*
The two walked down the long hall with trepidation. They were hoping that they would not run into Windermere. Their luck held until they reached the bottom of the stairway.
He stood there, dressed very regally, as if hoping to disguise his coldness.
“Hello ladies, I came to escort you to your seats. Please take hold of my arms. I promise not to bite you…” Windermere’s words were filled with joy as if he were anticipating doing just that.
“Thank you, Windermere.” Norman looked at Meg and raised her eyebrows. They each slid their arm through one of his. Norman shuddered.
“Why are you shaking, Norman?” Windermere queried.
“It feels very cold out here in the foyer. I really should have worn a wrap to keep the draft off of my shoulders.” She was lying, of course. She looked once again over in Meg’s direction. He seemed so cold, and his moods changed so quickly. “I do not know about the two of you, but I know Meg’s mother has been cooking all day in preparation for this banquet and I find myself starved.”
The trio came to the door of the dining room where they were met by Queen Clivia. She had taken it upon herself to rearrange the seating assignments that Queen Emmaline had painstakingly set up. “Oh, Princess Norman, and who is this person whose arm you have?” The queen arrogantly inquired.
Norman started to speak, but apparently Clivia had lit a fire in Prince Windermere’s britches. “I am Prince Windermere of Encumbra, and I do not answer to a mere scullery maid!” he sarcastically responded.
“You pompous mule!! How dare you refer to me as a lowly scullery maid! I am Queen Clivia of Highland!!” Clivia’s voice had risen about three octaves and she was turning beet red.
“Oh… my, my humble apology… Your Highness…” Windermere’s voice took on a hissing, snakelike quality.
“Your apology is accepted!” Queen Clivia declared haughtily.
“My goodness, no!! I was not apologizing to you. I was feeling sorry for your son and husband...” Windermere unlatched his arms from Meg and Norman.
Just as he did so, Queen Clivia slapped Windermere across the face. She fumed, purple with rage.
Windermere, in a flash, punched her squarely in the mouth. Clivia landed flat on her well-cushioned derrière. “You poor excuse for a queen! You have an evil tongue and an evil heart! Do not cross my path again!” The prince somehow had managed to maintain his composure. His face was a hot red where the queen slapped him. He bid Norman and Meg to take his arms once again and he seated them where Norman’s mother had requested.
Norman looked at Meg in disbelief. While Norman didn’t condone fighting, she had to agree that Queen Clivia needed someone to put her in her place. She was just very surprised that it was Windermere.
Octavius and Emmaline came into the room to see what all of the commotion was about, and hurried over to Clivia to help her up. Emmaline made the mistake of asking the wrong question – although, in hindsight, she knew that any question she had asked the queen would have been the wrong one. Queen Emmaline took hold of Clivia’s arm as they assisted her to stand. She hadn’t noticed the bloodied nose until Clivia was on her feet. “Are you all right, Clivia?”
“Are you blind?! Of course, I’m not all right!! That impudent moron assaulted me!” Clivia looked at Octavius and snarled. “I want you to arrest him for hitting royalty!”
“My dear woman, must I remind you that he is the prince of the House of Encumbra? He has immunity in my realm just as you do. If you have a problem with the prince, you will have to file a formal complaint with his parents. I am sorry this happened, but I ask you to put it behind you.” Octavius knew his words were falling on deaf ears and he sighed as he glanced at his wife.
“Clivia, could I have one of the pages escort you upstairs so you might freshen up?” Emmaline was trying desperately to be kind to Clivia, but her patience was wearing thin. Clivia looked towards the table to see everyone staring in her direction. She was about to say something when Prince Edwin walked up to her.
“My dear Queen, I am utterly sorry for what happened to you. How tragic and unjust! Might I escort you to your room so that you might freshen up? I would truly be honored if you would sit next to me during dinner. Perhaps you can tell me more about your kingdom. I understand that under your rule it has really flourished.”
Clivia appeared to be dumbfounded at first. A coquettish smile crept across her face. “Why, thank you, Prince Edwin. At least I get the respect I am due from someone…!” She harumphed, casting an angry glance in Octavius’ direction.
Edwin held out his arm for Clivia to accept. “My dear Queen…”
Clivia took his arm and batted her eyelashes at him. “What would you like to know about my kingdom, Sir?” Off they strolled arm in arm. Edwin turned quickly and winked at King Octavius.
Emmaline looked at Octavius. “That woman is utterly impossible! She is the most insulting, obnoxious being I have ever met!”
“I must agree with you wholeheartedly, my Dear. It is a wonder that her son turned out so well.” Octavius took his wife’s arm and they walked over to the banquet table.
Soon the table was surrounded with the other royal families, and Queen Clivia rejoined the dinner, escorted by a beleaguered Prince Edwin. True to his word, he made sure to take a seat next to the queen and her husband.
The rest of the evening passed without further incident except for hateful stares between Windermere and Clivia. Octavius made it a point to thank Prince Edwin directly for helping disarm Queen Clivia. It was a good evening, and the night turned into morning before anyone realized the time. The ball would come this very eve. Soon the palace was quiet as everyone retired. The only person awake in the whole castle seemed to be the lone guard at Norman’s bedchamber door.