Another week had passed since the night meeting with the Queen and Snow White's birthday party. Finally the princess could assume her responsibilities, fulfill her duties, and one day she would even attend the councils that the queen held with the various nobles of the kingdom. She knew she had a long way to go before she considered herself useful to Grimilde, but she was sure she could learn quickly how to provide support to the competent regent. Snow White also wanted to travel and discover new lands, other cultures, see foreign art, hear different languages and in this regard, she often found herself wondering what Grimilde's native country was like. Today, when she met the queen, she would take the opportunity to ask many questions, as long as she was allowed to. She certainly didn't want to burden the queen who was very busy in those days.
"Her Majesty is waiting for you, Your Highness." As soon as she reached the queen's private garden, the guards let her pass without hesitation. Snow White was greeted by an enchanting vision: countless flowers studded the green area and she saw many bushes of red, white and some even blue roses. The latter in particular caught the attention of Snow White who approached the dark-toned flowers, smiling with adoration: she breathed l the scent of roses, finding herself satisfied with the queen's choice to enrich her personal garden with many varieties of smells. The blue roses were really extraordinary: Snow White's thin white fingers made a nice contrast to the midnight blue color and when the girl stroked the petals, they felt really soft to the touch. It was pleasant to get lost in those little wonders.
A few steps away from her, Grimilde watched her in silence, suspended between the amusement due to the girl's almost childish appearance, by playing with the flowers, and the deep sense of adoration she was feeling at that moment. Snow White's beauty was incomparable and in that garden of enchanting and bright flowers, only she shone to the point that you couldn't look away. The princess wore a blue dress with lace on the chest and narrow waist, which showed the sensual shapes of the young woman: Grimilde had always thought that Snow White's beauty was pure and innocent, but that day she found herself running her eyes along her body. Its perfection would have made even a goddess envious.
"Do you like it?" The queen's voice was soft, but still surprised the princess, intent on studying the flora of that spectacular garden. Snow White got up, smiling shyly: "They are very beautiful flowers. Where do they come from?" Grimilde replied, holding out her hand: "They come from my land. North of the continent." Snow White accepted the queen's gesture, grasping her hand, and so they walked towards the space dedicated to receiving guests inside the garden: the princess saw a pretty white table already set with tea service and some delicacies. The princess was surprised when she noticed that the servants were absent.
"Grimilde... why are we alone?" The Queen did not speak until she seated the girl at the table and poured her a drink herself. Then, against the princess' expectations, Grimilde positioned herself right next to the girl and not in front of her, like it was expected. Snow White blushed, feeling intimidated by the queen's proximity.
"I'd rather talk to you privately. I don't want to worry about who might be listening. Does this make you uncomfortable?" The queen's blue eyes tried to read on the girl's face what she was feeling and thinking at that moment. Snow White seemed like an open book at first glance, but she was always full of surprises. Grimilde had understood from the first meeting that she was an intelligent woman, a lover of nature and always full of curiosity. She did not fear that she wanted to take power at court when she asked questions about the political dynamics of the kingdom of Arran and neighboring states or asked to help her in her duties as regent; she knew that Snow White was a genuine and sincere person. Grimilde had always been good at recognizing her enemies, sensing the intentions of anyone who was in front of her: it was like a gift, perhaps something that had attracted the old regent of Arran when he decided to marry her.
"No. I'm happy to be able to talk to you. On any occasion or circumstance." Snow White took a sip from her cup, finding the tea pleasing to her sweet-loving palate. The girl could not help asking the queen how she knew she loved sweet things. Grimilde stopped her movements, bringing her gaze back to Snow White: she too was drinking from her cup, but the drink had a different colour, it was darker.
"Your eyes sparkle when you look at sweets, you might not notice it yourself." Grimilde smiled, handing the girl a saucer with a slice of cake and her cutlery. "Not everyone would be able to notice these details."
"That's true... maybe I'm capable of it because I observed you for a long time." Grimilde hid her little grin by bringing the white cup decorated with a floral style to her lips. Snow White still felt that nagging feeling in her stomach and her fingers holding the cake fork seemed to tremble. The girl stopped, licking her lips.
"Everything okay?" Grimilde had noticed the princess's reaction and for some reason she thought it was really pleasant to be able to make the young woman blush with so little. When Snow White's cheeks were reddened, it was truly a wonderful sight.
"Yes, I'm fine thanks." The princess was able to recover in a short time. She continued to eat her dessert and talk to the queen as if nothing had happened. Yet she still felt the warmth provoked by the queen's words: the idea that she was observing her, that she was paying attention to her, made her euphoric to say the least.
Soon the two women began to talk about some urgent business: Grimilde had begun to speak more freely about what was the matter in the council with the nobles. In this regard, Snow White found herself annoyed at the idea that some men had asked the queen to find a good candidate for the princess as soon as possible, perhaps a prince from a neighboring kingdom, so that a firm alliance could be formed, through marriage . Grimilde didn't say much when Snow White began to complain about Duke Helmholtz, the one who had started the discussion in the council and who wanted to treat the princess as if she were a mere bargaining chip. The man was full of himself and arrogant: even his father, the king, had spoken ill of him on several occasions. Unfortunately, Duke Helmholtz held a large territory in the kingdom of Arran and provided more than half of the troops needed to protect the borders. He was influential and could afford to make certain kinds of demands within the Council.
"Maybe I'm being selfish? I know I'm going to have to get married and it won't be for love, just for political business, but I've been tied to the castle all my life and I wish I could live freely, at least for a while, before I marry someone and be locked up somewhere else again." Snow White's words revealed dormant contempt, a sentiment she had probably been harboring for a long time and was even tired of holding back. Grimilde grabbed the princess's hand, stroking the warm skin: "You're not selfish. I didn't want to get married either... women are often a means by which men gain power. It shouldn't be like this. They ask us to to be obedient, not to doubt them, not to argue, to look after the house and the children… but we have their same rights. At least that's what I think."
The queen's words struck Snow White deeply: she raised her eyes to Grimilde, moved by the idea of being in confidence with such an intelligent person and in tune with her ideas. The Princess understood that the Queen had been working hard since the King's death to give Arran more rights for all citizens.
"Are we really the only ones who think this way?" Snow White asked softly, with a note of bitterness, as she smiled as she watched the Queen's hand squeeze and caress hers. Grimilde sighed, then let herself go with a shred of optimism: "I'm sure we're not the only ones, but the patriarchy of our society binds us and don't allow women to express their opinion and men to take sides openly on our side. Having said that, I don't think it is impossible to achieve a similar form of equal rights between women and men, it will simply take a long time. Changes are usually either sudden and violent disrupt of previous dynamics or gradual and solid."
Snow White continued to listen to the queen with admiration. Her heart started pounding and she found herself thinking that a queen like Grimilde was truly a miracle. The deities of the realm of Arran had brought grace with a gracious and able ruler. Although many citizens were still convinced of the coldness of the queen, Snow White knew well what was hidden behind those defenses. She gathered a little courage and approached Grimilde, still grasping her hand. "If there were as many people like you in this world, peace on the continent wouldn't be far off." Snow White heard her heart pounding and the queen's breath on her face. They were so close in that moment: they looked into each other's eyes and Snow White's clear dark ones collided with a stormy blue. For some reason the princess's lips quivered in anticipation of something even the woman could not recognize at the moment. Grimilde, on the other hand, found herself lost in that secret passion that she had been harboring for days: she hid it behind feelings of envy and admiration, behind the pleasure of the young woman's company and the sweetness of moments suspended in silence like the one they were experiencing then.
Grimilde heard footsteps and moved away from Snow White, turning towards the entrance to the garden. She saw a servant who arrived in a hurry, hindered by the guards: "Your Majesty, a messenger has arrived who wishes to speak with you. It is an urgent matter. So I was told." The servant, a young man who could not have been more than twenty, bowed to the queen as she crossed the garden to join him. Snow White followed silently, trying to chase away the disappointment of ending her private moment with the queen.
"I apologize for this abrupt interruption... if it's possible, I'd like to resume the discussion tonight" the queen whispered in the princess's ear, before reaching the throne room. Snow White knew that another day would be shrouded in anticipation. Even her maids took notice of her mood and began to wonder who was secretly meeting the princess. Probably a lover! Mariella decided to take courage and try to find out something more: "Princess, are you happier than usual today?"
"I don't know Mariella, do I look happier than usual?" Snow White watched her friend in the mirror as she combed her hair. Rachel, on the other hand, was tidying up the room. "Snow White is always cheerful and smiling... but I see something more. Am I wrong, princess?"
"Really, I don't know what you're talking about..." Snow White didn't understand what she was referring to, then she remembered that in a few days she would be able to reach the city, obviously undercover. Her handmaidens would never approve of her walking out of the castle alone into the streets of Arran's capital, so she would find a way to get them to remain quiet.
"I have to tell you something." Rachel stopped to listen to the princess and Mariella also froze her movements for a second. "Something wrong?" Rachel joined her princess and waited for her to start talking: "Would you like to accompany me through the streets of the capital? I know it's dangerous, but I'm so tired of being locked up in here... nothing bad has ever happened the last few times that I did!"
"Princess! Have you really done such a thing in the past? Without saying anything to anyone?"
"Yes...?" Snow White blushed in embarrassment, under Rachel's concerned gaze and Mariella's intimidating gaze. "What would the queen say if she learned that the princess wants to wander around the capital?" Rachel sighed, understanding that behind Snow White's words and request, there was a desire not to have guards following her as she walked among the people. The princess felt tight the nobility's dress! It had always been like this.
"Princess, everyone will recognize your beauty!"
"I'll hide under humble clothes and a big hood. I wouldn't be the only one wandering around dressed like that."
"And the guards? They should protect you, it's their duty, why don't you let them do it?"
"They'll attract too much attention... citizens might even get scared."
"What if they accompanied us dressed in ordinary clothes? They could also blend into the crowd!"
"Mariella you shouldn't agree with these crazy plans! Let's remember the main problem... if the queen finds out-!"
"Rachel don't worry... the queen wouldn't deny me... with the right arguments." Snow White smiled sweetly, thinking of when she would see the queen again that evening. She was curious to find out what the anxious messenger had communicated and hoped it was nothing to worry about. At that moment the princess didn't notice that she was showing a really sweet expression, like the one she reserves for someone special, that of a mother for her son or a lover for the person who stole her heart.
Rachel exchanged glances with Mariella and the latter smiled mischievously. "Princess, it would appear that you and the Queen are on good terms..."
"Yes, it is."
"Have you spoken to Her Majesty these days?"
"Yes why?"
"Are you meeting her in secret?"
"In s-secret? We just talk in private!"
Rachel and Mariella smiled satisfied with the discovery and didn't ask anything else, so as not to risk annoying the princess.