Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:01 am
Chapter II
Part 1
~Relena
"That was a splendid performance, my Lady," a familiar voice said as soon as I entered my private dressing room after the dance.
I paused for a moment from removing my veil at the remark. I smiled slightly at my handmaiden, the black-haired Lady Hilde. "Thank you." I snatched the veil off my face and gave it to her. Hastily stripping off my clothes and my jewelry until I only wore my rather skimpy underclothes, I whispered to her, "Do we have enough time?"
She nodded a little warily and began to fold my clothes then put them in a bag. "We have enough time to reach the castle without arousing suspicion, my Lady." She sighed tragically. "I do hope my Lady will consider the risk we are taking. But then again, I am but a lowly servant and–"
I gave her an exasperated look. "Hilde, will you stop the 'my Lady'? We have been best of friends since we have been babes in the cradle." I unpinned my long blonde hair, letting it tumble down to my waist. Hilde helped me take out the jewels. "I will not allow rank to get in the way of our friendship. Moreover, do stop scolding me. You're having as much fun in this as I am."
Hilde smiled ruefully at me as she handed me plain clothes and a worn-out hooded cloak. "I suppose so." Then a serious look replaced her smile. "However, you picked the wrong time to sneak out of the castle to dance. Your father is expecting visitors from our future allies. You cannot miss this meeting."
I hurriedly put them on and then tied my hair in a tight bun at the nape of my neck. "I know," I replied soberly. I wrapped the cloak about me, fastening it rather clumsily. I drew the hood over my head to hide my face. In a few minutes, a dowdy-looking woman replaced the exotic dancer. What a transformation a few alterations in clothing and hairstyles could do. I turned to Hilde, who had also put on her hooded cloak. "Let's go."
As we stepped into the dark, noisy streets of the most disreputable place in the kingdom of Sanq, my thoughts went to how my father, the King of Sanq. I wondered how he would react when he found out that his only daughter, Princess Relena of Peacecraft, was an exotic dancer in one of the most notorious bordello in the kingdom.
My father would probably kill me if he found out. My father was a sweet, honorable and peaceful man, but God, did he have old-fashioned ideas about a woman's place in society. He would never forgive me for being such a…wanton, sinful creature as women in this business are regarded. He expected me to be demure, submissive, and to be able to do feminine things, such as embroidery or playing musical instruments.
Many people think that being a royal princess was an extraordinary thing. They do not know how terribly wrong they were. Oh, the dresses, jewels, and privileges were wonderful, that I cannot deny, but I will gladly give them all up for a moment of freedom.
In my station, I was always enclosed in the walls of the castle, in my room of silks, wool, and other luxuries, always surrounded by guards and ladies, to be protected, to be safe.
However, I did not want to be safe. I wanted to go outside the castle, to explore the world beyond the high stone walls of the castle. I wanted to be free.
Not only that, I was terribly bored in the castle. There was hardly anything to do but embroider, since everything was taken care of by the servants. I swear, I would die of boredom in the castle.
So one night, using stealth and deception I never knew I possessed, I sneaked out of the castle with my best friend and handmaiden, Hilde. Since then, things have never been quite the same.
I glanced at the night sky. It was studded with numerous stars, twinkling merrily at the mortals below them. It was beautiful night to go out and roam in the kingdom, but I cannot. Even I have to bow to duty, especially now.
With a sigh of regret, I hastened my steps, heading for the castle. It was time to meet my fate.
Part 1
~Relena
"That was a splendid performance, my Lady," a familiar voice said as soon as I entered my private dressing room after the dance.
I paused for a moment from removing my veil at the remark. I smiled slightly at my handmaiden, the black-haired Lady Hilde. "Thank you." I snatched the veil off my face and gave it to her. Hastily stripping off my clothes and my jewelry until I only wore my rather skimpy underclothes, I whispered to her, "Do we have enough time?"
She nodded a little warily and began to fold my clothes then put them in a bag. "We have enough time to reach the castle without arousing suspicion, my Lady." She sighed tragically. "I do hope my Lady will consider the risk we are taking. But then again, I am but a lowly servant and–"
I gave her an exasperated look. "Hilde, will you stop the 'my Lady'? We have been best of friends since we have been babes in the cradle." I unpinned my long blonde hair, letting it tumble down to my waist. Hilde helped me take out the jewels. "I will not allow rank to get in the way of our friendship. Moreover, do stop scolding me. You're having as much fun in this as I am."
Hilde smiled ruefully at me as she handed me plain clothes and a worn-out hooded cloak. "I suppose so." Then a serious look replaced her smile. "However, you picked the wrong time to sneak out of the castle to dance. Your father is expecting visitors from our future allies. You cannot miss this meeting."
I hurriedly put them on and then tied my hair in a tight bun at the nape of my neck. "I know," I replied soberly. I wrapped the cloak about me, fastening it rather clumsily. I drew the hood over my head to hide my face. In a few minutes, a dowdy-looking woman replaced the exotic dancer. What a transformation a few alterations in clothing and hairstyles could do. I turned to Hilde, who had also put on her hooded cloak. "Let's go."
As we stepped into the dark, noisy streets of the most disreputable place in the kingdom of Sanq, my thoughts went to how my father, the King of Sanq. I wondered how he would react when he found out that his only daughter, Princess Relena of Peacecraft, was an exotic dancer in one of the most notorious bordello in the kingdom.
My father would probably kill me if he found out. My father was a sweet, honorable and peaceful man, but God, did he have old-fashioned ideas about a woman's place in society. He would never forgive me for being such a…wanton, sinful creature as women in this business are regarded. He expected me to be demure, submissive, and to be able to do feminine things, such as embroidery or playing musical instruments.
Many people think that being a royal princess was an extraordinary thing. They do not know how terribly wrong they were. Oh, the dresses, jewels, and privileges were wonderful, that I cannot deny, but I will gladly give them all up for a moment of freedom.
In my station, I was always enclosed in the walls of the castle, in my room of silks, wool, and other luxuries, always surrounded by guards and ladies, to be protected, to be safe.
However, I did not want to be safe. I wanted to go outside the castle, to explore the world beyond the high stone walls of the castle. I wanted to be free.
Not only that, I was terribly bored in the castle. There was hardly anything to do but embroider, since everything was taken care of by the servants. I swear, I would die of boredom in the castle.
So one night, using stealth and deception I never knew I possessed, I sneaked out of the castle with my best friend and handmaiden, Hilde. Since then, things have never been quite the same.
I glanced at the night sky. It was studded with numerous stars, twinkling merrily at the mortals below them. It was beautiful night to go out and roam in the kingdom, but I cannot. Even I have to bow to duty, especially now.
With a sigh of regret, I hastened my steps, heading for the castle. It was time to meet my fate.
Elyn Yuy