Princess of Athelia: An Unfinished Fairy Tales Novella by Aya Ling

husband was as meek as a lamb when she first met him.” Amelie lays down the brush with a decisive thud. “All I want to do now is to keep my job and lead a peaceful life.”
    Poor Bertram.

 
     
     
    12
     
    “So, what did you do to attract His Highness?”
    Dozens of beautifully powdered faces stare at me. I’m sitting with the noble ladies while Edward is again grouse-hunting with the men. I would have liked to have gone with them, but Edward told me that although there was no rule preventing women from joining a shooting party, it would look especially awkward if I were the only woman who wanted to go out and watch men firing at pheasants and geese and ducks. And so, I have to stay indoors with the ladies, who have nothing better to do except to talk, sip tea, and play cards.
    “We have been dying to learn how you seduced the prince,” Claire says, her eyes brimming with curiosity. I can almost imagine her thrusting a mic beneath my chin like a reporter.
    “Um . . .” I reach for the teacup only to find it already empty.
    “Pardon my bluntness, but Bianca usually attracts more attention. Fancy sharing with us how you managed to capture our prince’s heart?”
    I really wish I could escape from this room. “I . . . I kind of met him when I went to see Elle and her mother.”
    “Do you mean the servant girl who turned out to be the daughter of the late earl?” Constance says. “Such a fascinating story! I’ve been looking forward to meeting her, but unfortunately she is too busy to come.”
    The conversation turns to Elle and the amazing story of how she elevated her status from penniless servant to daughter of an earl. Perhaps it’s just as well that Lady Petunia had a headache this morning, most likely from drinking too much wine the previous night, or she’d be irritated that so many women are intrigued by Elle. However, while Constance is fascinated by Elle’s rags-to-riches story, I don’t think she’d be happy to welcome Elle as a daughter-in-law. Seeing that I’m unwilling to talk too much about Edward, the ladies gradually let their attention move toward other juicy bits. I hear about Lord Alfred writing letters to Lady Bracknell—who is already married, by the way—and how Lady Priscilla has produced five daughters—too bad she has failed to produce a son—and that Minnie May is coming out soon, and would someone please draw up a list of eligible suitors for her?
    It’s all so very boring, so I keep drinking cup after cup, even though I’m not a huge fan of chamomile tea, until I actually have to leave for the toilet. Athelia does have toilets that flush; however, only the richest can afford them—just as with cameras. Some modern appliances exist, though they’re still in the early stages. In fact, Edward has mentioned to me that they are building a new railroad, which will be completed by the time of the wedding.
    “Excuse me,” I say, rising. “I need to be gone for a moment. I’m afraid I had too much tea.”
    On my way out, I run into Lillie. She has her hair down, and it curls gently on her shoulders. A perfect, angelic beauty.
    “Hello.” I give her a smile. I would keep going if she didn’t call my name.
    “May I speak to you for a moment?”
    “Um . . .” The bathroom is just around the corner. “All right.”
    Lillie clasps her hands together. “I . . . I would like to apologize to you.”
    “Whatever for?”
    She looks up at me hesitantly. “Constance said I appeared rather forward with Edward. So, I wished to seek you and explain.”
    I debate whether I should mention to her that there was this girl who sent Edward a baleful letter, dotted with tear stains, asking him why he didn’t choose her at the ball. Or the other amazingly resourceful girl who managed to ambush him when he was going to the greenhouse—Bertram caught that one before she could get Edward into a compromising situation. Neither girl, of course, had bothered explaining anything to