A blush crept into Page’s cheeks as she wondered how long she had been watched by whoever was watching her now. She waited for them to reveal themselves. When they didn’t, she leaned back onto the ground, her face looking up into the heavens and the kami at her side. Her sweat streaked face welcomed the chill of the night air and she undid the thong that kept her hair captive, feeling the heat leave her body through her head as she ran her fingers through her hair.

The clapping had stopped. “Oh, do come out. I’d rather not feel like I was being watched by a specter,” she said, loudly, and didn’t look up as she heard the footsteps approach her.

“That was rather spectacular, did you know? And you got it all in one day. I’m surprised.” The voice was male, deepened, at least a year or two older than Page.

“How long have you been watching?”

“Oh, since about when Sable began to teach you.”

“Why were you watching me?”

“Because your pleasing to the eye.”

“What? ‘Pleasing to the eye’? Where do you come from? Vaniky?”

“I’m sorry if my proper grammar offends your Majesty.”

“Don’t call me that.” She felt like crying as soon as he had said that. It was really all too much. She was away from home, a different species, and royalty, all in one day, and damn it, she wasn’t used to it yet. She didn’t accept it yet. And her butt hurt terribly. Slowly, she got to her feet, using the kami for assistance. She leaned heavily on it, not caring that she was sweaty and covered with sand from the practice court.

She found herself staring at a man at least sixteen years old. He was robed in silk, embroidered with gold. His hair was dark, his eyes green, and he was obviously an elf. She swayed where she stood, but she wasn’t going to just leave. He smiled at her, and she resisted the urge to punch him and walk away. She had known several men like this one. So caught up in themselves and how great they were that they couldn’t seem to grasp why any girl would not fall down at their feet, weeping about their glory. Any desire to cry left her.

“And you are?”

“Kamahl, Maje—I mean Page.”

“Stop stalking me, Kamahl. I don’t want your attentions.” She turned and limped out of the court, not waiting for a response, not expecting one either. She found her rooms with little difficulty, as the stair way had been unblocked. She wondered if she was to share her floor now, and with whom. Dismissing it, she stepped in, and gasped. Over the day her room had changed from the simple abode to a chamber filled with everything a princess could want, from jewelry to dresses. It also seemed as if the three surrounding rooms had added to its size. Her aches didn’t stop her curiosity. As she walked around her floor, she found that it was her own house. There was a washroom, a room to accept guest, a library… A wing fit for a princess.

But I’m not a princess, she thought glumly. But she thanked the people who had changed her floor, and slipped into bed naked after washing in the marble tub. The finery she was provided with for sleeping was irritating. The bed was soft, though, and soon she found herself drifting off into sleep.

ك

She woke suddenly, wondering what time it was, as her door let in none of the outside light. There was a patient knocking on the door. “Princess, are you decent?”

“No.” She muttered grouchily at the door. She pulled on a robe and went over to her closet, and shifted through the silks and dresses. “What is all of this? I don’t need all of these dresses. I don’t wear dresses like this.”

“Shut it and open it again, Princess.”

“All right.” She did as she was told, and found herself looking at a closet filled with breeches and fitted shirts. Her eyes widened, and she thought happily of the magic lessons she was to receive. Slipping the cloths on, she called out, “Come in.”

A young girl, perhaps thirteen, opened the door and stepped in, bringing a tray. She kept her eyes on the floor, but Page could tell she was human. She placed it at the foot of her bed, turned and bowed, then began to back out the door.

“Hold on a bit,” Page called, feeling utterly deserted. The girl stopped obediently, eyes still on the floor. Page sighed, thinking, This is going to take some time. “I’m Page. Who are you?”

“Akriti.”

“Are you going to be my,” She paused, thinking of the word. “Servant for the time.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Come over here, please, your making me uncomfortable standing over there by the door. And you can look at me, I won’t bite.” The girl cast a furtive glance at her and caught her smile. She grinned back, for the first time not looking like a broken wraith. She walked over to her new princess, and sat on the bed when prompted.

“Akriti, if your going to be doing things for me, it would be more comfortable for both of us if you could just call me Page. I’m not used to being a princess yet. Second, you’ve lived here all of your life. I’ve only been awake for a day. I could use your help as a guide more than a maid. By the way, are there more of you going to be working in my quarters?”

“Yes, Page. His Majesty has five maids working on your floor, me, Deepika, Devi, Isha, and Trish work on your floor.”

“Good, then you wont be missed. Are you the youngest?”

“Yes, all of the other girls are at least nineteen.”

“Good. Their paths are determined. Yours, however, is not.” She looked over Akriti’s drab clothing and went over to her closet. “Come here. We cant have you walking around with me like that. I’m sure the Price would get mad. Come on, closet. Give me some cloths for Akriti.” Opening it up, she found simple gowns of satin and gauze, and, pulling out a dark burgundy one, she decided this one would compliment the girls blond hair. She pulled out a pair of sandals that laced up the girl legs and then told the girl to go bathe. She handed her some toiletries from her dresser and sent her next door with a robe and a towel. Akriti came back, minutes later, clean and prettier than anyone could have imagined before.

“Um, Page, I’m not sure how to put on a dress by myself, not one like this,” she commented, holding it up and obviously in awe that she was going to wear it.

“Well, do you have any underclothes on?”

“Yes.”

“Then let me do it.” Akriti seemed appalled that the princess would be dressing her, but gave in as Page deftly pulled all the parts into place. Akriti laced her own sandals, and giggled as Page sprayed sent onto her.

“I think you’re ready for society now, miss,” Page said, mock bowing to her, and let Akriti lead her to her first class.