Princesses Don't Become Engineers

by Aya Ling

  "There!" Elaine turned off the stove and poured steaming water into the mug. "I haven't perfected the stages yet; this is the best I can do now."

  Valeria's fastidious taste buds found the tea too watery for her taste, but she was still very much impressed. "If the tea is up to standard, we could use it for a banquet. Are you planning to submit this tea-making machine as your science project for the upcoming Exhibition?"

  Elaine, who was refilling the water tank on top of the machine, paused. "No. I had fun designing it, but I want to submit something else. Something that would really impress everyone at the Exhibition."

  Valeria looked around. When she first entered, she had noticed Elaine working on a peculiar-looking set of iron cylinders attached to a leather harness.

  "You mean that thing?"

  "Exactly!" Elaine's entire face lit up. "In one of Grandpapa's journals, there was this section on flying machines. He had observed the way how birds and bats flew and he sketched their wings and bone structure. It's absolutely fascinating."

  "But..." Valeria puckered her brow. "Did he ever succeed? No record has told of the former king actually producing a flying machine. He invented lots of stuff, but I don't recall anything to do with flying."

  "He didn't succeed, but his idea inspired me," Elaine grinned. Her hair escaped her bun and fell around her face, but she simply swept a few strands away. "My invention is different. Rather than using imitation wings, I'm using cylinders fueled by compressed gas. If my theory works, they can take a person right up into the air. Think how much fun it'll be! And it'll be useful too. Bricklayers, for example, can use it when they have to construct buildings that are more than two stories high."

  "So how is it working so far?" Valeria said. "Have you managed to defy gravity?"

  The spark faded in Elaine's eyes. "I'm still experimenting," she admitted. "But I'm positive it'll work eventually. It will."

  "With all the things you've been inventing, I've no doubt you'll succeed," Valeria smiled warmly. "Oh, I almost forgot. Winifred told me that you need to report to Lance. He needs to take your measurements for your outfit for Ralph's coronation."

  Elaine groaned. "Must I have a new gown again? I just had one made for my birthday last month. I've barely worn it since."

  "Unfortunately, yes. For adult females, we must wear a dress that trails at least three inches on the floor during the coronation of a monarch," Valeria said, sighing. "You are now sixteen, and when a female is sixteen, she turns of age and is ready for matrimony." She put a hand on Elaine's arm. "I know you won't like it, but I am certain that sooner or later, you'll be inundated with proposals. Ralph has already received a few requests."

  "Oh bother." Elaine slapped a hand on her forehead. "Why can't they wait until the Exhibition is over? I can't concentrate when my mind is on my project."

  Valeria smiled wryly. "Trust me, I know what it's like when everyone around you expects you to be married. Since you are Riviera's celebrated princess, you must be prepared when proposals are pouring in. You can't avoid them. But on the other hand, I do believe there's no need to force you if you're not ready. Take some time and think it over, dear."

  When Valeria left, Elaine made herself another cup of watery tea and sat cross-legged on the floor. Four years had passed since she entered the University--four tough, stressful, arduous years. Yet they were the best times of her life, she enjoyed them much more than the several years she went through nine governesses. Just a month ago, she graduated from the University with an intermediate degree with high honors in math and physics. She could go on to study for the advanced level--she'd qualify as teacher if she graduated with an advanced degree, but Elaine wasn't interested in teaching, nor doing theoretical work. She preferred working in her den. She could still take some courses in mechanical engineering, but she wanted to devote most of her time to inventing.

  And now--with the inevitable prospect of marriage, it seemed unlikely she could continue on as before. What noble lord would accept a wife who shut herself in work all day, instead of fulfilling her role of running the household? She'd certainly be rubbish at housekeeping--she knew the prices of bronze and steel better than butter and cheese. And looking around her den--she couldn't even keep her own room clean and orderly, let alone manage an entire mansion.

  The princess rubbed her temples and sighed. This was going to be more difficult than solving the most complicated math problem .

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The coronation was the grandest ceremony ever seen in a decade, for Riviera was the most prosperous kingdom on the Continent and the Archipelago. Maurice, the steward, never seemed to have a still moment–he zoomed around the palace as though on skates, checking everything from the seating arrangement of all the guests to how long Ralph's speech should last after he was crowned.

  Normally, Elaine would be thrilled at a huge event, but this time she was annoyed that she couldn't have enough time to work on her portable machine. She was to wear a formal dress for the ceremony, a brocaded gown during the feast, and a lighter dress for the tournament that followed. She had to make numerous trips to the tailor's, spend a great deal of time changing into the dresses and try to act interested while the seamstresses and outfitters argue which color, which neckline, which cuff, would be most appropriate for her. What she really wanted to do was head outside and test her flying machine, but she knew she couldn't. Foreign delegates were arriving, and imagine what a spectacle it'd be if all those foreign guests saw her shooting into the air. Even though she usually didn't mind shocking people, there were times that the royal reputation must be maintained.

  On the day of the coronation, Elaine opened her eyes and blinked. Then she bolted up and rubbed her eyes.

  One, two, three...ten servants were in her bed chamber. Winifred had a snowy white towel, Effie's hands were full of hair ribbons, while the other maids carried various beautifying items: comb, shampoo, nail clipper, powder brush, everything.

  "Goodness." Elaine rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Where did this army come from?"

  Winifred cleared her throat. "It's the king's orders. We must make you presentable for the day."

  Elaine suspected that the extra number of servants was to ensure that she wouldn't try to escape through the window, but of course she didn't say that. Still, she couldn't help complaining. "It's Ralph's coronation, not my wedding."

  "That day won't be far off," a stout woman spoke up. She was one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting. "Your Highness is the most beautiful girl throughout the kingdom. There will be no end of proposals for you."

  Just what Valeria had said. Elaine wondered how many men, if they truly knew her, would learn to appreciate a wife who spent all day locked up with machines and gadgets and devices. Who preferred a brand new set of pliers and wrenches and tweezers for a birthday present, instead of a fancy dress or expensive necklace. But then, she was Riviera's princess. She probably wouldn't have to worry about marriage, even if she were a hag.

  In the hour that followed, Elaine underwent a complete transformation. She was frogmarched to the bathroom, dumped into a hot tub and scrubbed from head to toe. Then a glittering gown of crimson and gold was slipped over her body, her hair brushed and twisted into an elegant knot, her eyebrows plucked, her cheeks powdered and her eyelashes curled.

  It seemed an eternity until they were done with her. While they fussed over her hair, her laces, her shoes, Elaine let her mind wander over her flying machine. What could she do to it? Should she try attaching an additional whirling fan to the end of the cylinders? What about the amount of compressed gas? She needed more gas to take an entire person into the air, but more gas meant a bigger cylinder, which meant extra weight. Maybe she should try using a different material for the cylinder to reduce its weight...

  "Done!" Effie said.

  "Done!" echoed the others.

  "Sweet lord, look at her," one maid said admiringly. "Isn't she the very image of her mother?"

  Elaine surv
eyed herself in the mirror. She barely recognized herself–the lady that looked back at her was too clean, too polished, too elegant, plus three inches taller. Add the bun on top of her head and she was five inches taller than her usual height. No wonder the servants seemed to have shrunk.

  A sniff came from Effie. "Our little princess, all grown up..." she dabbed her eyes with a large handkerchief. "To think it was just yesterday she was sliding down the banisters--"

  "Twirl around," Winifred said. "Are the heels all right? We'd rather you be comfortable with lower heels than have you tripping down the stairs."

  "I'm fine," Elaine said absentmindedly, while pondering the advantages of bronze over steel.

  The bell began to strike. A cry rose from the maids.

  "It's nine already! Quick, we have to go down before the ceremony starts!"

  Elaine sighed. The inevitable had come. Gathering her shimmering skirts, she left the room. She had only gone a few paces before an alarming thought struck her and she gasped aloud.

  "Is there something wrong?" Winifred said. "Do you need anything?"

  "Just let me grab something quick." Elaine spun around. Where was her screwdriver? It was on the dresser a while ago, but since the maids had swooped down at her, the dresser was cluttered completely with towels, brushes, ribbons and nail polish.

  What if some ignorant scullery maid cleaned her room before she returned and decided to throw away her screwdriver? It was unlikely, but not impossible. Elaine treasured that screwdriver, a rare kind fashioned by a skilled Amarantan toolmaker. The shape of the handle, the weight of the entire tool, the length of the screw...all were perfect in her hand. If she lost it...she didn't even want to think about the consequences. Winifred found it amusing that she obsessed over a screwdriver, but Elaine pointed out no one laughed at the Academy warriors for favoring a particular sword or horse.

  Elaine ran back to her chamber–as fast as her heels allowed–and made a beeline for the dresser. Pressed for time, she dug through the items, tossing away the towels, bracelets and brushes until she found it. Her dear screwdriver, safe and sound.

  "Princess Elaine!" someone was calling.

  There was no time to put it away now. On an impulse, Elaine felt for her pocket–luckily it was a large one, made to conceal entire fans and gloves. Muttering an apology to Lance and the laundress, Elaine slipped the screwdriver into the pocket.

  Then she ran.

  "And now, I crown thee... King of Riviera!"

  Elaine had a strong urge to jump up and down. Not just to cheer for Ralph, but also relief that the bishop had finished his speech. He droned on and on about the history of Riviera (she could recite all the important dates by heart now, thank you very much) and expressed his hope that Ralph would uphold his ancestors' reputation and bring the kingdom to further prosperity. She could have tried snoozing with her eyes open–an art she finally perfected in class–but her position was too close to the new king. Everyone would see her drooling.

  To her right, Valeria stood with the little prince. Charles, who was seven by now, was a miniature version of Ralph–much to Elaine's disappointment. He was serene and serious and quiet, seldom causing any trouble. Hard to imagine that he was once a baby who screamed at the top of his lungs and waking everyone in the middle of the night.

  Across her were James and Ari. Elaine glimpsed her brother reach out furtively and catch Ari's hand. Ari flashed him a brief look of exasperation but didn't try to snatch her hand back. It went unnoticed since they both wore long velvet sleeves that trailed to the knee. Even after six years of marriage, James was still as besotted with Ari as though she were the only woman in the world. He winked in the same impish manner when he met Elaine's eye, but she still felt a pang of loss. She was happy for her brother, but they couldn't be as chummy as they once were. He belonged to Ari now.

  She let her gaze rove over the audience. There were the foreign ambassadors, the courtiers, the University professors and the Academy warriors, including Lord Darwar, Lady Matilda, a few senior instructors and top-level students. It was among the students that she found Andre, whose violet eyes made him easy to spot. Just when she was admiring his profile--how tall and strong he was--he happened to meet her eyes at the same time and smiled.

  A rush of warmth enveloped her from top to toe, her heart beat faster and she dropped her gaze. It was some time since she last saw him--her finishing the University and working on her science project and his own upcoming graduation from the Academy--but she always made time to meet him now and then, for the past several years. He was the most obliging, thoughtful friend she ever had, someone she had come to value and trust. But then, in that one fleeting glance, a new page was turned and she found herself wanting him near her, her hand in his, just like James and Ari.

  When the ceremony was over, it was time for the feast. Elaine looked forward to it; she only had a few bites of her toast and a sip of milk before the maids made her go down for the coronation.

  At first, the feast was most enjoyable.

  "Pumpkin!" James came up to her. He used to ruffle her hair, but since it was now bound in a tight bun, he looped an arm round her shoulders instead. "Such a long time since I've seen you! Look at you, all dressed up! Oh dear, I can't toss you in the air anymore."

  Elaine stuck out her foot. Diamonds glittered on the vamp. "It's the heels. They make me feel grownup."

  "I can never understand how dear Ari can wear those heels and not make a word of protest. I've told her she could lean on me or take my arm, but you know she's terribly self-conscious in public," James sighed and cast a reproachful look at his wife. "So how are things going with you, pumpkin? Last time you wrote, you mentioned something about submitting a new project for the Exhibition."

  Elaine told him about the portable machine, and James let out a low whistle. It was probably not the best courtly behavior, but it was so noisy at the banquet that no one really noticed. Except for Ari, who rolled her eyes but continued talking to Lady Georgiana. They were once roommates at the Academy.

  "I hope you'll succeed where Grandfather didn't," James said. "We could definitely use a flying machine at Linderall. It's so hilly that my back aches from the carriage rides to the castle."

  "Prince James," the biology professor from the University spoke. "May I have a word with you? About the latest discovery on the mating behavior of griffins?"

  "Why, of course. Always a pleasure to share my expertise."

  As James launched into an animated discussion that seemed to go on forever, Elaine looked around for someone to talk to. Everyone sitting near her was engaged; Valeria was conversing with several Amarantan cooks, Ralph was occupied with foreign ambassadors, and even Charles was eating chocolate pudding with a few children of dukes and barons.

  She searched for her friends. Bran was conversing with an attractive young lady who seemed to be from Linderall, judging from her attire and accent. Seeing the rapt attention he paid her, Elaine decided that she should not interrupt. Then she spotted Andre talking to Princess Marcella. Jealousy hit her--even though she knew it was perfectly normal for them to be good friends. Both Andre and Marcella trained at the Academy, and both of them were from Tintagel. Andre's sponsor, Empress Salome, was Marcella's mother. Andre would be participating in the annual tournament following the coronation--Marcella could be giving him battle advice. Still, she couldn't help noting how well they looked together--tall, athletic, confident, and commanding respect.

  An unpraiseworthy notion sprang into mind. She could go and join their conversation. Being the princess of Riviera, what was wrong with showing hospitality towards the Tintagel princess?

  Thus decided, Elaine patted her hair, smoothed her gown and headed towards Andre and Marcella. Just her luck--two young men approached her simultaneously.

  "Your Highness," one of them spoke. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alfred Wesley; son of the esteemed Lord Wesley and Lady Wesley."

  Lady Wesley wasn't highly esteemed in
her regard, but Elaine knew she couldn't be impolite.

  "A pleasure to meet you, Lord Wesley," she answered, doing her best to appear gracious and welcoming.

  "Please allow me the honor of being introduced as well," the other young man quickly said, as though afraid that Alfred would engage Elaine in conversation. "My name is Owen Greenwood–I am currently enrolled in the Academy and about to receive my shield tomorrow. Although I am not yet of age, I have battled ogres, sea monsters and trolls."

  "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir Greenwood," Elaine said, trying to appear impressed. "Your battle experience is spectacular. I can't imagine facing a sea monster myself."

  "His battles were not fought alone," Alfred put in. "The expedition to Makani was conducted in the company of twenty people."

  "At least my achievements are entirely of my own effort," Owen shot back. "Your fortune is mostly the work of previous generations. You would be nothing if it weren't for the clan you were born into."

  "And I suppose the name of Greenwood means nothing?" Alfred said, his face turning red and his voice rising in volume. "Not everyone can enter the Academy! Even that bastard son from Tintagel had to rely on the empress's sponsorship!"

  "Don't call him that," Elaine flared, indignant that he referred to Andre in condescending tones. "Since you have found each other's company more enjoyable than mine, I will leave you to continue uninterrupted."

  Alfred and Owen immediately tried to stop her.

  "Wait, Your Highness! You have misunderstood–I am only trying to show you who he truly is!" Alfred said, alarm evident in his eyes.

  "Please, do not depart so soon! The feast has barely started!" Own tried to elbow Alfred out of the way.

  "I'm sorry, but I really must be going," Elaine said, while inwardly she wished she could lash out at them. She had no intention of being sandwiched between their squabbling. "I haven't greeted the Tintagel princess yet."