Chapter 7. Random Thoughts
Veiloreas's POV
Every Morass Elf prepares himself for the upcoming battle. The Golden Pixie Kingdom will soon fall to its knees, begging its conquerors for mercy. The conquerors will be us. Not the dull morass elves, but us – the mighty Mountain Fairies. We've dreamed of it for a long time. Goblins used to help us, but they were drowned years ago by these feeble humans. The evil race of Mermen helped us a little as well, but they're too lazy and selfish. They weren't of much help to us.
My father Likkerind is very weak. I won't allow him the access to the throne. Not at all! I will become the king immediately!
Eplitirle – that's my mother – has already chosen a bride for me. The young grand duchess of the Silvery Pixies – the pathetic nation we conquered two months ago. Her name is Diamond (what a foolish one, honestly!) She's quiet and obedient – a perfect queen for me. She's also pretty and clever – as Mom has said. I haven't met Diamond yet.
I don't think I need a queen – I can quite well manage alone – at least… There was a person whom I loved – a Golden Pixie, but she has mysteriously vanished. I've heard rumors about her marrying a human, but I don't believe it. If dear Carnation ever betrayed me, she would have chosen someone at least half as worthy of her as me. A male Pixie, a troll, a gnome – not a human!
Carnation – Carnation – where's she now?.. Is she alright?
Stop thinking about Carnation. Even if she returns, you'll marry Diamond.
Think about the small thing – the tiniest thing that can spoil your plan to conquer the Golden Pixies… Oh, if only we don't encounter it…
Irene's Grandma's POV
Where is Irene? Forestleaf has already informed me about it, though… She's on her way, he said. What a vague answer! I'll send my three fastest doves to find her and then tell me, when to expect her. I have to prepare everything for the Golden Pixies and also fetch that ancient book…
I hope Irene brings Curdie with her. Although he barely believes in my existence, he's a nice clever boy – and oh so much devoted to my granddaughter.
I worry about Isabelle Rubystone a lot… Forestleaf is afraid for her as well. It's not safe for a Golden Pixie to be in the capital now. Maybe this stubborn Pixie King, Plumtree, will bring her back after all. It's a question of life versus death!
How long will it take Irene to come here?
Isabelle's POV
Gerald has to receive some foreign ambassadors in the throne room. Which gives me some time to be alone on my favorite balcony. Not that I like being alone, especially now… But I can't resist thinking. When I'm playing the part of a society beauty, I have no opportunity to think properly. Only now I can do it…
The sun is setting. Oh, what a lovely landscape! The forests, the river, the mountains – all looking golden and crimson in the sunlight…
I remember how Veiloreas admired such panoramas. He liked sunsets. Veiloreas… Where are you now? Please, don't conquer our kingdom, please, please… Do you even know where I am, Veiloreas? Do you know that your former fiancée is lawfully wedded to Viscount Gerald Rubystone?
I can't resist thinking. Thinking about young charming Veiloreas.
Repeat your vows. I shall love Viscount Gerald Rubystone until death parts us…
No, no! I love Veiloreas – I still love him…
*Flashback Starts*
Veiloreas and I first met in the Moonshine Lowland. Oh, how naïve I was! I didn't remember the name of our enemy's heir. And I decided to hide my true identity to make it (oh, dear!) more romantic…
"You dropped one rose from your bouquet, miss."
"Thank you, sir."
"I can tie the bouquet with a ribbon."
"No need for this. I can carry it without ribbons."
"And where do you come from?"
"Ah… not far from here."
"What's your name, then?"
"Carnation. It's easy to remember – like the name of the Golden Pixie princess… I'm one of the sylphs, but I'm a lady-in-waiting for that princess… Can you imagine such a coincidence?"
"Nice to meet you, pretty Carnation! And I'm Veiloreas. Would you like to take a walk to the Sparkling Lake?"
"With pleasure, Veiloreas!"
*Another Flashback Starts*
"Veiloreas, dear, do you love me?"
"More than anyone else, Carnation!"
"Then you won't get angry…"
"At you? Certainly not!"
"Veiloreas, I'm not a lady-in-waiting. I'm Princess Carnation herself, only I wear disguise."
Northern, accompanied by a group of royal spies, jumps out of the bushes… I was taken away in a flash. And later…
"MY DAUGHTER WAS A LO… WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH PRINCE VEILOREAS?"
"I didn't mean it, Dad!"
"How could you? What a dreadful shame!"
"He's not like his father King Likkerind! Veiloreas is kind, noble, g…"
"Kind and noble, huh? He has once killed a battalion of our soldiers at a time! He writes poems which propagandize that our nation is evil, pathetic or evil and pathetic! That's what you call kind and noble?"
"But…"
"You're a disgrace of our country! I banish you to the humans!"
Snowdrift, the most soft-hearted of my brothers, tried to interrupt:
"Dad! Could you just judge her a little kinder? She fell in love with that b… that person. We can't give orders to our heart…"
"Stuff and nonsense! She knew his name! She should have felt a bit of sympathy for her own nation… By the way, she doesn't deserve her name anymore. From now on you, Carnation, are Lady Isabelle Elfsdohter. You'll come to the humans, disguise yourself as a lord's daughter and marry the first man who'll propose to you! That's your punishment!"
*Another Flashback Starts*
The night before I went to the humans' capital, I wept.
"Veiloreas! Will we see each other again?" I repeated, over and over.
*Flashbacks End*
Veiloreas's POV (again)
The birds seem to have flown far away today. I've been hunting for three hours and got only two old geese!
Oh, now what's that up there? A white dove. Funny. Really funny. But a dove plus two old geese is better than nothing plus two old geese!
Of course, my arrow hit it! I'll ask for a boiled dove for supper – it's a delicious dish…
What's that? Oh my. I shot a dove that belongs to an ancestor of the current human queen's. That senior woman is a good wizard and adores her birdies. Ugh! Well, at least there's a letter attached to the dove's paw. It's written in Golden Pixie alphabet, so I'd better read it.
Dear Isabelle (Carnation, I mean)!
We were safely driven all the way to the Moonshine Lowland. All is excellent! Grandma will explain that thing about your nation now. We'll try to help you!
Sorry for the short note. It seems we don't have much time.
Say hello to your husband.
Sincerely,
Irene Regina,
Curdie (who now believes that Irene's Grandma exists)
Lootie (still skeptical about the matter)
P. S. Send the dove back. It's Cucu, one of Grandma's favorites.
Carnation! I was struck. So the rumors were true after all. She lives under the name of Isabelle and is – oh! – married to a human.
I'm going to find her and marry her… after we conquer the Golden Pixie Kingdom. Or… no, better not. I have a much more effective plan! I'll offer it to our generals right now.
But the goal is the same: find Carnation and marry her, whatever Mom says.
