Chapter Eight - A Royal Doll

I sat in silence as the luxurious carriage made its way out of the press of the stone buildings and up a winding road leading up a hill to the east. The houses clustered close together gave way to vineyards and rolling fields of wheat glowing golden beneath the sun, their stalks swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. I scowled at the idyllic scene fresh from a Hollywood movie and tugged irritably at the collar of the dress.

It took nearly twenty minutes of struggle to get the long, flowing silk dress, the bra, panties, chemise, hose, and garters in the right places, then another ten of struggle to get the dress on and then my hair done and now, sitting in the carriage across from the countess I decided it was far too much for me to handle. I was hot, I was sweating, and everything itched. My armor may be barely there and ratty, but it was infinitely more comfortable than this…thing.

“Stop fidgeting,” Carrisyn said without looking my way, her gaze directed out the window at the vineyards stretching away to the south.

“This is miserable,” I snapped irritably. “How do people even move in this? Besides, it doesn’t fit right. It’s too big on the chest, too small on the hips and doesn’t even go all the way down on my arms.”

“Of course, it doesn’t fit,” Carrisyn sighed. “It’s from a doll.”

“Eh?” I cocked my head. “A doll? I’m wearing doll clothes?”

“Yes.”

“What are you trying to say?” I demanded. I pulled the fabric around my chest away and stared down. “Are you trying to say a doll has bigger boobs than I do?”

“I am saying you are tiny and emaciated and I feel like I’m traveling with an ill-mannered child who will not stop fidgeting,” The countess replied, not looking at me. I scowled at her.

“Sayuri, is this dress from a doll?” I turned to the catgirl bouncing slightly on the seat next to me. She turned to me and smiled, her overly large eyes blinking slowly.

“Hai! Mistress, sir, lady said ‘find clothes for the idiot!’ so I stopped looking for how the princess knew…again…and looked for clothes,” Sayuri grinned. “There was a big doll sitting in a room and I took its dress and now it’s naked!”

“Great. I’m a doll,” I muttered. This is stupid, I thought.

The carriage came to a bumpy stop in front of a mansion which could fit my entire apartment block inside and still have room. I stepped out of the carriage after the driver opened the door and followed the countess toward the immense double doors. I craned my head up at a steep angle and could barely make out the peak of the roof towering above me.

“Stop fidgeting,” Carrisyn reiterated as we were led down a long, ornate hallway. Suits of armor adorned alcoves on either side and tall, narrow windows allowed filtered sunlight in to fall in spears on the blue and white marble floor. Guards bustled about while men and women in fine dress stood talking in small knots, all seemingly hoping for an audience with the prince.

“I can’t stop!” I hissed. “The underwear’s giving me a wedgie and the fabric feels like it’s made of fiberglass.” I pulled the panties free once again from where they had ridden up between my butt cheeks. I blushed as a guard cocked an eyebrow at me quizzically. Why did I even have to be here? I was nothing. Hell, less than nothing. How stupid.

“Deal with your ‘wedgie’ at a later time,” Carrisyn ordered dispassionately. “No one wears these clothes because they’re comfortable.”

“How come she gets to wear that summer dress and I have to wear the poison sumac doll clothes?” I growled, shooting a glare at Sayuri.

“Because she has a tail,” Carrisyn sighed. “This is neither the time nor location for this conversation. Get a hold of yourself.”

“Fine,” I snapped, fishing the offending underwear out once again. “It’s time you get a hold of yourself,” I muttered nonsensically under my breath.

“I believe we are expected,” Carrisyn told the pair of guards standing in front of the vast double doors at the end of the hall.

“Ah, yes, Countess Thorne and…,” the taller of the guards glanced at Sayuri and I and wrinkled his nose in distaste. “…party. Quite. Please wait a moment.” He ducked inside the room, leaving us outside with the other guard.

“This is exciting!” Sayuri enthused, holding my arm, and bouncing up and down, her tail swishing excitedly from side to side. “I wonder if it’s going to be like a fancy tea party. I bet they have scones! Oh! And tiny cakes!” The doors opened a moment later and a line of courtiers filed out, talking quietly among themselves. The guard finally reappeared and gestured us to follow him.

The throne room we were escorted into was far grander than a prince of the realm would require, I thought. White gold and sapphire were built into the walls, creating multiple representations of the flag of the kingdom amidst the deep onyx walls. Flags and banners hung from the vaulted ceiling several stories above the room, swaying in the gentle breeze blowing through hidden vents which piped fresh air in. On a raised dais at the far end of the room in a throne made of white gold and adorned with blue silk sat Prince Galen Rhade. He doesn’t seem like a tiny cake type of person, I thought as we drew nearer.

“Your highness,” the guard announced, dropping to one knee, and bowing his head. “I present Countess Carrisyn Thorne and guests.” The prince’s gaze passes over each of us, ending with his deep blue eyes staring at me. I shifted uncomfortably as he stared at me without speaking. Finally, he waved the guard away and turned his attention to Carrisyn. I realized I’d been holding my breath the entire time and let it out as softly as I could.

“I’ve heard you have good news for me,” The prince said after the guard closed the door behind him. There’s something about his eyes, I thought, looking at him surreptitiously while his attention was focused on the countess. Something dark and dangerous and…not natural. There was far more to Galen Rhade than what he chose to display. It would be wise to keep my guard up around this person, I decided.

“Indeed, your highness,” Carrisyn said with a bow. “I’ve found our way into the warrens and a visit with the Ri.”

“I’m assuming you’re referring to the half breed?” Galen glanced my way for a moment, and I felt my face flush in anger. Half breed? He may be a prince, I thought, but he was also a dick.

“Er, yes, your highness,” Carrisyn replied. “She’s the one I’ve been looking for.” His fierce blue eyes flickered over me curiously. “We should be able to get the Ri to give us the key to the Tower of the Moon with the proper incentives.”

“Ah, yes,” Galen sat back in his over-sized throne and thrummed his fingers on the arm, formed to resemble a clutching lion’s paw. Someone’s over-compensating, I thought to myself snidely. “I’ve been meaning to mention it to you yet have been so busy with my engagement and the negotiations with the Gedran Imperium I haven’t had the time. I am starting to rethink our original agreement.”

“I’m not sure what you mean, your highness,” The countess carefully kept her face and voice neutral. World series of poker champion, I thought idly.

“Well, the knowledge in the Tower of the Moon will be very helpful, obviously,” Galen scratched his chin in thought. “But I’ve had some scholars look into something a bit less…abstract. Something that can help the Kingdom out immediately and will do the greatest long term good for not only the Kingdom but also the world as a whole.”

“Oh?”

“The Dawnblade,” the prince replied. Carrisyn obviously had heard of it judging by the look of confusion which crossed her face. I glanced over at Sayuri who shrugged at me. At least I wasn’t the only one with no clue what was going on.

“With all due respect, your highness, the Dawnblade is myth,” Carrisyn’s voice was the very definition of polite but I knew from experience that ‘with all due respect’ actually meant ‘You’re a complete moron but I’ll explain this because if I don’t, you’ll throw a tantrum.’

“That’s where you’re wrong, Countess,” Galen chuckled. “Have you ever heard of an old Elven castle called Silverbough?” I jumped a bit in surprise. Wasn’t that Ashvallen’s last name? Carrisyn obviously realized it as well as she shot me a curious glance before returning her attention to the prince.

“I-I have not, your highness,” she stammered slightly.

“I’m not surprised,” Galen chuckled, relishing in his superiority. “It had fallen into disuse long before the Fae Wars even. Dawnblade was forged there and resides there to this day. Just waiting to be claimed by your little merry band.” He turned to me and smirked.

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying, your highness,” Carrisyn regained her composure quickly, but she was plainly uncomfortable being caught off guard in this manner.

“I need Dawnblade,” he explained as if he were speaking to a child. “The Kingdom needs Dawnblade. Find the Tower of the Moon. Retrieve the knowledge you’ve promised me. Inside the tower you’ll also find the location of Silverbough, from what I understand. Then you will bring me the sword.”

This guy is an insufferable prick. I knew it, I thought. In every one of those Otome games Eun-Ha kept foistering on me the princes were always polite and well-mannered unless they were the broody mysterious archetype. I knew real princes were just pains in the ass, better than everyone else rat bastards.

“Surely the knowledge of ten millennia will be of far more use than a single blade, though, your highness,” Carrisyn prompted soothingly.

“It will be helpful, yes,” Galen shrugged. “But the Dawnblade will give the Kingdom what it most needs.”

“What is that your highness?” The Countess seemed reluctant to even ask, as if she already knew the answer.

“A new king,” Prince Galen grinned like a Cheshire cat.