The Blue Bird

Chapter One

Sibeta's excited squeals interrupted my music practice.

"Prince Hector is coming to court!" She screamed.

I had never met him, but I knew Prince Hector to be the heir to the throne of Lansola, the larger and more powerful kingdom to the East of ours. Rumours of his charm and good looks had been circling for years. A recent rumour insisted that he was now looking to marry.

I sighed and put down my harp.

Now there would be no peace. Just yesterday, my father had summoned us to his throne room and informed us that, as we were both of marriageable age, it was time to start looking for suiters.

Dina had piped up and explained that, because Sibeta was a few months older than me, she would get 'first pick'. This was fine by me, sixteen is far to young to be thinking about marriage, in my opinion.

"I'm sure he's incredibly handsome!" Sibeta continued her squealing. "And stupidly rich! Mama!"

"Yes, dearest?" Dina answered.

"None of my clothes are good enough! I need a completely new wardrobe!" She demanded.

"Of course, my angel! I shall order twenty gowns made of the finest silk." Dina cooed.

Sibeta burst into my sanctuary. "Did you hear?"

"It was hard not to!" I tried to echo her excitement.

"Prince Hector is coming! We shall surely be married within the month!" She swooned.

"Congratulations!" I smiled politely.

"I'm getting a whole new wardrobe! I'm going to look so much prettier than you!" She grinned.

I kept the smile plastered on my face. Sometimes I wonder if my step-sister is actively trying to hurt my feelings or if she really doesn't realise I actually have them.

"What will you wear? Tell me you're not planning on wearing that horrible old dress of your mother's." She paused, then grinned. "On second thought - wear it. You'll make me stand out so much more."

She breezed out of my room without another word. I was planning to wear my mother's old dress, I loved that old thing, I felt like it brought out my blue eyes. But it would require mending. Last time I wore it, I stood too close to the fire and singed it.

I could already hear the frantic scrambling of servants trying to get the castle in order. There was only one place that offered me the quiet I desired. I collected my harp and my music and was about to head towards the tower when Dina glided in to my room.

"I'm sure you've heard about our esteemed guest. He'll be arriving any day now." She said coolly.

"Yes. Sibeta was just telling me about it." It took all my restraint not to shuffle nervously. I'm not really sure why she makes me so uneasy.

"You'll be sure to stay out of her way this time, I trust." She glared.

"I'm not sure what you mean." I tried not to frown.

"Don't play innocent with me, child. And don't think your behaviour with Prince Percival went unnoticed."

"What, Percy?" I asked, surprised. "We've been friends since childhood. How was my behaviour inappropriate?"

"Don't you sass me, girl. I've half a mind to lock you up until the wedding is over." Her glare darkened.

"Look, if you want me to stay out of sight during the visit, that's absolutely fine by me, I have no interest in faking niceties anyway. But don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself with this whole 'wedding' business? I mean, you can't force the man to propose if he doesn't want to." I said.

Dina slapped me across the face.

"Mind who you're talking to, girl." She spat.

"Please accept my apologies, mother." I bowed my head. As a princess, I knew I wasn't supposed to, but Dina always seemed insistent on bringing me to this point before she released me from her presence.

"That's better." She said, composing herself.

"May I go now?" I asked, eyes still lowered.

"You may." She said crisply. "But heed my warning. If you tamper with Sibeta's chances in any way, it will not end well for you."

"Understood." I nodded my compliance.

***********

My father was sitting in his favourite library - the one with all the history books - browsing through one of his favourite volumes of forgotten lore.

"Father?" I took the seat next to his.

"Yes, darling?" He glanced up from his book.

"I was just wondering....would you...I mean, may I...play in the band?" I asked.

He snapped his book shut and looked at me with wide eyes. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

"I...I just..." I felt the blood rise to my cheeks. "Well, you know, I don't really care about the royal visit anyway, Prince Hector won't miss me, and I've been practicing in all my free time! I'm sure I could keep up with the musicians!"

"I'm sure you could, Hana. But it's not a question of how well you play, it's about your royal duty." He said gently.

"Sibeta can keep him entertained." I offered.

"Sibeta isn't the heir to the throne - you are." He countered.

"That's a pity," I sighed. "She is so much better at this whole 'Princess' thing."

"There is a lot more to running a country than demanding attention and wearing pretty dresses, Hana." My father said in his quiet but firm voice. "Like it or not, you will be queen one day. It's time you stopped practicing your harp and started practicing your conversation skills."

I fought the impulse to look down at the ground, kept my head up, and looked him in the eye as I replied. "Yes, father."

***********

The trumpets announced Prince Hector's arrival.

"Shoot!" I jumped out of my chair, bumping my music off its stand in the process.

I had forgotten to mend my dress! I dashed to my wardrobe and pulled it out. It was so soft to touch, and made of such beautiful blue silk, but it had a hole in the most unfortunate of places. Dejected, I placed it back, there was no way I would get away with wearing it tonight.

I pulled out my purple dress, this one wasn't bad either, it didn't have the same sentimental value, but I felt pretty enough wearing it. It was the last dress that was made for me before Dina started insisting I make them myself. Try as I might, I could never do as good a job as the royal seamstress; my own creations made me feel frumpy and never fit me properly. Though, I'm sure I was improving.

I quickly slipped into my purple dress, put on some simple, flat shoes, and pulled my long blonde hair into a neat bun.

I glanced in the mirror.

"Good enough." I shrugged, then hastened, in the most lady-like manner I could muster, to the ball room.

When I arrived the party was already in full swing. As I descended the staircase I saw people laughing, drinking, and dancing merrily. I tried not to look at the band for too long, it wouldn't do for a princess to watch her subjects too wistfully.

Geoffrey, one of the servers, approached with a gleaming silver tray adorned with what looked like glasses of champagne.

"A drink, your highness?" He offered.

"Thank you, my friend." I took a glass and nodded my head slightly.

"If you love the servants so much, why don't you just marry them." Sibeta sidled up to me and took a glass without acknowledging Geoffrey at all.

"Look, I wouldn't mind, but I believe Geoffrey is already spoken for." I shot him a glance of apology on her behalf. He smiled knowingly and walked away.

I took a sip of champagne, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the bitter taste.

"Do you think it's too early for me to leave?" I asked Sibeta.

"It's never too early for you to leave." She replied carelessly.

Well. I left myself open for that one.

"Father said I have to stay around and do my royal duty, but I'm not really sure what my royal duty is." I said.

"Don't you remember?" Sibeta gave me an unpleasant-looking smile. "Your duty is to stay out of my way."

"Oh. My one duty, and I have failed already." I said.

"Yes, well. I shall forgive you this one time but I better not see you again tonight." She said sternly.

I blinked at her. Sometimes I wonder if she's joking and I just don't get it. She turned her nose up and breezed away.

"Announcing his royal highness, Prince Hector." The master of ceremonies boomed from the top of the staircase.

Everybody turned their attention to the massive doors. I took the opportunity to make my escape through the small door at the back of the room.