The Demon and the Nightingale

Chapter 3 - Part 1

(A year ago)

            Nessiya, reigning queen of Northern Valedonia, was in a really bad mood. And because she usually prided herself on maintaining a regal and aloof demeanor at all times, she always had a hard time dealing with bad moods because they usually shatter her proud, queenly image. And today’s bad mood was, unfortunately, worse than usual.

            “Where is the princess Ariadne?!” she haughtily demanded from a visibly quaking palace sentry as she grandly strode to one of the palace’s side entrances. “Er, ah, m-my apologies Y-your Highness! I, I just r-reported to my post just n-now!” he stammered. The queen raised a finely-arched eyebrow in skepticism. “You best pray you’re telling the truth - otherwise, you won’t be staying in that post for long,” she spoke in a soft voice that managed to sound aristocratic yet sneering at the same time.

            “B-but I swear on, on m-my saintly mother’s gr-grave, Y-your Highness! I h-haven’t seen hide nor h-hair of the P-princess Ariadne!”

            Queen Nessiya’s already arched eyebrow went up just a little bit higher, which scared the sentry even more …

                                                                                 -------------------

            “My, my! It’s always good to see you again, Princess!” the old woman smiled, giving her wrinkled face a sweet and heartwarming expression. Granny Hanako, one of the oldest people in a Yashima settlement near the palace, and the Princess Ariadne were seated on wooden benches placed on the front wooden porch of the old woman’s hut, having one of their cozy, customary afternoon chats. On a wooden table in front of them, there was round tea tray with a teapot filled with green tea and two ceramic tea cups.

            “But my day is not complete without visiting you and everyone in the village at least once a week, Granny Hanako,” Ariadne replied affectionately. “Besides, being here with you and the others makes me so happy!” The old woman continued to smile but felt an inner pang of sadness at the princess’ words. The lass has so many things most people would kill to have - beauty, wealth, a good heart and an influential name. But she also lacks many things that are even more important - like a real family …

            “So how is your newest grandchild coming along?” Granny Hanako snapped out of her reverie at the princess’ eager question.

            “Little Kentaro is a pink and plump, adorable bundle of joy, as any healthy baby should be. Emiko is recovering and Karl couldn’t be any happier.”

            Ever since the time of the Yashima delegation’s visit when she was just 5 years old, Ariadne developed a great interest in that particular Eastern Realm kingdom. She read whatever books or papers she could find about this fascinating land. Her tutors taught her all they knew about Yashima, and she was overjoyed when she learned that Northern Valedonia, like the other kingdoms in the Western Commonwealth was also home was home to many migrants from the Eastern Realms, including those from the Yashima kingdom. Many of these immigrants formed various communities in Northern Valedonia, some of long standing. And fortunately, one of them happen to be located not too far from the king’s palace. What Ariadne especially liked about this little village is one of its inhabitants was Karl, a Valedonian tradesman who married a woman, Emiko, from the village and made the bold move to live among them. And Emiko happened to be one of Granny Hanako’s daughters.

            Suddenly, the old woman placed a gnarled hand on the younger one’s much-smoother one in a tender gesture to remind her. “But they must be looking for you right now at the palace, my dear. Besides, this is the second time this week that you have visited us already.”

            Ariadne gave a little pout, which didn’t change much from the way she did back when she was a little girl, and it still served as a way to express her annoyance or displeasure. How she wished she could stay here at the settlement a little bit longer. It may not be the most luxurious place to be, since the settlement consisted of a modest group of thatched wooden huts inhabited by Yashima migrants, who were mostly farmers and small-time merchants. But its surroundings were kept clean and orderly, and it was a relaxing and peaceful place to visit. Gazing out at the lush green farmlands with farm hands here and there cultivating their crops, Ariadne could definitely say she felt so much more at home here, outdoors under a bright blue sky and amongst humble but friendly peasants and townspeople, than inside the magnificent but cold and unfeeling palace chambers with aristocratic people who may be related to her by blood but who never really thought much of her and were usually unable to understand her in the slightest. As she continued looking out, she gave a nearly-inaudible sigh of regret …

            “Miladay!” Lihyal suddenly appeared peeking out from the side of the porch, her voice hushed but urgent. “The queen’s guardsmen are coming!”

            Damn! Mama and her snooping around again! With another sigh of exasperation, Ariadne got up but managed to give a respectful bow and small, warm smile of farewell to Granny Hanako. In a graceful and dignified motion, she stood up, straightened herself and walked resolutely ahead, with her loyal handmaiden following close behind. Just along the edge of the old woman’s lawn were a pair of guards dressed in the garb of royal sentries.  They respectfully saluted her but they both had rather mournful expressions on their faces.

            “We were ordered by the Queen to accompany you back to the palace, Milady Ariadne,” the older one of the guards spoke.

            “I understand, Captain. You are just doing your job.” Ariadne is a familiar and well-loved person with most of the royal staff, including the guards. She was also probably the only member of the Valedonian royal family they actually liked, because they either feared everyone else or heartily disliked them. So she went with them quietly and without any fuss. She grasped Lihyal’s hand from behind. Lihyal gave it a gentle squeeze, saying without words that they will bear whatever awaits them together.

                                                                        --------------------

            “A convent?!” Ariadne practically shouted the words. She and Lihyal were standing before the queen in one of the palace’s many council rooms for private audiences.

            “Be thankful it's only that, daughter!” Queen Nessiya retorted in a sharp and icy tone. “Have you forgotten that the Duke of Bartonne visited the palace today so he can offer for your hand in marriage?”

            “No, I haven’t Mama,” she replied.

            “Then why were you not around when he came for a visit?”

            “Because I don’t care to meet him.”

            PAK! 

            Queen Nessiya’s slap was sharp and painful as it unerringly met its mark on Ariadne’s cheek. An angry red mark immediately appeared. But Ariadne’s face remained impassive as she continued to give her mother a calm, emotionless look. Since this wasn’t the first time this sort of thing happened, she had plenty of practice.

            “Insolent girl! Your father and I have had enough of your defiant, headstrong ways! You have caused a great social and diplomatic embarrassment to your family and to the kingdom! Just be thankful that the Duke was willing to marry your other sister, Princess Mileni, in your stead!”

            Ariadne thought of Mileni, the second youngest in the family. Her sister was the quiet and docile sort - a very pretty girl with a very dull personality, like an old dusty mirror that badly needs a lot of polishing. The duke had best be prepared for some very boring days ahead … Ariadne thought rather grimly.

            “Now get out of my sight, and bring Lihyal with you! The two of you will leave tomorrow morning at dawn, so you best get packing immediately!” In a huff, Queen Nessiya regally turned her back, dismissing Ariadne and Lihyal and swept out of the room.

            For some moments, all was quiet in the council room. So were the two women.

            Eventually, Ariadne hung her head. A tear escaped her eye. Lihyal placed a comforting arm around her shoulders.

            “Why?” she spoke in a voice that was soft but filled with anguish.

            “Milady?”

            “Why can’t I have a family like the one we just visited, Lihyal? Why … ?”

            “That is how it is, milady. We cannot change fate, and we can only do what we can to make the most of things.”

            “I’m sorry dear friend, but I have never believed in that idea. If that were the case, then this kingdom, no, any kingdom in this world will still find itself living in caves and wearing animal skins. No, I will no longer force myself into that small and suffocating box my own family wants to see me in. I will find my own path in life. Remember the Yashima delegation that came here many years ago? I have never forgotten what the face reader said to me.”

            Lihyal smiled. She knows her mistress’ mind all too well. “Of course you never forgot it, milady.”

            Ariadne smiled in return but her eyes were clear and no longer crying. Lihyal truly understood her, and that strengthened her resolve. “No, I never did. And I am glad you never forgot it too, dear friend.”