Morning found her alone again, another grand breakfast spread on the sideboard. Her stomach grumbled, and she soon appeased it with fruits and fine food. Satisfied, she returned to her bed to await her morning chimes. Her hand absently played among her dark hairs below as she waited.
The minutes ticked by, and soon her lojns began to yearn for satisfaction. Still she waited. She knew the Inquisitor would not be pleased if she was disobedient. And yet, no chimes sounded. An hour slipped by, and then two, and still she waited.
By now she was aflame with desire, but no reprieve arrived. At last, the great clock in the courtyard tolled the hour, and the princess decided to begin, if only to quell her own yearning. Suddenly her chamber door swung wide, and her maid glided in.
Beautiful as ever, she wore another soft green gown, this one sporting lively designs stitched in golden thread. Her face however, was very serious, and her eyes betrayed her anxiety. She swooped to the great wardrobe, quickly selecting a gown for the princess.
"Come, my lady," she spoke softly. "You must dress quickly. You have been summoned by the Queen."
A thousand terrors raced through the mind of the princess. At last her time had come. Surely the Queen would send her straightaway to the executioner's block. She had seen her with the men, and the Queen knew it!
She allowed the maid to dress her, resigned to her fate. Her mind concocted new torments and tortures. At last she straightened, as she had before the eyes of the court. She would meet her doom head on, and show no fear. The maid pulled the princess's dark hair back, and bound it with thick golden thread. At last, she pulled the princess close, and kissed her softly.
"No, my lady." she soothed. "Do not cry. I shall do all in my power to protect you from her. Perhaps she has other plans for you yet. She still has the matter of the newcomers to contend with, and it is my hope she will not be distracted from it by you... or I."
At last, they left her chambers, and made their way up the winding stair. The maid led her out into the courtyard. There they found the Queen seated on a low bench, surrounded by many fragrant blossoms. They bowed low as they approached.
"Good morrow, my dears." spoke the Queen, her voice nearly a song. She looked the princess up and down, her eyes hungry, but her face sweet and serene. "Please come close."
The maid led the princess to the feet of the Queen, before again bowing her head, averting her eyes.
"Ah, my dear Chrysanthemum." As she spoke this last, her words drew out into a soft hiss. She brought her close, and breathed in deeply, inhaling the soft perfume of the maid.
"You look lovely today. Your gown is exquisite."
The maid allowed herself to be drawn next to the Queen, slowly taking a seat next to her on the bench. The Queens fingers played in the maid's hair, and the Queen whispered sweet nothings into her ear. All the while, the Queen kept a close eye to the princess.
She smiled as the princess's thoughts betrayed her jealousy, Though the Queen showered compliments on the both of them, the princess got the distinct impression that the Queen did not care for her maid in the least.
In a flash, the Queen forgot her plaything, and stood. Here blonde hair showered down over her bare back and shoulders. Her gown was soft purple. The bodice cut low across the bust, so much so, the princess could spy a bit of nipple if she tried hard enough. To her own amazement, she found her eyes could not help themselves.
It curved to a low 'V' between her beautiful round breasts, before sweeping up over her shoulders, only to plunge low, exposing her smooth back. Under her bosom rose delicate boning, supporting the weight in an intricate flower design. From under the boning slipped soft silky folds of a long flowing skirt, its form hugging the Queen's shape. Though the princess feared her, her eyes could not help but drink in the Queen's beauty.
The Queen caught her eyes and smiled, knowing the princess's thoughts. Looking back towards the maid, she said, "You may leave us, my dear. We shall walk a while. Fret not, my love," said the Queen, seeing the maid's concern, "I shall send her once again to you before the moon rises."
Take the princess by the hand, the Queen glided through the courtyard, leaving the maid to gaze after them in worry. As they walked, the Queen spoke, but talked of nothing. Her sweet voice named flowers and plants as they passed.
They left the courtyard, passing through passages the princess did not know. They ascended several cases of stairs, until the princess found herself on the battlement walk, looking far out over the countryside, This was the first she had seen of the outside world in some time, and her heart leapt at the sight of it.
To the south, far off in the distance, the princess could just make out the dim purple of the great forest, where her home lay. It seemed to the princess a lifetime since she had walked in it's green. Somehow, the princess felt as though that life had belonged to another person altogether. How long since she had danced on Midsummer's eve, or heard the soft rustle of leaves?
To the north lay great snow-capped mountains. Beneath them lay lush valleys, filled with fruit and game, sweeping out into great rolling plains. To the east lay a vast, green sea, two mighty rivers running down to caress it with fingertips in a large delta. The princess could not see to the west, the great golden tower obstructing her view.
The Queen was silent as they walked, only gazing now and then at the princess. She allowed the princess to drink in the commanding view in quiet. At last she spoke.
