"Actually, Your Excellency, my proposal was for you to wait until you are twenty-five before you become Eminent."
I froze. Twenty-five? "Why twenty-five?"
"It will give you enough time to learn what the job truly entails and to prepare for the role."
I didn't know what to say. "And who would be regent in my place?"
"One of His Eminence's advisors, or a high-ranking counsel member –"
"Such as yourself?"
"Elphaba," Great-grandfather said warningly, but I ignored him.
Sir Liunes paled a bit. "I didn't mean myself specifically, Your Excellency, but –"
"Do you lack the faith that I am smart enough to make decisions that would benefit the country and not send it spiraling down a dark abyss?"
I could feel the tension in the room beginning to rise, and I decided that I could use it to my advantage.
"Yes… I mean no… I mean… we just don't want the other countries to think that they can take advantage of Munchkinland because you are so young."
"I can assure you that I am smart enough to make sound decisions," I said as I slowly rose to my feet. Out of my peripheral vision, I could see the other council members wondering if they should also stand, even though my great-grandfather was still seated.
"Elphaba, sit down," he growled softly.
"Your Excellency," Sir Liunes said nervously. "I mean no disrespect, but –"
"But you think that I am just a silly little child who has no idea of how politics and government work. I knew how they worked since I was eight."
"I understand, ma'am, but due to –"
"Enough!" my great-grandfather boomed and the room instantly got quiet.
I slowly sat back down, glaring at Sir Liunes and trying to avoid looking at Great-grandfather. I could feel his fiery glare on the side of my face, but I ignored it. I knew that I was going to be in some deep, hot water for this little outburst, but I pushed that thought away.
I would have preferred going to Nessarose's birthday party.
