Allerleirauh

Chapter 5

5

I was relieved when my advanced lessons had finally come to an end for the morning. My father had insisted for me to continue with my education shortly after the ball. He wished for me to learn philosophy, geography, and political policies. My tutor left me in the library to read his selection of philosophical novels until after lunch. He usually returned after his afternoon tea and we’d begin again.

I let out a soft, exasperated sigh at the sight of the small pile of books beside me. Beside it lay a list of several chapters outlined for me to review. I wished to read the sort of books I fancied. I longed to get lost in the pages of romantic poetry or epic adventures. At times, I found my tutor’s reading list boring and bothersome, and in my opinion, hardly helpful in my education. Many of them were large books on historical accounts of many philosopher’s lives, while others studied the way of life; expectations of royalty with power. Just as I opened the cover of one, two servants entered the other side of the room. Pushing myself from sight, I snuck into my favorite large window seat, hiding away from their prying eyes; the library was my safe haven.

“I hear he’s determined to marry a woman before the next harvest season.” A servant whispered to the other as they set their wash pails against the stone floor.

“. . . and there is a celebration planned. I overheard the chef ordering large amounts of food and wine from the village. It seems the König might be holding another ball much sooner than we thought. I wonder who he’ll choose to dance with this time.”

“Oh hush, it certainly won’t be with you.” The other barked with a high-pitched giggle.

I peeked around the edge of the drapes to see their faces, but they were unfamiliar to me. They were none of the maids I recognized from my own wing of the castle.

“Perhaps it’ll be with the princess again. You know how they’ve been talking since the ball last night.” One of the servants wrinkled her nose at the other as they tucked a few dirty rags into the pockets of their aprons.

The servants were older, and their hair was curled and frizzed from their sweat. They looked nothing like Myriah, with her soft complexion and well-tended appearance. They seemed more like kitchen help than cleaning maids.

“Oh, I’ve seen the way the König stares at the princess. The poor girl seems to not even notice or mind.”

“Perhaps she’s like her mother. . .” The older maid grinned as she snapped her rag playfully at the other. “Perhaps she’s a witch. She does have her mother’s charm and whit. And her hair . . .”

I bit my bottom lip, preventing myself from interjecting their private conversation. I wanted to cease their lies, but I knew if my presence were discovered, they’d stop their chattering.

“The König is determined to find a bride with the Königin’s golden hair. The only one to come close is the princess,” the other replied. “Perhaps the princess killed her mother, in hopes to be the future Königin.”

I felt angry and sick at their cruel gossip. I was not like my mother. I was not a witch, nor as beautiful or cruel as she had been. I glanced down at my hair, feeling a strange twist of dread and embarrassment.

“You should keep an eye out,” the older one replied with a cackle. “For, if it is the case, the König should be announcing his wedding soon. To whomever he chooses.”

Together, they laughed as I lifted my hand to my mouth. As my bracelet glimmered in the sunlight coming from the windows, I lowered my hand. My gaze took in the sight of the golden gift and suddenly wondered if this was Myriah meaning. I didn’t understand how this gift could be anything more than a sign of my father’s affection for me—his daughter. He was never so demonstrative before, but I was both honored and grateful for the opportunity to know him now.

I listened as they polished the large table, and a few other items around the library and then finally left. As soon as I knew it was safe to emerge, I grabbed my books and raced back to my rooms.