"By all the gods, not another one." Princess Sienna thought to herself. Plastering a smile to her face, she greeted one of the many would be suitors who had come for her hand. He was tall, well-built, and handsome. There was something though, something in his eyes; a coldness that told Sienna that he was not right for her. Prince Allister or something as he was introduced.
Sienna greeted him with all the politeness that she could muster. It had been a tiring, trying night. After the prince left her presence, Sienna made her way to the corner of the room and prayed to whatever god was listening to give her the strength just to make it through. She couldn't believe that she had to marry one of the dozen or so oafs that had come to challenge for her hand. Sure, some had been cute, polite to a fault and charming in their own right but none had that magical something that she had always been told she would feel upon looking her "true love" in the eye for the first time. "Besides," Sienna thought to herself, "with my luck, it will be Allister who wins." Sienna closed her eyes and leaned back against the cold stone wall, trying to gather herself for the next hours.
"You too, huh?" A feminine voice startled Sienna. Her eyes flew open and focused on the speaker. The woman, not much older than Sienna's eighteen years, was also leaning against the wall. She was dress much the same as Sienna; elegant gown, hair coifed in an elaborately braided pattern, expensive jewelry decorating her ears, neck and wrist.
"I'm sorry?" Sienna said, momentarily speechless. The woman to her side was the epitome of beauty and elegance. The only thing distracting from her aura was the look of boredom she wore.
"You're sick of these gatherings as well, aren't you?" the woman asked again.
"Of course not." Sienna said, trying her best to sound convincing. "It's an honor that all of these princes came from the lands to try and win my heart."
"Uh huh." the woman said, smirking.
Sienna sighed. "Okay, it is a little overwhelming." It did feel good to say that out loud and she actually favored the woman with a genuine smile. "I'm sorry, are you with anyone here?" Sienna asked, trying not to rudely just ask who this woman was.
The woman laughed. "Yeah, I'm here because my father dragged me along so the one of the losers who doesn't win you will try for me next. I'm Enya." the woman said, smiling. "You left before we could be formally introduced and snuck over here so I thought I would come introduce myself."
"Please forgive me for being rude, Enya." Sienna replied. She was a little taken aback when Enya gently gripped her hand and brought it to Enya's ruby-painted lips.
"It's not a big deal. As I said, I understand." Enya held on to Sienna's fingers just a little longer than necessary before releasing them.
Sienna was feeling somewhat confused at this point. This whole night had been a bit too much and the nicest person she'd met was a princess from another kingdom. "If only you were a man, I'd be rooting for you." she thought to herself.
"So, any of the would-be husbands catch your eye?" Enya asked, leaning back against the wall.
"Oh, each one seems a worthy husband." Came Sienna's reply to which Enya laughed.
"My dear fellow princess. You can be honest with me." Enya said quietly. "Remember, I get your castoffs."
Sienna blushed a bit and looked down at the floor before answering. "Okay, truthfully, none here excite me. One even frightens me a little."
Enya laughed again. "I can only guess which one. Let me see." Scanning the room, Enya pointed to Allister. "My guess would be...that one, right?"
Sienna nodded. "Do you know of him well? He seems to be the odds-on favorite."
"You could say I know him well. He's my brother."
Sienna let out a gasp. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. "I meant no disrespect!"
"None taken. Trust me." Enya replied. "My brother can be a little intimidating. He has all the control of a bull let out to pasture to stud." Sienna sighed at that statement. "You look like you could use some air, Sienna." Enya said. "Perhaps you'd be so kind as to show me the gardens. I've heard the royal gardens are breath-taking."
Sienna thought about it for a moment. Yes, she could definitely use some time away to collect her thoughts. "It would be my honor, Enya. Let me tell my father I'm stepping out for a bit. He'll understand."
When Sienna informed her father, the king, that she needed some air, he did reluctantly relent. All of this was for her, he reminded her, but she reminded him that it wouldn't look good for his kingdom for the princess to be less than gracious and inviting. So, with much schoolgirl giggling, Sienna took Enya by the hand and they snuck out of the grand hall, making their way out of the castle to the royal gardens.
The sun had dipped below the horizon at this point, leaving the sky a brilliant mixture of red, orange and the deep blue of impending night. The gardens were lit with braziers of fire which illuminated the flowers nicely, and caused the flowers to appear to dance in shadows. Sienna and Enya walked arm in arm with Sienna telling the stories of certain flowers and statues. The atmosphere wasn't lost on her. "This would be so incredibly romantic if Enya was a prince." she thought to herself as they slowly walked through the maze of plants.
"The rumors don't do the gardens justice." Enya said softly, not wanting to spoil the mood. "This is truly breath-taking."
Sienna beamed at the praise. "I haven't shown you the best part yet." she said, leading Enya further into the maze. Finally, they came upon an intricately designed wrought-iron gate. Sienna produced a key that was hidden within her bodice on a necklace that she wore. "This is the best view. My own personal garden." she said, opening the gate with a flourish. "Congratulations. You're the first person besides myself to step in here."
