Avala

The ceiling of room was covered in ornaments. Small flowers, flourishes, many birds and butterflies, all in white. I never have seen someone build a room and it was truly a mystery to me on how someone could manage to put up those architectural wonders. I once had read that our ceilings have been inspired by the architecture of the humans before us and their books that did survive.

I rested my head on pillow and counted the minutes till someone would come and set me free to go visit Master Eachann. Till the age of seventeen it was required to visit certain classes and learn certain subjects for people of the upper class. My teacher had been Master Eachann since I recall thinking. He had given me all the books to read, he had taught me so unbelievably much that I for eternity will be in his dept. Master Eachann was an effervescent old man. With a firm voice and never-ending monologues. After I turned seventeen, I still visited him regularly, so regularly that I ordered my lessons with him to continue. His mind was as deep as the ocean between Melar and Teliassen and his knowledge as infinite as it's water.

My head jolted up when I hear someone enter my room, my dirty blonde hair was a mess and I quickly decided to pull some strands behind my ear. Lady Brynja had appeared, her hair braided back, she was wearing coral jewelry and a white dress. She was very skinny and had broad shoulders, her pinkish fair skin made her look sickish. Though her appearance there was never hesitation or doubt in her husky voice.

"The tailor has called an appointment for you today. Soon enough there will be a ball, you have to attend. We will make you passable for that.", she explained to me.

"I'm quite aware of the rules of behavior Lady Brynja, I'm highborn. I have been trained to eat correctly, address titles precisely. Etiquette is not something that is exclusively learned by crown princesses. Nevertheless I understand that I need to get a fitting wardrobe for the event. So Lady Brynja you may escort me to the royal tailor, but please stop treating me like a stray dog.", I got up and my blue modest dress fell down to my knees.

Brynja looked at me like she wanted to raise all hells to eliminate me. Her lips were pressed together, frowning. With her hands she was fiddling impatiently. Internally I wished it had been Lady Colia, who had come to escort me. And I asked myself if when they really didn't find Keeva, if Brynia would have to become my Lady, if I would have to take Keeva's team as my own.

We didn't speak with one another while walking through the hallway. The icy silence between us said enough. I was glad when we arrived the tailor, she gave me a cold nod and left again.

Sir Callum was waiting for me inside. He had become a legend under the upper class admirers of fashion. He was the genius behind every single of Keeva's dresses and armor, before that he had been the genius behind every single dress and armor of my mother. Callum had deepest wide eyes and black skin, a few shades darker than the family of Adalsteinn. He was wearing pastel green breaches with white stockings underneath and a jade-green waistcoat lavishly embroidered.

Fashion and the crown had a long backstory and went hand in hand. Clothing always had been used as a way of communication, as a symbol. The line of Douglas had avoided using violent embroidery, had chosen the butterfly as their symbol. Lightness and transformation were the things my family tried to value. Their queens the had dressed like warriors, their kings they had dressed like leaders. Every single ruler had their own style that had made them famous. I knew that Keeva always had worn a signature fishbone braid and had dyed her hair to be similar to mothers. Neither of us have inherited her auburn hair, yet Keeva had her facial features.

Making Keeva resemble to a previous beloved leader was a great strategy. One probably developed by my uncle. He and Keeva always had been the closest of our family, though I'm sure it was merely a work relation. Getting Keeva on his team saved him is life a couple of times. Keeva was beloved, she was strong and the right amount of rebellious. Well apparently they miscalculated because she is gone now.

Callum started at me pervious, as if he was reading me. "Princess Avala, it is a pleasure to meet you. May you come over and look at the dresses I have prepared for you?", he commanded, I could hear a slight teliassian accent in his voice, because of the way he slurred his words.

I stepped trough the room that looked like if thousand colors had exploded. The walls were in different colors, the carpet was grass green, there was a colorful fresco on the ceiling, clothing and fabrics were everywhere distributed. I was nearly unable to focus on anything, the whole atmosphere was distracting, I asked myself how he managed to work every day.

My glance fell on the dressed he laid ready for me. One was in light blue and white gold with a sweetheart neckline, golden leaves were embroidered on it. Overall it did seem pretty, but I was sure if I would wear it the fabric would fall down in a straight line, I would look like an secondary Lady. And I was sure that this tailor visit meant that I was going to take Keeva's role in the ball while she is absent. Normally Colia went down to the tailor picked a dress two days in advance, never did I have to go personally weeks before.

The second dress was made out of light lime colored chiffon and a v-neck. There were no sparkles or embroidery whatsoever. I'm sure the dress would have looked pretty on someone with tan skin, but on me it would make me look pale and sick.

My third choice was the one I liked the best, it was a silver sequin stargazing gown. It looked like a cloud had fallen down from the sky. I'm sure if I had touched the fabric it would feel soft on my skin. The back of the dress was free, what I did really like. If I would put it on I would look fairy like, soft and gentle.

Meek and frail.

I remembered the words that had hit me like a thunderstorm. That is what Callum was doing. He was letting me play the meek and frail sister of a bright warrior princess. The pastel color palate, the minimalist jewelry lying on his desk, I was able to see a simple emerald cut diamond ring and a simple silver tiara.

No matter on how bad the circumstances would play me, I would never allow anyone to use me as a pawn in their chess game.

Callum's eyes rested on me, longing for me to yell out in awe and tell him what good of a job he had done. But I turned my back on him and pointed into a different direction. There was a voluminous azure gown on a mannequin. The ends of the dress made it look like someone had been dancing in the sea.

"What about that one Sir Callum?", I asked him.

It was worth a try, if he would tell me no, I still could wear the third dress.

"Oh, this masterpiece was reserved for crown princess Keeva Regani, my serene highness", Callum commented.

"I'd like to try on that one", I replied contrary.

I could hear him cough, I was unsure if he was choking on the fact that I had the guts to object his words. "I'm afraid, your serene highness", he said and hesitated a little. "That your serene highness does not have the same bust measurement as her sister. Sometimes nature can be unjust. But what your serene highness lacks in bosom she makes up in bottom".

I didn't even get the time to anger myself at Callum's words and the phoniness of his eloquent speech. Someone behind us had cleared their throat. I turned around.

Oh no. I was not letting myself get body shamed in front of Edan Duncan.

I also could let him believe that I wanted my sister's dress.

With the rapid fire burning in my veins, I raised my voice giving an order. "Sir Callum, what you have showed me is quite lovely indeed. But I think blue isn't fitting for me anyways. The other dresses you have showed me are also very nice. But nice is the little sister of boring. I want a draft of a new dress in bright red in the next two days. You have enough time to make me a complete new one".

I raised my eyebrows when he searched for words to contradict me, which ultimately shut him up.

I focused on the queen's knight now. "Edan Duncan, what a pleasure", I said sarcastically. "I'm sure you are here to escort me to another wonderful place I have to attend. Another emergency council meeting, maybe?"

He shook his head. "The library, your grace".

I smiled pleased with relief. Returning to my books and Master Eachann was a delightful idea. "You would excuse me Sir Callum. My duties are calling.", I told him caustic.

.

"Where is Master Eachann? Why do I have to sit here with you?", I hoped my relentless questions would make Edan Duncan talk, but they did not. He sat opposite of me at a long rowan table, studying an ancient looking book.

He had escorted me wordless into a Master Eachann-less library, made me sit down and read an history book, which seemed like a lot of repetition of things I already knew.

I crossed my arms over my chest, silent protest hadn't worked, loud protest hadn't worked. Maybe violence would? With all the power I had in my untrained arms I threw my book into his direction. Alas he was able to duck in the right moment and it didn't even touch him, damn Captain Adalsteinn and her training. My book hit the self and there was a loud sound and a cloud of dust.

Edan's eyes finally rested on my face, I had at least gotten his attention. With all the books around him and the dusty air, he almost seemed like a man of letters. Maybe in an alternative he would have become a master instead of a knight. I could see him in an olive robe, tired red eyes talking about some book he read.

Edan didn't answer my questions, but murmured instead. "How does one address a high born correctly, princess Avala?"

Talking about something I did know was at least better than saying nothing. "One addresses them by their correct title. A male knight, guard, royal tailor as Sir, a female one as Lady. Is the person married, by their surname, is the person unwed by their first name. Though there are exceptions. Is the person an unwed Master, Captain or a knight of the queen, the highest ruler can choose by which name to refer to them. For example it would make no difference if I would call you Sir Edan, Sir Duncan or Sir Edan Duncan. Although if you were secretly married I would have to call you Sir Duncan."

He nodded. I wasn't entirely sure if he thought I was stupid or not when he did ask me the next mundane question. "Tell me about your family symbol, what does it mean?".

"The butterfly. It stands for metamorphosis, ongoing change, restlessness. It stands for the ability to change, to change with it's people. It stands for the ability to fly, to take risks. It stands for easiness. The butterfly crown is our most expensive piece of jewelry and it is the most important one. Whoever carries it, has the power over our realm. Levitas vincit. Levity wins.", my voice almost sounded bored when I recited the facts. History was my territory and no matter what question, he would ask it couldn't shake me.

"Levitas vincit, that is correct. Keeva always forgot", he mumbled and folded his hands together.

Well that is because Keeva didn't have her priorities straight.

"Now tell me Edan, why are you here playing games with me, asking easy history questions? Where is Master Eachann? He has been my teacher since years. I have doubt you have a richer knowledge than him. Why are you here?", my voice was austere. I wanted an answer, I deserved an answer.

He closed his eyes and let go a deep sigh. He looked so young and calm when he did that. I would go as far as describe him as handsome. His light skin was slightly tanned by the sun, he must have been training outdoors. His eyes reminded me of amber, they were russet with a hint of yellow and green, I could see some golden sprinkles in his iris, warm and welcoming. But I happen to have great distrust in warm and welcoming.

"I shouldn't tell you this", he said sober.

"Well screw what you should and what you shouldn't. I'm not going to cooperate anyways, I might cooperate more, if someone actually would tell me what is going on", I cut him short.

Edan brushed with his fingers over his book and waited silently. After a while he began to speak.

"I knew about the tunnel, so they think I helped her. So they are punishing me by spending time with you, turning you into an acceptable makeshift. Master Eachann had reported the tunnel many years ago, so they think he is involved too. Master Eachann doesn't have an influential family, so I think he is counting his last days somewhere in a dungeon. So far there is not a trace of her, till we get her back he is not being released."

I clenched my hands to fists. There was pure anger pounding through me. I wasn't ember any more, I was a blaze. How dare they make an old man suffer for the mistakes of another. I knew him better than anyone else, he had nothing to do with my sister's escape.

"Av", Edan's voice was somewhere near me. I hadn't realized that my senses had gone numb, that he had moved to my side of the table and sat on the edge. I wasn't called by my nickname for a very long time. My parents had called me that, Keeva did occasionally. Him saying those words, trying to calm me down, felt more intimate than I felt comfortable with.

He repeated again. "Av. The more you work with us, the easier it is going to be. If you talk to your uncle calmly, he might let him go free. If you do your job he might agree. We will find Keeva soon and everything will be over, there are people scanning every bit of Melar, there are people going through every ship to Teliassen to find her. Even people in the North are searching for her. Let's make this easy, shall we. You stop throwing any objects at me, stop talking back to influential people that we might need and play little sister for a week or two. Then your master gets free, if not even before that and you are back to living your normal life. Play by the rules and let me help you."

"I'm not going to wear the butterfly crown", I informed him.

"You don't have to", he put out his hand.

And I loathed myself for taking it.