Wallflower
1364 Words
Before dealing with anything that was Venus-related however, Kalliope had other duties to tend to. It was key to not let oneself be unnerved by challenges like her own sister, else she would be easy picking for the court.
The first matter of business was taking care of her sister-in-law’s, Princess Alista, upcoming engagement ball.
As the Crown Prince Consort, and the eldest Royal Lady, it was Kalliope’s duty to organise this event.
Even though she had no clue how to go about it.
Tio had been helpful, pulling out several scrolls and books from library sections that Kalliope would have never looked at. The Sorceress Princess spent hours over rules and requirements, somewhat regretting her position.
“I never had to deal with any of this back home. Queen Mother likes her public events just so, and this was never included in my training for my future role.” Kalliope complained to Malus as she perched on his lap, reading over the preparations at their desk.
He chuckled, rubbing her shoulder, “Consider this practice for when you are crowned Queen.”
Kalliope opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She frowned a little. Queen, huh? Yes, that would be her title eventually.
Funny how, despite all the planning to secure their ascension, Kalliope had not thought much about what would come after.
“I do not wish to be buried in meandering tasks like this when I become Queen,” Kalliope huffed, noting down another potential guest, “but I suppose someone has to do the paperwork.”
Malus made an offended noise, “You speak as if I neglect my own duties.”
Kalliope chuckled, scratching him under his chin, “But you will not be handling these affairs.”
“Indeed.”
She sighed, turning to the guest list, “What is the point of inviting so many people, if His Holiness already has a candidate in mind?”
“A show of power, of course.”
Kalliope rolled her eyes, “Yes, yes… who would dare turn down the Great Emperor Erus’ invitation, whose empire is dyed in blood and is ever-expanding? One Prince cannot amount to the deaths of millions, or so they say.”
Malus smirked, “You learn quick.”
“I must.”
He sighed, running a hand through her hair. A moment of silence passed, there were only the sounds of Kalliope’s quill on the list and Malus flipping through his reports. Then, the Crown Prince asked.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well… it must be a grand celebration, mustn’t it? With the amount of suitors His Holiness invited, if we do not arrange something spectacular, Caelora would be the laughing stock.”
“Certainly.”
Kalliope sighed, writing down a few ideas, “A grand ball… well, we definitely have the space. Perhaps some colours would do the hall some good. His Holiness does not have any aversion to colours, does he?”
Malus smirked, “Oh, he would not have a stroke upon seeing more colours brought to the halls. Or so I believe.”
She smacked his chest, “That is not something you should joke about.”
“Truly.”
Kalliope sighed, shaking her head, “I should get Alista’s opinion on this. It is, after all, her engagement ball.”
Malus’ hand stilled, “You can, but, starlight, do not be upset if you cannot get much from her.”
She turned on his lap, narrowing her eyes, “What do you mean?”
He sighed, “She was raised meek and obedient. She had all she wanted for provided to her… to a reasonable extent. She was made clear from the beginning that she has no claim to the throne. Her connections are limited by His Holiness himself, and any attempt to draw attention to herself in court as a figure of power has been snuffed out viciously since she was a child.”
“That… is… That is cruel.”
“She is discouraged from asking anything that is out of bounds. That is why I said you are not going to get much by asking for her opinion.”
Kalliope did not have much of an expectation hence. On the palanquin over to Princes Alister’s quarters, she recalled how she had felt on the days leading up to her own engagement ball. Well, Venus’ engagement ball. Kalliope had not expected to be married.
The gift of her magic was considered both a blessing and a curse back in Aleria. People generally feared those with magic, rare as those were. Uncontrollable, powerful and deadly, sorcerers and sorceresses could kill without so much as moving a muscle. It would be smart to be fearful. It would be smart to not keep a sorceress so close to one’s self.
Kalliope did not expect to get married. Definitely not to the Crown Prince of the most powerful nation in the world. A Warmonger. A Conqueror.
An oddly gentle man, with the heart of a dragon.
Kalliope briefly wondered if Alister’s and her own experiences would be the same, but quickly discarded it. Kalliope had not expected to marry at all. Alister would be seeing over a hundred of marriage candidates.
Upon seeing Alister’s miserable face, Kalliope realised that the Princess’ experience would not even be close to Venus’.
As Malus had predicted, Alister sat through the meeting with Kalliope with barely five words other than “excellent”, “as you will it”, “sounds terrific” and “yes, Your Highness”. Her expression never truly shifted from what Kalliope could call “tortured solemn”, she sipped tea like an automaton, and she kept her eyes lowered. Demured, resigned… Afraid.
Princess Alista was just as beautiful as all of His Holiness Emperor Erus’ children. But it was clear she was simply a wallflower, an instrument to his machinations that happened to carry his blood.
Kalliope could not help but see her old self in the pitiful girl.
As wary as she was of Venus now, at the very least, back then, Kalliope had her unyielding twin sister. And her own feared powers.
Princess Alista of Caelora had nothing.
Forgotten by her own siblings, sequestered in one of the furthest quarters for Royals in the palace, it was clear where Alista stood in the hierarchy of power here. Just as Malus had said, no request came from Alista, no question asked. Her vast chambers were strewn with more riches and colours than anywhere else in the palace, which only served to make Alista, wrapped in her satin gray gown and white fur, duller and pale.
It was depressing.
“Is there anything else you would like to request?” Kalliope concluded her one-sided talk with a question, fully expecting to hear any demand. And she was right.
Princess Alista dipped her head, “Everything in your plan is perfect, Your Highness. I do not desire anything else.”
“I… see,” Kalliope said, rolling up her parchment to conceal the twinge of discomfort in her gut, “very well, then. I shall take my leave, Highness.”
Something like surprise and despair crossed Alista’s face as Kalliope made to leave, stopping the latter on her track.
“Yes? What is it, Highness?”
Alista hesitated, “I…”
Kalliope sat down again, giving Alista her undivided attention. This had Alista quickly divert her eyes.
“I…”
Kalliope blinked. Turning to Tio, she nodded. The handmaiden bowed at her, and ushered other servants out of the chamber. As the doors closed behind them, Kalliope spoke, in the most gentle tone she could muster.
“I swear to you, Princess Alista. Nothing you speak here shall make it outside of these walls.”
Surprised, Alister looked up. For a long moment, they held each other’s gaze. Of course, Alista lowered hers first.
“You are very kind, Your Highness,” she spoke quietly, barely above a whisper, “I do not have any demand. I… only have a question.”
Kalliope studied Aliasta quietly. Then...
“Do ask.”
- Writer
