Light enters through Penelope’s eyelids from the window onto her silk pillowcase. The windows are next to her large wood bed as it occupies an entire corner of the room. Hearing rustling sounds near the foot of the bed, Penelope opens her eyes. For a second the light blinds her, then her eyes land on her maid Crystal, a slender girl with caramel hair.
“Sorry for waking you up princess, but it's time to get dressed,” says Crystal in an apologetical voice.
Penelope runs her hands through her straight black hair and yawns. She sits up on her bed, probing herself on several pillows. Waving her hand dismissively at Crystal, she dangles her feet on the bed's edge.
“The day needs to start anyhow,” says Penelope.
Crystal moves to the extensive wardrobe, opening the double doors, and waits for Penelope. Striding across the room Penelope gazes inside; Penelope chooses from an array of dresses all made of fine fabric. She settles on a forest green one for today. The chest area has golden flower details on it, which bring out the golden hints in Penelope's dark brown eyes. Penelope spins around the center of the room, which flares the skirt in the air.
“You look stunning as ever,” says Crystal.
“Well, don’t just stand gawking. Bring me my shoes,” says Penelope.
“Oh, yes!” says Crystal.
Crystal follows behind Penelope as they head into the dining hall for breakfast. Already King Keth and Queen Ruth sit at their spots opposite from each other on the rectangular table. Penelope sits closer to her father but is still at an acceptable distance to the middle of the table.
“Hello mother and father, how is everything today?” says Penelope.
“All well,” says King Keth looking down at some handwritten notes.
“Remember, tea time is before noon with the ladies of the court,” says Queen Ruth, nodding toward Penelope. Penelope gives a small smile, but as soon as her mother looks away, Penelope rolls her eyes. The ladies of the court are always gossiping, a minor, but necessary annoyance for Penelope. Eating breakfast consciously to not spill any food on her dress; the ladies would be happy to criticize her.
“It's time for tea time, Penelope,” says Crystal.
“Yes, I’m coming,” says Penelope.
Reaching the indoor garden, Penelope sits at a table set up with fine china while Crystal stands behind her. Ladies clad in dresses arrive at the garden. Penelope puts on a mask of politeness and gets up to talk to the court ladies. Most of the ladies are older than her and have seen her grow from a younger age. Although they are older, Penelope knows of their gossiping ways and must tread carefully on what she tells them. Today her mother got busy with another matter so she did not join them. Apologizing for her mother's absence, Penelope begins the tea time with the ladies.
Servants distribute desserts on small plates accompanied by hot cups of tea. Smoking lines rise in the air from the teacups. Penelope is not feeling too hungry for a sweet treat but takes a small bite. The conversation with the ladies is dull as usual. They gossip. It is one gossip rumor that Penelope does not eat enough. She is not sure who started that rumor, but most likely a jealous lady who can’t fit in her dress anymore. Penelope has been naturally thin her whole life.
The ladies and Penelope finish their tea time and say their goodbyes by kissing at the checks. They express their hellos for Queen Ruth.
After lunch, Penelope enters her room and exhales air as she lands on the bed for a minute of rest.
Changing into her comfortable clothes of a long sleeve shirt and pants picked out by Crystal, Penelope is ready for her archery lesson.
"I dismiss you for your other duties," says Penelope.
"Yes, madame," says Crystal as she closes the door behind her.
Penelope looks at herself in the bronze mirror on the wall. Her olive skin can get tanned in the summer when she stays out for a long time. She has a thin nose and high cheeks similar to Queen Ruth's. A square face like her father, King Keth. A knock on the door interrupts her appraisal.
"All set for the lesson, Princess Penelope?" says the guard Kenneth.
"In a moment," says Penelope, smoothing her hair back in a ponytail.
Kenneth walks her outdoors into the archery area.
Although they do not talk, there is a type of static energy between them. Kenneth is twenty years older than her. He has a scar on his eyebrow and a muscular body. Penelope bites her lips, thinking of Kenneth's arms around her waist. Lost in her fantasy, she realizes they have reached the archery area- that was a quick walk.
"I'll be near," says Kenneth.
Penelope nods as she picks up her bow and arrows and walks to her instructor. Shooting arrows, Penelope has little to no concentration. Why didn't my father send a different guard? The lesson lasts until it's time for dinner. Kenneth walks Penelope to the dining hall. He leaves soon after without a word.
The dinner is mostly quiet. Only a select few servants stay nearby to serve the meal. King Keth asks Penelope about her day. From Penelope's memory, her father never asks his mother about her day. They hardly talk to each other. It has always been this way.
After dinner, the family spends time together at the library to read books independently. King Keth finds it important to learn as a person. They each sit in a seat at separate corners of the room. Leaving at separate times to their rooms, Penelope was the last one left in the library as planned. She looks at the cuckoo clock ticking across the room. It is 11 pm. He should be here. Suddenly, a hand touches her shoulder.
Kenneth caresses her arm from the top of her shoulder to the tips of her fingers. Penelope melts into his touch as she turns her head for a kiss. She stands from the chair to better be with his body. He wraps his arms around her waist pulling her close to his warm chest. They talk in hushed voices as the castle is quiet and anybody can hear them.
"You looked great out there in archery practice today," says Kenneth.
"You're the better shooter," says Penelope. They kiss for a little while, then he leaves her as quickly as he came. He's her little secret.