Hallow Crown

Chapter Three

Isola 

I pushed up against the hardwood door. Well this is great.

I had no idea how long I’d been kicking at the door but it was clear that this was getting me nowhere fast.  I wondered if this was how they treated all royal guests. This sure didn’t look like the bedroom of a spoiled princess.  I smiled at the idea of Oriana throwing a fit at the sight of this dilapidated cage.  The iron decoration around the single small window made it feel claustrophobic. The bed looked old, but in this castle that wasn’t saying much.  The maroon paint flaked away in clumps the more I tried to force the door open.   

“Isola,” a small voice called from the window.  

“Row, you there?” I called, dashing over to the window. “They locked me in here.” 

“It was the queen’s order that they keep you locked up in case you do a runner. ” she squicked from the other side of the glass. 

“So what, I sit here till the wedding?” I slid down to the floor and leaned against the wall.  

“No,” replied Row, her voice sounding closer, “this is only until the promise ceremony tomorrow. Apparently they’ve had run away brides before.”

“Really?” I found that hard to believe. 

“Oh yea, Maria, the kitchen maid, said the king had a habit of forcing girls to marry him whether they like it or not.”

“What! You’re joking? I asked. ‘Isn’t it supposed to be an honor to be the king's concubine?” 

“I mean would you want to marry that old fart?” Row’s voice seemed to get even closer to my ear, “but what they really fear is the queen.“

“Is she really that scary?” I could imagine that old hag harming anyone. 

“Well yea she tried to kill Tyson’s mother before he could be born.” 

 “Row I think you’re getting bad information.”  I rolled my eyes.

“No, it was a huge scandal, the queen had a miscarriage around the time the Prince was born and blamed his mother, she claimed a curse was put oner her child and it died so Tyson could live.”  

“God, these people are awful!” I leaned away from the wall taking flakes of paint with me.  

“Yep, I kinda feel bad for the prince though.” Now huffed.  

“Why?” I questioned, “he’s still a royal, even a low standing royal is still royal.” 

“Well not really. He may be the jewel of the military but when it comes to nobles he has no standing.  Oh oh and there was even a time when he was forced to be his brother’s personal bodyguard while visiting the royal courts of Teron. Apparently, No one realised he was a prince, they even made his stay in with the foot soldiers!” 

“What? How was it allowed to happen?” 

“Well, Carley, she’s a handmaid, says the queen ordered him to accompany the young prince but didn’t tell anyone, so as far as the other kingdom was considered he was just a guard.” 

“Yea but why didn’t he tell anyone?” 

“Think about it, if he were to reveal himself it could have caused a political uproar, he’d probably be charged with treason.” Row’s voice kept getting higher.

“I would have still said something.” I looked around the room, “and since when did you get so friendly with humans?” 

“Yea… sure, cause you would never lie about who you are.” 

I went over to the bed and grabbed a pillow.  I tossed it at the window and hit the wall causing more paint to fall to the floor.  

“So gonna guess my beautiful new room is a gift from the queen.” 

“Yep. This place apparently hasn’t been used since the death of the prince’s mother.” Row’s voice went quiet.  

I flopped back onto the bed.  I thought about the previous tenant of this room. The fear that still draped the bed and the death that haunted the walls.  

“Row, I think we should look into this dead concubine.” I sat up and looked at her.

“Why? Isn’t it just a normal court drama?” 

“No, I don't think so. I think-” 

I was cut off by a soft click at the door and the turning of a lock.  

The door slowly inched forward and a small, hunched over maid crept in. 

“Can I help you?” I asked.

She jumped slightly and bowed her head a little further. 

“I only came to check on you, my lady.” 

“By entering without knocking? Is this how the servants of the Dragolow conduct themselves? That is very disappointing.”  

“I was sent by the queen.” the flustered maid protested.  

“Doesn’t that make this even worse? Are you saying that the queen sent you to watch me? Or does she not know how to train her staff?” I bluff, living in the palace could be kinda fun.  

“No! I was wrong for not announcing myself.” 

“That’s right you were. But don’t fret I will simply take it up with the queen.  I am sure this was all a big misunderstanding. What was your name again maid?” I fight hard to maintain my calm smile, repressing my laughter. 

“I am Headmaid, Cieles.” 

“Well, this really won't do. Would you simply enter your master chambers like this? You seemed quite practiced.  Are you also slipping it into the queen’s room? Maybe even the king’s chambers?” 

I could see her hands begin to shake. 

Ha! This is what you get. Cow. 

“The queen has requested you join her,” the cow stuttered before escaping from the room like a bat out of hell. 

“Oh, this is going to be fun.” 

*** 

The twin guards opened the door in unison and it made me chuckle. It was clear that they had been practicing.  

The escaping stench of roses and cloves almost knocked me off my feet. I held my breath, suffocating in the pungent smell. This must be how the queen maintained her power; trapping her subjects in a perfumed nightmare until they pledged their allegiance.

The interior of the room supported my thinking. There was nothing subtle about the tea room, it must be a rule somewhere that every room in the palace must be lined with gold. Stepping into the room was like stepping into a furnace, and stepping beneath the glass-paneled roof I felt like being under a magnifying glass.

I tried to take in the room as the guard next to me cleared his throat. 

I curtsied as low as I could go, my eyes never leaving the queen’s haggard face. 

“Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness.”

“Rise,” she said and motioned me nearer.  “Come and join me.”

I walked forward, my shoulders remembering the painful weeks of practice. I tried to take my seat with grace but the dress made it hard to sit at all. 

“I must say, Princess Oriana, you are not what I was expecting.” the queen took a long sip of her tea, “you have quite an a...distinctive style.”

“I do apologise for my attire,” I said, gesturing my hand for more tea.“We ran into bandits on the journey, they took all my possessions, I was left with only one choice but to wear one of my attendant's dresses.” I look at the hem of the dress and try to act ashamed of my appearance. 

One of the maids poured a pink liquid into my cup, wisps of steam swirled in front of my face. 

“Oh, poor child. That is truly terrible,” said the queen, in-between small bites of her cake. “I’ll have some appropriate garments gathered for you.”

There was a quiet wave that spread through the crowd of attendance followed by a small maid leaving the room very quickly. 

The queen finished eating and fixed her gaze on me.“So child, what do you think of my darling Prince Tyson?” 

I lifted the teacup and took a measured sip, it tasted foul, like biting into a carnation. 

“I have not had long to talk to him but he seems perfectly pleasant.”

“Yes, I am sure he does. But I would warn you not to trust outward appearance.”

“I will keep your warning in my heart.” 

The Queen smiled stiffly.“ I wish to know more about you, my wildflower. How is your mother?”

“She is doing better,  she is still quite ill but the court physician says recovery is near.” 

“Yes, of course, it was truly awful what happened.” 

It felt like all the air had been pulled from the room. I could feel the heavy gaze of the palace guards. So she wants to test me, fine, I did my homework.

“Yes, I… I couldn’t believe it,” I said, forcing a single tear. I gently dabbed it away with my handkerchief, “those monsters, trying to poison my dear Mama.”

Well, that’s the official story.

“Yes indeed.” 

It was hard to tell whether or not she was testing me or seeing if Oriana was going to cause trouble.  

“I hear that you enjoy singing, I would be honored if you sang for me.”

So this is how you’re gonna play this. Oriana can sing 

“It would be my pleasure, but I am afraid my voice is not what it used to be,” I picked up my fork and stabbed the thin slice of cake that had been placed in front of me, “I have instead been practicing the violin.” 

“Oh, is that so.” she nodded and returned to her cake. 

We both ate in silence.

An attendant ran into the room and whispered something in her majesty’s ear. Whatever it was made the queen smile widely.

“It seems you are in for a show, my dear.,” she said, as the sound of raised voices thundered in the hall.

“Well this is a shame, I thought I would have more time.” the queen pouted, she was like a child who had just lost her new toy, “that boy really is no fun. But you should watch my dear, learn how to handle the mut.” 

The door swung open and a very ruffled looking prince stormed in.