A Very Bad Idea
CAPITAL, VALORIA.
In the heart of the regal palace, Danae entered the room adorned with opulence. Glistening marble floors stretched beneath an intricately wooden tapestry, depicting tales of mythical creatures.
Walls draped in royal blue silk exuded elegance, their surface adorned with gold leafed accents that caught the ambient glow of the crystal chandeliers.
A grand four poster bed, draped in rich burgundy and gold fabrics, stood as the centerpiece. Its delicately carved mahogany frame whispered tales of skilled artisans. Soft, plush cushions in shades of amethyst and sapphire adorned the bed, inviting Danae to surrender to comfort after her arduous journey from Pinecrest.
Convincing her father didn't go as she had planned. She had expected him to vehemently refuse as he did earlier but he hugged her instead. It made her heart sink, it made her wonder if she was actually choosing the right path; choosing to cure someone she barely knew. He was the Crown Prince quite alright, but he was like a ghost, nameless and even faceless.
But she was going to try.
The air was filled with the subtle fragrance of lavender, emanating from delicate arrangements of flowers adorned the room. It was the first time she'd ever had such a big room with so many details. Large arched windows, adorned with heavy velvet curtains, framed views of manicured gardens and distant spires.
As Danae sank into the luxurious bed, the weariness from her travels melted away. The room cradled her in a cocoon of regality as her tired eyes dozed off to slumberland.
Danae woke up to knock on the door as she sat her groggy self up.
"You may come in." She said, chewing her mouth and scratching her head.
"Good afternoon, my lady." A young lady said as she walked in carrying a box. "Her Majesty, the Queen has requested your presence." She said as she set the box on the table and turned to face her.
"Oh," Danae replied as she looked in uncertainty.
"Pardon my manners, my lady. My name is Ty Lee and I am going to be your maid as of today. Please tell me whatever it is you need and I'll do it right away." She said as she bowed.
Danae kept looking at her in confusion. "I'm sorry. I… I'm not a princess or something. I don't need a maid."
"You are a very important guest in the palace, my lady. Her Majesty has requested that you be treated with top royalty and respect." Ty Lee said with a smile.
"Well… Uhmm. I don't know what to say but here's what's gonna happen. You're not gonna be my maid but my friend." Danae said as she got up. "I know I just arrived here but I would love you to show me around. It's my first time in the capital and out of my hometown." She smiled.
Ty Lee smiled back sweetly. "Well, word has gone around about you being a very wonderful storyteller."
"That went around fast."
"You should start getting ready, my lady. I have prepared a hot bath for you." She said as she opened the box to bring out the dress.
Danae sank into the tub and heaved a sigh of relief as the hot water touched her skin. Ty Lee sat behind her and began to scrub her back.
Ty Lee was cute. She embodied youthful grace and charm. Although her height was petite, her delicate frame embodied subtle strength. Ty Lee's eyes, a mesmerizing shade of green, sparkled a playful gleam, reflecting the vivacity within her spirit.
Her skin was smooth, untouched by the rigors of time. A cascade of chestnut curls framed her heart shaped face, accentuating the softness of her features.
"You have a very fine skin, my lady." Ty Lee said in her sweet melodic voice that possessed a gentle cadence.
Amid Danae's surroundings, Ty Lee's charm added a touch of sweetness, making her a beacon of grace in the tapestry of the royal court.
Danae strode down the gigantic hallways as Ty Lee followed from behind. The murmurs and whispers of the palace workers danced in Danae's ears as she tried to ignore the heavy pounding of her chest.
Danae closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and waved to Ty Lee as she went on with her duties. She cleared her throat and nodded to the guards to open the door.
"You can do this Danae! You can!" She said to herself as she walked in.
Alfeus stood on the side and gave her a slight bow as she approached. Danae bowed to the Queen who sat beside the enormous throne.
"Rise my darling." Queen Imelda said, signaling her to sit.
"Thank you so much for your kind gesture, your Majesty," Danae said to her.
"I should be grateful to you for making that decision. I know you haven't settled in fully but there are urgent things to discuss. Alfeus." She said, nodding to Alfeus.
Alfeus got up and handed her a scroll then went back to where he sat. "There contains the conditions of your services to the Prince. You are to remain quiet about what your business is in the palace. We don't want rumors flying around the palace which can definitely cause much more problems."
Danae opened the scroll and skimmed through. She closed it back and turned to the Queen.
"Can I get to visit my parents?"
"Yes you can, but once in six months. You get to visit them twice in a year except for urgent situations." Alfeus explained.
Danae looked at the scroll she was holding again and thought. She chose this path, it would be fair to bear with whatever came with it.
"When do I see His Highness?" Danae asked.
Alfeus looked at the Queen and there was a short silence. Danae understood. In fairness, she wasn't even ready to meet the Prince yet as she had so many questions.
What if the Prince didn't want to see her? What if he hates her stories? What if he has horns or looks like a ghost?
"I'll let you know when it's time to see His Majesty." The Queen said and dismissed her. "I am putting all my hopes in you Danae." The Queen added as Danae bowed.
"And most importantly Danae," the Queen said, looking down at Danae. "You have three months and you must never, I mean never breed or grow feelings for the Prince."
"I understand, Your Majesty," Dana replied, bowing her head.
It could never happen in the first place. There was no way she would have feelings for the Prince. Although she hadn't seen him before, what if he was actually ugly and had a bad posture? And also, she never wanted to get tangled in the personal affairs of the Crown.
She had read too many stories of Queens being put in tough positions all in the name of the Crown.
Danae put the scroll in her pocket as she left the throne room. She looked left and right, the urge to tour the gigantic palace in her mind and her forgetting what way she came from.
She wandered the hallways, hearing giggles from the servants and maids as she walked past. She waved to some, and some waved back and quickly walked away to their chores. It felt different, a different way that she felt lonely. She missed her family, her brother, the horses, the people at Pinecrest, and Pinecrest itself.
She rested on the wooden bridge railing and stared at the clear pond below. She looked different, her hair styled in a low bun. She was used to having her hair down and less makeup.
She sighed as she brought out the scroll again to read when someone hit her hand, causing the scroll to fall.
"Hey —"