Hi all,
This is the next chapter! Whoppeee!
Scoutcraft Piratess: Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. You'll have to wait and see. Haha, I'm evil.
Happy reading everyone,
Idiotmousetrap
Chapter 3
There was to be a grand total of ten people at dinner. The Royal family: King Stephen, Queen Margaret, Crown Prince Charles, Princesses Heidi and Elaine and Daria herself. Others attending were the Prince Derek, two of the King's councilors and Countess Harriet.
Countess Harriet had been lately orphaned and inherited the title at the young age of sixteen. Her parents' last wish was for her to remain in the court until the age of eighteen under the guidance of their close friends, the King and Queen.
The Royal Family had accepted her parents' wish and so, she lived and dined in the castle like one of them. Daria was the closest in age to the Countess of all the Princesses and so she was naturally expected to be closest in friendship.
Daria didn't like her. It was plain and simple. Countess Harriet was no better than most of the daughters of Dukes and Barons. She had a sweet seductive smile and scheming eyes. Though, she did have beauty. And charm, to Daria's despair. Yes, Countess Harriet was the social butterfly of the court of Blaven.
"Daria…Daria!" Her brother Charles was looking at her strangely. "Are you alright? You were frowning and shaking your head at nothing."
Daria would rather go through dancing lessons with Monsieur and Madame Peirot before telling Charles about what she was thinking. He would just tease her inability to enjoy socializing in court.
"Oh, nothing…just a little tired."
"I heard something very interesting today."
Daria wasn't sure she liked his teasing grin.
"oh?...what?" She tried to keep her face disinterested.
"Daria, Daria, Daria…"
"Yes?"
"What's the Crown Prince like?"
"huh?..."
"You know Madame Doyle would not be happy at that unladylike comment."
Daria grimaced at the thought of their old etiquette instructor.
"Whatever, Char. Did father tell you?"
"Yes. We were discussing trade agreements with Swarical."
"How are your learning-how-to-be-king lessons going?"
"Most of it is horrible. I don't have enough time to ride and practice sword-fighting with the knights."
"Not enough time for me to beat you in horse-riding, you mean." Daria smirked at the thought.
"In your dreams, my dear little sister. So I hear that you got on quite well with the Prince. Have you finally found someone you like in court?"
Daria ignored his question. She didn't really know the answer herself. "He is far better company than the ones you choose, Char. I don't know how you stand to be around all those matchmaking Duchess's and their daughters!"
Charles just laughed.
"I haven't met him yet. Mother tells me he is in invited to dinner. Along with the Countess and Sir Lucas and Lord Hughes."
"Unfortunately, the Countess."
Heidi and Elaine were calling Charles over to where they were. Daria was left to her thoughts again.
Daria tried to tell herself that how she looked wasn't the most important aspect of this meal. Still, while they all gathered in the drawing room, she couldn't resist taking a quick glimpse of herself in the mirror.
Lara was always right as usual. The dress matched perfectly with her eyes and she smiled at her reflection.
I look like a fool, smiling at myself like some vain prissy princess! Why should I care so much anyway? She questioned herself.
The answer she had been considering walked through the door just then. The Royal Family all stood and curtsied to Prince Derek. Introductions were still taking place, as the councilmen and the Countess entered the room.
Daria reprimanded as she felt a frown appear on her face as Prince Derek was introduced to Countess Harriet.
"Why am I feeling like this?" Daria wondered out loud.
She bit her lip as she realized what she had said out loud in public. She caught her mother's reproving glance.
Really! Derek had only arrived today! Was Lara right? Am I really "falling in love" with him? Why else am I so…possessive.
Yes, that was the truth. She was being possessive.
Over a stranger I just met too! Daria shook away all thoughts, as she saw Derek come towards her with a smile.
"Princess, may I escort you to dinner?" He held out a hand.
"Certainly." Daria quickly replied as graciously as she could.
She snuck a few looks at him while they were walking in the dining room and while they were seated. Her head suddenly felt light when he looked over and smiled at her.
Is this what love is like?
Daria didn't know. She hadn't really taken time to converse with Lords and Dukes her age.
At the table, King Charles sat at the head with Queen Margaret and Daria's brother Charles next to him. Daria was seated next to her brother and Prince Derek opposite her.
Unfortunately, Countess Harriet was sitting on the other side of Prince Derek.
As soon as the entrée was served, the Countess Harriet began: "Prince Derek, I must say you are looking very dashing tonight."
In Daria's opinion, Countess Harriet was leaning towards him a little more than what society would deem appropriate.
"Thank you, Countess Harriet. May I say the same for you." Prince Derek replied.
The Countess gave a silly giggle and smile.
"Oh, please call me Harriet. All my friends call me Harriet. I have a feeling we are to be good friends." She gave her head a little significant nod towards Prince Derek.
Daria would have thought it amusing had the Countesses object been any other man. However, she was angry and yes, a bit jealous, that the Countess should talk so intimately to an individual at the dinner table.
The countess was a year younger than Daria but had more suitors than all of Daria's sisters and herself put together. Ever since her parents' death, Countess Harriet had lavished herself with jewels and fancy gowns and attracted the attention of many a fortune hunter. But she was not without brains. She was cunning and knew how to use others for her own benefit.
The Prince at this stage did not know how to look.
"Derek, may I call you that?...Have you seen the gardens? They are simply delightful, especially in the evening. Maybe after dinner, we could take a turn in it?" The Countess was still flirting with the Prince.
The meal had progressed on to the soup now. All the others, except Daria, the Prince and the Countess was in their own conversation. For Daria, it was simply listening to the Prince and the Countess flirting.
On the Princes side, Daria was sure it was only to be polite and charming. She could not say the same for the Countess.
"Princess Daria, do you play an instrument?" The Prince Derek was now trying to involve Daria.
"Oh, yes, the pianoforte."
"Oh, I play the pianoforte." The Countess supplied.
Daria didn't know what to say. Since she had stopped bothering to converse with the empty-minded courtiers, she had also forgotten how to chat politely with people like the Countess.
"I started learning when I was fourteen. But, I am not as talented as my sister Heidi."
At the mention of her name, Heidi looked over their way. She saw Daria's plea for help.
"My sister is too modest for her own good." Heidi gave a little smile of encouragement to Daria. "She practices quite a lot."
The conversation died away as Daria didn't know how to carry on.
Why does that always happen? I'm a Princess. I should be able to converse lightly with people. I wish I was more like Heidi or Elaine. I never know what to say. Now the Countess is simpering over the Prince again. Daria stabbed her roast potatoes angrily.
A bit of the gravy flew off the plate and splattered against the Prince's white shirt.
"Oh, great…" Daria muttered under her breath. All she could do was stare at the flecks of gravy. Madame Doyle would have fainted if she had been here.
The Countess Harriet's giggles were now unbearable. Daria could feel her face turning red.
"I am sorry!" Daria exclaimed. The Prince's face was full of astonishment. "I will ring the bell for someone to come."
She rose quietly from her seat, hoping her parents would not notice. The bell was rung and thankfully, no one noticed. Not yet, anyway!
Why do I always get myself into embarrassing situations in front of the Prince?
Heidi looked over at Daria and prayed her sister would quickly fix the situation. The Countesses giggles would attract the attention of the entire table very soon.
Daria was afraid to look the Prince in the face.
"Princess…"He began.
Her head snapped up in an unlady-like manner. She couldn't bear the Countesses' smirk.
"I am sorry. I…I didn't mean to. I really am sorry, Prince Derek." Oh, God. Now I'm just stuttering like an idiot!
"It's alright. Please tell their majesties that I am changing my shirt. It's really alright. Don't worry about calling for a servant. It's only a little bit of – er – gravy." He reassured. With that, he strode away quietly.
The goodness in his voice nearly made Daria cry out of relief. How many times today had he overlooked some stupid mistake she made? The sight of the Countess made her eyes brighten and her back straighten. She was not going to appear weak in front of the Countess!
Daria was attempted to smile politely at the Countess, acting like it had never occurred.
"The Prince is so kind and understanding. Isn't he, Princess Daria?" Countess Harriet's syrupy voice dripped over the words. "I'm so glad that he came to Blaven. Aren't you?"
"Yes." Daria replied stiffly.
"Ah, Derek! You're back already!" The Countess's voice rang throughout the dining room.
Daria cringed. Everyone looked up. Daria's hands gripped her dress tightly. It was just like the Countess to attract attention on purpose.
"Prince Derek, where did you go?" King Stephen inquired.
Daria held her breathe. Countess Harriet grinned widely.
"I had a headache. Just needed some fresh air. But, not to worry, I'm better now." The Prince said smoothly.
Daria couldn't believe that Derek had just covered-up for her. If she hadn't knew what had really happened, she would've believed him.
"Ah, well, it's good you are back just in time for dessert then." Queen Margaret smiled pleasantly.
Dinner and conversation resumed. But only two people were silent.
Daria had received a small smile from the Prince when he sat back down. But she remained silent while the Countess and the Prince flirted. She was too ashamed to even look him in the eye.
Countess Harriet was now looking triumphant.
Queen Margaret also sat silent.
I need to have a little talk with Daria, she thought, as she observed the trios behavior closely.
Ok, so I need to know what everyone thought. Pretty pretty please, with a cherry on top! Review!