ARABELLA

Chapter Six: The Invitation

Springtime gave way, as it always does, to summer, and still Arabella went to her garden daily. She had almost forgotten the mysterious stranger at the wall, and she had stopped looking for him to return.

On one of the hottest days of the year, she carried her mother a bouquet of roses. The Princess entered the Queen's chambers without knocking, as usual. Glorianna looked up. "Come here, dear one, and kiss your Mother."

Arabella obediently went and kissed her mother, and presented her with the bouquet she had picked. Glorianna breathed in the fresh fragrance of the roses. "Mmm. You are a truly remarkable girl, Arabella."

Arabella was pleased at the compliment. "I have a beautiful mother to thank for it," she replied, smiling.

The Queen smiled at her daughter. "Arabella," she began, knowing her daughter would not like what she was going to say, "you are thirteen years old now. I was married at fourteen, you know."

Arabella's smile quickly faded. She blushed.

"Your father and I have decided," continued Glorianna, "to start introducing you to society. Do you remember singing at the Midsummer Feast a few years ago?"

Arabella nodded. "Yes, Mother."

"Well, my dear, you have grown up so much since then, and your voice has matured as well. You must sing again, at this year's Midsummer Feast."

The Princess could remember the nervous feeling she'd had the last time she sang. Then she remembered the wonderful feeling of being praised by the beautiful men and women of nobility. "Why not?" she thought to herself. "Mother is probably right; she usually is."

Arabella smiled prettily at her mother. "Of course, Mother, it would be an honor."

Glorianna smiled in satisfaction, thinking of all the Princes who would see and hear her beautiful daughter at the Feast. "Go and pick out a dress, dearest. The Feast is nearly upon us."

Arabella kissed her mother again and hurried away.

A/N: Wow! Two chappies in one night! I'm on a roll!