By Lexi Anders

Emilia balanced a tray and pressed her ear against the wall to hear what was going on in the room before her. She was sent to deliver refreshments to the officers presenting privileged information to the king. But she also knew someone else who would be interested in the information.

“And it is there now?”

“Yes, set just as you ordered, your majesty. Where it can reach the northern outpost and block the river.”

“But did you already perform the tests? It’s imperative that we are certain it can hit the targets at the same time if we are to get the upper hand.”

“Of course, your majesty, we have the utmost confidence-“

She felt a tap on her shoulder and jumped, nearly throwing her plate to the ground.

“What do you think you’re doing?” a slim man glowered at her, wearing a smart blue tunic, with gold highlights.

“Your highness,” she grinned up at him through her wavy blond hair.

“You are going to get me into serious trouble one of these days, Emi. Could you stay out of it- or at least learn how to be discreet?”

“Oh come on- when have I ever seriously been in trouble? You can get away with anything if you have enough assurance, you should try it sometime.”

Prince Muiredach groaned and combed through his black hair. “Please don’t make life difficult for me, you know my priorities.” 

She looked away, pouting a little. “I know.”

“Not to say I don’t appreciate you,” he took her free hand, and kissed it. Then on hearing firm boots echo down the hall, he immediately pulled back and walked away, leaving her sighing after him.

Then the marching came around the corner and the prince nodded to Commander Brickendolf who returned a salute. He gave a curious look at Emilia though, so she returned it with her signature smile and curtsey that said everything was right in the world.

She straightened herself up, and turned to knock on the door, but the commander held a hand to her. 

“There’s no need. I’ll take that.” he narrowed his eyes, as he looked down at her.

She struggled to withhold her annoyance and graciously offered the platter, before spinning away to find her next task.

“He’s using you.” Sobrina said flatly, grabbing her end of the table, “And you’re too infatuated to see it.”

“You hold an outsider’s bias.” Emilia hefted her own side so she could no longer see Sobrina’s face.  She looked down, her friend wore sewed brown loafers. “He’s actually very kind and warmhearted, but he needs time to open up.”

“Or, he’s a good enough actor to fool a naive romantic.” Sobrina directed her end through the doorway carefully, and then set it down carefully to line up with the others that made a horseshoe shape in the ballroom. Even spread out, they looked too small, not filling the space enough. “We’re going to need a lot of plants.” Sobrina sighed as she surveyed it. “This is ridiculous.”

“Not as ridiculous as the person who will never fall in love because she can’t trust people.” Emilia straightened her end and hurried to catch up. She grabbed a chair from the base so that it wouldn’t drag while she carried it, although this was more awkward.

Sobrina didn’t reply until she had placed the first chair at the rim of the tables. “You would do better to learn from me. At least I will never be lured into a political scandal.”

“He’s not making any scandal!” Emilia rolled her eyes.

“He’s already engulfed in scandal.” Sobrina said exasperated. “Surely you can’t be blind to that as well?”

“It’s not his fault! If his majesty had any presence of mind he wouldn’t let that oaf be king-” 

Sobrina shushed her with a stomp on the foot as she walked by. “You would do well not to talk about the crown prince that way! We are in the palace, or have you lost your mind?”

Emilia sulked. “Anyway, Muiredach would do better. Everybody knows it.”

“Then where do you fit into his future? Do you honestly think he would marry someone like you?” 

Emilia resisted the urge to curse her, but crossed her arms looking up at her. “Like me?”

“A commoner.”

“Right.” she turned away to snatch another chair. “Well, as king, he could do whatever he wants.”

“And don’t you think he’s more likely to become king- which is far from likely- if he has a suitable bride?”

She made no reply, but grabbed several potted trees so that she couldn’t see through them and stumbled a bit.

“I’m saying this out of love, Emilia, you ought to get out now before you get burned.”

“Ouch,” Emilia stuck her thumb in her mouth to cool the burn. 

“Oh good, my favorite spice” her little sister, Veronica leaned over her to smell the pot, “human flesh.”

Emilia pinched her side and she shrieked, shimmying away. She set the pot up on the table and rang the bell for the rest of her siblings. Before long the other five gathered around, trying to reach over her for the pot. She grabbed the ladle and began waving them back.

“I see that you’ve brought your trophies and crowns back with you.” she waved up at their dirty clothes, bare-feet and the hay in their hair. “Well, if you want to keep your crown, go wash up!”

They went begrudgingly and she followed them with her prod. They barely wiped the dirt from their hands before slipping back to their seats. She cringed a bit, and pulled at the curtain a little further over the door window.

They chattered merrily and she pulled herself up at the head of the table to rest her own weary bones.

“How was school?” she asked, blowing on her stew and sipping carefully.

“Terrible!” her brother replied cheerfully, “We learned nothing.”

“Why?” she glared accusingly.

“It’s not my fault!”

“Everyone was going crazy, with the visitors from Brushon and all.” the youngest added.

“Visitors?” she dabbed her face.

“Come on, Emilia, you work in the castle! How did you not know?”

“I don’t spend all my time gossiping like some people.” 

“Well, I’m especially surprised considering it’s so related to your dear, Muiredach.” her sister held her face with pursed lips, earning her another pinch.

“You don’t know anything.” she growled, although she could feel how red her face was.

“Oh, but then why are you so protective?”

“Sissy’s got a cru-ush.” they all ooed.

“Whatever, just tell me about the visitors. Did Prince Muiredach detain them?”

“No, they came to meet him. It’s a potential union- the princess.

“Union?” she laughed, “With Brushon? That could never happen.”

“And why not? Wouldn’t that solve our problems with them? You ought to be glad if all it takes is giving up your prince.” her sister waved a spoon at her wisely.

“I want peace as much as the next person, but I’m telling you, it’s not going to happen.”

“Why what have you heard?” they leaned in.

“Nothing. It’s just a feeling.”

They continued to press her and so she made something up connected to the new information- she was mistaken for a Brushonite because of her stature and they told her they were trying to marry into the family just to have a better chance at assassinating them. Obviously the royal family already knew their intentions . . .

Despite this supposed story, she pulled on her coat as soon as they finished dinner. 

And she threw the coat down on his work boots. 

“Emi,” Prince Muiredach closed the book and looked at her calmly, “What are you doing here?”

“I want to hear about your day.” She sat next to him.

He lifted an eyebrow, “Well, honestly, it’s been pretty chaotic. But does that warrant you sneaking in here like an assassin?”

“I think it does,” she said innocently, “I just missed you so much. And I’ve hardly seen you recently. All I got earlier was a scolding.”

He shook his head, “Stop pretending. You know that we had ambassaries from Brushon, and you’ve heard rumors.” he took her hands gently. “And you don’t trust me.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you-“

“I mean, I didn’t tell you about it before, so it could be reasonable. One of these days I’ll teach you the habit of skepticism properly, it doesn’t mean jumping to conclusions.”

She pulled her hands away, “You are insufferable, you know.” she slid down and grabbed her coat to leave.

“So what- you’re going to leave without an answer? You don’t mind if I marry her?”

She threw the coat at his face this time, “Stop playing with me- I’m serious!”

He laughed and set the coat aside, “Okay, okay, I know you are. And I’m glad for it.” He seemed to relax a little and shook his head. “Sometimes I wonder how we get along.”

She smiled, “So you’re not?”

“No, no. That would be a terrible decision. The only reason we’re going through with this ploy is so their guard goes down because they’ll think our guard is down. But as soon as the war erupts the engagement would obviously be called off.”

“So you are engaged?”

“No, I don’t need the extra hassle. My reputation would be compromised if I was wrapped up in that.”

She crossed her arms, unsmiling.

“I convinced Father that my position in the military would be hard to maintain if I stayed here to play that role,” he continued. “Besides she doesn’t really like our military, no surprise. Instead, Roarich will be engaged.”

“Seriously??”

He glared, “Yes, I get it, the second prince is a step further up there, it shows a bit higher level of trust.”

“I didn’t mean to say-“

“I know,” he leaned back tiredly, “You of all people get it. One of these days I’ll no longer deal with my own assumptions on that. Hopefully, once I’m king.”

She knelt in front of him, hiding her frown. “Your highness, once again I ask you, how can I be of service?”

Emilia lay silently under the couch, waiting and staring at the tiles that stretched from her past the yellow chair across from her, and then to the wall. The tiles were dusty. She ran a finger along the ground and awkwardly brought it around to look at, covered in gray fluff. She shook the finger away from herself and kept her arms glued down from then on.

A long time passed and finally she heard the door creak open, heavy boots clunked across the tile and into view, well the soles of them anyway. They were black, about an inch thick, slightly textured with lines on the side. The bottoms had some kind of symmetrical square pattern at least in the front where she could see when they lifted up.

They stopped somewhere past her so she couldn’t see them without risking making noise by readjusting. There was some rustling, and a dim fell over the room, then the boots walked back across the room and the door creaked open again. More boots and murmuring overlaid each other as they came closer.

The couch creaked a little and she sucked her breath in, feeling her heart pound, but the couch didn’t sag at all. One shoe came to rest only half a foot down from her face. It had a slight crust of mud and smelled, perhaps of manure. She angled her nose away, wrinkling it.

The pair of boots from before walked in and came to a halt in front of the yellow chair, which she now noticed also had a faint flower pattern. At a distance now she could see slightly more of the shoe, it had a nice shiny leather and tight laces. The boots were spaced apart about a foot and angled outwards. One began to tap up and down repeatedly, but sporadically. Anxiously.

Silence came over the group, and there was shifting as all the furniture creaked. Weight came off of the couch, the shoes straightened to be parallel with one another. Two pairs of shoes softly walked past, one after the other nearly in sync. They identically were large, curved to form, and white with gold accents. These went past her sight and came to stop further down.

There was the shifting of fabric and a soft creak. Then the rest of the shoes relaxed and the furniture once again creaked.

“Give me the report.” an old, but firm voice commanded.

“The weapon is in place, your majesty. I saw to it myself.”

“Yes, I know that.” an impatient tapping began.

“Your son, Prince Roarich is entertaining the guests as we speak. It appears that they are at ease. We have studied them and seem to confirm that they are here to spy out the palace and grounds, so our precautions to alter the rooms seem to have been helpful.”

“How soon can we begin?”

“Well, your majesty, it would do well to allow the visitors to return home to report so the Brushonites will be at ease. When they come back for the second time, we can detain them and launch our attack. So perhaps in a week?”

“And what of the political sphere? Will not the people protest?”

“We have been working on this just as your majesty commanded.” One of the shoes by the yellow chair shifted backward slightly. “Prince Muiredach suggested that we frame them for attempted murder of you, your highness-” 

“What does he know of this??” another voice interrupted coolly.

“Your highness?” the foot that hadn’t moved.

“He was not supposed to know any of our plans!” the voice continued fiercely.

“None of my men said anything, sire, we assumed you told him what you wanted him to know. He is a commander after all.”

“He may be a commander, but he’s also my brother, and we may as well treat him as we treat the Brushonites.”

“Now Aldwych,” the old voice laughed, “Can you really say that? You’re the one who’s been too soft on the boy! You’ve let him develop some fantasy that he can beat you for the throne. If you really want him out of the picture you ought to do more than just send him on a fool’s errand. You can see how well that went, some call it a waste of resources, more deem him a hero.”

“Nevermind that, whether they see it well or not, he went against my command. From here on you are not to even acknowledge if he seems to know anything. The only part he is to play in this war is that of a pawn, we want him robotically obeying without any mind of the bigger picture. He’s a liability to all of us and the kingdom.”

For a moment no sound came, a creaking readjustment. 

“Your highness, if you are so worried about your brother, perhaps you ought not assign him to anything. The post he’s leaving for today is rather close to the target, isn’t it?” Emilia frowned, shifting forward. “If he’s heard any rumors he may be tempted to look into it further.”

“Are you presuming I don’t know what I’m doing?”

“No, your highness, I never said anything of the sort-“

“Then just take care of your job.”

“I did it, Muiredach!” she began, slipping through the servant’s passage.

A short woman with auburn hair turned to face her, a tube of lipstick in her hand. Her hair was pinned up in curls and she wore a grand robe with blue layers extending to the floor, covering her shoes.

“Hello,” the woman greeted her with a thick accent. “Can I help you?”

“Oh,” Emilia curtsied, “Forgive me, my lady. I should be asking you that question. May I fetch you anything?”

“No, come sit.” the woman waved to a chair. “I wait to see Prince Muiredach, he is traveling away tonight, and it saddens me that I should not better our relationship at this time. But you might entertain me for now.”

Emilia came to stand by the chair, but waited for the woman to pull herself up before getting into her chair. “I am afraid, my lady, that I am far from an entertainer.”

“Oh? But you already look so entertaining.” the woman gestured at her.

Emilia looked at herself, and saw her clothing was half covered in dust, which she immediately began to wipe down. “Pardon, your servant,” she coughed, feeling her face grow hot. “I was cleaning a very ill-used room, and seem to have forgotten to change.”

“It seems many rooms are ‘ill-used‘.” the woman mused, “I find dust in the strangest places.”

“I apologize, might I know where you find it lacking? I will take care of it.” she stood up, seeing her opportunity.

“No, I haven’t any mind. It brings me back home.” she laughed. “I am from Brushon, you see. And it is dusty now in the drought.”

“I’m sorry, my lady.” 

The door creaked open and Prince Muiredach came in, looking smart in his gray uniform. 

“Your highness,” the lady curtsied. Emilia quickly followed suit.

“Your highness,” he returned a bow. Then he looked between the stranger and Emilia, looking amused. “Well, Princess Natasia, I see you have met my good friend, Emilia.” 

“Yes, she comes to wait for your return as was I, myself.”

“Well, I am glad to see you as well. You look beautiful.” he kissed her gloved hand. He had a simple ring on his left hand.

Emilia glowered, but remained quiet.

“I also leave shortly, perhaps you wait and accompany me to the border?” she suggested.

“My post is not near the border,” he shook his head, looking down at her. “I’m sure I will return soon though.”

“Your brother does like to push things, doesn’t he? Sending you this close to the wedding? What if something delays you?”

“Then, I am delayed. There’s no need for you to worry about it.”

Emilia clenched her fists.

“Be honest with me, will your kingdom allow this marriage to work?”

“If we are convinced that you would.”

“And are you?”

“Am I? Yes, I believe so. There’s room for doubt in all things, but I have my hopes.” he smiled gently. “Do you mind, for just a moment?” he tilted his head towards Emilia.

“Certainly, since this is precious friend.” she curtsied again and walked out of the door. They waited for the door to click and then he turned his focus to her.

“What is that??” she pointed at his hand.

He held it up and took off the ring to show her.

She turned it over.

“And?”

“It’s yours.” he knelt in front of her.

“It’s mine?” She examined it, finding three letters engraved inside: NTS.

“It’s a latin phrase, novum tempus simul, a new time together.”

“Uh-uh,” she said, slipping it on her finger.

“So how did the mission go?” He sat on the couch.

“Fine.” she said.

“And?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Emilia . . . you’re jumping to conclusions again, aren’t you? Look what’s on your hand.”

She looked at it and rubbed it, still not lifting her heavy brows.

Shadows shifted under the doorway. “Maybe I shouldn’t say.”

“Emilia,” he groaned, “You’re not going to play this game again, are you? Today of all days? I love you, okay? Happy?”

She didn’t smile. “Fine, I’ll tell you, but whatever happens is on your head.”

Emilia ran her hands through her hair, looking over the balcony at the city below. The lights twinkled like stars. She felt a tear run down her face and pulled off the ring to look at again.

“Dear friend?” a sweet voice called.

She wiped her face and turned to see the princess. She was just as beautiful as before, although now in a nightgown. With her flat slippers she was still a smidge taller than Emilia.

“Your highness,” Emilia curtsied. “What are you doing up so late?”

“I’m anxious,” she sighed and came to stand shoulder to shoulder, looking at the city. “Don’t take me for a fool. I know your kingdom has no goodwill towards us Brushonites. And I fear even with Muiredach’s intervention we will be plunged into another bloody battle.”

“His intervention?”

“Based on your information.” she looked straight in Emilia’s eyes. “Didn’t he say? Perhaps you aren’t as close as I supposed-“

“I just didn’t realize he told you is all. So you know our plan to strike Brushon? Why wouldn’t you report it to your kingdom?”

“Well then we would naturally be plunged into war- Brushon hates you as much as you us. Years of bloodshed will do that. So, my hopes are that he can at least delay his side, and I delay mine so we can go through with the marriage and actually establish peace.”

She clenched the ring deeper in her hand. 

“What if he’s just playing you? Surely he wants our kingdom to succeed, why would he ruin our plots?”

“Because he’s a good king. Or he will be a good king- all the people want is peace, and if he can establish that then they’ll exalt him even over his brothers.”

“That’s true.” Emilia mused. “Do you truly trust him then?”

“As well as I can.” the princess agreed, shrugging. “I’ve known him for years after all.”

 “Would you excuse me?” she curtsied, turning away purposefully.

“So what do you want in exchange?” the short man asked her, pulling a cloak on. 

“Nothing, but to set things right. And I ask that you not reveal me, even if later it should seem I am again loyal to my kingdom.” Emilia rubbed her hands, nervously. She kept her head down, noting his shoes had a colorful pattern stitched in along the rim.

“We will take the princess back then. His majesty will certainly have some words to say about her mischief.”

“Thank you, sir. I will be glad to see her corrected.”

She left the room and slumped against the wall in exhaustion. She looked at the ring again and went home to sleep.

“You appear half-dead.” Sobrina remarked kindly.

Emilia made no response, but continued sweeping. She pushed a couch aside and found an odd area where the dust seemed disturbed. She swept it away vigorously.

“What is wrong with you? Did you get dumped?”

Emilia glared at her.

“You did. Oh dear.” she held out her arms and wrapped her up. 

She sniffled a little, but pushed her away.

“It’s fine, I won’t be the only one hurting for it.”

“Oh, I don’t like that.” Sobrina raised her eyebrows, “What did you do?”

She swept harder, throwing the dust everywhere. Then her steam trickled out and she came to a stop staring forward. “What did I do? I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

The door opened suddenly, slamming into the wall.

“Miss Emilia,” they turned to see Commander Brickendolf and a couple men.

She gulped and gave a curtsy, “Yes, sir?”

“Come with me.”

She walked next to him looking down without seeing. After a moment her eyes adjusted again and she found herself looking at his feet.

“Your shoes . . .”

He looked at her strangely.

“Oh, nothing. I just like the pattern on the bottom.”

He frowned harder.

They came to the ballroom, which was still arranged with tables and plants. Only now, the chairs were all filled.

“Miss Emilia,” Commander Brickendolf bowed and moved to the side, leaving her in the center of the room.

She felt clammy and resisted the urge to rub her neck.

“Your majesty, your highnesses,” she curtsied to the trio in the center, all in white, including the shoes.

“What can you tell us about Prince Muiredach?” the king spoke calmly through his gray beard.

“Umm, I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, sire.”

“Where is he!” Prince Aldwych slammed his hand down. “And where is the princess?”

Her heart dropped.

“I-I don’t know.” she stammered.

“You talked with both of them yesterday. We know that. What did you tell them?”

“As for the prince, I only answered his questions.” she said, defensively, “He asked about his highness, Prince Aldwych, whom I have overheard saying intended to post him far away from the border.”

“And the princess I told nothing,” she shook her head as though confused, “She was merely telling me her hopes of her marriage.”

She looked at Prince Roarich, there was no ring on his hands. 

“I told them nothing else. But, what I heard her say I did not know how to interpret. She seemed to act in confidence with the prince, and said she wished he could accompany her, though they would meet soon, I thought for the wedding.”

They murmured and spoke with one another.

“Is it not clear!?” Prince Aldwych slammed his hand down. “My brother has betrayed our plans to the Brushonites. Or else they would not now be guarding that passage as they do. We must act immediately, before they gather more forces.”

They began yelling over one another.

“No. No.” she said looking back and forth, but no one listened.

“Thank you for your testimony,” Commander Brickendolf said sadly, leading her aside. “I only wish it were not so. But have no doubt that you will be handsomely rewarded.”

She wore a thin smile. “Ah, thank you.” she looked down at her shoes, that seemed to be falling apart at the soles.

“Of course.” the commander studied her, and patted her shoulder. “Maybe you can get a pair of shoes like mine with it.”

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