Talia’s voice almost scared my soul right out of my body as she appeared behind me. Taking me out of my secret book
world and into the now. She had a shawl draped across her shoulders and looked just as tired as I felt.
“Father can wish all he wants. I have lessons,” I snapped.
“He also wanted to pass on a message and say he ordered it.”
Sighing, I closed my book, knowing it was only a matter of minutes before Kathlyn joined us along with our staff to prepare
us for breakfast and then the day ahead of fun-filled exploring and princess duties.
R iding in the royal carriage was always a spectacle in itself, and as much as I understood it was mainly for our safety and
protection, I hated how it drew people’s eyes towards us.
Talia had taken the seat next to Lady Gelda on the ride out from the castle and towards the main part of Crystal City. I used
to think how boring and mundane the name of our city was. As if it were just our elders being lazy and not coming up with
something creative.
That was until I saw the city square for the first time. I was no older than six when I saw the large amethyst fountain, and it
took my breath away. Standing exquisitely for all to see, almost as tall as a castle tower. The Goddess of Light, our mother and
creator, was carved within the crystal. As the sun glistened across her beautiful shape, little rainbows would sparkle across the
stoned pavements and houses.
The funny thing about the crystals was that once a light hit them in the perfect spot, they would light up each other. Once a
year, the sun and moon would come together and bless us with these beautiful spectacles of light. It was magical to see.
This was known as our Festival of Light, and we were nearing that day. Entering the square, the market folk shouted out
today’s produce and where to find things.
Gelda poked her head out a little from the carriage window and awed at everything she could see. She was obviously a girl
from the countryside, but ‘with good standing’, as Mother had said. Yet, it appeared as if she had never seen a city before.
“We will show you some of the stores first, Lady Gelda, and then we shall head to the seamstress. With the Festival of
Light right around the corner, and as our brother’s soon to be wife, we must get you dressed up and prepared for the parties
ahead,” Talia spoke as she slipped on her black silk gloves and pulled them up towards her elbows.
Unlike me, she was far more into her fashion and her dresses. Always returning with new garments for herself and
sometimes me, demanding I try everything on.
Today, she had ordered me to dress in a similar fashion as hers. She wore a black corset dress that fell to her ankles, and
had stuck me in a striking red cotton dress with a low-cut neckline and placed a black cloak on my shoulders.
I looked like a woman of the night, and she felt it would be perfect, especially for someone who dreamt of shadowed men.
“Thank you kindly, your highnesses. I am sorry to have pulled you away from your duties.”