-Mango Sam: huggles
-Chapter Seven:
Kel and Mitzi -dressed in all her princess finery- walked down the hallway. They had gotten special permission from Lord Wyldon to be out after curfew, so no one was in the hall to see them. Mitzi stopped by a nearby fountain and looked at her reflection, fixing a curl that had escaped the rest which were piled on top of her head.
"You look fine," said Kel. Because Kel was Mitzi's sponsor, and the staff didn't want Mitzi and Roald to be alone, she had been appointed their chaperone; she wasn't looking forward to it. She knew how shy Roald could be sometimes and how capable of being indifferent Mitzi was.
"I know," answered Mitzi with a conceited smile. But the smile disappeared as she continued. "But...but I am nervous."
"About what?"
"About meeting him...tell me what he looks like!"
"Why?"
"Because!"
"Fine! He has wavy black hair and blue eyes."
"How tall is he?"
"I don't know...maybe an inch shorter than me?"
"Oh good, I'd never want to dance with a man shorter than me."
"In my case it's kinda hard. I'm taller than most of the boys in my page year."
"Well, that doesn't matter since you aren't betrothed!...what if I don't like him?"
"The Prince? Everybody likes him."
"I hope I do too," said Mitzi dejectedly. "I always thought I was used to the idea of meeting my betrothed. But now I'm scared to meet him. Ever...ever since I was told about Roald I imagined him as...well, Prince Charming. But now what if he isn't anything like how I imagined him and I spend the rest of my life disappointed?"
Kel didn't have an answer for that.
They had come to the door of Sir Myles room. Kel went to open it, but Mitzi stopped her. She needed a moment to fluff her skirt, rearrange her black bodice, and make sure her pearl necklace and earrings were straight.
"Are you done?" Kel asked, a little impatiently. It seemed like the hundredth time Mitzi had stopped to make sure she looked okay. Mitzi didn't answer, just gave Kel a withering, queenly, look. She straightened her posture, put up her head and walked in as Kel opened the door.
Prince Roald was waiting for them. Sir Myles room was usually for history and current events, and there were maps and other tools strewn around the room. But on one of the tables -the table the prince was sitting next to- was placed a tea tray, candles and a vase of roses.
The prince was wearing fancier clothes than his normal page outfit; a light blue tunic made of silk with a gold sash. He bowed -from the waist- as Mitzi entered. She in turn swept into a curtsy, her dark green skirt flaring in a half circle around her. As she rose again -gracefully- they seemed to both take a moment just to look at each other. Their engagement had been signed three seasons ago and at last they were able to meet.
Finally Mitzi remembered her manners, drew her eyes away from the prince and asked, without a tremble in her modulated voice. "Are you well, sire? I heard you were suffering from a cold."
"I am better now."
Mitzi held out her hand -a bit stiffly- and the prince took it, leading her over to the table and drawing up a chair.
"Oh no," thought Kel. She saw Mitzi becoming stiff and a bit indifferent, as the girl always did when she was nervous or flustered; it was her way of hiding her feelings. But the princess obviously didn't know that Roald was a bit shy and sensitive; just a little bit of coldness in anyone's reaction towards him turned him off. And she hoped they weren't going to go through all the formalities otherwise they would never have time to talk!
Desperately Kel poured the tea and tried to make conversation. Kicking Roald in the ankle as she passed she urged him on.
"Are you enjoying your stay here?" Roald finally asked after stirring his tea more than enough times.
"Yes," replied Mitzi who seemed to find the embroidery on her napkin fascinating. "The people are delightful."
"And your classes?"
"I'm managing."
Another awkward pause.
This time Kel urged Mitzi to speak.
"I am most thankful to your family for allowing me to come here," she said.
"I hope it has not been too hard a transition."
Kel could have screamed in frustration. Neither royal persons seemed to be making an effort to get to know each other. Why couldn't they just stop being so stiff and just be themselves? Kel didn't usually try to play matchmaker, but she had a good idea that Roald and Mitzi would get along as soon as they got to know each other...which might take a long time.
"It will still take some time for me to get used to the idea of hitting other people with pointed sticks," said Mitzi with a slight smile. "But so far I haven't let slip that I am a princess... and for now that is enough of an accomplishment."
Kel brightened. Roald was grinning at Mitzi's remark. Humor. Humor was good and now that Mitzi had smiled -that smile which people found so charming- things should go up.
