“It’s quite alright, we are happy to show you around. Aren’t we, Nella?”
Nella, the sweet nickname Talia had given me when she was just a small child. She could never say Ornella properly, so
she took to calling me Nella, as it was easier for her to grasp.
“Yes, my sister is right, it is our pleasure to show our new sister-in-law around.”
Talia winked at me from across the carriage as we knew what secret lay hidden under Gelda’s skirts. As much as she
seemed like a sweet, innocent girl, I feared she would not survive the court as the wife of my brother, or that of a future queen.
Lightly tapping the carriage window behind me, I signalled for the driver to stop and was grateful to get outside and into
the fresh spring air. Flowers blossomed all around the square, and many stores were already decorating for the festival. This
was the best time of year to come visit, everyone seemed so free and happy.
Whenever I wasn’t wandering in the forest getting lost, I was here—at the library, visiting the city's memorials, the
apothecary, and so many other wonderful shops. Most often Kathlyn would join me on these trips, as we would sometimes visit
her friend Jamie and his family, whom I suspected she was in love with.
Chapter 3
ORNELLA
Wandering the cobbled stoned streets our people greeted us, bowing in our wake and a few children offered us single
steamed flowers. Gelda seemed to enjoy the attention she was getting.
Word would have spread already that the crowned prince was to marry, and if both princesses were now in the
city shopping, with a mystery woman, most people would be able to put two and two together.
Marcus and the rest of the guards stuck to us like glue, never losing sight of us. Even when a crowd of dancers and
musicians began to play a cheerful tune. We continued showing Gelda around, and I was grateful when we did reach the
seamstress so I could rest my poor, aching feet.
The shoes I normally wore were left in my room, and Talia was disgusted by the amount of mud and scuffs they possessed.
Instead, I was stuck wearing uncomfortable small heels, which were awful to walk in on the stones. Sometimes Gelda linked
her arm with mine to keep me steady, possibly for comfort, too.
“Oh, my darling Princess Talia, you are here! And what’s this?”
The seamstress, short with beautiful long blonde hair and a smile that would make me buy everything in the store, looked
up at me with glee in her eyes as she curtsied.
“It’s wonderful to finally meet you, your highness. I was wondering when you would wander into my shop. Your sister
sings only of your praises when she’s here.”
“Yes, my sweet dear sister, and sister-in-law, I believe both need dresses for the festival.”