Violet Eyes (19 page)

Violet looked at Arianna, who was smiling.

“The fourth test came when most of the princesses became ill from the food they ate. While some thought we were testing to see if their stomachs were too sensitive for peasant food, this test was devised to
measure something quite different. We wanted to see how the girls would respond in the face of adversity, whether they could continue on despite hardship. Perseverance was the key.”

“I said so!” Violet heard Genevieve exclaim.

“The fifth test, a test of burning the princesses’ delicate skin, was in fact a test to see who understood sacrifice. We asked these ladies to sacrifice something of value, their beauty.”

Violet smiled while looking at her still bandaged hand. No one could say she hadn’t passed that test.

“This leaves us with one final test, a test that we shall conduct here with all of you as witness.”

Violet felt her heart sink as she waited to hear the challenge.

“Each princess will tell us why she would be the best person to marry our son.”

The king sat down amidst the sudden uproar. Violet stared dumbfounded at Goldie. Violet knew nothing of speaking in front of a large group of people, and she doubted she could convince anyone that she was the most worthy princess.

“Princess Celeste will go first,” the queen said.

Celeste rose to her feet, and the crowd quieted. She was calm, composed, and sure of herself. Her eyes swept everyone in the room, and Violet couldn’t help but admire her poise. “Long has there been bad blood between Cambria and Lore. These are old feuds whose time has passed. An alliance between Lore and Cambria will ensure peace between these
two great kingdoms, and their combined strength will discourage aggression in others. I bring the heart and goodwill of my people. I also bring the wisdom and experience to rule at your son’s side.”

She took her seat amidst loud applause, particularly from the many Lorians who were present. Violet stared down at her injured hand, trying to decide what she would say.

“Princess Ruth, would you please speak?” the queen asked.

Ruth stood. Her red hair was piled high on her head, standing straighter than she managed to stand. Her hands were shaking, and she kept her eyes fixed on the table. “I have passed every test. I am the most sensitive princess of the four of us. I also know how difficult it can be to lead. Please choose me.”

Princess Ruth sat down to a scattering of applause. Violet’s heart began to race as she prayed she could do better.

“Princess Violet, why are you the best choice to marry our son?”

Violet rose to her feet, took a deep breath, and looked the queen in the eyes.

“I am the best choice for the simple reason that I love your son more than anything. I have left my home to be here. I have sacrificed much, including my family and my dignity, attempting to pass these tests. I know that I have demonstrated the qualities that you are looking for in the new princess of Cambria. I have no kingdom, no riches, no alliances to bring to this marriage. I
can offer nothing but myself, but I believe that to be of great value. And I would cherish every day I had with Richard and live it as though it were my last.”

Violet sat back in her chair and heard a few people applauding for her, though she suspected it was her friends.

“And Princess Goldie, what do you have to say?”

Goldie rose to her feet. Her perfect ringlets dusted her shoulders, and looking at her, Violet knew she would be a great queen. “Of everyone here I have the most to offer and the most to gain from an alliance with Cambria. I do not need to tell you the wisdom of that. However, I don’t believe that is the question. You haven’t asked me what’s best for Cambria, but what is best for your son. I know in my heart that Violet is best for your son. She inspires friendship in those who would be rivals. She has compassion for others, the likes of which I have never seen. She understands hardship in a way none of the rest of us ever will, and yet she has the courage of a lion. She has pledged to me her aid, when I made no such pledge to her. She loves your son. She loves Cambria. But even more than that, she
is
Cambria.”

Goldie sat down and gave Violet a small smile. Violet just stared at her in return. “You are a true queen,” Violet said, reaching out to take Goldie’s hand. Finally understanding the qualities that made a queen, she could think of no higher compliment.

“As you will be shortly,” Goldie said, squeezing her hand.

Violet glanced toward Richard and saw his parents whisper briefly to each other. Then the king stood up again, and the room fell silent. “All four young women have exceptional qualities. This final test, one of self-confidence, has been most illuminating. The queen and I will spend tonight thinking and discussing what has happened here. In the morning we will make it known who our son will marry—Celeste or Violet.”

Pandemonium broke out as roars of excitement went up from the onlookers. There were a few disappointed exclamations that punctuated as well, but they were mostly drowned out by the clamoring of a hundred voices. Violet turned to Goldie. “What just happened?”

Goldie shook her head. “It’s just you and Celeste now. Tomorrow we all will know who will marry Prince Richard and become the future queen of Cambria.”

Violet looked up at Richard and tried to smile but couldn’t. The thought of waiting another minute without knowing her fate was more than she could bear.

“What do I do now?” she asked Goldie.

“Unfortunately, you wait.”

Arianna and Genevieve came up to hug her, but Violet felt as one in a dream. At last the steward approached her.

“Their Majesties have requested that you and Princess Celeste be moved to more comfortable rooms for the night while you await their decision.”

“But I like my room,” Violet said, panicking at the thought of being alone. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, and she was counting on Genevieve to keep her from pacing all night long.

“Nevertheless, a special room has been prepared.”

Her friends each gave her a quick hug, and then Violet found herself following the steward. She was surprised when he didn’t lead her over to the staircase but instead past the throne room. They continued on, and she was surprised to discover another corridor of doors that she hadn’t seen before. The steward came to a stop before a great wooden door that was elaborately carved with flowers and gargoyles, and he opened it.

The room was empty except for a bed. Violet came to an abrupt stop and stared at it. There had to be at least twenty mattresses stacked one on top of the other. A ladder was propped up against the foot of the bed to allow the sleeper to climb up.

“I’m supposed to sleep up there?” Violet asked in disbelief.

“Oh, yes, and you should be honored. Not just any guest is invited to sleep in this room. It’s a special room, and you will find that the bed is the softest you’ve ever experienced.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” Violet admitted.

“You must at least try. Your things will be brought to you later so you can refresh yourself.”

Violet sighed. She wished she could sneak back to her old room with Genevieve and spend the night talking with her, but it probably wouldn’t do to insult the generosity of Richard’s parents, if they had specially selected this room for her. Resigned, Violet climbed the ladder carefully and finally settled onto the pile of mattresses. It was wonderfully soft, and she realized that she was incredibly tired. Her eyes closed, and Violet fell into a deep sleep.

Richard glared at both his parents, who were sitting serenely in front of the hearth in their chambers, sipping spiced cider as though they were discussing nothing more important than what to have for breakfast.

“You must tell me which one you plan to choose as my bride,” Richard insisted.

“Why, so you can run away with Violet if we plan on choosing Celeste?” his father asked.

“So I can properly prepare myself for tomorrow, my wedding, my future.”

“Patience is the one virtue we didn’t teach him well,” his mother remarked to his father.

Richard felt like he was going to lose his mind. His life and happiness hung in the balance, and his parents wanted to lecture him on patience. “Just tell me who!” he pleaded through clenched teeth.

“The truth is, we don’t know who it will be yet,” his father said with a sigh.

“What do you mean, you don’t know? What else could you possibly need to learn about them to make a decision?” Richard asked. Then, suddenly, it came to him. “There’s a final test, isn’t there?” he asked.

“Yes,” his mother said, so quietly he almost didn’t hear her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because we didn’t want either Celeste or Violet to know there was one additional test,” the king said.

Richard stared at his father’s face, wondering if his father knew or only suspected that he had been warning Violet about the challenges. Richard’s mother, though, was the one to break the stalemate.

“We know that you’ve been passing information on to Violet.”

“How do you know?” Richard asked.

“You are our son,” she said.

“We would have been disappointed if you had left everything to chance,” Charles said.

Richard stared at them. They continued to sip their cider, and from the looks on their faces he knew he would get nothing more out of them. Richard excused himself. There was nothing he could do to help Violet through the last test. That left him only one choice. Outside, Richard saddled up Baron, and soon they were racing toward Violet’s home.

When Prince Richard arrived at the small farmhouse, it was the middle of the night. He wished he had another choice but to wake the occupants at such a late hour. Time was running out, though.

Richard knocked lightly on the wooden door, and not long afterward a light flared on inside. William opened the door just as raindrops began to fall.

“Your Highness!” William exclaimed.

“I’m terribly sorry to bother you so late. We need to talk,” Richard said.

The bad people were coming. She could feel them, hear them. They were running through the castle, shouting and angry. There were torches that blazed so hot. She could hear screaming. Her mother! There was the sound of a sword striking another sword and then a terrible silence. Hands were reaching for her, but she hit at them. She was afraid, and she didn’t want to leave. Where would she go? Who would take care of her and love her?

More darkness, more shouting. She was so very frightened, and so was the woman, not her mother, but always so nice. She could smell the fear coming off of her. They ran, faster and faster. But she knew they would never escape. The bad people would always follow, and they would find her. She screamed, but no sound would come out.

Then it was daylight, and she was playing in a field. Her father was coming to her, and he was crying. Her brother was dead. But he wasn’t really her brother—how come she knew that but no one else did?

And there, just behind her father’s shoulder, ever leering, ever mocking, was the shadow. She tried to run, but the shadow reached out for her with spindly arms and grabbed hold of her. She tried to get away, but it was stronger than she was, and it caught her clothes and hair!

Violet woke up screaming. She sat straight up, panting for breath. She was drenched in sweat, and the pile of mattresses shook slightly from side to side. She lay back down, heart pounding in terror.
You’re okay
, Violet told herself repeatedly, until she started to believe it.

Finally, exhaustion took hold, and she fell into a fitful sleep. Then the nightmares started all over again.

C
HAPTER
T
HIRTEEN

When Violet finally woke in the morning, she was exhausted. Genevieve arrived with her three maids, and together they made a production out of getting Violet dressed for the day.

“You look perfect,” Genevieve said, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

“I wish I felt perfect,” Violet joked.

Genevieve hugged her. “You’re going to be just fine. I know they’re going to choose you.”