Chap 3

Arna grinned and couldn't help twirling in front of the mirror. She had just had her first real bath in two weeks and was delighting in the feeling of silk against her legs again. She loved dresses. Pants were ok, and convenient for combat practice, but dresses she loved.

She surprised a lot of people with her dual personality. One moment she was yelling and screaming at people on a dirty field in leggings and a cotton shirt and the next she had her hair up in an elaborate twist above a carefully made up face and a poufy silk dress. Arna loved both.

And the dress she was wearing tonight was new. The first time in an outfit was always fun. It was light blue, with tiny diamonds sewn up the side and an old-fashioned hoop skirt, with a slit up the side revealing a white under-skirt. It had a high, round neck and long bell-shaped sleeves. It was rather conservative, but that didn't mean it wasn't pretty.

And Arna had thought about it. She supposed that it must have been a little stupid to go to the Stadium, and was trying to make up for it by presenting an image completely at odds with the person who had laughed at the Prince a few hours ago.

But mainly, she thought that it would be fun to see the look on his face.

Arna twirled one last time before her father entered her room. He nodded approvingly at her appearance before launching into the 'you're at someone else's castle tonight, and I expect you to behave' speech.

His daughter shook her head up and down at appropriate times, having heard it so many times that she didn't really have to pay attention, and was actually wondering whether or not to wear her pearl necklace. It matched the dress, but it might be a bit too much. In the end she decided that she looked fine how she was and tuned back into her father's voice.

"… and, above all, remember your manners." He looked sternly down at his daughter, knowing all too well where her temper could take her.

"I know, I know!" Arna smiled winningly and pulled her father toward the door. "I'll even remember to keep my elbows off the table."

Her father rolled his eyes and closed the door behind them as they walked toward Sophie's room. Then they would all walk down to dinner together and make as grand an entrance as possible, or so Arna hoped.

A servant appeared out of nowhere and directed them, simply, toward Sophie's room. The King waved him off before he took it upon himself to lead them there. They walked for a few moments in easy silence. Then,

"What do you think of the city?" The King's voice drifted down to his daughter.

Arna faltered suddenly. How did he know that she had seen the city? If Sophie hadn't approved, Arna didn't want to think about her father's reaction. Maybe he just meant the brief trip through in the carriage. Arna recovered and mentally crossed her fingers.

"I haven't really seen much of it, but I've heard that it's a fascinating place. That's why I wanted to come, after all." Arna almost stopped breathing in the moments before her father's answer.

"I meant your little trip this afternoon." Arna let out a shallow gasp, her chest suddenly clinching. Her father's voice had lost its light, amiable air. "I will be gone for most of your stay here. I expect you to act like the Princess you are at all times. We are not longer in Opyll. There are different rules here, and even you can not bypass them. I want you to promise," The King's eyes bored into the top of his daughter's blonde head, "promise to behave while I'm gone."

Arna considered lying for a moment, then looked up into her father's face. It was worried, loving instead of the serious expression she had expected and she felt her resolve weaken.

"I… I promise not to get into any trouble." She squeaked out a bit.

There was a moment of tense silence.

Then her father gave a short laugh. "I suppose that's the best I'm going to get out of you."

Arna grinned and hmphed indignantly, jokingly letting go of his arm and walking the rest of the short distance to her friend's door ahead of him, knocking loudly a moment later.

Sophie opened the door with a look of dread written clearly across her face. She was wearing a corset. She hated corsets. Arna laughed at her and yanked her, for the second time that day, from her sanctuary.

Sophie curtseyed quickly to the king, who offered the arm not taken up by his daughter. She accepted, trying not to think too hard on the last time she had taken someone's arm. Evan…

The three of them were met by a servant who led them the rest of the way to the dining hall, a conveniently short distance for Sophie, whose feet still hurt. As they turned the last corner and saw the great oak doors leading to the hall, the servant scurried ahead to announce them. Sophie's pace quickened and she glanced across the King at her best friend.

Arna pointed at her father and mouthed 'he KNOWS' at her friend, then straightened as the doors opened and they walked into the grand room. Arna smiled winningly, the King adopted his Kingly expression of wisdom, and Sophie tried not to look too scared.