I apologize for the shortness, next chapter will longer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spring was finally coming. Aleia went to the gardens every day, delighting in every green shoot that appeared in the moist earth. She became quite familiar with all of the gardeners and they grew to expect her at the same time every day. They let her be in control of the garden, of where she wanted the different kinds of flowers and plants. She grew roses along the walls, baby's breath by the fountains, daisies to fill in spaces, and so on. She loved to actually work in the garden, to get down by the ground, and have dirt all over her hands.
"Well, I'm glad you like gardening," the queen said, on one such occasion.
Aleia looked up and smiled.
"I wonder what the courtiers would think. It would probably be best not to let them see you with dirt all over yourself. They can be a bit ridiculous about such things. But I wanted to talk to you about the May day celebration."
Aleia paused in her gardening to think. May day was coming sooner than she realized. It would be odd being a princess during it. Normally, she walked around with Josh, and sometimes Raoul, and looked at everyone's wares and the girls dancing around the May pole. As a princess, she would have to ride through a procession, play some of the games, have a formal luncheon, and basically just be the focal point of everyone's attention.
Aleia sighed. Since becoming a princess, she had decided that she absolutely hated celebrations of all sorts. They always turned out to be a disaster. She had no doubt that this would be the same.
"As you know, the king always gives a short speech, but he thinks that this time you should be the one to give it," the queen said.
"What!"
"He thinks it would help your people to get to know you and love you better."
"But—I can't give a speech!"
"Aleia, Darling, please? It would make your father, and myself, so happy."
Aleia frowned. "What is it supposed to be about?"
"Anything. Though it should have some relevance, you know, not about something like—sheep or something. So you will do it?"
"I—I'd rather not, but I suppose—"
"Wonderful! I'm sure you'll think of something marvelous to have your speech about and everyone will adore it. Now, Darling, I regret that I really must go, but I will see you later!"
Aleia watched her go, before returning to her gardening. She was not happy about this turn of events. She had nothing to give a speech about and she certainly wouldn't be able to think of anything.
"So now I have to give a speech!" Aleia finished her recollection of the mornings events to Raoul and Josh.
Josh seemed to be trying to keep himself from laughing out loud at her, while Raoul was gazing at her thoughtfully. Recently, she had been going to the spies quarters more than she knew she should. It was taking a risk, that someone would find that she was missing, but she didn't care. She adored just talking to them, they were such good friends. Josh was like the brother she never had and Raoul...she blushed slightly.
Josh's voice broke in to her thoughts. "Well, it's just a speech."
"Just a speech! Well, I have nothing to speak about. The celebration will probably be a disaster without me making a fool of myself in front of a thousand people first!"
"Aleia, it can't be all that bad. Just model it after the king's speeches, I'm sure you've heard them before," Raoul said.
Aleia glanced at Josh, smiling. They never listened to the king's speeches. They found it boring, and preferred to walk around and buy whatever they could afford, and sometimes a bit more.
"Well, it doesn't have to be very long. Just make a few jokes, say something profound, and end it," Josh said.
"If only it were that easy."
"At least Duke Kevar won't be there," Raoul offered.
"He won't?"
"Well...don't quote me on it, I suppose he probably will, but not until the afternoon of May day. He won't be coming early, because each village has their own procession of the nobles."
"Oh," said Aleia, smiling. "Well, it shouldn't be as bad then. Well, I should go. Tea will be soon."
They nodded to her and she left. Aleia spent most of the day thinking about her speech and what she would write it about. She thought about her life, when she was a spy, and how different it was from being a princess. She thought about all the spies did, and how no one even knew about them. She started to get an idea for her speech.
