32 Spoken and Unspoken

Elsewhere in the palace, young maidens roamed through the garden, plucking the stems of roses and other blooming flowers to twist into the wreaths atop their heads. The girls flocked together in fours or fives, gaily giggling about current gossip, marriage topics, potential partners and what not. 

Before they twisted the stalks together, servants were sure to cut off any thorns to protect the young ladies' delicate hands.

Older women, those who have already married and with children, gathered in the center of the garden - each adored with decorative coronets or tiaras. They mingled in circles, keeping graceful conversations while covertly sizing up the other guests.

Observing the festivities from a table on the high platform, the Queen rose the amber liquid to her scarlet lips and took a sip. Her hair of coppery blond curls were loosely swept upward into a chignon bun and adorned with a crown of flowers made from precious jewels, some bigger than an an arrowhead.

And surrounding her were some of the more favored royal concubines and influential noble women.

"Auntie, what is this? I've never seen something so exquisite..." The one who spoke was the newest Belle of the Capital, a newly married lady to the grandson of the Duke. She held up Concubine Chasmi's thin wrist, slightly turning the intricately detailed cuff so that the sun's light would perfectly reflect onto the others.

The concubine thinly smiled, pulling her hand away from the young girl. "It was a gift from His Majesty. He received it from the Temple. They say it is to keep the prince strong and healthy."

The girl's eyes sparkled as if she had heard the most romantic gesture. "His Majesty must cherish you and the third prince dearly."

Many of the women around nodded in agreement. The second prince's mother certainly didn't receive this treatment, nor did the concubines who bore princesses. Perhaps the only Concubine that was pampered by the King was the eldest prince's mother, Concubine Esque, but everyone knew the ending to that. 

Specious eyes roamed the area for the infamous woman. It seemed that she had again opted out from attending the festivities.

Smart move, considering how laughable her most recent scandal was.

"This child will surely be loved," the Duchess Oldry concurred. Her vaunt attitude was backed by rationale. The third prince has their noble blood and support. With such a strong background, no matter how 'special' the eldest prince was in the King's heart, the boy certainly will not compare to her soon to be grandson.

The old woman eyed the flat abdomen. "You must fatten up a little. Listen well to the doula's and nurses. After today, you shouldn't leave your courtyard."

The Duchess' nagging seemed to be directed to her daughter, but unspoken words invisibly turned toward the Queen. If this weren't the only chance to see her daughter for the next several months, this old woman wouldn't have left her mansion this morning. For what purpose did the Queen invite them here?

The Queen, however, remained quiet from beginning to end, as if she was a bystander despite being the host. Chasmi had to curse her family in her heart. They've never known how to be low-key.

The conversation continued to flatter the future prince as if the babe already had ears and could hear each and every word they were saying. Then, when the compliments finally ran dry, the topic finally changed.

"Is it true? The rumor about the golden bird visiting the eldest prince when he was sick?"

Once again, the one to ask was the ever-curious Belle of the Capital; her query directed to her aunt. Being the youngest of the group, no one could fault her. Plus, they, too, wished to know the truth.

Ears turned to Concubine Chasmi who again sighed in her heart. "I don't know. Since my pregnancy, I haven't gone out much... I've yet to see the bird for my own eyes." 

The girl nodded, "Surely, if it were true, then more news would be provided by the Temple." 

The Prince was supposedly a literary genius, but being blessed by God would be too extraordinary. These noble women had to doubt the authenticity. Prince Ulfstead was half a commoner. God wouldn't reveal himself to someone with sullied blood.

"It's interesting..."

The heads synchronously twirled to the top seat, attention captive by the first syllable. "The golden bird is known as a phoenix in Terran. The symbol of resurrection and life..." Her voice contained a light accent, a laughable detail for someone who had lived in the country for nearly twenty years, but no one would dare point this out. "Here, it is seen as a great blessing... Yet, in Terran, it is known as an omen."

Complete and utter silence. No one dared to speak. Was the Queen crazy? How could she say something like this out loud? 

The scarlet lips widened, revealing a radiant smile. Her words spoken in the language of the prominent neighbors to the east, she sang in a poetic lilt,

"A trial shall begin when the golden bird flies into the flames.

A testament to all she brings a warning cry.

Sinners mock once. Sinners mock twice.

But once she dies, she will rise again."

Not many studied the Terran language. Which of these boudoir chauvinists would dare to learn something so derisive to the Kingdom?

An air of discomfort befell the platform. 

Then, the Queen laughed, "The omen is only for those who mock the Phoenix. In either scenario, the eldest prince is blessed. Isn't this a great thing?"

Hearing this, the women - well, all but the women of Duke Oldry's mansion - let out a sigh of relief. Still... none thought this was a simple telling of a tale from the gentle Queen.

It was hard finding another topic after that.

~~~

The children later moved from the garden to the pastures. Being stuck in their palaces all day, the princesses scarcely had the chance to see the horse fields as to keep way from foreign men. Only when they were accompanied by a male relative could they freely move about.

And for these sisters whose maternal families were distant in consideration to their concubine mothers' statuses, the two princes were the only male relatives they knew.

"Have you already ridden a horse?" Jovana asked, a tinge of jealousy in her voice. The children stood on the paved road beside the fences. Their current state of dress made it impractical for them to move any further.

"Not yet. Our teacher wanted us to learn how to take care of them first," Ulfstead answered. He didn't know if this was true or not, but so far, Ales had him and Lyfette feed the horses, groom their fur, and muck the stalls. 

When his father asked him about how he felt about doing this, Uflstead thought hard about his reply. "It's hard work... The bales of hay were hard to carry and cleaning the stalls was really gross," he began. Only Lyfette saw how the King's ingratiating smile turned pleased. The bastard King was happy to hear about their suffering.

"... at the same time, it's very rewarding. One of the mares was really skittish when she met us this morning, but after a while, she warmed up to us. She even licked Lyfette's face before we left." Still a little disgusted, Lyfette shivered from remembering the contact.

Ulfstead wasn't sure why, but his father seemed a little stupefied after that. It seemed that the King's little trick failed.

"Can we visit you while you are training one of these days?" Suzette eagerly asked. Trying to act sweetly, she swung her and Ulfstead's arms together.

"Of course," he said. He then thought for a moment before asking, "Did you want me to ask father to find you a female instructor to teach you how to ride?"

Not only the princesses, but even the guards and servants nearby were surprised by the eldest prince's words.

Suzette was the first to react. "Really? Yes, please!" Her voice dulcet as she unceremoniously hugged him. "Oh, brother, you are the best!"

Ulfstead contentedly hugged her back. Even with all the meaningless etiquette, these princesses fulfilled his past self's yearning for a family. No matter the circumstances that brought him here, he was always happy fulfill their wishes, spoken or unspoken.

After a while, Ulfstead felt a small tug on his sleeve. Pulling back from the embrace, he saw that it was the ever quiet tenth princess, Tacy. The girl's face was expressionless, similar yet different to the ever grumpy Lyfette's, but for a second, Ulfstead swore he saw a small lift of her lips. Suzette saw it too. Exuberantly, she then took in her older sister.

And just like that, the tenth princess was included into their sibling hug.

On the side, Jovana and Ekaterina locked gazes, they weren't so sure of the Prince's proposal. But...

Today was a joyous day and no matter what the King says, the thought was what counted. How great was it to have someone care about them? 

"Fifth sister, sixth sister! Come here! We're hugging!" Suzette exclaimed.

She didn't need to tell them twice. The older girl's laughed as they rounded their arms into the embrace.

The only one left was Lyfette. Ulfstead popped his head out and reached out his arm to the little sullen boy on the side. "Come here, brother. Sibling hug."

Lyfette thought the golden laurel wreath atop his brother's head was like a soft halo. Too beautiful to put into words. The small palm grasped another, pulling him into the middle.

And just like that, everyone was happy.