Royal Hunt

11th Chapter

The tea continued without much excitement. My younger sisters sang several duets, collected compliments and my mother beamed. She couldn't have asked for more success.

All the time, I tried not to wrinkle my dress. Concentrating on social chatter was much more challenging than math class with my teacher. 

The ladies moved between tables, an incredible amount of information flowed between the tea and card tables. It seemed that most of the ladies at court, including my mother and older sister, had created a vast and opaque web of information in which every member of the Queen's court sooner or later got stuck. 

They knew everything about marriages, births, deaths, careers, affairs. Surprisingly, from time to time, I heard snippets of the military, political and scientific news. Including information that was definitely not yet public knowledge. 

The ladies in waiting walked unnoticed among the gossiping noblewomen, so it was certain that all the information would end up with the princesses. 

Princess Caroline noticed that I was watching her just as one of her bees leaned close to her ear with the latest news.

"You really are a very bright young lady, aren't you?" She remarked in a half-voice, moving closer to me so that we wouldn't be interrupted in our conversation.

"How are you managing? Gathering and sorting out that amount of information?" I answered her with a question.

"I have a lot of experience." She replied with a smile. "It was clear from childhood that the ruler's seat was waiting for my brother but I didn't want to be left out. Information is more valuable than gold. Actually, you know that too, but you chose the academy instead of political strategies and social gossip. I admire that for a change." 

Before I could reply, the butler entered the room and announced the end of afternoon tea. The ladies were now to retire to their chambers and prepare for the ball.

I knew that a suite would be prepared for us. I beckoned to my sisters and we made our way to my mother's, then the butler led us to our room. 

"The princess has given instructions that you are to be accommodated near the royal chambers." He said as we stopped in front of the double doors.

My chin dropped. This was another accolade. Only the chosen ones were allowed to stay near the royal wing. My mother blushed and puffed out her chest. She threatened to burst with pride. 

Inside, an army of chambermaids was waiting. They stood me up immediately and started brushing my clothes. One of them was adjusting my loose hair back into a bun. 

When they were finished with their work, they pinned a sash to my waist. 

My mother and sisters were also finished and lined up at the door.

"What now?" I asked naively.

"The ball is about to start. The court will gather, and that's where we'll go, our parents and I and Johanna and Valentina." Marie Elizabeth announced "Then Her Majesty the Queen will come. She will greet the court, start the ball and have the debutantes perform. That is only you now."

"And what happens then?"

"Then the ball begins."

"No, I mean, what am I going to do for the pageant? Do I have to say something, will they ask me questions?" I panicked.

"Marie Kristine calm down! Why are you acting as you've never been to a court before? Did your sister have to throw somersaults or fill out a questionnaire?" Mother raised her voice to drown out my budding hysteria. 

"But now I'll be there alone."

"You walk through the hall, bow to the queen, bow to the court, and that's it." Mum stroked my cheek. "No problem."

"What if I fall on the way?"

"You mustn't."

At that moment, the door opened and the herald led my mother and sisters into the hall. 

I crossed the chamber nervous as a caged lion, pulling the heavy train behind me. 

After a moment, the door opened and another herald led me out into the cold corridor. I don't remember how many corridors we walked down and how many times we turned. My head was spinning and I felt like I was looking down on myself. The weight of the moment was upon me. If I messed up now, I couldn't find a suitable husband, and in the process, I'd ruin my younger sisters' prospects and cause my parents nothing but grief. 

We stopped at the door. 

I don't know how long I waited. The world around me slowed down and all I could hear was my own heartbeat. 

Suddenly, the door opened in front of me and a golden light blinded me. I blinked in surprise. But I was still standing in the hallway. 

"Go, madam." Hissed the herald, who escorted me to the door. And he motioned with his head into the hall.

For God's sake, the whole room was packed with people. Some of them craned their necks to see clearly. I took the first cautious step. And then another, and another. 

I walked across the red carpet that was stretched down the middle of the hall, right to the small stage on which the royal family and the two thrones stood. These were for the Queen and her husband only. 

I lifted my chin and smiled weakly. The light was no longer blinding me and the people lined up along the hall smiled and nodded encouragingly at me. 

I kept moving forward and the journey seemed endless. I was looking straight ahead at the royal family, and maybe it was just a play of light and shadow, but I thought Princess Caroline winked at me. 

I finally stopped under the podium with the royal family and made a deep bow.

"Countess Maria Christina von Dietrichstein. Daughter of Prince Maximilian von Dietrichstein and Princess Elisabeth von Dietrichstein née Thun Hohenstein."

I looked up and looked at the queen. I was introduced. 

"Lovely." The Queen said loudly. I smiled and stepped to the side where my parents were already waiting. But the queen continued. "My daughter informs me that you had a cute tete a tete at tea. How does it feel to be the only debutante and have the whole season to yourself?" She asked.

I panicked. This isn't how it's supposed to be. A debutante never talks. She's introduced, the queen acknowledges her, the girl leaves. The girl doesn't speak. I looked at the parents, but they were both beaming with happiness. 

"I... um... am very grateful for this opportunity Your Majesty. Although the royal court is not exactly my natural habitat, I am glad to have been given the honor of being presented at court at the same time as we celebrate the Crown Prince's first great victory." I tried to distract myself. 

The crowd behind me erupted with enthusiastic shouts and cheers for a prince who wasn't even there yet. I sighed, faux pas averted. I looked again at the queen, who gestured me through and mouthed, "Well played my dear."

With a sigh of relief, I made my way to my parents who were standing just below the stage. 

My parents and sisters were overjoyed at the unexpected accolade I had received. 

Several of my father's friends came up to my father and took him and his brother among the other men. That left me alone with my sisters. Though we stood in a crowded hall and a constant stream of my mother's friends streamed in to congratulate her on another daughter successfully listed, I felt that I was all alone. No one was talking to me. No one asked me about my feelings. My sisters were glowing at the thought of how many invitations we would now receive and wherever they would look and how many perspectives would open up before them. 

Suddenly, my mother pressed something into my hand.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Your dance order for the first part of the ball." She hissed in my direction as she listened to the litany of another of her friends.

"Excuse me?" I asked in surprise. There's no way my dance order was already filled, I've been here less than 10 minutes. I flipped through several pages that were crammed with the names of the sons of the most prominent families in the court. That's impossible.

"Your father reserved the first dance for himself. I have no doubt that if the prince were here, you would be opening the ball together." Mama smiled "It is quite possible that the first bids will come tonight. What a tremendous achievement, Marie Kristine!" She squealed.

"Excuse me." I blurted out and headed for the nearest wine server. I picked up my glass and turned it over to myself. I took another one.

"Careful with the wine. No gentleman wants a wife who drinks that much." My eldest sister scolded me. 

"Can't I have a moment to myself? Do you realize how stressful this is?"

"No you can't. Tonight's too important to run around here faceless." said my sister, taking the glass from my hand and leading me back to my mother and sisters. On the way, everyone greeted us and smiled. 

Valentina and Johanna were in heaven, their dance orders were also fulfilled even though they hadn't been officially introduced to the court yet and this was their idea of perfect happiness. 

Suddenly, my father appeared at my side, taking my hand.

"The ball is about to begin. Normally, the crown prince and princess would open it, but since he is still on his way back, we will be doing the first dance today."

"Don't let me fall." For the first time in my life, I regretted not paying more attention to the dancing and singing lessons. 

As if on cue, the entire hall fell silent and the large dance floor cleared out in the middle. I didn't even notice when the red carpet I had walked on a moment before disappeared. The Queen stood up and clapped once. 

The music began to play a slow Viennese waltz. Luckily. My father led me to the middle of the hall and we began to dance. I honestly expected to be more hampered by my heavy and long dress, but surprisingly, it was quite easy to dance in. 

After the first few minutes, other couples began to join us, but my father and I were still in the middle of the floor while an impenetrable formation formed around us.

The first dance of the extended season finished and everyone gave a polite round of applause. 

There was a cough behind my back. 

"William, I had no idea you would be standing for the dance as well." Father smiled at the man in his thirties who bowed to both of us. 

"Marie Kristine, allow me to introduce you to Duke William Collona Fells-Habsburg. He is the Queen's cousin and an excellent friend of mine." 

"Duke," I bowed also. 

My father moved away and the Duke and I began to dance. Fortunately, the orchestra played rather slowly, and I was able to converse with my dancers. Although after a while with the Duke, I regretted it. 

"How did you achieve your own season?" Duke asked. 

"I didn't achieve anything. The Queen decided to extend the season and my parents decided to introduce me to the court. Surely I would not be alone if all the young ladies of my age had not been introduced in the spring."

"And what is wrong with you that you were not presented with them?" The Duke asked bluntly.

"I beg your pardon?" I stopped in shock.

"There must be something wrong with you if you weren't properly introduced."

"It isn´t. And I don't feel like dancing anymore." I retorted coldly, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

"But the dance isn't over yet," Duke said, offended, not letting go of me.

We finished the dance in silence. The duke led me back to my parents, bowed silently to them, and walked away hastily. 

My mother eyed me suspiciously, but before she could say anything, another dance partner was standing by. 

My dancing order overflowed, and after a moment the faces and names of the gentlemen in question began to blend into one. Small, big, old and young, excellent dancers and stiff ones. I smiled at everyone until my face hurt, made small talk, and repeated how happy I was to be introduced to the court. 

"Marie Christine, the next dancer is Joseph Czernin." my mother nudged me. I breathed a sigh of relief. Joseph was the son of a good friend of our parents. We had known each other since we were children. 

"Count," I bowed. "Countess," he returned my bow with a smile and led me to the dance floor. 

They started dancing and I couldn't suppress a yawn.

"Am I that uninteresting a companion? I haven't said a word yet." The Count smiled.

"No, you haven't." I startled, "I'm sorry, but it's been a long evening.”

"Let's get out of here," the Count leaned towards me and his hot breath tickled the back of my neck where goosebumps instantly appeared.

"Excuse me?" I asked in surprise.

"Let's get out of here. You and me. Let's get away and hide so no one can find us." The Count smiled at me slily and began to lightly stroke the bare skin of my back. 

"What?", I asked again. I didn't understand what was going on. I stopped.

'Don't say you don't want it. I'm from a good family, rich, good-looking." The Count grabbed me again and we continued dancing. "We'll disappear for a few minutes and you can be back before anyone notices."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I tried desperately to free myself from his grasp.

"But you know damn well. Just like everyone else. You want to enjoy yourself and have fun. So let's have fun." He grinned. Luckily, the song ended and I scoffed at him and ran off without saying goodbye.