I received word that my daughter had returned from the head butler. Dinner was a peaceful affair sans the missing fourth princess. Rather than return to the office or the study or any other place to work, I chose the now empty throne room. It wasn't an official court, merely another attempt to impress upon my daughter the responsibly of being a princess.
My queen joined me shortly after, her attire was modest since there was no official court or other conferences today. It was a simple dress, with embroidery and sensible shoes. I didn't love her for who I married, rather for who she had become as we grew together. She was almost seven years younger than me, and a few signs of wrinkles and crows' feet could be spotted if you looked closer. It was clear that our fourth child got her stunning tall figure from her mother, not my side of the family. It was fortunate that we were perfect with three male heirs, so I never had found a mistress or concubine.
I could barely handle the one wife I had now, much less, another woman entirely.
"Still lovely as ever, dearest love." I said with as much honey as I could.
"I won't let you leave without dealing with your daughter." Damn her guard is up. Not even my soft baby blues were going to shake that resolve. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well even if that's the case you are still lovely. How bout we take a little trip out to the islands this year?" Flattery failed time to try bribery.
"Not a prayer, husband of mine, not a prayer." She voice was soft and sweet, one of her more enduring features. Her tone was dead pan, filled with weary from having exchanges like this one so many times.
"Curses."
Well since that failed all I can do is wait for my daughter.
"Quadrifolium is sending their delegation within the week." Shifting the topic to cover royal affairs.
"We can expect them within a day for the thirteenth. "
"That could be troublesome since her marriage is planned for the twenty seventh. If we give that girl too much time who knows how much ill intended waggery she will raise." Quadrifolium was the capital city of Leibniz, the country of mathematics. Skilled in technical expertise and development, there was a voracious demand for materials, like those that were plentiful in the mountainous regions of Clare de lune.
"What did we to do deserve such an uncontrolled child?" I moaned as I have done in the past.
"This is your blood line. Therefore, it's your fault not mine." I winced trying to think of someone else to pass the buck to.
"So quick to blame me dearest, isn't your aunt a total spitfire as well?"
"My aunt hasn't visited us in fifteen years, it could hardly be her fault. Is it not that you were overprotective? Not just you half the maid and servant's corps spoiled her, and with her three brothers, it's evident she feels she can get away with murder."
There was a lot of blame I wanted to pass on, but in retrospect, it was all my fault. When the three sons of mine took a single look at their cute, adorable sister, they were hooked. Her birthday party lasted three days when she was five, bought an island and took her there when she was seven. Her brothers beat up anyone who looked at her. I had even congratulated our sons for being such great older brothers!
"It is my fault isn't it…" Looking at his wife who had a clear 'you just now realized idiot?' on her face but said nothing more.
"Sire, princess Harmony has arrived." There were a few guards at the doors, two servants standing back in an alcove. No courtiers or assembly just a large open room with an exquisite decertations. As king I had felt that ornamentation was excessive, so renovations include the removal of most statues. Fine drapes, a large open dais so others could stand with me not below me.
"Enter." Taking the quick moment to compose myself, deep breath in, maintain royal bearing. Now is the time to deal with this nightmarish beast.
"Good afternoon, you're highness." Curtsying, I was at least impressed with my daughters' manners, thank Xavier for that.
"Princess Harmony Fredrick Anna Mendelssohn, this is the third time you have failed to attend your appointed lessons this month." I used her full name for effect, I had to struggle to keep my voice level. At Harmony's instance no doubt, she chose the poofy over the top frilled bow dress in a cream yellow. The time deadline for the head maid would have ensured that she had no choice but to give in.
"It's also the fourteenth time you have left the castle grounds without escort this year."
I couldn't help but pause and wait, my daughter looked like a scoop of buttery mashed potatoes. I almost fell of my throne trying to hold in the laughter. I couldn't smile either because I had to be stern for my little spud's sake.
"I ask because I don't know what I need to do, so you can understand, how dangerous and irresponsible this is. Even though Sir Xavier will always find you, do you not think why we had to hire such a guard for you?"
"Rise, my daughter, won't you just tell us what is wrong?" My wife spoke, I didn't intend to let her hold the bow for too much longer, but I could no more go against my love, than I could win against the great nightmare.
The girl straitened up. It took zero time for her mask to shatter. She had always been quick to drop manners and etiquette.
"I don't want to marry some guy that I meet once!" Her face purpled as she let all her anger and grievances out.
"I'm stuck in these walls every day. If I want to go to the gardens, I have seven people tell me to take escorts. When I'm there everyone just stares and judges me for every move I make. Even If I go out, I need an itinerary, I can only look in stores you and mom approve of. If I'm late my maids and guards nag me until I relent." Tears began to form as the weight of just how frustrated my daughter's life made her feel.
"If I try to tell them I want to browse a moment longer, nagging. Want to make an unplanned stop, more nagging. If I want to rest on a bench for just a few moments, wait for a cordon to be established. That's before I can even simply sit down."
"I had to argue and be stubborn with head maid just so I could even have a say in what clothes I place on my body tonight."
"I know you guys love me, and that I have great servants and I have all these things, but it's just too much, like I'm pretending to be Atlas."
"Don't get me started and Sir Xavier! He is rude and mean to me all the time. Relentless even when I can escape. He drags me! I'm a princess! He drags me along the floor without any care! I feel like I'm a hunting animal released only to be caught."
Silence filled the room, and I couldn't help but sit atop a throne. Rather than whispering that everything was going to be fine, I had to tell her she was trapped in her marriage. It took every favor and bit of political savvy and clout I possessed just to prevent her from getting married at thirteen. There was no chance that I would be able to hold her and wipe her tears because I was king. I did the only thing that I could think of, even if I knew it was but a moments respite.
"Very well, if the princess can behave until the official delegation arrives, the increased security should allow you to avoid most of the trouble, provided you allow Xavier to escort you. I will make sure we do what we can to give you as much freedom to have the day all to yourself." I pretended I didn't hear her sniffling, strength. Strength from who or whatever please aid me.
"What your father means to say, is that we get how much of a burden this is, and that we love you very much, so chin up." My wife covered my weaknesses well, and after a few shuddered breaths, the girl regained her decorum.
"Your highness, please forgive my unsightliness." It was meek compared to her early voice. Taking a few more moments to think of what to say my daughter continued.
"I understand where I have done wrong, and I thank your majesties for your kindness."
"Go clean up my dearest daughter, we can talk about the details tomorrow morning." Her mother told her, well aware it was too hard for me to speak.
"By your leave." Another formal curtsy and she turn to walk out of the throne room. I waited until I was certain that she was completely out of earshot. Drained I slouched and took my own time to collect me thoughts.
"Shes grown up so much, it seems like just a few weeks ago she would cry, beg, yell and scream, before throwing a full-on tantrum kicking her legs on the floor." A lone tear fell down my face at the thought of my little girl growing up.
"She did that three weeks ago." My wife reminded me. "I do think that Xavier has been a good influence."
"I want to kill that knight sometimes but alas, they are the only one who can keep her in line, not to mention find her." We allowed her behavior and its overwhelming affront against royalty because her skills and the fact that she didn't mind being hard on the spoiled brat that was my princess.
"More importantly, when are we going to tell her that Xiaver is a girl?" My wife asked me.
"Perhaps we should let her grow up some more?"