One Night At The Ball: A Sisters of the Curse Novella

by Lisa Manifold

  Ceridwen looked up finally, sniffling. Catrin silently handed her the small square of fabric. Ceridwen dabbed at her eyes with it.

  I would never look that graceful wiping tears, Catrin though, stifling a smile. No matter how hard I wished for it. Her nose tended towards redness when she was angry, and it was worse when she cried.

  “I know I’m being silly, but I’m afraid of making the wrong choice,” Ceridwen said.

  “Choice of what?”

  “Before we left to journey here, a prince asked for my hand. He’s from a good kingdom, and my parents are very happy.”

  “Yes?” Catrin kept her voice neutral. This was interesting.

  “I don’t love him as I should. In truth, I love another. But he hasn’t asked for my hand. I’m unsure if he knows of my love.” Tears leaked from Ceridwen’s eyes once more.

  “Is your father allowing you the choice as to whether you accept?”

  “He says he is, but he’s put out I haven’t accepted this prince yet.”

  “Is there any way to discern whether the man you love cares for you?”

  Ceridwen nodded. “He will be here this week. I heard my parents talking about who had been invited. He’s from my country, from Gallivas, so I saw him on the journey here. I have not yet had a chance to speak with him.”

  “I would say find the time to speak with him.”

  Ceridwen sighed. “That is not as easy as it sounds. My parents are in favor of the prince who has spoken for me, so they are loathe to allow me near other men.”

  That was understandable. Catrin herself had already been given multiple lectures on how to safeguard her honor and reputation.

  “You should probably make haste back to your rooms, then,” said Catrin, although not unkindly. “I wouldn’t want you to suffer their displeasure. But,” She smiled at Ceridwen, “Let us make a promise to meet after the first meal together. I’d enjoy that,” she said, meaning it.

  She was gratified to see a smile move across Ceridwen’s face. “That is most kind of you, my lady. I appreciate it, particularly as my problems are not anyone else’s to bear.”

  “Then let us be friends. Friends help one another with their problems. Perhaps I can help you to find a chance to speak with the man you wish to.”

  “That would be wonderful!” A light shone in Ceridwen’s eyes. “Would you? Then at least I would know. Even if he doesn’t return my affections.”

  “I would be happy to. Let’s see if we can’t manage it without getting either of us into trouble.”

  “Thank you, my lady! Oh, my, you’re right! I must go!” Ceridwen stood as the light from the torch of the night watchman came into view from the hall below. “I hadn’t realized it was so late.”

  “I look forward to seeing you again,” Catrin said.

  “And I you,” Ceridwen replied, dropping a curtsey. “Good night, my lady!” She hurried away in the opposite direction of Catrin’s rooms.

  Catrin watched her go. She felt good. Grizelle had been right. It was nice to be around people her own age. Ceridwen had been remarkably confiding, considering they didn’t know one another. But she’d given away no names in regards to her suitors, so she was being discreet.

  Catrin smiled as she turned and walked towards her rooms. “I have a friend,” she said softly to herself. “I have a friend.” Until this moment, she hadn’t realized she wanted one. Or had missed having one. Now, the awareness of both hit hard.

  Things would be different now. She had a friend.

  Chapter Two

  Two days into the festivities, Catrin had no reason to think any differently. The day before, there had been an outing to the ruins on the edge of the castle grounds, and today her father had brought in performers from a traveling fair. She breathed in the air, feeling excitement along with the heat of the sun.

  Ceridwen joined her. “This is so much fun, Catrin! How lucky you are your father enjoys entertainers!”

  Catrin linked her arm through Ceridwen’s. “I’ve heard there’s a fortune teller. Let’s find her!”

  They hurried through the gardens. As she’d heard, Catrin saw the tent set up and an old woman sitting within. As they got closer, she could see that the woman was not so old but looked very solemn. She looked up as the girls approached. She was dressed all in black, which made her red hair and dark eyes more prominent. It was a striking look, Catrin thought, and one that made people uneasy being near her. She sensed…something in the woman. This must be what Grizelle had meant before when she said those who practiced the gift could sense others.

  “Welcome. I am Melasine. Sit, my ladies, and let me tell you what I see.” Her voice was soft, but compelling. Catrin noted that only her lips and eyes move as she spoke. The rest of her stayed perfectly still.

  Ceridwen hung back. Catrin tugged her. “This may be the perfect chance to figure out what he is thinking!” Ceridwen hadn’t yet told her the name of the man she loved, only that she’d not been able to talk with him.

  “I don’t know, Catrin,” Ceridwen looked worried.

  “Well, I want to know. What would you have me do?” Catrin sat at the small stool in front of the woman. The woman leaned in, looking Catrin over frankly.

  “You are but a fledgling. You’re on the cusp, though, little starling, and soon, you shall fly.”

  Catrin turned and looked at Ceridwen. “See? She’s fine.”

  “Let me see your hand,” the woman said. Catrin opened her hand and stretched over towards the woman. The woman took it, and peered closely.

  “You are indeed on the cusp, and you must have a care.” Catrin could hear the warning in her voice. Something told her that this was more than silly fair games.

  “If you do not tread carefully, you will not fly. You will sink, and the path you walk will take you many, many miles from where you could be.”

  “What does that mean?” Catrin scooted the stool in.

  The woman looked up. “It means, do not walk with hate. Walk with love and forgiveness. Those who love may harm, but not out of hate. It is done out of care for you. You must see that when the time comes.” She let go of Catrin’s hand.

  “That’s it? You can’t leave it at that!” Catrin didn’t know what to think about what she’d just heard.

  “I have shared all I can, my lady. Now, would the other lady care to sit?” She looked at Ceridwen.

  Ceridwen looked more nervous than before.

  Catrin stood. “Go on.”

  “Look what she just said to you!”

  “Yes, she told me to love those who may hurt me out of love. Families are notorious for that, are they not? I should love my family still. It won’t hurt.” She stepped away to allow Ceridwen to sit on the stool. The woman glanced at Catrin, her eyes sharp and questioning. The intensity pierced through Catrin like an arrow. It made her uneasy, and she felt a small line of sweat bead down her spine.

  Ceridwen sat slowly, and the fortune teller turned to her. Ceridwen held her hand across to the woman. The woman took it, and brushed the palm with her thumb several times. She looked up at Ceridwen, and then Catrin.

  “The two of you will cross paths throughout your lives.”

  “That’s good, then,” Catrin said. Her concern at the woman’s words was fading.

  “But you must take care the path you walk, my lady. You stand at a crossroads, waiting to see waiting to see which path fate will choose for you. Don’t let fate choose your path. Decide where you will go.”

  “Is that not what I’m trying to do?” Ceridwen’s voice sounded anguished. Catrin felt certain that Bryce, prince and heir to Laurycia was the prince who’d offered for her, but she was equally certain that he was not the man for whom Ceridwen had feelings. Bryce was a boorish young man, and Catrin had seen him push his way to Ceridwen’s side on several occasions during the week, but Catrin had noticed that Ceridwen’s responses to Bryce were correct and proper, but cool in nature even though he made his way to her side as often as the festiv
ities would allow. Ceridwen deserved better.

  “You alone know your heart, my lady. Lead with your heart and good wishes. That will decide the right path for you.” She let go of Ceridwen’s hand.

  Ceridwen stood, looking shaken. “I think I need to go and lie down for a time,” she said weakly. Catrin could tell that what she’d heard had not made things easier for her friend.

  “Thank you, madam,” she said to the woman. “It was most entertaining.”

  The woman looked up. “Tell your aunt we’ve spoken. Tell her Melasine sends her regards.” Without waiting for a response, she looked away.

  Catrin didn’t know what to say, and Ceridwen was not looking well, so she took her friend’s arm and led her away.

  “Do you really want to return to your rooms? There’s a great deal left to enjoy today.”

  Ceridwen nodded. “Will you be upset? I feel ill suddenly.”

  “Not at all. I want you well for dinner. My father hinted that there will be dancing, although not officially, of course!” Catrin grinned, and Ceridwen smiled back.

  “Then I shall see you at the evening meal,” Ceridwen said, and she hurried to where her parents stood.

  Catrin felt at a loss once Ceridwen left. She’d been on her own most of her childhood. At first, her parents had traveled in the warmer months, but as she got a little older, they had stopped, and no visitors came to stay. She loved her family, but it was lonely at times. Having Ceridwen here gave her a taste of what she’d missed.

  “My lady?”

  She whirled, startled. The fortune teller, Melasine, stood at the door of her little tent.

  “Yes?”

  “Would you speak with me once more?” There was an air of urgency that had not been there just moments ago in the woman.

  Catrin felt a frisson of fear, although she couldn’t tell why. The thin finger of sweat broke out again. She didn’t answer immediately, and Melasine stepped towards her.

  “Please, my lady. I must speak.”

  Catrin stuffed her fear down, as a princess ought to, and stepped into the tent once more. “What is of such urgency?”

  “I meant what I said. There will be things you learn that will hurt and perhaps scar, but nothing that has been done was done out of anything other than love.” Melasine’s brow was puckered, and Catrin felt her fear give way to surprise.

  “What are you trying to tell me?”

  “I do not know, my lady. I can see into the future, but not clearly. I see revelations, and when that which has been hidden is revealed, it is common for there to be anger. Guard against it, my lady. You are on the cusp with many paths open to you. Not all will be positive.” With another penetrating stare, she turned from Catrin.

  “Wait! What do you mean, not all will be positive?” The fear came back in a rush, and her stomach felt as though it was coming up too.

  Melasine stopped. She looked over her shoulder at Catrin without speaking for a moment. Catrin didn’t think she’d say anything else, but suddenly, the woman spoke again. “There are always choices in life, my lady. You will soon be faced with your own choices to make. I am merely telling you to have a care in choosing.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” To her surprise, Catrin felt slightly indignant. Why did everyone seem to think she was a little girl still? Or at least, why did they talk to her in such a manner? “I have been brought up to always choose wisely, madam.”

  Melasine smiled, and Catrin shivered. It wasn’t a kind smile. “Then you will have nothing to fear. Allow me to merely add my voice to those more august in cautioning against haste.” She moved quickly towards the back of the tent.

  Catrin stood staring. What did that mean? Just as she was about to ask, Melasine spoke again.

  “Unless, of course, my lady, you wish for something not positive.” With the same eerie smile, she disappeared through a curtain.

  Catrin walked out of the tent, unsure of what to do or where to go. Melasine had startled her, hinted at…what? Secrets? There were no secrets in her family. If anything, her parents and Grizelle were astonishingly frank. The comments about her bodice rose to the forefront again.

  “There you are, Lady Catrin. May I escort you through the fair?”

  She turned and saw Prince Aland from Gallivas at her side, making a deep bow. His coal-black hair gleamed in the sunlight, and seemed even brighter outside the dark menace the fortune teller’s tent now presented.

  He was tall, but not so tall that it was uncomfortable to walk with him. She’d discovered that the day before, when he’d asked to accompany her while at the ruins. With a wide smile and light brown eyes that always seemed to be sparkling with laughter, he was well dressed in shades of blue that looked well against his coloring.

  Aland was, in short, charming. He went out of his way to be charming, or so it seemed. Perhaps this was what her parents were hoping for? She noticed he’d looked up from bowing, waiting for a response.

  Shoving her previous thoughts to the side, she smiled at him. “Of course, Aland. I’d be delighted. What do you think of the entertainers?”

  “I find them a great deal of fun. I’ve always loved the fair, even though my father rarely let me have the run of it.”

  “We’ve always had them set up here.”

  “Indeed? Why is that?” Aland looked genuinely puzzled.

  “I don’t think my parents enjoy travel as they used to. So they bring the things they like here.” It was simple to Catrin.

  Aland glanced down at her, and then nodded. After another moment, he spoke. “I see. Wise of them. Shall we take a turn through then?”

  As they walked, they came across Bryce, the prince from Laurycia and Ceridwen’s erstwhile suitor. He gave a bow to them that could only be called mocking. Catrin’s dislike of him grew.

  “Aland. My lady. How are you enjoying the fair this lovely day?” His eyes met hers while he bowed, and they too were mocking. He had hesitated on the word lovely as well, which was odd. It was, indeed, a lovely day.

  “We are fine, Bryce. How fare you?” Aland answered stiffly.

  Something else to ponder. Bryce and Aland obviously knew one another well enough for some offense to exist.

  “We are well, my lord,” she interjected. “Thank you for inquiring. I hope that you are also enjoying the entertainers.”

  Bryce rose. “Indeed, my lady, I am. It’s astounding how illuminating a lovely day can be.” He smiled, but the mocking tone was still there, as was his hesitation on the word lovely again.

  Catrin realized she might not understand the full subtext of this conversation, but he certainly was lacking in manners. His bordered on impudent. He eyed her lazily, as though she were beneath his notice, and she could feel her anger and pride rise up.

  “How so, my lord?” She asked sweetly. “Pray, share your enlightenment with us. It’s always so interesting to hear things from another’s perspective.”

  He grinned, and she was reminded of some sort of beast, baring its teeth. She could feel others beginning to congregate around them, but her focus was on the man at her side and the one in front of her.

  “Well, for instance, my lady, it’s illuminating how different things are during the day, in relation to how they look at night. “ Again with the beastly grin.

  “As are most things when seen in differing light.” She smiled, determined that he would not get a reaction out of her, that she would not give him fodder for gossip. She had no proof that he would behave in such a manner, but something about him made her hackles rise, and her hand itched to slap his face. She rarely experienced such strong negative emotions with people, so she paid attention to the strength of her feeling.

  “You are correct, my lady. The light changes most things. Some, however, are the same regardless of light, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Indeed I would, my lord. There are some things that no amount or lack of light can change. Now if you will please excuse us? I do hope you enjoy the rest of the day.” She smiled brig
htly and moved away. As Aland still had her arm on his, he moved with her.

  “That was well done, Catrin,” Aland said quietly. “I waited for a chance to set him down, but I needn’t have concerned myself. You did so perfectly.”

  “Do you know him well?” Catrin asked, thinking of how much she’d seen him around Ceridwen.

  “I do. Our kingdoms border one another, and our fathers do much trade together. I’ve known him my whole life.”

  “Oh? You are good friends, then.”

  Aland laughed, and Catrin could hear the tinge of bitterness in it. “I wouldn’t say friends, my lady. Cordial at best, rivals at worst.”

  “Rivals? In what way?” Why had her heart leapt when he said that? Surely they weren’t…

  “We both work closely with our fathers. We’ve been in trade and border negotiations many times, and there is always an element of wanting to best the other.”

  They stopped to watch a performer walk in his stockings across a rope strung above their heads.

  For the rest of the afternoon, Aland stayed at her side. He was courteous and pleasant, but not overly so. Her mother would have called him the perfect courtier, although not overblown as some were wont to be. Her hand on his arm felt right, natural, and when he took her fingers in his, she thrilled at the sensation that shot through her. Was he someone she could marry? Is this how it began? She’d have to ask her mother.

  She noted that Ceridwen didn’t return for the rest of the fair. The thought plagued her as she headed up to her rooms to ready for dinner. Melasine had been upsetting, but she hadn’t told Ceridwen anything as disturbing as what she’d told Catrin. She hoped Ceridwen was not unwell. Thoughts of her friend were interrupted as Tatiana, Roslyn, and Grizelle approached the moment she walked through her door.

  The rooms were cheerful, as always. The walls of her rooms had been scrubbed so often the stones were smooth. Tapestries lined every wall—each had been chosen by her for their colors and cheerful depictions. Ladies sewing in a garden bower, couples dancing, ladies frolicking with their dogs, children playing. She felt better every time she entered her rooms.