Chapter 16 - Going Out?

Only 3 days left until the ceremony.

Today was totally bizarre. I had absolutely no more privacy anymore. Servants were coming in and out of my new room without even asking for my permission. It seemed everyone was in quite a hurry to finish the remaining preparations for the ceremony.

Yes, I got assigned a new room. This is how the conversation went:

"So...I can't go into my room for a while?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Martha said.

I pouted. "But why? My room wasn't burned as well, was it? So why can't I go in there?"

"Your Highness, it was definitely polluted by the smoke. We can't let you in under such circumstances. You'll have to make do with another bedroom temporarily."

So the new bedroom I received was quite similar to the one before. But the only thing that bothered me about it was that I hadn't a balcony anymore. I was worried that Reynard would eventually stop coming over because the balcony was apparently his only entrance. If he really did put an end to our occasional meetings, then my chances of survival would deteriorate.     

I had to do something about it. Soon.

"Your Highness," Martha opened the door to my room. "I'm coming in." And she was in. "We need your presence in the ballroom at the moment. The Butler has brought in quality wallpaper samples from town and it is your duty to choose one for the ceremony according to your own preferences."

"What is it that I have to do?"

Martha put her hands on her hips, appearing impatient. "You'll need to pick and choose the right color and design for the wallpaper you need to have up on the day of the ceremony. Make sure that it's event appropriate as well."     

I got off of my new armchair where I sat reading a book. Looking in the mirror, I arranged my hair that was in a braid today (compliments to Marilynne) and straightened the back of my dress. It was green satin, so the wrinkles came out quite effortlessly.

"Lead the way," I said, placing the book back in the bookshelf.

"So," the butler held up a square piece of paper, "here we've got a nice beige, with a beautiful warm undertone and here," he switched the paper with another, "we've got a nice, light blue. This will surely bring out a cool, breezy atmosphere at the ceremony. Which one do you like, Your Highness?"

"None," I said. This was boring me out of my skull. Did I really have nothing better to do than select wallpapers with this old guy? "Martha what time is it?"

"Almost noon, Your Highness."

"Say, when is my trip to the dressmaker scheduled?"

A few days ago, I had taken up on the Emperor's offer to go visit the VIP dressing stores to get my dress for the ceremony. I hadn't really planned on going into town, but the opportunity arose by itself. It was a swell opportunity too. Now I could have an excuse to see how Wisteria really operates and what the people think of their Princess. They surely wouldn't be eager to have me sacrificed, would they?

"We can go whenever you want. Do you want the dressmaker to come visit you in the comfort of your bedroom or would you like to go drop by personally?" Martha asked.

I glanced back at her. "I'd rather go by myself."

After giving me a long, slightly disapproving stare, she finally spoke. "Alright, I'll send someone to go notify Sir Gradral."

"Your Highness," the poor butler spoke up himself. "Do select a design so we could have it up by today."

I turned my attention back to the wallpaper samples the Butler held in his hands. "Show me something else. I need something more, something better. Wow me."

Nervously, the Butler crouched down and shuffled through the box of samples until he found something he deemed was worth showing. "This," he smiled, "this is a very lovely choice, if I do say so myself, Your Highness. Very feminine and exactly what the people picture when they think of Your Highness."

"Its 'meh'. Next." I dismissed the square of pink that was brought before me. I peeked in the box myself, hoping to see an actually pretty wallpaper. "Ah," I yelped. "Take that one out." I pointed vaguely at the box's contents. The Butler tried to figure out which way my finger was pointing but instead of choosing the wrong design, he timidly asked me to specify.

"The green one," I said impatiently.

The butler took out my desired design and I gently took it from his hands to take a closer look. What I had chosen was a rather pretty shade of green, very easy on the eyes. It was very light; you could even say it was minty. It reminded me of the forest. As if I was actually living in the forest, residing in a small cabin within. Birds flew past me and deers stopped by occasionally. The wind was pleasant and clear as it twirled upon my face. My ears could catch the rustling of the forest trees which sent to me an aroma of fresh, dewy leaves.

"Yes, this one," I said to the Butler. "Have this one put up for the ceremony. That is final."

"Certainly, Your Highness. Oi, Jon! C'mere, will ya?" And the Butler got busy with the preparations. From far away, I heard him ask, "What does 'meh' mean?"

I stood idle in the ballroom, looking around at the beautifully carved sculptures along the ceilings. I noticed many angels with their wings spread open, slightly tilted towards myself, as if all of them were joined in protecting me.

"Your Highness," I heard a voice call behind me. I stirred my head around and saw Sir Gradral, his head bowing down to me. Then he stood up straight as I beckoned him to. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Um," I hesitated, "let me just get some suitable footwear from my bedroom. Don't mind waiting a moment."

I heard Sir Gradral assent to my statement as I fast-walked to my room. I looked around the unfamiliar palace corridor, trying to find my way back.

Oh, dammit.

I had been assigned a totally new bedroom which I had quite forgotten the way to. I had no idea how to get there as I hadn't made many trips to and from it in these two short days. I was still unfamiliar with this wing of the palace, it appeared. I approached a random guard nearby, hoping to get some information out of him. "Could you perhaps direct me to my bedroom, sir?" Ew, Seonhee. Why did you sound so mousy? Toughen up, you!

"Your Highness," the guard bowed in acknowledgement. "Would you like me to accompany you?"

"No," I said, more firmly this time. "Just tell me where it is. You see, I am still unfamiliar with this area."

The guard fought a smile as he pointed out to me my directions. "From here on, you'll need to take that next left and take the second right after that. Your bedroom should be beyond the fourth door."

I quickly thanked the guard and ran off to find my bedroom, hoping that Sir Gradral won't have to wait for long. I was already inconveniencing him by taking him on such a trip with me which was bound to be very tiresome. Making him wait for it would certainly add to the bother.

I threw open the door to my room and almost fell down on my face when I saw Reynard sitting comfortably on my armchair, my book spread open on his lap.

"Your Highness!" he beamed as he stood up. "You're finally back. I-"

"Wait!" I held my hand up, carefully closing the door behind me. "Reynard...how did you-"

"Ah, you mean to ask how I got here?" he cut off my words. "Well it was nothing really. All I had to do was keep an eye on those maids of yours. But don't take offence to such words of mine. I mean no harm, of course."

"Of course," I mumbled, annoyed. "What happened now? Why did you come here? And why would you so recklessly sit in my room like that- so plainly visible- when anyone could've come in, uncalled for. What if it was someone else who came in here and caught you, not me? You'd be punished for such an offence. You know, breaking and entering?"

"Oh, there's no chance of that happening," he smiled slyly. "I know what I'm doing."

Yeah, right. Tough guy, this one was.

"Fine, whatever," I said, picking up my shoes by the closet. "I don't have time to stay and talk today, so I recommend you make yourself scarce."

"What? Why?"

"I'm going out," I said, thrusting my feet into the shoes.

Reynard circled around me, agitated. "Out? As in, down into town? But where would you possibly need to go?"

"Some dressmaker's."

Realization spread on his face. "But I came all the way here to discuss some important things with you, and you're just going to, what, bail on me? You do know how difficult it is to break past those vigilant guards of yours, Your Highness."

I adjusted my shoes by somewhat kicking my feet against the large, wooden closet and checked myself in the mirror one last time. "Yes I am aware. But it isn't any business of mine." I glanced at him. "It wasn't me who called you here, as far as I remember. You came here upon your own will and freedom. So it's quite logical, don't you think, that I might be doing something of my own in that while?"

Ashamed, Reynard broke my stare and turned away from me. "So when will you be back?"

Opening the door, I stopped to answer him. "Hmm," I said, thoughtfully. "Might take a few hours. In the meantime it's best you either hide yourself or come back later. What is it going to be?" I waited patiently by the door to hear his response.

Without answering me or even sparing a glance back at me, Reynard jumped through the window and disappeared. Down. What a reckless guy he was. My room was on the second floor yet he didn't even care if he broke a leg or two.

Sighing, I too disappeared through the door to attend to my own affairs.