by Nan Sweet
Chapter 14
Meanwhile, Carrie taught the princess how to be a friend. It was a long process, mostly because for years, the princess lorded over everyone around her. Carrie wouldn't let her use her royalty as an excuse to act spoiled.
They sat on the bed in Carrie’s bedchamber where earlier they had been jumping, and Carrie told Minerva about the egg and all of the strange happenings at her school.
“Why don't you just have a tutor? Mother says that only the poor go to classrooms with other children.” They were sitting in chairs before a roaring fire. Minerva described how the smoke was sent through several tunnels up to the air so they didn't get sick.
“I'm not exactly poor, but we're not as rich as you. Not many people have tutors.” Carrie stretched out letting her toes warm in the heat. Had she known of Ivy's plight at that very moment, she would have felt guilty that she was so comfortable, but Carrie was happy. Her troubles seemed so far away when she was in this underground world.
“Will you marry someone my father chooses?” The princess asked.
“I'm much too young to marry.” Carrie said.
The princess didn't sound convinced when she said, “Me, too.”
“Do they still want me to marry someone from here?” Carrie thought she'd talked the king out of it.
“In time...when you're old enough.”
“But why? I'm a commoner.” Carrie didn't say it with anger or frustration, just curiosity. She didn't care that she was a commoner. She had been one all her life.
Minerva shrugged, “It's the way of things. You rescued a princess, so you will get rewarded with royal marriage.”
Carrie grabbed the fire poker and pushed the logs around until the fire grew bright again. “That's so middle ages. I live in the modern world.”
“But my father planned so carefully for my capture and subsequent rescue. It was a great disappointment when things went so awry.” Princess Minerva sat at the edge of her chair. “You don't have to do that. We have servants.”
“I like poking at it.” Carrie said, “Haven't you ever done it before?”
Minerva giggled, “My mom would kill me. Here, let me try.” The princess awkwardly pushed around a log, squealing when sparks flew and laughing when she managed to entice a twig into flame. She wore a blue gown that shimmered in the glow of the fire.
Carrie decided to get serious. “Minerva, I have to go home. I really appreciate everything your family has done for me, but my parents will worry.”
The princess rested the poker on the grate, sitting silently for so long Carrie wasn't even sure that she'd been heard. Finally, Minerva said, “You can't. I'm sorry, but my father instructed the guards to keep you here and if you leave the grounds to bring you back here when you were done.”
“Done with what?”
“Shopping. The clothes you were wearing...” The princess looked uncomfortable.
“It's okay. You can say it. My clothes are terrible. They are what we sleep in where I come from. They're not to be seen in public.” Carrie ran to the bed and knelt down, grabbing her pajama tops and carried them back to the princess. While the clothes the princess let her borrow were nice, the pajamas were even better. “Feel the fabric.”
The princess stroked the fleece. “It's so soft.”
“It's not meant to be worn outside. I'm afraid they're ruined now. I've been running outside in them and kept in that cage. They're dirty and they're meant to be indoor clothes.”
“I'll have one of the maids wash it for you. It's softer than the cloth the best spinners and weavers make. Do you think we could travel to your village and buy some?” Minerva held the fabric between her finger and thumb. “It's thick. I bet it's warm.”
“Yes. Do you know how to travel between worlds? We could buy pajamas there, but I don't know how to get home.”
“I can't go through the gates. It's forbidden.”
Carrie looked up, “So you know a way out of this world?”
“Sure. Everyone does. Overworld and Underworld. We have to watch for strangers and be careful that no one crosses accidentally.”
Carrie kicked at the fire grate. “What happens if you break the rule? I mean, you're the princess, so how would you be punished?”
Minerva lifted her head with a gleam in her eye. “You're right. And I do love those pajamas. We'll bring enough back for the whole family.”
“Shall we go now?” Carrie asked.
“It's a long way to the gates. We should sleep first and go in daylight.”
Minerva and Carrie spent a long time in front of the fire talking and planning. More than once the room rang with laughter, and Carrie was grateful that she found a new friend in this strange world.
