1 Princess Persephone
The sunflowers in the castle’s courtyard swayed back and forth in the breeze. Persephone followed their movements from her perch on the window sill of her room. There was a gentle pull on her hair from the brush in her lady-in-waiting’s hand. Delphi seemed to be the only one in Persephone’s twenty one years of life that could tame the vicious locks. The best her mother could do when she was alive was to get it into a messy bun. That was alright with the princess, who preferred to let her dark hair fly in the wind. Not today. Today was important. She had to look her best, to look like the queen she was meant to be.
“You’re thinking too much.” Delphi said as she started to braid.
Persephone huffed out a breath, “Thinking too much? You know the only thing going on in this brain is wondering what’s for lunch.” Her shoulders dropped slightly, the sound of Delphi’s voice bringing an instant calm over her.
“Chicken breasts and green beans.”
“Yum. As soon as this meeting is over, I’m running to the dining room.”
“And I will be there waiting for you, my princess.” Delphi said with a smile as she put the finishing touches on the updo.
When her hair was complete, Persephone turned and looked up at the brown eyed beauty, wrapping her arms around her and pulling her close.
Delphi glanced around the room on instinct but allowed her body to be moved, “We have to get your dress on, Princess.”
“Mm...just one kiss first? When I woke up this morning, you were already gone from my bed.”
“Because some of us had to prepare for the Royal Advisors’ visit.” Delphi said as she draped her arms around Persephone’s neck.
“Blah, blah, blah, you know I don’t like excuses.” She teased.
Delphi laughed softly and leaned down, her lips connecting with Persephone’s. They have kissed many times, but it always felt like the first when they could have these stolen moments together. Away from prying eyes, away from judgment, they could be Persephone and Delphi.
After a few moments, Delphi pulled back, Persephone following her with her month, “Alright, come on. We wasted enough time.”
“Just a few more minutes?”
Delphi sighed and left her arms, going over to the partition, “The Royal Advisors will be here any minute and you don’t want to keep them waiting.”
Persephone groaned and stood up, walking across the room, “I hate talking to those gross, old men.” She stood with her back to Delphi, who put the corset around her and began to tighten it.
“Well hopefully after today and the coronation, you will never have to see their faces again.” When she was finished with the corset, she grabbed the gown that was hanging on the partition. It was a pale yellow with lace around the bodice.
Persephone lifted her arms and the dress slipped on. As Delphi buttoned it up, Persephone looked at herself in the mirror. It was the same dress her mother wore when she married her father, becoming the Queen of Helianthus. She could feel them both with her today, their pride flowing through her. She would be the Queen they trained her to be.
Delphi helped her get her shoes on then stood next to her, smiling in the mirror, “You look so beautiful.”
Persephone smiled and turned her head to kiss her again, but this time there was a knock at the door.
“Princess Persephone, the Royal Advisors are here and set up in the King’s study.” Albert, the castle butler, said through the door.
Persephone stood up a little straighter, “This is it.”
Delphi squeezed her hand, “I’ll see you after.”
Persephone squeezed her hand back then dropped it, making her way to the door.
Persephone didn’t go into her father’s study much. It felt disrespectful to her to be invading his private space, yet this was where the Royal Advisors chose to meet her whenever they came to the castle.
As she entered the study, she looked at the three men sitting around her father’s old desk. It was hard to tell the difference between the three, they all had the same appearance and acted like they shared the same brain. They have technically been the ones to run the Kingdom since her parents’ untimely end. Persephone was sixteen when she was orphaned. It had been a long five years to say the least.
“Sir Reginald, Sir Henry, Sir Gregory, lovely to see you as always.” The Princess said, giving an exaggerated curtsy.
Sir Reginald cleared his throat, looking unimpressed, “Princess Persephone, as per our letter, the meeting was supposed to begin at 10 o’clock. It is now 5 minutes past.”
Persephone had to hold her tongue, “I do so apologize to our distinguished guests. As a woman, it takes much longer for me to be presentable. Unfortunately I can’t throw a robe on and be ready for the day, I wasn’t blessed with the same luck you were.” She said with a false smile as she sat in the chair across from the three men.
Each one looked as if they wanted nothing more than to push her off the highest tower, “Nontheless, we should get started with why we are here.” Sir Henry said.
Persephone put up a hand, “No need to waste your breath, I know what this is about. Just hand over the books, be there for my crowning, and then we will never have to see each other’s faces again.”
Sir Gregory could barely keep the glee off of his face, a strange sight which should have been the first clue to Persephone that something was amiss, “Oh Princess, you misunderstand our reason for this visit.”
Persephone raised an eyebrow, “Well, it’s pretty obvious. You’re here to hand over the kingdom to me.”
“Not quite.” Sir Henry said.
She sat up a little straighter in her chair, “‘Not quite’?”
Sir Reginald allowed a small smile to spread across his face, “There seems to be a law that has been overlooked. You cannot be the Queen of Helianthus. That is, not without a King.”
