The young Princess of Alynthi was quite frazzled and distracted, expected among all young ladies attending the season's events, however, Charlotte's thoughts, as usual, lied with something of greater interest to her...
With a swift wave of her hands, Charlotte struck her maids out of outburst. "Enough! I'm 18, not 30, you needn't tighten my corset any further- urgh!" The short-haired princess grunted as she pulled on the back of her corset for relief.
"It's fine, wait outside." Charlotte's confidant among her maids said. Clarice was dressed like the other maids with the back of her hair covered in a white veil held by the gold chain Charlotte gifted to her confidant, a pearl dangling against her forehead below the framed gems. The maid carefully loosened the strings, looking to Charlotte tentatively as she spoke in a calmer, quiet tone to keep the eavesdropping maids from hearing. "What's broken your nerves so? You've usually a level-head when it comes to these festivities, to the shock of most, from your lack of enjoyment."
Charlotte's demeanor softened as her friend set her free from the constraints, slowly walking to the mirror as she watched herself, teasing her short hair against her chin as she observed herself through the polished silver. Noticing the face that'd followed her enter her mirror, her eyes wandered before finally breaking her silence. "Alex." The Princess said, only to pause as she sighed the breath from her at his name. "I spied him engaging in" Once more she paused, scratching the tip of her nose as her eyes crossed. "You remember the eve Countess Mayfair wobbled around the courtyard after the solstice ball? When that merchant from the south stripped himself and took her in the snowbanks?"
Clarice's eyes went wide as she recalled the event, somewhat still embarrassed. "Vaguely. Alex engaged in relations with her too?" She questioned.
Charlotte sucked her lips in, tilting her head. "No... Viola. Only- It wasn't at night, and I saw it all." She spat out. Clarice looked bewildered, glancing back to the door where the shadow of footsteps still stood. She pulled the Princess to the other side of the room to her bed. The two crawled atop, Clarice stopped on her knees to untie the heavy canopy, granting them the needed solitude.
"What did he look like? Where did you see them? Do they know you witnessed them? Are they to marry-" Clarice began to raddle off questions before Charlotte knitted her brows.
"My word! I-" She stopped, chewing on her lower lip in thought. "I don't know Clarice, it's all so hard to explain, even to talk about. It's just, seeing him like that made me feel strange. I know how it all goes, you're source enough, but I've never, though, of Alexander that way. I felt possessed, I maybe even, wish, to feel it." The Princess averted her gaze as she fiddled with the folds of her petticoat.
Clarice scooted closer to her as she resumed the hushed whispering. "Alexanders?"
"No!" Charlotte replied unassuredly, the thought occupied her nonetheless, however she'd not intentionally meant him. "I just, wish to know. But I don't wish to get in any trouble-"
"I know, It's ok though, I've wanted the same before. Alexander has even haunted my dreams before." She said with a smug smile as she chuckled. Charlotte tried to hide her smile as she gave her a gentle wack to her arm. "I'm sorry! But truly. I once engaged in similar actions with, well... Judge me naught, but the dressmaker" Charlotte listened to her, raising her knees to her chest as her mind wandered to the Frantian Tailor.
"But how was it? You gave them your flower?" Clarice shrugged her shoulders as she recalled the experience in detail.
"Well yes, but it doesn't count out of marriage, no children were produced, you see. I can help you, Lottie. I want to It's, I'm not sure if I'd say joyful, it's more invigorating, thrilling. Then after it's just strange." Clarice spoke carefully, not wishing to spook her friend, however, they were interrupted and shocked when the canopy flew open at the end of the bed.
Irene the Governess stood straight as she looked at the two shocked girls. "Enough hen chatter girls." She directed before clapping for the other maids to enter. "The ball starts shortly- when I return you'd all better be dressed and prepared!" And with that the maids helped The Princess ready, as well as helping themselves, all the while the bevy of girls gossiped about the ball.
Three days had passed when Charlotte & Clarice devised a plan.
The people looked on and chanted as a small army of foot soldiers escorted the large carriage carrying Princess Charlotte through the city. They all smiled at the King's daughter after catching glances at her presence through the top half of the walls of the carriage, consisting of stained glass panels with clear centers. She'd opened the curtain beside her to let the light glisten through as she sat on the cushioned seating. The crowds grew smaller and smaller as the party approached Magnolia Road, finally stopping at the Quincy Manor. Charlotte closed the curtain quickly as her face went flushed.
Charlotte felt her nerves worsening, and she opened one of the bottles of wine strapped to the carriage her father had left behind, taking a quick chug, hurrying before she needed to presume her proper demeanor. She put the bottle back with the others as she sat patiently, ensuring her back stood straight. She waited for a short while, to her surprise, she decided to move her gown so her nipples peaking from the top of her corset, stopping quickly as the carriage door was opened by one of her guards. She moved her hands back together in her lap as Clarice and her brother Charlie entered. The three weren't sure how to speak, Charlie was simply unsure why Clarice invited him along.
"Where to, Your Highness?" The guard by the door asked, his need to avoid meeting her gaze thankfully saved Charlotte the embarrassment of having him see her partly exposed breasts.
"Yes- The Palace, please." She replied, finally looking at Charlie with a smile as he sat beside her, Clarice on the other side of him.
As the carriage set off, the ride was awkward and rather uneventful. The girls were filled with glee after concocting their plan, yet now when the time comes they're simply too nervous to act. To Charlotte's gratitude, young Charlie finally spoke up. "I trust you've fared well, Your Highness?" The boy spoke, pushing his glasses closer against his nose as he looked at her.
Charlie was quite different from his sister in comparison to appearances. Where Clarice had lovely auburn hair, and a tan complexion, he had bright red hair, and was as pale as a ghost, with only the red in his cheeks, accenting his shyness. He tapped his shoes on the carriage floor as Charlotte faced him, batting her eyes as she innocently looked off to the side. Her mind wandered. "Well, to tell you the truth Charlie Boy, I've felt ever so burdened as of late. My mind races, in thought. All during the season of course... A terrible inconvenience, you understand."
Charlie cleared his throat, shuffling in his seat to face her better. His eyes rushed onto her as he watched the darling princess he so adored struggle so much. "My, Charlotte- I'm sorry you're experiencing such." He began, carefully picking up her hand from her lap and he held it between both of his own. "Surely Clarice or I could help you somehow, yes Clare?"
Clarice nodded in agreement. Charlie's gaze returned to the Princess thereafter, leaving Clarice to spy through the curtains briefly, relieved to see the streets were still desolate for the moment. "Oh but that is so kind Charlie- It's just so embarrassing..." She Began with a relieved expression, her blue eyes grew sad, the way she'd act to convince her brother to do something for her. She carefully fooled with her short brown locks as she acted ashamed.
"What is it, Charlotte?" Charlie asked as he caressed the too of her hand.
