theola-sorry its confusing, i still gotta edit so maybe it will get clearer...
thanks for reviewing, people, even if i didn't exactly mention everyone's names...i appreciate it!
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Selene followed the prince back into the bedroom. "Your Highness?" she whispered, horribly unsure of what to do. "I shouldn't be here, what will my ste- i mean, Madame Pertia say?" The prince shook his head firmly at this comment as he opened the door for her.
The King, standing in the corner, walked forward. "Thank you, healer, for saving my daughter's life," he said, his voice rich and warm in the spacious room. "And i truly hope you have not suffered any unneeded...consequences for your services."
"Oh, no Sire," she said quietly. She curtsyed hastily, kneeling on the floor deferentially in front of them.
The King, a tall man, stared down at her gravely from a great distance, his golden eyes thoughtful. "You are very skilled at your work," he commented. "Have you been in practice long? For you seem to have plenty of experience."
Selene began to answer as the Queen, as small in stature as her husband was big, moved forward calmly. "Husband, dear, she is but a young thing," her gentle voice said, "for all she hides her glorious hair behind a kerchief." Corren nodded in agreement as the King, turning sharply, suddenly studied her features so closely she shifted with discomfort.
"Child," the Queen prodded gently, her hazel eyes gazing at Selene. "Could you trust us with your true appearance?"
Selene could see no way out, besides offending the royal family. Reaching up hesitantly, she removed the faded kerchief and slowly let it drop to the floor. Her braid, tumbling to the floor, shone well in the candlelight and fell with a soft thump on the rich carpet.
"Why, Mother!" the princess exclaimed, looking up wearily from the bed. "She's so lovely, and not much older than Corren?" she inquired, curious.
Turning her face towards the floor, Selene shook her head. "I am sixteen," she murmured quietly, and the princess nodded.
Looking at her husband, the princess tried to take her husbands arm playfully, but lacked the energy for such a large movement. "See? She is only a year or so younger than my brother. I know because i saw her over me while i was sick, like an angel." Her voice trailed off weakly. Her husband, still drawn with worry for his wife, nodded as he cradled the sleeping baby quietly.
The King sighed kindly. "Child, as my daughter is still weak and pale with her ordeal, we would wish you to care for her during our stay at Mistress Pertia's home." Seeing her facial expression give protest, the King continued, "I shall see to it that this is your main work, and that you are excused from other duties as this is more important."
"Thank you, Sire," she whispered. Rising, she bowed once again to the family and quietly slipped through the door. For once, unshielded by her restraining headcovering, she walked past the gaping Pertia without fear.
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"Miss?" Selene twisted around from her table, scattering a few stray leaves to the floor. Leaning against the doorframe was the Prince. "Can I come in?"
She nodded, "Of course!" Then, however, she remembered her manners and stood hastily to curtsy. Blushing at her ineptness, she gestured to the other chair in the small herbal workroom. "I'm just replenishing some of my stocks, since..." Snatching up her kerchief, she began to bind up her hair again.
"Since the mishap in the hallway," the boy's voice returned, slightly laced with humor. "And you don't really need that thing, do you?" he added, looking at the worn head covering. "I won't tell."
"Oh," she began, embarrassed. "All right, your Highness." Picking up a pestal, filled with sweet ground cinnimon, she began to pour small amounts into tiny cloth bags. Picking up a pen and the small labels she made from scraps of parchment, Selene carefully wrote "cinnimon" several times, slightly unnerved by the presence of the Crown Prince watching her.
"You can write," he commmented, his eyes thoughtful as he regarded her neat, accurate script. She nodded slightly, wondering why he looked so surprised.
"Yes," Selene answered, avoiding his lovely golden eyes with unexplainable shyness. What was wrong with her? "Um...I usually work with the herbs, teas, and garden, though I am also usually assigned to cleaning the mistresses rooms."
Somehow her voice betrayed some indignation, because the prince looked at her strangely. His mouth opened to ask a question when the door slammed open.
Elenia walked in haughtily, and grabbed the kerchief off the table. "Ella, what did Mother say abou..." she stopped, seeing the Prince seated at the table. "Your Highness," she murmered, suddenly a gentle, mild noblewoman. She curtsyed, fluttering an ornate fan that had been produced from out of nowhere.
"Good afternoon," the prince replied stiffly, obviously annoyed by the sudden change in personalities.
Turning back to Selene, Elenia smiled sweetly. "Ella dear, could I please have some of you wonderful mint leaves?" she simpered. "They left such a lovely scent in my room."
Picking up a packet of dried mint, Selene handed it to the false girl. "Oh, thank you!" she said, accepting it daintily. "Ella-in-the-Cinders," she whispered. Bowing to the prince once more, she gracefully left the small workroom with a swish of satin skirts.
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The prince grimaced. "I would just die if i had to live with her," he sighed, turning to the girl. He was startled to see her fists clenched beneath her homespun skirts, her emerald eyes sparking with fury.
"I have never asked your name yet," he inquired, at a loss for words. "Is it Ella?"
She turned away, her thick golden braid hiding her face from view. "Ella-in-the-Cinders," she replied bitterly, trying to control her voice and anger.
Corren stared at her. What was wrong? "Is that not your name?" he asked, before nearly slapping himself on the head. "Of course thats not your name." He paused, feeling like an idiot. "Could you tell me your true name?"
Her face still bowed to her lap, she shook her head. "Your Highness, I am not supposed to tell, for if I do, I shall be punished."
"I will not tell," he said, leaning closer. "I would like to be your friend, for my family shall be here for a while, and it does get lonely." He smiled slightly, remembering Pertia and the abominable Elenia. "And i don't wish to keep company with the others in the household."
She laughed softly. "Elesia is kind," she said, defending her friend.
"Well, true. But then, I haven't met her."
Calmer now, she whispered, "You promise not to tell a soul, your Highness?" He nodded. Then slowly, as if someone else might hear, she breathed out her name. "Selene."
"Selene, I'm Corren." He held out his hand, and she shook it firmly.
"Thank you, your Highness," she said with some relief, as if some burden was lifted from her when she had uttered her name.
Grinning, the boy protested, "You don't have to call me that, you know. I'm not High yet and we're pretty much the same age." Tilting her head, she looked at him blankly. "Yesterday, you said that you were sixteen?" At her nod, he continued. "I'm almost eighteen, but my father treats me like i'm twelve." She laughed at his exasperation, more at ease now in his presence.
"All right, your Hi-" she stopped herself in time as he made a choked, strangled noise. Giggling hopelessly, she managed to say, "Sorry," as she smiled up at him, face awash with impish delight.
Corren's heart fluttered twice, and then all was normal again. Shaking his head once to dispel the sensation, he leaned back in his chair. "Can I help?"
Reaching up above her to grab a bundle of drying herbs from the rafters, she nodded. "This is comfrey," she told him, picking up a needle and thread to make more small bags to hold the herbs. He nodded, and began to pull apart the tangled leaves in companionable silence.
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r and r? any comments, etc?