A/N: Hey! Finally, it works and I can upload! LOL. Anyways, thanks for all being patient and hope you like this chapter.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: I have NOTHING against blondes with blue eyes. I have lots of friends with blonde hair and blue eyes! So I am NOT insulting them or saying that ALL blondes with blue eyes are ditzy, stupid, or evil. Why am I saying this note? Because Gabrielle is a blonde with blue eyes - evil. Princess Elaine is a blonde with blue eyes - evil. Clover is a blonde with blue eyes - evil. Well...evil in the sense of beating up Adena every now and then. LOL.
Disclaimer: I do not own fairy tales.
Claimer: But I do own this story.
Chapter 11
It was morning. The day evil princess a.k.a. Princess Elaine would come to the palace and would probably be a spoiled brat. How delighted I was of this! …not.
I got out of bed, groaning, and went to my dresser. On my dresser, I had put my mother's necklace there. I was scared that I would lose it, the only thing left of my mother's that I knew of. I looked at it carefully, studying it. It was really pretty and, I knew without a doubt, that if Gabrielle ever caught sight of it, she'd have it from me before I could protest.
As I was lifting it up to put around my neck, my door was thrown open and I whirled around to face the door, my hands still holding the necklace to my neck.
Gabrielle was standing in my doorway and she looked furious. Her eyes screamed, STUPID PRINCESS, DIE! Ah…I could tell it was in my best interest not to cross Gabrielle when she looked this angry and looked as if she wanted to wring some necks.
Gabrielle said, in a snappy voice, "The princess is coming at noon and Her Majesty wishes us to be ready by then." The way she said princess, you would have thought it was a slime or something disgusting you would find on your shoe.
As I nodded, Gabrielle's eyes traveled to the necklace in my hands and I saw her eyes wide. Oh…Lord…I quickly tried to hide the necklace but Gabrielle pounced. "Adena Maria, wherever did you get such a valuable piece of jewelry?" She purred out, trying to snatch it from my hands, greedily. I backed away from her, holding the necklace out of her reach.
"Answer me, Adena Maria," Gabrielle dropped the sweet voice and had switched onto a venomous voice, a dangerous voice. Her eyes flashed dangerously and she glared at me through narrowed, slit eyes. "Where did you get that necklace?"
I tried to think up of something, but I came up dry. Way to fail me when you are most needed, brain!
Gabrielle drew back and she seemed to be beside herself with anger. She said in a soft voice, "Adena Maria, I demand that you give me that necklace this instant." She held out her hand, as if I would immediately hand it over.
I found my voice and said, while shaking my head, "No."
Gabrielle's eyes became the size of saucers. "No?" She hissed out. Her eyes narrowed again. "Did you dare say no to me, Adena Maria?" She's a little freaky when she looks like that…kind of creepy if you ask me…
My hold on the necklace tightened. "Yes. I'm not giving it to you."
Gabrielle studied me for a moment before saying softly; coldly, "All right then. All right." She turned and went to my door. I blinked. Wow. That was easy. But then Gabrielle stopped at the door, her hand on the doorknob. "Oh and Adena Maria? You'd regret that. I swear to you, you'll regret ever saying no to Lady Gabrielle of Carrier." And then she left, slamming the door as she left.
Eek…I glanced at the necklace and suddenly, I felt dread creeping into me. What if Gabrielle really meant it? What if she really did make me regret?
Okay…come on…this is Gabrielle we're talking about…once, I put mud in the hood of her cloak so that when she flipped the hood, BAM! All over her blonde, perfect hair.
But the way she had said it…it had given me the creeps and I shivered involuntary. God, did someone leave the window open or something or what? I tried laughing at my little joke but the sense of dread was still hanging over me and I couldn't help but clutch my necklace tighter.
-------------
"Clover?" I knocked harder of her door. "Oh, Clooover!" I called out in a singsong voice. I had put my necklace on and I was hoping Gabrielle wouldn't attack me. Scary thought…
I was about to knock again when the door opened and, my fist mid-air, froze right in front of Clover's stunned face. "Um…hi?" She asked hesitantly, still staring at my fist. Oops…
"Err…hi!" I said in a cheerful voice, lowering my fist. Clover raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "What do you want?"
"Err…hi…nice to see you, dear stepsister…very nice…nice weather, too!" Babble, babble, babble. Wow. I'm the Babble Queen! Boo-yah! Actually, the reason I came to Clover was not to babble but was for her to walk with me downstairs to breakfast. I really didn't want to go alone, in case Gabrielle jumped out of nowhere and attacked me. Eek?
"Yes, I'll go with you. But why is Gabrielle going to attack you?" Clover asked. I stared at her, in shock. Mind-reader? Whoa. "What did you do, put mud in her hood again?"
I still stared in shock at her and she said, "What? Stop looking like a gaping fish."
"How did you know what I was thinking?" I asked. Mind reader…is Clover a fairy? Talk about freaky and scary.
Clover's eyebrows knitted together. "What you were thinking? What are you talking about? You said all that stuff aloud."
Oops…talking my thoughts aloud. Got to watch that. I nodded. "Sorry…thought you became a mind-reader or something."
Clover looked like she wanted to smack me on the head but was resisting. "All right…I'm ready, let's go." She then peered at my outfit. "I'm guessing Megan made you dress formally, since the princess is arriving?"
I nodded glumly. I was wearing a light pink dress and my hair was piled on top of my hair, wisps of hair falling into my face. Megan had slightly curled my hair, giving the appearance that it was curly. My dress was rather on the large side, the bottom round and the top part had nothing on the shoulders, so my shoulders were bare. I had a weird, crisscross design on my front, in gold, that went all the way down to my stomach. The sleeves of my gown were kind of triangle; the middle part was longer and it went halfway up my middle finger while the rest of it was lower. Although it was very beautiful…I felt very over dressed. It probably had to do with the fact I wore boy clothes. Hmm…
"Come on, Adena," and Clover grabbed my arm and dragged, yes dragged, me downstairs. Outside of the door, Clover stopped. I almost collided into her but managed not to and straighten myself. Clover looked sternly at me. "Now, Adena, remember: back straight, head tall, gentle voice, and no playing with your peas." Darn. Clover's no fun. And I knew she was telling me this just in case the princess was inside the room and would be watching us. Scary...Stalker Princess! Dun Dun!
The man at the door opened the door for us (Aw, thanks!) and we entered. Back straight, back straight, don't slouch! I chanted in my brain.
Everyone had already seated and looked at us when we entered. I heard a fork clatter on a plate and I looked to the source of the sound. Oh. It was Dane's and he didn't seem to notice he had dropped his fork; he was kind of preoccupied with staring at me. Wow. You can look away now. Please?
Queen Camilla looked ready to burst with pleasure. She beamed at me as Clover and I curtsied and said, "Your Majesties." Aw, aren't we adorable?
"Lady Adena Maria," Queen Camilla said, obviously pleased with my appearance. "You look very nice, dear, very, very nice." She looked like she wanted to say much more but was restraining herself.
I saw Gabrielle, next to Dane, glaring tightly at me in a pale yellow gown. She glanced at me, head to toe, and sneered. Err…thanks? Dane looked at Gabrielle, as if wishing she would move so I could sit there. The next available seat was next to Prince Jeremy (AW!) and I took it, graciously. The little prince beamed at me and two dimples showed. This twin is beyond cute…he takes cute to a whole new level.
"Your Majesties, when does Princess Elaine arrive?" Gabrielle asked, a hint of anger in her voice. She stared dreamily at Dane who pointedly edged a little away from her, eyeing her with a hint of fear.
"It seems she is arriving sooner than expected," Queen Camilla's voice was tight and angry. Guess she wished the princess's carriage broke down or something. She then smiled at me. "My dear, the way your hair is up is simply," Please don't say, please don't say it, "marvelous." Fine. Don't listen to my prayers! "Who is your maid, my dear?"
"Megan, Your Majesty," I said politely. And then, feeling as I should add more information to Megan, making her look good, I said, "She actually was the one who chose my gown, Your Majesty, and everything else about me. She is an excellent maid and I am grateful that you have given her to me."
Queen Camilla beamed happily. "Yes, she was new. You there," she told to a maid who entered. "Call for this Megan, will you? I wish to thank her personally with her doing on Lady Adena Maria." YAY! Megan gets a thank you! "And I might add more to her salary for doing such a splendid job." YAY! Megan gets a thank you AND more of a salary! I better go prepare my "your welcome" speech.
The maid returned with a nervous looking Megan a few minutes later. Queen Camilla motioned for her to come and stand before her. "You are Lady Adena Maria's maid, are you not?" She asked, peering into Megan's face.
Megan looked downright terrified and she quickly curtsied. No fair! Her curtseys are better than mine! "Yes, Your Majesty," she said and her voice was a little shaky.
"My dear, I have seen what you have done with Lady Adena Maria and I cannot express my gratitude. As a reward, you are now to be Lady Adena Maria's handmaid." Wow. I get a handmaid?
Megan looked beyond happy that she moved up. "R-Really, Your Majesty?" She asked, her eyes lighting up.
Queen Camilla smiled happily. "But of course, my dear! Now, you shall move into the room next to Lady Adena Maria, just in case she needs anything. And you will have to get new gowns. A handmaid doesn't dress in maid clothes, now does she!"
Megan looked like all her dreams had come true. "Of course, Your Majesty. Thank very much, Your Majesty."
"You may leave now," Queen Camilla said, dismissing her. Megan curtsied again and immediately left, flashing me a thank you smile before leaving.
"Now, as of our plans for today until the princess arrives," Queen Camilla said. She immediately turned to me. "What do you have in mind, my dear?"
Err…sleep? "I…I am going to practice my…my sewing! Yes, it has been very long since I have done that. Sewing I must do!" Babbling…what fun! Hmm…note to self: must learn how to sew.
"Really, my dear?" What was with the 'my dear' stuff? She turned to Dane. "And you? What will you be doing today?"
Dane opened his mouth, glancing at me, but Gabrielle already began speaking. "Your Majesty, hasn't Prince Dane told you? He is taking me on a carriage ride!" Gabrielle swelled with happiness. Don't you pop now!
Queen Camilla raised an eyebrow at her son. "Really, now? A carriage ride? You two?"
Dane grimaced, although I think I'm the only one who saw it. "Yes, mother, I did." His voice came out force, as if he would rather duel a fire-breathing dragon than this.
The queen then faced me. "Will you be joining them, Lady Adena Maria?" She asked me. Um…no…never in a million years…
"As I said before, I am going to practice my sewing, Your Majesty." More like learn how to sew first. And avoid having to spend more time with Dandy Dane. Ha, that was fun. Dandy Dane! Dandy, daring, dashing, Dane! …no, I don't think he's dashing, I just needed a "d" word. …shut up, I didn't! Leave me alone!
Queen Camilla frowned, a crease between her eyebrows. "But, I am sure Lady Gabrielle and my son would be delighted with your company. Surely you can put your sewing off till another time?"
"Err…I cannot. Sewing is an important…err…quality needed in a lady. What's a lady with her sewing?" Um…hold on, I know this! No I don't.
Queen Camilla looked down for a moment but then a mysterious and, might I add, EVIL smile crept onto her face. A glint entered her eyes. Uh…okay…just a little creepy and scary right about now… "Well then," she said. "Lady Adena Maria…I have just noticed that…" I took a sip of my drink, since I was starting to get nervous and my throat was getting parched. "That your corset doesn't look that tight."
I almost spat out my drink. Instead, I began choking on my drink. I was coughing like mad while everyone stared at me. Except for Dane. He was glaring at his mother with tight, clenched hands and a red-faced face. Watch out! Dane's going to hurt someone!
After I managed to stop choking and looking like an idiot, I croaked, "Umm…I think it's really fine, actually…" I know why's she doing this! Punishment for not hanging out with her son! Hey, I've hung out with him enough! Time for someone else!
And Megan, after I had begged and pleaded, hadn't pulled the strings on my corset until I could barely breathe. She had made them loose and comfortable. Jeez. It's not my fault ladies like to suffocate themselves. The price to look skinny when they already look like skeletons, I swear!
Queen Camilla was sending me a triumph look. "Yes, Lady Adena Maria. Your new handmaid – Megan – shall tighten them after you are done your breakfast." She eyed my empty plate with glee. "Oh, I suppose now! Go on, dear, upstairs too your room. And don't come back until they are tighten; I am sure the princess will have hers very, very tight and we mustn't have you looking like a pauper when she comes!"
If looks could kill, Queen Camilla would be dead. That's how hard and angry Dane's glare was. His eyes were narrowed and flashing dangerous. Eek, angry prince!
I, reluctantly, left and went up to my room. To my doom, actually. To my death. No…I'm not exaggerating. Have you ever worn a corset that was super tight? No? Then you cannot tell me that this is nothing. Trust me, it's impossible to actually breathe in those things.
I entered my room and Megan was there, wringing her hands nervously and eagerly. When she saw me, she gave a squeal and ran to me, embracing me with a hug. Um…okay? I awkwardly hugged back, not sure why were hugging in the first place. Did we win a vacation trip?
Megan then drew back and said, her voice alight with happiness, "Oh, Adena, thank you so much! I…I never expected to ever be a handmaid! Never! It was beyond my wildest expectations! But thank you so much!" Then she noticed my less than overjoyed face. "What's wrong?" Her eyes now were concerned.
I said, "Well…Queen Evil out there wants you to tighten the strings of my corset since the princess will probably look like her waist is a toothpick and she's some starving kid."
Megan's eyes widened and then she burst out laughing. Um…this situation isn't actually ha-ha, you know. It was more like AH-AH! Megan said, gasping for air, "Waist…like…a…toothpick…starving…kid…" Really now, compose thyself! Megan, as if reading my thoughts, said, "S-Sorry…that was just really, really funny…" Not really…?
I shrugged. "Anyway…despite that laughing fit you jut had, you have to now commit murder." I turned glumly. "Began the torture."
Megan laughed from behind me. "All right…here we go now…" And, after pulling the dress down so that she could reach my corset strings, she began tugging and pulling. OUCHY! PAIN! OW!
I was soon gasping for air and, finally, Megan stopped. I straightened, wincing. It was hurtful to move in this thing! I took deep breaths, which weren't easy as my lungs were being crushed but I managed.
"Ow…" I whimpered. Megan looked close to tears of laughter but managed to cough and hide her laugh. "I better go now…Queen Deranged probably wants to see me in my tortured state. Just because I wouldn't spend time with her son! Jeez."
I left the room and, right before I closed the door, I heard Megan laughing her head off. Lucky duck…probably never had to suffocate herself in these…these torturing devices that ladies wore to inflict pain upon themselves. Really…I knew ladies were dense but this was a little too far…
I walked down the long stairs slowly. My back was straight, since the corset prevented me from slumping. My feet touched the ground and when I was about to continue walking, Dane suddenly appeared. He looked at me and gave a half-smile.
"You look – " He began but before he could finish his sentence, Gabrielle came, attaching herself onto his arm (while grinning her head off).
"Oh, there you are, Your Highness," Gabrielle cooed. "You weren't about to leave me, now were you?" She batted her eyelashes and I saw Dane's expression: yes, he had thought of leaving her. He gave her a strained smile, a fake smile. Then, he looked at me, with a sort of hopeful look in his eyes. But I turned away to face Gabrielle, who caught the look Dane shot me, and her eyes seemed to darken.
"Come on, Your Highness. Let's go now," Gabrielle said, yanking on his arm and dragging him with her.
But Dane managed to turn his head and smile at me. His smile, however, wasn't strained or force. It was soft and genuine. Like it was a real pleasure just to be able to look at me. Err…all righty then…
And Gabrielle caught this. She caught the way he looked at me, with a soft expression, his eyes soft as well. And, by the looks of it, she didn't like it one bit. Not one bit. She glared at me and steam was practically shooting from her ears. And there was a determined gleam in her eyes that made me want to inch away slowly…
----------
"The princess is here!" A servant whispered to another servant. I looked at them interested. I had wandered the halls of the palace, in boredom, and was still in my too tight corset and fancy dress.
"Yes, I saw her carriage arriving!" The other servant whispered back.I better get down there, since Queen Camilla probably wants me down there and she is royal and has to power to behead my head. My head!
I hurried downstairs to see that Dane and Gabrielle had returned from their carriage ride, Gabrielle clutching Dane's arm. Clover was standing a little ways off and smiled as I came down the stairs. Queen Camilla and King Matthew were standing right at the door, and it seemed that they had been waiting for me, since Queen Camilla called, "Ah! Lady Adena Maria! Good, good, come on, now. We are about to go out and greet the princess now."
Dane's head turned sharply at my name and his eyes focused on mine as I came down on the ground floor. He shot me another smile but his eyes seemed…well, they had something in them…something…
WHAT WAS THAT SOMETHING?!
I stood next to Clover and the servant threw open the doors, to have us all bathed in sunlight. The queen and king walked out first, smiling regally. Gabrielle and Dane followed, although Dane managed to get Gabrielle from holding his arm. Clover and I exchanged a look and we both exited as well.
The carriage that was before us screamed, "SPOILED PRINCESS!" It was shining and seemed to be covered in jewels. Or, the appearance made it seem so. Anyway, the footman opened the door and held out his hand. A white glove emerged and took the man's hand, climbing out of carriage.
The girl was really, really beautiful. She was stunning, lovely, and gorgeous. She had sunlight blonde hair and pale blue eyes that seemed like ice. Her nose was small but perfect. Her skin was perfectly smooth and not one pimple was on her face. She smiled and dazzling, shining white teeth appeared, blinding me for a moment (OW!). She was wearing a very expensive dress from the looks of it; it was a light blue and was shaped like an hourglass. The neckline was very low, might I add.
I didn't expect anyone else but another person followed the princess. It was an old woman, with gray hair, in a tight bun, and sharp, cold smoky gray eyes. She was wearing a black dress, as if attending a funeral and her face had wrinkles. She looked as if she was smelling a horrible stench, since her face was sort of scrunched. She looked like a bossy, pushy person.
Queen Camilla and King Matthew stepped forward, smiling, although the queen's was forced and strained. "Ah…Princess Elaine…" Queen Camilla said through clenched teeth.
The princess flipped her blonde, blonde hair over her shoulder and said, with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Queen Camilla. It is a pleasure. And you as well, King Matthew." She curtsied low and perfectly; the queen and king curtsied/bowed as well. "This," the princess said, waving a bored hand over her shoulder, "is my governess, Priscilla." I blinked, wondering if I had heard wrong. I had expected an old lady's name like…like Bertha or something.
Priscilla curtsied stiffly and the king and queen nodded deeply. Queen Camilla now waved her son forward, who, very reluctantly, walked forward to stand by his mother. "May I introduce you to my son? Prince Dane?" Queen Camilla looked ready to claw at the princess's perfect face but was still smiling her very forced smile.
Princess Elaine focused her attention on Dane. "Your Highness," she curtsied. Dane, stiffly, bowed. She moved towards him and put a slender hand on his arm. She smiled mysteriously and suavely. "I have heard so much about you, Your Highness, yet no words could describe how handsome you are in person."
Dane looked like he wanted to smack her hand away but took a deep breath and said, through gritted teeth, "Thank you, Princess Elaine, for the compliment."
Princess Elaine looked at Dane, as if she were studying him, before saying something very, very bold that I would have never said in my life. "You know, Dane," she didn't bother adding the title, "if we get married, we would be perfect. Dane…Elaine…why, if we had a girl, we could name her Jane!" She giggle an annoying giggle. "The 'ane' family. How sweet…" Not really…more like creepy…
Queen Camilla then said, glaring at the princess's hand that was still on her son's arm, "And these are the ladies that have come to visit the palace and will be attending the balls for Dane's birthday." She gestured towards Gabrielle, "Lady Gabrielle of Carrier."
Gabrielle curtsied low and I knew that as much as she hated the princess, she wanted to give a good impression. "Your Highness. Might I ask of something about you?"
…I have no clue what Gabrielle's going to ask right about now.
Princess Elaine looked slightly surprised but she nodded. "Ask, Lady Gabrielle, what you wish to."
Gabrielle then said, "Are you the heir to the crown of Walane?"
Princess Elaine laughed. "Oh no, no, no," she cooed out. "I'm second to the throne, however. My elder brother, Marcus, is the future king. In fact, he's right now nineteen. And ready to look for a bride."
Gabrielle's eyebrows shot up. Hmm…guess she found another prince to love, eh? She nodded. "I was just curious, Your Highness, since such a lady with your nature would surely rule a land just as a ruler should."
Princess Elaine looked as she were thoroughly enjoying these compliments. And she was looking at Gabrielle with…well…it looked like they just were about to be best friends. "Thank you, Lady Gabrielle. And please, call me Elaine."
Gabrielle nodded, looking pleased. "Thank you, Elaine."
Then Queen Camilla said, "This is Lady Clover of Carrier, Lady Gabrielle's younger sister."
Clover stepped forward and curtsied. Elaine was looking at her with a smile; it seemed, that since Clover was Gabrielle's sister, she would get instant favoritism from the princess.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness," Clover said kindly.
Elaine smiled. "Elaine, please. And the pleasure is mine, Lady Clover."
Hmm….wonder who else needs to be…oh…me…eek! I wanted to hide behind someone but before I could, Queen Camilla said, with a tint of proud in her voice, "And Lady Adena Maria of Carrier, stepsister to Ladies Clover and Gabrielle."
I curtsied to the princess, who was watching me with her pale blue eyes. "Your Highness…" I said, unsure what else to say.
Elaine's eyes were cold when I looked up. Um…okay…? She said, just as coldly, "Lady Adena Maria…" Her voice was ice and held no warmth or kindness. She glared coldly at me as if I were worthless. …still very confused. She was like the ice princess. Ha! The Ice Princess! Or...Princess of the Coldness.
Gabrielle was looking very excited and pleased with the cold greeting from the princess I was receiving and raised her chin in triumph. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
The princess was looking at me coldly and I was looking back, determinedly, not ready to look away first and let her win our staring contest. How mature of us! Dane must have realized the coldness I was receiving because he moved to stand next to me, as if daring the princess to make a rude comment.
Elaine's eyes flickered a little to Dane before focusing on me again. Cold fury was written all over her face and she looked dangerous and not at all like a lady should look.
"Well then…shall we head on inside?" King Matthew said, clapping his hands together nervously. Everyone must have noticed the cold tension because everyone rushed to the doors, trying to get away from the cold princess.
When it was only Dane, Elaine, Priscilla, and I left outside, Dane moved to the door, pulling on my arm to follow him. I turned back to look at the princess and her governor again and saw them both glaring at me with pure loathing and coldness. Okay…
But I knew that right then and there, I had made a dangerous enemy. And how? I have no clue. I'm innocent, I swear! I'm just some sweet little girl…really, I am. Innocent smile should be inserted right about now.
A/N: Well, hope you liked it! Okay, here's something all of you should remember: that necklace and Gabrielle's threat. That's all I'm saying!
awaiting impatient person - Hm. I was going to make the horses the fairy godparents but then I had a different idea...Hehe. Yeah, I doubt "stalker-ish" is a word too. Microsoft Word disagreed also. LOL. Just to let you know, you submitted the same review three times. LOL.
Aelimir- Yeah, I know Gabrielle SHOULD be trying more but don't worry, she'll be trying now and be doing anything she can to get Adena out of the way. Hmm...bet I shouldn't have said that...might have given something away...LOL.
sealednectar - I made the day go in one chapter since I wanted to princess to come the next day, which is now. But in this chapter, we're only about midday.
Not Yet 13 - Yeah, ranting got a little old. I meant to change the word to something else every once and awhile but I wanted to post the chapter as quickly as possible so all you wonderful readers could read it. LOL.URMS 2.
Mara - Adena is going to find out why the queen favors her so much in an upcoming chapter...in fact, I have the whole scene in my mind...if only I wrote it down. LOL.
Also thanks to: dreamerdoll, Ileana DuBaer, Anywien, Crazayladay, Angel of Despair, LindyLou78, cheekychik, F.A. Star Hawk, LilliannaRose, Brunette Chick, lady gwen, Nethrion, Arwen Veancawen, Shadow of the Light, and sweet-strawberry692003
Now, here are some questions that I asked myself that you reviewers might be wondering about as well:
How many more chapters are left in this story? Well, I think this story might end around chapter 20 but it might not. I have a lot of things I need to cover and only nine more chapters to do so if I'm only doing up to chapter 20. But that's the minimum chapters.
How will we know when you will update again? Check my profile; I post when I'm updating again or what I have left to do before the next update.
Anymore questions, you can just ask.
Please review!