-10-
Miriel leaned on the balustrade, cold wind gliding on her skin. Beside her, the princess was hanging on the rail with her forearms, her knees bent and heels scraping the tiles, gleefully grinning.
The balcony was cool and quiet and devoid of people except the two of them.
Miriel looked up and stared at the multitude of blinking stars, arrayed on the dark canvas of the sky. Below it all, the scattered lampposts faintly illuminated the city, as did sporadic houses still lighted.
"Does this not remind you of that night?" The princess said.
Miriel turned to Elle. She leaned on the railway, pale dress gliding on the ground and swaying with the wind.
"What night would you mean?" Miriel replied.
"Why, the night we met on a balcony quite similar to now." Elle answered.
Miriel pondered, then nodded.
"I recall your highness was inebriated then as well."
"The splendour of wine is simply too precious to do without. I scry much redness on your cheeks as well." Elle said.
Miriel brought both palms to her cheeks but felt no difference.
"Nearly not as red as yours, your highness, they resemble the sun at dawn."
"Such is apt for a princess like I. Yours paint a figure of a pure girl in her first love and of many loves to come." The princess laughed, hand covering her mouth, her pleated hair swayed as she shook.
The expansive silence brought a calm to Miriel as her cheeks cooled. Fewer houses remained lit in the city below.
"Your highness, I must ask, were you serious?" She turned to Elle.
"Whichever would you mean?" Elle blinked as she stared at Miriel.
"Your declaration to claim the throne, were you serious then?"
"But I am ever serious, am I not, Miriel?" Elle tilted her head as her eyes widened.
Miriel stared at Elle. Elle, in turn, stared at Miriel with an impish smile on her face.
"Please be honest, your highness. Was I the reason or was it always your intention?" Miriel asked.
"Hmm." The princess had her chin on her hand, her head tilted down and her eyes staring at the balustrade.
She nodded her head and turned to Miriel.
"Well it be, I will answer you only if you address me as Elle."
"Princess…"
"Just Elle." Elle grinned as she stared at Miriel.
Miriel paused for a moment.
"Elle..." Soft words escaped her lips.
"Perchance, might I have heard a whisper? What could that have been I wonder?" Ell leaned her head on her palm, eyes looking at the sky.
Miriel's mouth twitched.
"Elle. Now, tell me." She stared intently at the princess.
"Fair enough, fair enough. It was all within plans, of course, but I did decide upon a militant upheaval as it would be quickest."
"Quickest for?" Miriel asked.
"Well…" Hands to her back and eyes darting, Elle continued,"I surmised if I did so, I would fix the Capitol and Miriel would enjoy it and stay. So, the quicker the better."
Miriel held a palm to her forehead as her head drooped. Then raised her head and looked at the princess.
"And why me exactly?"
"Because it is you!" The princess beamed.
Miriel kneaded her wrinkled brows as the person across her acted all coy and giddy.
She sighed.
"If you will not change the end, Elle, would you not change how you arrive there at the very least?"
"Must I?" Elle pressed her lips and peeked at Miriel with her head tilted down and shoulders slumped.
"I am here already, must you still employ such drastic measures?" Miriel said.
"That is…true?"
"And is regicide a necessity? Is it not better that the king remains king?"
"Hmm." Elle pondered, with her jaw resting on both palms, fingers bent and nested to her face.
"His living would indeed be simpler, compared to his dying. His death would transpose all his kingly tasks upon me, beguiling those ruffians daily to start…" She jerked and shook her head.
"You also have civil strife to quell." Miriel added.
Elle nodded. "It is imperative the king remains king, or performs his tasks anyhow. I shall decide upon an alternative."
Miriel's brows eased as she saw the contemplating princess.
"I would even assist you if you require it."
"You would? After returning to Lerkester?" Elle's eyes widened.
Miriel nodded. "I shall return from Lerkester if necessary. Though, likely intermittently."
"Woe not, Miriel, so long as ye not turtle home, I will relish any moment with you." Elle held her palms to her cheeks, a beatific smile on her face.
'You had better.' Miriel stared at the cheery woman opposite her with trepidation.
Leaving the princess unattended would be disastrous for the city, and the monarchy. At least, until she cushioned either her plans or her ambitions.
-
Days passed. Rare were moments Miriel spent far from Elle. If not waiting or separating, they would be at the same venue or in sight. If not idling at her palace, they were shopping in the city.
Miriel avoided the lady meetings like a wasp hive, but could not skirt the balls, often as they were held. She deftly handled whoever approached her - not all were so unpleasant - and the aftermath of a drunk princess.
One particular night, Miriel, inebriated, joined Elle in her revelry. The princess's maids swiftly escorted them out but the deeds were done. The maids sent more glares her way, while people had odd stares.
Fewer people interacted with Miriel after, which, at least, she was thankful for.
Miriel sent letters to her uncle Yorn, who replied with how slumped he was with work and how he didn't need more work. She sent gifts with the letters but he returned the same reply.
A month after Miriel's arrival, the princess received a letter. They found a name - Mark, from Lerkestrer - in a merit registry, uncrossed, but had yet to find him.
A month later, news arrived at the Capitol; The wave was over. They won. The soldiers were returning.
The city bustled like a beehive, people sang and danced in the streets. The maids restrained an exuberant princess from jumping in.
Two weeks after the news, they arrived.