6
1505 Words
Alexanne waits in front of the door of my quarters. She smiles when she sees me, "Oh Admira, I'm glad I caught you. I hoped you would be done soon. I came to tell you that your new tutor has finally arrived. He requests to see you right away."
I nod, "I'll go in a few minutes. I'm just going to find Camille and ask her to remove the tiara from my hair. It's making my head hurt."
"Why don't you leave the tiara on? You want to make a good, royal first impression. That way the tutor will know it's you."
I frown, "Okay, but I still need to find Camille. I think I might at least change into a less formal dress." I glare at my puffy ball gown, "This might be a little too formal for a lesson."
Alexanne shakes her head, "It's perfect. You should really just go right away. He's rather impatient and you don't want to offend him the first day. I know how often you and Augustine fought. Surely you don't want your relationship with this new tutor to be the same way?"
I stare at her for a second, but shrug, "Okay, as you wish. Where will we be meeting?"
"I thought the Sitting Room would be nice."
I tense. Just as I haven't had the courage to visit Emilienne and Violette's old bedrooms, I'm afraid to go back to our Sitting Room. Memories of my sisters are embedded into every object within that room. Besides, I'm afraid of what might have changed.
"Could we perhaps meet somewhere else? You know I'm not exactly comfortable..."
Alexanne gives me a dazzling smile, "Life is all about throwing yourself where you aren't comfortable. It will be good for you."
I don't have the energy to argue with Alexanne using bright smiles and hugs. I sigh and turn the other way. Antonin follows silently behind me. We silently make our way through the corridors to reach the Sitting Room.
I take a deep breath and push the doors open. The room is just like I remember, causing a sob to catch in my throat.
Several large comfy chairs that all of us four sisters would lounge in all day, gossiping and giggling. The small stage in the corner where servants would sing and play instruments. The bookshelves in the back, each title, whether I have read it or not, imprinted in my memory. The large windows overlooking the grounds, Emilienne's favorite daydreaming point when she was supposed to be studying. Artwork and statues line the wall, all from foreign artists of the surrounding kingdoms.
The tutor isn't here yet. Alexanne rushed me along to meet the impatient tutor, yet he himself hasn't arrived.
I wander into the center of the room, and realize how my wrong my first impression was.
The room isn't exactly like I remember.
I'm alone in the room. There is not quiet music of the servants. There is no murmur of my sisters or their ladies in waiting. The candles within the room aren't lit, the only light coming through the late afternoon sunlight through the large windows. I run my finger over a small table, and my finger comes back with a layer of dust.
This room hasn't been used since Violette, Alexanne, and I left the castle in attempts to escape the murders.
Has Alexanne banned even the cleaning maids from entering this room?
The door opens and I turn around. A young man enters, probably in his late twenties. His skin is a few shades darker than mine. It's likely that he's from another kingdom. What is he doing in the Sitting Room?
He bows, "Princess Admira?" His rich accents confirms my early suspicion. He's from an outside kingdom, most likely the same kingdom that Camille is from.
I curtsy, "Yes, it is I. Who are you?"
"Sir Martino. I'm your new tutor. Surely Queen Alexandra informed you of my arrival."
I try to hide my surprise. In comparison to Augustine and my sisters' tutors, he is much too young. But, perhaps it will be refreshing to learn from a young person of the world. His opinions and information must be more updated than Augustine. Of course, he will never be as good of a tutor as Augustine, but perhaps it will be interesting.
I curtsy again, "It is an honor to meet you. Yes, Alexandra did tell me that you had arrived. I apologize. I'm afraid I was a bit distracted."
"Of course, it is completely understandable. I'm afraid that I was a bit distracted as well. I didn't expect to see you so soon."
I frown, "Alexandra told me that you wanted to see me right away."
"I said in a few hours...It is not a problem. We shall begin right away. There is nothing like the present, right?"
I smile, "Yes, of course."
He reaches inside a satchel secured around his shoulder. He rifles through papers and small booklets within it. He pulls out a packet of paper and motions towards the nearest table. We sit on opposite sides, and he lays the packet of paper on the table.
He says, "I would just like to catch up on what you know. I'm afraid your old tutor didn't leave behind any summary of the lessons you have learned. I don't want us to have to go over lessons, but I don't want to skip anything accidentally either. I put together a small test for you to go through. Does that sound okay?"
I nod.
Martino frowns, "I'm afraid we can't move forward too much before you fill that out..."
I say, "I can go back to my room and take the test. That way you can finish settling in to the castle. I'm sure if you have just arrived you aren't completely moved in. I'll find you tomorrow for our first official lesson."
He agrees and stands, "You understand that it would only hurt you to look up the answers to the test in books or ask anyone to help. You would be ruining nothing but your own education."
I straighten, trying not to be offended, "Certainly. I consider myself to be the kind of person who doesn't cheat on things."
He smiles, "I'm glad. I was only trying to be clear. From what I hear, your old tutor allowed you to be lazy and get away with your lessons. I just want you to know that I plan for you to learn things, to work hard."
"Who told you those things about my tutor?"
He shifts on his feet, "It was Queen Alexandra. She said that you had been complaining about the lack of education your tutor failed to provide. I plan on teaching you everything you know."
I press my lips together and nod, "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."
How dare Alexanne say those things about Augustine?
Martino bows and leaves the room. I'm alone with Antonin again.
I groan, "How can Alexanne find so many ways to hurt me? By itself, that comment would have barely bothered me. But they all add up, her little snide comments, her forcing me to do things, I don't know how long I will be able to last before I snap."
Antonin smiles, "You will be fine. I'll help you keep it together. If you ever want to just talk or let out all your irritation, you can always talk to me."
"But Camille is always at my side. I like her, she's much different from Grace, but still a good lady in waiting. But I don't want to bring her into this. It would be better for her to stay innocent and out of trouble with Alexanne."
Antonin agrees and we walk back to my room.
I enter my room and nearly scream. Camille lies on the floor, clutching a cloth to her stomach. Droplets of blood sprinkle her clothes, a few small puddles gathering on the floor. The cloth is a sickening pink. When she sees me, she manages a weak whimper.
I turn to Antonin, "Go get a nurse. Now." He sprints away without questioning me.
I run forward to Camille, "What happened to you?"
She manages a weak smile, "Nothing, I just fell."
A sob escapes her lips.
She murmurs, "It's not nearly as bad as it looks. She has a dramatic flair."
I growl, "It's more than dramatics." I want to run out into the hall and chase down a nurse myself. What is taking Antonin so long?
Her hand trembles as she holds her fist up into the air, "Alexanne wanted me to give this to you..."
It's a little scrap of paper, crumpled and reddened by Camille's hand. In Alexanne's curly handwriting, it reads:
Dearest sister,
I don't like people interrupting our sisterly bonding time. It ruins the moment and she could give away one of our juicy sister secrets! Next time, try to control your lady in waiting.
Kisses and hugs,
Alexanne
- Writer
