Chapter Three: Darkest at Dawn
Clad haughtily in a plain black crushed velvet gown, Princess Yumi decended the large marble staircase towards the main banquet hall followed dutifully by Sir Ulrich and Sir Odd. They had insisted that their duties begin the night before she left, they had stuck themselve to her like glue, only leaving her presence when she announced loudly and pointedly that she had to change for dinner. Her wardrobe choice, the black gown with no garnishes or other flippantry, was one last defiant stand against her father.
In front of Yumi, Sissy cast a quick glance behind her, giving her sister a small smile. In an effort to support her elder sibling Sissy was wearing a dress identical to Yumi's in a shade of deep blue. Yumi had serious doubts that Sissy even owned something black, so she took the blue dress as Sissy's way of trying to stand with her. In normal circumstances they were required to dress up at formal dinners such as this, but this was Yumi's farewell banquet and she intended to dress however she felt like.
The sister's choice of clothing did not fail to catch the attention of their father. As they entered the room he gave them a dark look from the head of the table. Yumi smiled serenly at her father, catching Sissy's uncomfortable shifting out of the corner of her eye. Yumi understood her sister's discomfort; Sissy was usually on their father's good side and didn't like the look he was giving them. Deciding to show him that she wasn't afraid of his wrath, Yumi stepped boldly toward her place at the table on her father's right side. Sir Odd pulled out her chair for her and she sat, pulling her napkin gracefully down to rest in her lap. Another guard gave Sissy simialar treatment.
The King rose and banged his goblet on the large oak table, causing the entire roomull of nobles to jump in their seats, switching their attention to him. "Welcome everyone! We are here to celebrate to engagement of my eldest daughter, Yumi, to Prince Jeremie of France!" There was mild applause that died out quickly as the entire room caught a glare from Yumi. Her father continued like he hadn't noticed. "I would like to propose a toast." He raised the goblet. "To Princess Yumi, may you have a happy marriage!"
"To Princess Yumi," the crowd echoed in unison, raising their own glasses. Sissy peered intently at Yumi though the crystal goblet she herself had raised, watching her sister's face for any show of emotion. The elder princess was staring off into nothingness, not even flinching as the servants entered and placed their food in front of them. Moving like a drone, Yumi picked up her fork and began eating.
-----
Self-conciously, Yumi brushed at her skirt with a satin-gloved hand. This dress had been specially made for the trip, it was a deep blue satin with a thick petticoat underneath for warmth. Tucking a stray hair back behind her ear, Yumi turned to Aelita who was adjusting her own dress, which was also new.
A knock sounded at the door. Sirs Ulrich and Odd entered without waiting for someone to answer their knock. "Your trunk has been placed in the carriage," Odd provided.
"Are you ready to leave, Princess," Ulrich asked.
Yumi nodded resolutely. "I-I think so. Let's go, Aelita." Odd and Ulrich led the way out the door and down the large marble staircase to the courtyard.
-----
Sissy and the king were already there waiting. Upon seeing Yumi, Sissy ran foward, throwing her arms around her. "Be careful," she whispered.
Yumi managed a smile. "Of course." Sissy stepped back, fumbling for a kerchief.
Yumi turned to her father. "Farewell, father." She made no move to hug him. He stood stifly, unsure of how to handle her.
"Farewell daughter. And do try to behave yourself." Yumi didn't respond, instead turning to allow Sir Ulrich to help her into the carriage.
Moments later, Yumi heard the sound of the whip cracking and felt the wheels start to turn beneath her. Gazing out the window as the castle drew futher away Yumi felt a single tear course down her cheek.
"Goodbye, home."
Clad haughtily in a plain black crushed velvet gown, Princess Yumi decended the large marble staircase towards the main banquet hall followed dutifully by Sir Ulrich and Sir Odd. They had insisted that their duties begin the night before she left, they had stuck themselve to her like glue, only leaving her presence when she announced loudly and pointedly that she had to change for dinner. Her wardrobe choice, the black gown with no garnishes or other flippantry, was one last defiant stand against her father.
In front of Yumi, Sissy cast a quick glance behind her, giving her sister a small smile. In an effort to support her elder sibling Sissy was wearing a dress identical to Yumi's in a shade of deep blue. Yumi had serious doubts that Sissy even owned something black, so she took the blue dress as Sissy's way of trying to stand with her. In normal circumstances they were required to dress up at formal dinners such as this, but this was Yumi's farewell banquet and she intended to dress however she felt like.
The sister's choice of clothing did not fail to catch the attention of their father. As they entered the room he gave them a dark look from the head of the table. Yumi smiled serenly at her father, catching Sissy's uncomfortable shifting out of the corner of her eye. Yumi understood her sister's discomfort; Sissy was usually on their father's good side and didn't like the look he was giving them. Deciding to show him that she wasn't afraid of his wrath, Yumi stepped boldly toward her place at the table on her father's right side. Sir Odd pulled out her chair for her and she sat, pulling her napkin gracefully down to rest in her lap. Another guard gave Sissy simialar treatment.
The King rose and banged his goblet on the large oak table, causing the entire roomull of nobles to jump in their seats, switching their attention to him. "Welcome everyone! We are here to celebrate to engagement of my eldest daughter, Yumi, to Prince Jeremie of France!" There was mild applause that died out quickly as the entire room caught a glare from Yumi. Her father continued like he hadn't noticed. "I would like to propose a toast." He raised the goblet. "To Princess Yumi, may you have a happy marriage!"
"To Princess Yumi," the crowd echoed in unison, raising their own glasses. Sissy peered intently at Yumi though the crystal goblet she herself had raised, watching her sister's face for any show of emotion. The elder princess was staring off into nothingness, not even flinching as the servants entered and placed their food in front of them. Moving like a drone, Yumi picked up her fork and began eating.
-----
Self-conciously, Yumi brushed at her skirt with a satin-gloved hand. This dress had been specially made for the trip, it was a deep blue satin with a thick petticoat underneath for warmth. Tucking a stray hair back behind her ear, Yumi turned to Aelita who was adjusting her own dress, which was also new.
A knock sounded at the door. Sirs Ulrich and Odd entered without waiting for someone to answer their knock. "Your trunk has been placed in the carriage," Odd provided.
"Are you ready to leave, Princess," Ulrich asked.
Yumi nodded resolutely. "I-I think so. Let's go, Aelita." Odd and Ulrich led the way out the door and down the large marble staircase to the courtyard.
-----
Sissy and the king were already there waiting. Upon seeing Yumi, Sissy ran foward, throwing her arms around her. "Be careful," she whispered.
Yumi managed a smile. "Of course." Sissy stepped back, fumbling for a kerchief.
Yumi turned to her father. "Farewell, father." She made no move to hug him. He stood stifly, unsure of how to handle her.
"Farewell daughter. And do try to behave yourself." Yumi didn't respond, instead turning to allow Sir Ulrich to help her into the carriage.
Moments later, Yumi heard the sound of the whip cracking and felt the wheels start to turn beneath her. Gazing out the window as the castle drew futher away Yumi felt a single tear course down her cheek.
"Goodbye, home."