A Piegon

*Hidi*

After all the excitement back on the lawn, Hidi was more than thrilled to return to her room. The giant didn't even pause to admire the walls and furniture painted in opaque creams and dreamy purples and roses before immediately throwing back the doors of the armoire. 

She grabbed out everything in one go, wrapping her giant arms tightly to hug the dress, pulling the hangers with them carelessly as she did. Turning to then throw them all on the queen-sized bed, slightly small for her stature, but not quite, into one mass pile. Puffs of chiffon, tulle, and silk plopped into a morphless mess of pitiful decadence as Hidi scanned over them. Eyes gliding and dancing over which one to decide to try first.

"What do you think? Is this one good?" Hidi decided on one and yanked it free from the tangled mess on the bed. She held it against her. But Lady Pole only shrugged.

"Is not good then?" Hidi shrugged distractedly, throwing the dress over her shoulder A maid quietly moved to pick it up. But she needn't bother. As soon as she did, another was thrown over.

Hidi was determined to find just the right dress. Something that would overpower all the other girls. Not like she needed to. She was confident she was going to stand out one way or another. But the idea of dressing up for a certain handsome Prince was a bonus.

Would Nicoli like blue or yellow? Hidi thought, holding out both chiffon dresses. If only she knew what color he liked, it'd make this much easier. 

If I did, I would wear it, then. Hidi thought, smiling giddily to herself. 

"Which one do you think?" Hidi turned once more to get her friend's opinion. But the girl only wrapped her arms around her waist. She seemed to want nothing to do with it.

"This isn't fair." Lady Pole confessed, furrowing her brows. "I didn't pack for any ball. This was meant to be a tea party." 

"So? Life is unexpected, ja?" Hidi dropped the dress back to the pile. "You make do. Now stop being a stick in the mud, Lucy. Less you want me to dress you." 

Hidi stopped to give a playful wink. But Lucy only dropped her shoulders back, seeming even more despondent.

"But I didn't pack for a ball. " Lucy whined again, her small, plain features pushing together in a frown. Something which annoyed the giant. She was happy enough, so why couldn't her little mousy friend be? 

Was that so much to ask for? Sometimes, Hidi couldn't decide if Lucy was just naturally pessimistic or that she just inspired her to be.

Either way, it was annoying.

"Lucy, what do you have, then?" Hidi glanced over to her small trunks. "Perhaps you have something?"

"I just told you I didn't pack for a!" Lucy snapped with anger so sharp that Hidi arched her brow up at the outburst. 

Lucy gasped and immediately crumpled, eyes darting down to her feet. "I mean," Lucy uttered, keeping her head bowed. "I don't like it here." 

"No?" Hidi lifted a brow curiously to see the small girl her same age of 12 shook her head.

"I wanna go home."

"Why?" Hidi scuffed, moving to take her thick braid and wrap it around her giant fingers. "I'm having fun."

"Well, I'm not." 

"Oh?" Hidi mused before shifting into a crooked smile. 

"Because you didn't pack?"

"I just.. don't like it here." Lucy insisted, shifting her eyes to the side. "The queen…she isn't as nice as I thought." 

"Oh?" Hidi paused, lifting a brow at the revelation, but just as quickly, she laughed. "Why? I feel very welcomed."

"For you. Sure." Lucy shook her head. 

"But she didn't even talk to me when she showed me the castle yesterday."

"Didn't she?" Hidi asked with some disbelief. Because the Belinda she'd met was nothing but words and smiles. She found her pleasant.

"Funny." Hidi shrugged. "I have a different opinion."

"That's because the queen likes you." 

"And why wouldn't she?" Hidi turned halfway, a smile musing on her lips.

Lucy closed her tiny mouth, regretting even mentioning it. She sighed instead. "Can't we go, Hidi?" Lucy looked at her trunk.

"I don't want to be here. Let's forget the ball and-"

"Forget the ball?" And Hidi now turned fully, tilting her head back as if to look down on her.

"And forget a dance with his royal prince?"

"You-is that why you want to stay?" Lucy dropped her jaw, blinking a moment before it registered.

"You fancy Prince Nicoli?"

"I do." 

"You?" Lucy blinked before looking Hidi up and down.

"Can't I have him?" Hidi shrugged. She saw nothing more to it. And whatever Lucy saw, Hidi didn't seem to catch a problem.

"You're serious about this?" Lucy finally asked. Hidi nodded.

"Yes. I think him handsome."

"And that's all you need?" 

"Yes. I want him."

"Oh, Hidi," Lucy sighed, moving to sit down on the trunk to rub her face and bunch up deep wrinkles when she did. It was a habit of hers, and Hidi always thought it made her look old when she did.

Like an old grandma, Hidi mused, watching her. Always cautious and hesitant like a crone. However, Hidi found she rather that instead because it made things easier. Like the feeble, Lucy didn't fight back and would go along with just about anything. 

Save just before, Hidi noted from her raised tone. But, she let it go, only beaming a smile to fill her cheeks, enjoying the sight.

"I want him," Hidi replied like a child pointing at a toy. "And I will have him." 

"Oh, I know you will." Lucy rubbed her eyes again with a worn-down expression. "You always seem to get what you want." 

 After sighing out all the breath in one continuous go, she crawled her exasperated eyes up to meet Hidi's. 

"So… we're staying, then?"

Hidi only needed to smile in answer. 

Lucy sighed and turned to open the lid of her trunk, resigned. "I feel bad for all the girls coming here, then. They were all so hopeful. This was all a waste in coming." 

"No," Hidi shook her head, curling her lips with satisfaction. "I am happy to be here." And she paused, recalling her time at the table with a warmth in her chest.

It was adorable how Nicoli fought to keep her away from the bunny-like girl. Setting himself up like a white knight for his sister. Not that Hidi couldn't understand why, again finding the petite girl a beauty to even her standards. 

But still, it was amusing to see him get so riled up at her joke. And how much fun she had teasing him. Each taunt making him react stronger each time. Why, the prince was even handsome with his cheeks flushed when flustered. 

Teasing him is easy. Hidi was learning. And she liked it. It was fun to set him off.

But it will be nicer when he is sweet with me, too. Hidi thought warming to the idea because that's what she wanted. Just like she wanted to get to know the Empress better now. The girl was simply too cute to leave alone. Hidi was determined to grow close to her as well.

"And I got to meet Ana."

"You mean Empress Anastasia." Lucy clarified. Her face then fell a little.

"I'm surprised she came, to be honest."

"Oh?" Hidi lifted a brow. 

"It's been years since she last came to Dawny."

"Years?" Hidi blinked, feeling it jog something up to her mind.

"Yes, Nicoli did mention something like that," Hidi recalled, but that only made her curious.

"Why though? They seem so close."

Lucy grew silent a moment before she opened her mouth. Her voice had gone much softer as if careful to be heard.

"There was an incident."

"An incident?"

"Yes, years ago. With one of the Empress's maids and the Prince's cats."

"The Princes-" But before Hidi could get another word in, there was a knock at the door, and Hidi bide them come. Shortly, a blond servant entered. 

"Hello, your majesty." The maid started with a quick bounce.

"I'm here to bring news. The balls to be a costume party now." 

"A costume party?" Hidi repeated, and Lucy groaned.

"A costume? I don't even have a dress." Lucy put her head in her hands. Seemingly more troubled now than before.

Her distress seemed to have the maid perk up. 

"Is her lady okay?" The blond asked. Hidi shrugged.

"She'll get over it." And Hidi turned to look over her dresses anew. Her peridot eyes then flicked up to the particular deep yellow one. Behind it, she could spy a vase of sunflowers on the vanity.

It wasn't hard to put the two together in her mind. And Hidi smiled. That was an easy solution.

But now her mind was on something else.

What was all that about the cats? Hidi wished Lucy would go on to explain. But she was in too much distress, wallowing and moaning against another injustice on her plight. She'd be stuck like that for who knows how long.

Of all the times for Lucy to be so Lucy. 

Annoyed, that she would have to wait for the girl's tantrum to calm down, Hidi only turned back to see the maid bow as if to leave. Her business was done and she meant to go, skipping on her feet, but not before Hidi could add.

"Are you headed to her Empress's room next?"

"I, well, yes, I am." The maid chirped, almost proud, too.

Whatever had happened, Hidi got the sense it didn't have any bearing on the servants. Either they forgave her, or it wasn't that terrible. But for her not to show up for years? That only made Hidi more curious. 

What happened? Hidi needed to know now. And if Lucy was too lost to say it, she'd just find out herself, wouldn't she? And what was a better way than to go to the main source?

Hidi lifted her head to smile basking in her own cleverness.

"Don't." Hidi volunteered picking up her skirt to walk. "I'll go."

"Your majesty?" The blond servant blinked, but Hidi was already on her way. 

"I wonder what it was?" Hidi pondered softly under her breath, turning out into the hall, mind already filled with all kinds of notions. 

But the first thing was first. Hidi smiled to herself again as she glided down the hall, noting offhandedly how things were getting a little grudgeyer. The crisp decor was fading back. It was older, worn down as she moved. A curious note that Hidi put on the back of her mind to mull over later. But not now.

All that was important right now, was to find Ana first.

*Julia*

Julia paused in the hall, standing just before the Opal room door, where Queen Hildenberg was meant to reside with her companion, Lady Poole. It was the best room on the west side of the castle, befitting only fellow royalty. A good choice of her majesty to have the room prepared for her stay.

As if my lady ever has a wrong idea. Julia contended before moving to fix her apron, pulling the bows behind her neck tighter before running her hands over the frills to make them all bounce smoothly. She wanted to look presentable before making an appearance, just as if she were about to see Her Majesty Belinda,

Even if Julia already harbored some negative opinion against the giant. 

She's rather classless. Julia frowned a little, thinking back to their second encounter. The rude manner in which she demanded to get a cup back on the lawn, snapping her fingers after her as if Julia was some fresh maid who didn't know better. And not the experienced handmaid under the service of the very queen, still rubbed her the wrong way.

But regardless of what I think, Her Majesty is fond of the girl. And that was enough for Julia to forego her feelings, trusting Belinda's judgment. 

If Belinda wanted the giant to speak with her, Julia would perform her task well. So the old woman reeled back her shoulders, forcing the insult down, reminding herself she had a job to do.

With that in mind, Julia smoothed her apron once more, seeing it in fine order before sucking in a breath and holding it in to gain an inch or two taller. She fluttered her fingers to check all hairs still in her tight bun before moving to rap against the wooden door with her knuckles.

"Your Majesty?" Julia began after a moment of silence. "May I enter?" 

"Er…sure?" A strange voice irked back, softer than what Julia expected from a giant, but she let go. Assuming the door might have muddled her tone. Julia kept her head straight as she turned the knob to step in.

"Your majesty, I am here on behalf of my queen to request you…what are you two doing?"

"Hello Julia," Doxy smiled as she held a feather boa before the unremarkable Lady Pole, who was covered in grey camouflage on her face.

"We are making a pigeon for her ladyship costume." Doxy smiled. 

"A… pigeon?" 

Lady Pole only nodded stiffly.

"I didn't pack for a ball." Was the only words she could say, seemingly overdone and tired.

Julia opened her mouth a moment longer before having to shake her head. She was not here for this. She needed to stay focused.

Less incur the wrath of Belinda. 

"Where is her majesty?"

"She left." 

"She…left?" Julia breathed out, lingering on Doxy for a moment. 

"THen…where did she go?"

"To see Empress Anastasia," Doxy answered. "She wanted to tell her about the costume ball."

"She went to go tell her?" Julia mouthed in a delay before snapping her senses together to let out a heavy groan.

"Doxy, that was your job!" Julia pinched the space between her eyebrows, immediately feeling her back prickle up with annoyance. That was exactly why she warned her lady not to use Doxy.

But the damage was done, wasn't it? And Julia had no time to reprimand her. Not now, at least.

Because now she had to head to the complete other side of the castle. 

"Very well." Julia sighed, shaking her head, suddenly finding this task more daunting, like a wild goose chase. But she had to do it. Her Majesty was still waiting. And she had already disappointed her yesterday with the rooms.

So she couldn't disappoint her again. Failure to do so was not an option. 

Julia pulled up her skirt, shooting one hard look after the two, shaking her head again at their complete lack of surroundings, and then turning to disappear back into the hall. Leaving the two to stare after her.

"What is her problem?" Lucy looked over with some curiosity. Doxy just shrugged.

"She must not like pigeons." And Doxy went back to wrapping the boa around her neck.