Chapter Two

Sadie followed obediently down the stairs. As they passed the girl, her eyes stuck to her, unable to look away. She finally tore away when the girl locked gazes with her. As they reached the throne, her mother leaned over and angrily whispered, “I don’t know what you are staring at but stop!”

Immediately dropping her gaze, Sadie listened to the room explode once more into the noisy bustle. As was expected, guests of importance began making themselves acquainted to the family. She greeted them all, extending her hand and mumbling a greeting such as, “Charmed” or “Good evening”.

After a while, the girl she’d been transfixed by was suddenly before them, a gentle smile on her porcelain face. Sadie’s eyes widened, but he bored looking expression did not altar.

“Good Evening your Majesties,” She said curtseying gently, “It is a blessing to finally meet you! I am Princess Armelle of France.” She slowly lifted from her curtsy and looked up at them. Her eyes played across Sadie, then rushed back to the King and Queen.

“My goodness what a lovely young lady! I’ve been most excited to meet you!” King Basil cried and beamed down at Princess Armelle, “How wonderful!”

The rest of the conversation was a blur to Sadie, she simply watched in wonder as Armelle talked with the King and Queen. Her eyes…

“Princess Sadie?”

Jumping slightly, Sadie’s eyes grew wide as she realized Armelle was talking to her.

“Yes, pardon me.” She said, somewhat blandly.

“I’m so very pleased to meet you!” Armelle said nodding to her.

Swallowing loudly, Sadie tried to seem bored, successfully.

“Quite.” She replied.

Armelle flashed her a genuine smile and curtseyed once more before parting.

“Don’t leave early! I shall like to talk more with you!” Basil cried, waving his hand after her. Armelle laughed in reply, “Of course you Majesty!”

Eventually after what seemed an endless line of nobleman and ladies, Sadie managed to break away from her the King and Queen. She quietly as possible, rushed out onto the outdoor balcony overlooking the garden. She took a deep breath, relieved that no one had followed her. She stalked over to the railing and rested her head in her hand.

“What is the point?” She growled loudly, “ I don’t want to marry any of those stuffy brutes.”

A sudden giggle made her turn her head quickly. Armelle’s eyes grew wide and her hand flew across her mouth.

“Forgive me Princess, I – I –“ Armelle cried and nearly collapsed to the ground. Her stomach turned wildly inside her. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the blow. Instead she got a heart laugh from Sadie.

“It was rather funny!” Sadie laughed and made her way over to Armelle, “Thank God someone here doesn’t pretend.”

Armelle stood confused, her face still white with fear.

“You don’t mind my being… well, me?” Armelle asked, unable to think of another way to phrase it. Sadie smiled, her blue eyes staring into Armelle’s brown ones.

“Of course not!” Sadie exclaimed, “I never dreamt I’d find someone who’d be a human being.”

Armelle laughed once more and her shoulders relaxed. Sadie sat down on a stone bench and motioned for Armelle to follow.

“It’s refreshing to find someone alive around here!”

Before she realized what was happening, Armelle found herself completely losing her composure and talking with Sadie as if they’d been friends all their life. Eventually after Armelle had told Sadie a joke about the housemaid back in France (Causing Sadie to collapse in a fit of laughter) a small man came running onto the balcony in a great flurry.

“Princess Sadie!” He gasped, “There you are! I’ve been searching endlessly! You are required by your father to dance with a number of young men he has picked out!”

Sadie groaned and slammed her fist against her thigh. “Come dance with me!” She cried excitedly to Armelle. Armelle shook her head and chuckled, “I’ve had my share of dancing enough for one night!” She said thinking back to Prince Clovis.

“Well, come be near me than so I can be comforted!” Sadie cried playfully. Armelle agreed and they laughing made their way towards the ballroom, arm in arm. As predicted a string of hopeful looking young men (and a few old ones) stood waiting for Sadie.

Armelle stood watch, and tried desperately to stifle her laughter as Sadie rolled her eyes and spun around the dance floor on the arm of many men. She constantly made eye contact with Armelle and mouthed things or made faces.

In the middle of the fifth waltz Sadie was dancing with a young buck who looked very please with himself, but kept stepping on her toes. Sadie turned and looked desperately at Armelle. “HELP ME!” She mouthed.

Armelle dashed onto the floor and tapped the man on the shoulder. “May I cut in?” She asked, unable to hide her laughter. Baffled, he stumbled backwards as Armelle and Sadie began dancing together. People watching laughed and pointed, everyone finding humor in the joke except for a certain Prince Clovis and the young man who’d been forgotten on the side.

As the song slowed and turned romantic, Sadie drew Armelle closer and they kept on dancing with one another, wide smiles on their faces.

The music floated about them in a cloud and Sadie held on tight to Armelle. She felt powerful, and thought that reason could possibly be because she was slightly older then Armelle but couldn’t tell.

Their laughter had died a long time ago and now they simply stared into one another’s eyes. As the song began to slow to an end they pressed together and their faces grew closer. Sadie felt her heart racing in her chest as Armelle’s arms wrapped around her waist. Sadie began to close her eyes and in a fury of passion felt an undying need to press her lips to Armelle’s and by the look in her eye, Armelle did too.

The closed the distance between them and just when their lips were less than an inch apart, their eyes both snapped open. The paused and stared at one another then quickly broke apart, both looking on one another in a cross between fear and want.