Dominick took Maria to her room, throwing her onto her bed while barking orders to Vincent and Annie. Within moments, Maria was changed into a nightdress, had a cool cloth on her head, a cup of water, and a bucket beside her. Dominick waited for the servants to clear the room before he sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.
"What were you thinking?" he grumbled.
"I was thinking of having a good time, brother dear."
"You were there all night, weren't you?"
"From the moment I rejected dinner to the moment you rudely forced me home on violent horseback."
"I wish you wouldn't sneak out like that. You could have been hurt."
"You didn't seem too concerned before. You could have retrieved me sooner."
"I do have other priorities at the moment, Maria," he snapped.
Maria grimaced and groaned. "Can you speak a little softer? My head disagrees with your tone."
"I'll get right on that," Dominick shouted as he shot up and threw his hands into the air. "I turn my back for one second and you're jigging with drunken sailors."
"You act as if this is the first time."
"I can only pray it's the last. Maria, your escapades need to cease. I need you here at home." His voice dipped into a feeble whimper, a plea for her to listen. "I need you here with me."
She sat up. Though intoxicated, her eyes glistened with sympathy. "You don't need me for anything. You can handle everything on your own."
"How can you say that?"
"I'm not contributing anything."
"Because you choose not to."
"And what would you have me do, Dominick? I can't solve our debts, I can't save our home, and I'm a bit short on miracles these days."
"And you think I can?"
"One of us has to and it happens to be you," she cried. "Better yet, why try?" Maria stood and joined her brother's side, the cloth still pressed to her head. "We're on the brink of losing everything. Why not accept it?"
"We were not raised to abandon our homes."
"One of the few things our father did right."
A silence fell between them. Maria's hostile expression screamed unrelenting pain and betrayal. Dominick could not think of anything to say that could change her mind. He could only tell her what he knew.
In a gentle, saddened tone, he said, "Father wouldn't abandon us without good reason. You know this. He loved us."
"It's amazing. No matter how many times you say that, it appears my mind remains unchanged. Maybe it's because he abandoned us."
"Maria---."
"He left us with this menagerie of a kingdom. He left two kids with all of this." Her hand flew to the window where they overlooked their home.
"He went lost at sea. It could have been an accident. We were told this."
"It could have been anything. We were told a lot of things when father decided not to come home."
"So you could be wrong."
"But you can't prove that I am."
Dominick placed his hands on her shoulders, shaking her with a silent urgency for her to listen. "Yes, we were left with this. This is our problem. Our problem. I can't do this alone."
"You might have to learn how to. We're a bit late to be thinking of a reparation plan. That's what happens when two kids shoulder the burdens of their father."
"If you would help me, Maria, we could do something about it. Whether or not I believe our father did this to us on purpose no longer matters. We have to do what's best. That's our job, our duty. We can correct this."
"So you keep reminding me." Maria shoved him away and glared at him. "You were always bad at telling stories, Dominick. There's a reason I stopped coming to you for a fix."
She stomped back to her bed and laid down. Speechless, his eyes watering over, Dominick stood frozen as he allowed himself to process his thoughts. Looking to Maria, he had more to say, opening his mouth to do so, but he closed it again. His words transformed into a heavy breath that escaped his body.
"I wish you would come to me for other things, like you used to," he said. "I do hope to see you tonight at the soiree, and then tomorrow for my coronation. That is unless you wish to find comfort elsewhere, as you have been."
A knock on the door. "Sire?" Annie called.
"Come in," Dominick answered.
Annie stepped inside with a dress in her arms. "I apologize for interrupting, but Vincent suggested I bring the princess her gown for tonight's gathering."
"I'm not going," Maria shouted.
Dominick shook his head. "You can leave it here, Annie. Thank you. Can you tend to her in the meantime while I see to other business?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
Dominick turned to exit. As he did, he glanced over to Maria, her back facing him. He stopped. Hesitating for but a moment, he returned to Maria's side and reached into the bottom shelf of her end table. Still there, caked in thick dust, was her favorite book.
Chuckling, he placed it beside her. "If only there was some island of treasure to solve all our problems."
When no answer came from Maria, Dominick left, closing the door behind him. Alone with the princess, Annie approached her and laid the dress at her feet.
"Does my lady need anything?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Maria snapped.
"Some tea? I could make some up in no time. Or would you prefer hot water with lemon?"
Maria shot up and pointed an accusatory finger at Annie. "Did you tell him where I was?"
Annie's face turned burning red and gulped. "I didn't tell him anything, Your Majesty."
"Then how did he find me?"
"Well, there were only so many places you could have been. If not your room, well---."
"So, you gave it away that I was gone?"
"To be fair, it's not like he doesn't know you sneak out. You don't exactly go out of your way to hide your tracks."
"Why all the fuss now, then? He didn't care before."
"Highness, the prince has been under a lot of stress and, well, it's not like you listen to him anyway."
Maria wanted to rebuke her, scream about how wrong she was, but no statement that would prove her stance came to mind. Maria slumped back onto her bed and rubbed her eyes. Annie sat beside her and smiled.
"Princess, you know he cares about you, right?"
"Obviously."
"Oh, um, that's great. I'm glad you know. It helps to know who cares about you."
"Does it?"
"Well, I care about you. Does that help?"
"If I say yes, will you leave me alone?"
Annie's smile dropped, her eyes falling to her hands. "Yes, of course, Your Highness. Forgive my annoyance. I will be back in a few moments with tea." She stood and approached the door.
As she shifted, Maria's hand brushed her book. Her favorite story rested in between those tattered, worn, illegible pages. The story of an island of treasure. Treasure Island, or so the story said.
For a brief moment, Maria laughed to herself. She placed the book in her lap and brushed her fingers over the cover.
When Maria spoke, Annie halted in place. "He told me the same story every night. He always had the best voices, made the characters come to life. Sometimes I forgot it was all fiction."
Annie turned to face Maria, listening to every word the fragile princess allowed herself to say.
"There were times I wished I was a part of the story, you know. To sail the seas with a sword in my hand, slicing down pirates in search of some forbidden treasure. To find uncharted territory and claim it as my own."
Annie sat down again. "Sounds like an exciting life, Princess."
"It does, doesn't it?" Maria chuckled. "It was something I dreamed about every night. It was almost cruel how we lived by the sea and all I could do was watch the sailors come and go. I had hoped I would join them…but there's really nowhere I want to go anymore."
"But you don't seem too happy here," Annie whispered.
Maria glanced up. "That obvious?"
"Was it not supposed to be?"
The girls shared a laugh. Maria placed the book back on the table and looked to Annie with a far softer gaze.
"What of you, then, Annie? Any dreams I should know about?"
Annie's expression grew frantic, her hands waving away the thoughts in every direction. "Oh, no, I'm afraid I'm far too boring for something like that."
"There has to be something."
"Uh, I can't say there is, Princess. I mean, I once dreamed about writing a book or a collection of stories, but, like I said, I'm too boring for something like that."
"A book?" Maria perked up. "That would be nice. Any ideas?"
"None. I'm not too creative either. If I had a lick of my mother's talent, I would be far better off. But no, not all of us can paint royal portraits." Annie, realizing she was rambling, cried out. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I did not mean to go on like that, my lady. I shouldn't be annoying you with my talentless mind."
Maria laughed. "All things considered, you're far better than most people. At least you know your shortcomings, and acknowledge them."
"Like most people? You don't mean the prince, do you?"
In an instant, Maria's gaze transformed into a tense glare. Annie bolted up and bowed with an apologetic earnestness.
"I didn't mean that, Princess. It's none of my business. I shouldn't have said anything."
"You know, I'm starting to see how my brother learns anything about me at all. Tell me, have you told him where I take my naps when I don't want to be bothered."
"He's the one who brings you blankets," she admitted. "And the one time he found you in the stables, he was the one to set a change of clothes beside you for when you woke up. So you weren't wearing hay anymore."
"Ah, so that's how he knew."
"Well, my lady, it's not my place to hide anything if he asks. Not like I could if I tried, and I have tried. It's his business, as much as mine, to make sure you're safe and comfortable."
"…and I would be hard pressed to say he does a bad job," Maria mumbled. She huffed as her eyes landed on the dress at her feet.
Dominick had hoped she would attend the soiree that night. A soiree meant to welcome his guests for his coronation. If they were lucky, he would fancy a wealthy princess and court her, saving them all the trouble of solving the problem themselves.
But what princess would want to marry into poverty? Maria could always resort to entering the courting world herself, but Dominick knew that was a dead end. What prince would want to marry a drunk?
Maria prayed her nauseous body and pounding head would keep her bedridden for the rest of the day, but she knew the possibility of that. Her tolerance had become a burden on its own, making her excuse of intoxication last all but an hour. By the time night came around, there would be no reason to not attend the social cesspool.
Her stare lifted up to her window, the ocean right there in full view. Nowhere she wanted to go anymore, huh? That was half true. There was nowhere she wanted to go, but staying was not a preferable alternative. Somewhere in her mind, she could believe her father had the right idea, if that was his idea in the first place.
The option was there, clear as day. Ships at the ready and enough sailors willing to obey. But she could never do it. Dominick plagued her mind too much as it was. She wouldn't escape him by leaving, she knew this.
Dominick would consume her thoughts and heavy guilt would follow. The sole solution to that problem was downing ten bottles straight until she could no longer think at all. Regardless, the temptation of stowing away and never looking back remained.
*** *** ***
Maria didn't leave her room, not once, by the time the soiree was meant to start. She had watched guests arriving in their elegant wares.
A handsome prince or two, lovely enough princesses, and kings with their queens all there to support the struggling prince. Too bad they weren't generous enough to support them with a financial percentage. Maria scoffed at each and every one of them, her judgement interrupted when Annie came to dress her.
Sitting in front of the mirror, Annie fiddled with Maria's hair. Maria shifted often as her tight fitting dress with the most uncomfortable fabric possible scratched her skin. She had an array of jewelry laid out in front of her. She hadn't touched any of them.
Maria glanced up to meet Annie's gaze, not realizing Annie had been staring at her for several seconds.
"Something wrong?" Maria asked.
"Nothing, Your Majesty," Annie choked in a frantic tumble of words. "Just thinking."
"What about?"
"Nothing you wouldn't hit me for."
"Is that right?" Maria turned around. "Now you've peaked my interest. What are you thinking about?"
Annie wiped away a sheet of sweat. "Oh, well, you know, about how the weather has been so nice and how the ocean has been so, um, salty?"
"You're lying."
"Yes, I am."
"Tell me or I might hit you, Annie."
"Alright. I was thinking how pretty you were and how it would be a shame to not show you off at the soiree. It'd be nice to see you supporting your brother during this stressful time," she cried. Annie threw herself back and bowed. "That's all, I swear."
"I believe you," a voice from the door answered. Shooting their gazes over, the women saw Dominick leaning on the frame. "It would be a shame to leave her all cooped up in here."
Annie bowed to Dominick as well. He smiled at her as he approached Maria and took over fixing her hair.
"I can take it from here, Annie."
"Of course, Your Highness." Annie left the room, closing the door behind her.
Maria slumped in her seat and pouted. "Why are you here?"
"To help you prepare. And to save you from this bird's nest Annie calls a hairstyle. My goodness, there is no shortage of knots."
"And it hurts."
"And you have no shortage of complaints."
"Shut up."
Dominick laughed, removing the final knot and letting her hair run down her back. "Let's try this instead." With a simple tie, Dominick pulled her strands back into a loose bun with a few assortments. "There."
Maria glanced at herself and, yes, she could not deny it was more suiting. Dominick rested a hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"You're beautiful, by the way," he said.
Maria choked, not expecting the compliment to be so straightforward. Her cheeks flushed red and she lowered her eyes to avoid looking right at him.
"Thanks," she mumbled.
"I'll be seeing you tonight, correct? Maybe we could share a dance?"
"Would my presence make any type of difference?"
"It would for me," he stated, his voice still kind. "If that means anything anymore."
"I'll think about it."
Maria stood and walked to the window, staring out at the ocean that taunted the option of running away. Dominick joined her side, watching her as she watched the world.
"You could meet someone with interesting stories. I'm sure at least one of our guests would be willing to share."
"Why go to them when I have an endless disposal of stories elsewhere?"
"Because it would mean you were here and I could keep an eye on you. Or we could talk and make new friends, as people do."
"Tempting."
Dominick sighed. "Fine. Come or don't, Maria."
He turned and headed for the door, lingering in the frame for a second to glance back to Maria. Her eyes remained fixed on the sight before her and she wasn't budging. Dominick left her alone and closed the door behind him.
Maria broke her gaze long enough to look to the door. She opened her mouth to call out to Dominick, but there was no sound. She slammed her fist on the window. Maria sank to her knees and released a burdened breath she had been holding within her.
To go or stay. To stay there or go elsewhere. To appease her brother or herself, knowing full well that neither would be entirely satisfied. To forget the night was happening or watch the minutes drag by in the company of strangers.
"Strangers…an interesting word," she muttered to herself.
Strangers indeed. What difference did it make? Whether she was warming stools with a sailor or pretending to enjoy a chat with a royal guest, they were all, at the end of the day, strangers. Dominick the most foreign of them all to her.
Maria stood and glanced at her reflection. Dominick was the image of their mother, but Maria could see scraps of his image within herself. In her eyes was the clear and desperate sadness she saw whenever she looked at him. Another similarity they both shared. What difference did any of it make?
"I can't," she whimpered.
Maria darted to her wardrobe and took a cloak. She wrapped it around her shoulders and ran straight back to the window. Opening it and reaching out, she took hold of the same old trellis ready to climb down, but she stopped. A glance over her shoulder drew her to the book. As if by unbreakable habit, she snatched the book, climbed down, and ran for the stables.
With darkness claiming the sky and the absence of the moon, she could not be seen unless approached. Maria headed for her own mare, leading her away in as quiet a manner as possible. She leapt up onto her back and kicked her into motion. As a trot turned to a steady gallop, Maria vanished from the sight of the palace and returned to the town.
*** *** ***
Dominick greeted each guest as if they were his first of the evening. A never waning smile with glistening eyes despite the dulling green shade. His exhaustion remained unseen and he would make sure to keep it as such.
As music played in the ballroom, drowning out his wandering thoughts, took himself away from the entrance and joined the dancing nobles inside. Among them were royals and upper-class members of neighboring kingdoms. Some he knew on a personal level, others he was meeting for the first time, and most he thought he recognized in passing.
Of course, there was no shortage of beautiful and eligible princesses in attendance. He considered the idea of approaching them, but his mind was distracted whenever he noticed that Maria had yet to arrive.
He wasn't surprised, but still disappointed. On cue to confirm his suspicion, Annie rushed into the ballroom and scanned every face to find the one person who wasn't there.
Of course, her face was flushed red and her breathing was heavy. A panicked mess. Dominick squeezed his way through the crowd, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her aside.
"Your Highness," Annie cried. "I found you."
"So you did. You look frantic."
"Me? Oh, no, not at all. I've never been one for large crowds."
"I can neither confirm nor deny this fact, but I have a feeling you lost my sister again."
Whatever remaining color remained in her face vanished in an instant. "I have no idea what you are talking about," she choked, elongating each word to nail in her point.
"Then, where is she?"
"Here, in the proximity. Where she's supposed to be. If I focus hard enough, I can feel her presence now."
"Where specifically?"
"Um, you know, around."
"So, what you're saying is if I go to her room right now---."
Dominick was about to brush past her, headed for Maria's last known location, when Annie shot out her hand to grab him. Her nails dug into his sleeve, further betraying her nervous mind.
"She's not here, is she?" he sighed.
"Please don't be mad," Annie whimpered, releasing. "I'm sorry."
Dominick turned to face her, surprised to see her sniffle and wipe away a tear. Pity washed over him.
"I don't mean to keep losing her, but I don't have the heart to tell her otherwise. Not that it matters. It's not my place to tell the princess anything."
Dominick placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. When she glanced up, he was smiling. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, to which he offered to her. Annie took it and dabbed her face until no more tears remained.
"It seems to me that it's none of our places to tell Maria anything," he mumbled. "If she's not here, then at least I can believe the one other place she'd run off to is safe. I don't blame you, Annie, for the poor decisions of my sister. If anyone should be sorry, it's me."
"Your Highness, you know that's not true. You're doing your best."
He scoffed. "All the difference that seems to make." Dominick took a breath and straightened himself out. "Well, one day at a time, I guess. As for you, I say go ahead and take the rest of the night off. I don't think I'll be needing your services until the morning when Maria stumbles back yet again."
"But…very well." Annie's eyes fell to the ground and she dipped into a curtsy. "Then, I wish you good night, Sire. Should you need anything, I will be in my chambers."
"Good night, Annie."
Without looking up, Annie pushed by him and left. Dominick's heart sank through the floor, his eyes fighting to hide the stinging tears. He didn't want to admit it, in his mind or aloud, but it was true. Maria's recklessness was a burden. It's effects ripping through the palace like a disease.
It couldn't be helped. Not now. Dominick returned to his guests. None had noticed his conversation with Annie, or none cared. He merged into a nearby group, joining a lively conversation that transitioned to his pending coronation.
A mere sunrise away and he was to be king. The realization of fear relating to his position remained a heavy weight on his shoulders, but he no longer had the luxury to grant it attention.