Violet Eyes (11 page)

“Steward, how many bushels does each produce a year from the land he works?” the king asked.

Violet listened as the steward gave his answer. She studied the two men closely. The argument was over whether or not there had been an agreement, which meant one of them was lying. The question was, which one?

Each man continued to argue his side, while the king asked additional questions. Violet watched each man closely as he responded, and even more closely when he was listening to the other one.

“Violet, what do you think?” the king asked quietly.

She was surprised that the king would ask her opinion. “The tall man is lying.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She nodded, convinced finally of the truth. “They had an agreement; the tall one is lying.”

“How do you know that?”

“Given the crops being raised, the short man could not possibly expect to plant and harvest without a steady supply of water. He would have been a fool not to have an agreement with his neighbor.”

“And what makes you think he’s not a fool?”

Violet answered, “Because he looks you in the eyes; he’s hiding nothing. The tall one won’t look anyone here in the eyes, including his neighbor.”

“Thank you, Violet. I appreciate your insight,” the king said. “Steward, make sure the dam is removed from the stream.”

The steward bowed and escorted the two men out. “Violet, you may leave now,” the king said.

“Thank you,” she answered, not sure what else to say, and left.

Violet returned to her room, where Genevieve was waiting, wide-eyed. “You were gone for so long!”

“There was a lot going on down there,” Violet said.

“Did you pass?”

“I don’t know. They are going to announce the results at dinner.”

“That’s cruel! Waiting the whole day is going to be dreadful.”

“Princess Genevieve, Their Majesties are ready for you,” said the steward from the doorway.

Genevieve stood up from her chair and followed him out. Violet wanted to wish her good luck, but in truth she hoped that every other girl failed, including Genevieve.

Violet sat down in a chair and stared at the window looking toward her village in the distance. She tried not to think about the test, or Richard, or her mother. It left her very little to think about.

C
HAPTER
S
EVEN

Genevieve was subdued when she returned from the test.

“How did you do?” Violet asked.

“Fine. I could tell which threads were silk.”

Violet’s heart fell, but she struggled to smile. “Then why aren’t you happy and smiling?”

“Someday I’ll be queen of my own country or another. There are some things I’m not looking forward to in that regard. I complain that I never get to do anything, which is true. Some of the responsibilities of being queen, though, I don’t want.”

“I’m sorry.”

Genevieve shrugged. “Let’s talk about something happy.”

“Like what?”

“Like how we’re going to fix your hair for dinner tonight.”

Violet laughed. “That’s not exactly what comes to my mind when I think of happy.”

Genevieve grinned from ear to ear. “Are you kidding? This could be great. No one ever lets me fix my own hair, so I can at least do yours.”

Violet couldn’t help but smile at Genevieve’s enthusiasm. An hour later the smile had turned into a grimace as Genevieve put the finishing touches on her hair. “Ouch,” Violet said.

“Sorry. Your hair was really tangled,” Genevieve said. “Not anymore, though. I think you’ll like it.”

She handed Violet a looking glass. “It’s amazing,” Violet said in awe. Half her hair was piled high atop her head, and the rest of it cascaded down in waves.

“I’m glad you like it,” Genevieve said, pride in her voice.

There was a knock at the door, and once again the steward appeared. “Ladies, there will be a ball tonight following dinner.”

Genevieve squealed in excitement, and the man backed out of the room.

“Perfect, your hair is already done.”

“Do you want me to hold your maids at bay so you can fix your own?” Violet asked, standing up to stretch her legs.

“Could you? That would be wonderful!”

Violet reached the doorway just in time to intercept the maids. “Her Highness does not require your services,” Violet told them.

“We’re here to take care of her and to make sure
she shines,” the one in charge said, her jaw set stubbornly.

Violet smiled serenely and straightened her posture. She was at least three inches taller, and she took advantage of the height difference. “The princess needs no help shining. When she has need of your services, she will call for you.”

The maid looked like she was about to argue with her. “Please make them go away,” she heard Genevieve whisper.

Violet took a deep breath. “You will go now or suffer my wrath.” She put as much authority into her voice as possible. She was a princess, and even if she wasn’t, they didn’t know that. The maids might be used to pushing Genevieve around, confident that they had her parents’ backing. But if they were smart, they would know better than to defy a princess they were not responsible for readying.

It worked. Grudgingly, all three women dropped their eyes and took several steps back. “She will send for you when she has need of you,” Violet said. “You may go now.”

The three maids turned and walked down the hall. Violet watched them until they were out of sight and then sagged against the door frame.

“You were magnificent!” Genevieve said. “Thank you ever so much.”

“You’re welcome. If you don’t look your best tonight, though, I’m sure the tall one is going to have my head.”

While Genevieve began to work on her hair, Violet investigated the armoire which held the clothes that had been sent for her. There were half a dozen dresses ranging from a simple blue dress to a stunning black one that looked fit for a queen.

“Do we wear different dresses to the ball than to dinner?” Violet asked.

“That depends entirely on our choosing. Most of the girls will probably change between dinner and the ball. I would just as soon only have to change once.”

“Me too.”

“So let’s wear the dresses we want to wear to the ball and pledge to each other that we won’t spill food on them.”

“Done,” Violet said with a smile. “I think I’ve found the perfect dress.” She pulled out a lavender gown that was the same color as her eyes.

“Perfect,” the other girl breathed.

Violet picked at her food, too nervous to eat. She noticed that around her most of the others were doing the same. Genevieve and a girl with silvery white hair seemed to be the only ones with an appetite.

Violet kept stealing glances at Richard. He didn’t seem to be eating either and seemed uncomfortable. Was it possible that even he didn’t know the results? Or did he perhaps know that she had failed?

At last the king called them all to attention. Violet could feel fear and excitement filling the room.

“As you know, the first test was given today. Seventeen of you passed.”

Violet’s jaw dropped. Genevieve was right. The princesses who embroidered could tell the difference, whereas her work-hardened hands could not. In dismay she wondered about the three who had failed and was sure that she was one of them.

“Julianna, Rowena, and Esther, you are free to go, or to stay, if you like, to enjoy the festivities.”

The three young women rose from the table, curtsied, and left the room.

Violet sat very still. She had passed the first test, and she was still in the competition! Part of her, though, felt horrible that she had only passed because Richard and Duke had helped her. But if she had been raised as a princess, she would probably have been able to tell the difference.

“Congratulations,” Genevieve whispered.

“Thanks. You too.”

Violet glanced up to the head of the table and saw Richard smiling at her, a look of relief on his face. So he hadn’t known in advance who had passed either.

Violet surveyed the rest of the competition. Relief and excitement were the predominating emotions on people’s faces. Everyone who had been too nervous to touch her food at dinner now ate the dessert set before her voraciously.

Dinner came to a close, and all of the guests left the table, having been informed that the ball would commence in an hour. Most of the girls headed for
their rooms. Violet and Genevieve decided to pass the time outside instead. The night was serene, the sky was clear, and thousands of stars shone brightly.

They strolled through the garden. Even though it was nighttime, many torches were lit along the pathway, and Violet marveled at everything around her. There were statues that towered over her, fountains that fed tiny ponds, and an endless variety of flowers. Everything was beautiful, and it took Violet’s breath away. Genevieve noticed.

“You act like you’ve never seen a garden before.”

“I’ve seen plenty of fields of wildflowers and crops, but none that were for decoration instead of food.”

Genevieve gave her a strange look, but before she could say anything, they spied a girl sitting alone on one of the benches. She had golden hair that fell in rings to her shoulders. She was weeping.

“Who is that?” Violet asked in a whisper. She knew it wasn’t one of the three girls who had failed the test.

“That’s Goldie. I feel sorry for her.”

“Why?” Violet asked.

“Her parents died a couple of years ago. She’s set to become queen when she turns eighteen. Her uncle is currently acting as regent.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I don’t trust him. He’s a foul man, and I would be surprised if she lives to see that birthday.”

“That’s terrible!” Violet gasped, her heart going out to the other girl.

“I think she suspects so too. That’s one of the
reasons she’s so eager to marry Prince Richard. Her uncle wouldn’t dare try anything then.”

“But wouldn’t she and Richard rule both kingdoms then?” Violet asked.

Genevieve shrugged. “They’d rule hers until his parents die. Then, who knows? Maybe a lost heir of Cambria will appear. You know, there have been rumors that a baby escaped the massacre here.”

“So I’ve heard,” Violet said, hastily averting her eyes.

“You know, you’ve never said which kingdom you’re from,” Genevieve said suddenly.

“From this one,” Violet said, taking a deep breath.

Genevieve put a hand on Violet’s arm, and Violet turned to face her.

“You? You’re the lost heir of Cambria?”

“I don’t know what I am,” Violet confessed. “Until two days ago I was just a farm girl. Then my parents told me that a woman had entrusted me to their safekeeping when I was an infant and that they thought that I could be the princess.”

“This is incredible!” Genevieve said, pulling her away from Goldie for a little privacy. “This means that you are the rightful queen of Cambria.”

Violet shook her head. “That’s not what I want.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Richard,” she said with a sigh.

“That I can’t help you with,” Genevieve said.

Violet looked over her shoulder. “Do you think we should go talk to Goldie?”

Genevieve shook her head. “I think she wants to be alone.”

“Maybe that’s just because she feels alone.”

Genevieve sighed. “You have a point.”

Together they retraced their steps and approached Goldie. The other girl looked up, startled, at their approach.

Violet and Genevieve sat down on either side of her. “Is there something wrong?” Violet asked.

Goldie nodded. “You’ve seen my tears. It’s no use lying about them.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Violet asked.

“Yes.”

Violet was surprised, but she reached out and took Goldie’s hand. “What is it?”

“Promise me that if one of you wins this challenge, you will help me in my coming struggle with my uncle.”