Princess Ben Read Online Free PDF Page A

less. Given our recent communication with our neighbor, Drachensbett, we cannot but conclude that this most tragic"—here she, perhaps too dramatically, composed herself—"circumstance, these heinous acts, can be only an act of war."
    She paused. The stone-faced solemnity of the men and women arrayed behind her provided no enlightenment or comfort.
    "With that in mind, our foremost duty is to protect the throne for the return of Prince—that is,
King
Walter, which he now be. Therefore we shall hold you in our protection to
be tutored at long last in the myriad responsibilities and arts of royalty. Should your father not return—a possibility, though tragic, that cannot be discounted—we shall through your alliance of marriage protect Montagne from her voracious foe."
    Judging from her expression and those worn by the people behind her, I was expected to speak. But I would need many hours, and an unclouded heart, to decipher this barrage.
    Sophia turned to the elderly man at her side. "Is this not true, Lord Frederick?"
    "By all means, my lady," he murmured. "I could not have phrased it better."
    "Have you any questions of us, Princess?" The queen offered me this as a great favor; with time I would learn how infrequently she solicited my opinion.
    "No, Your Majesty," I managed.
    "Then you are dismissed, for we have pressing matters of state to which to attend."
    As I curtsied, my gown, to my mortification, gave way at last, and the sound of ripping seams reverberated through the hushed room.
    The elderly Lord Frederick cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, if I might have leave to escort the princess to her suite..."
    Queen Sophia frowned. "We consent. But return at once, as we require your counsel."
    "By all means, Your Majesty." He stepped forward and offered me his arm.
    I am shamed to write that I was too overwhelmed even to accept, so that he was left standing awkwardly, arm ajar, as a lady in waiting tittered.
    "Forgive me," he continued, the embodiment of graciousness. "You are too considerate, taking into account the infirmities of an old man. You shall be
my
escort." He slipped his hand around my elbow and led me backwards from the throne room, honoring the queen while shielding my shredded gown from the crowd.
    ***
    Lord Frederick and I slowly traveled the castle corridors. The gentleman in all honesty was frail, and our pace thus deliberate at best.
    "My dearest child, words cannot convey my heartbreak at
your tragedy. Your mother's loss will be mourned throughout this valley." Saying this, the man wiped a tear from his wizened cheek.
    I nodded, too overcome to speak. Lord Frederick had been a stalwart member of the Montagne court since at least the time of my grandfather; this I knew. Even more, he had the marvelous ability to pull peppermint drops from my ears, which used to entertain me for hours.
    He patted my hand. "Tell me. How may I assist you, Ben?"
    I almost wept to hear my name, my real name, spoken within these cold walls. "I'm so confused!" I wailed.
    "I understand. As the queen—now queen regent—indicated, the path ahead is shrouded in darkness. The fate of your father, the specter of war..."
    I grasped the one bit of information that had penetrated my consciousness. "I am really supposed to
marry?"
    "That is the fate of all princesses, my dear. Every storybook teaches it. If it is any consolation, I have heard that such unions may be more than pleasant, even tender."
    "But why—why must I live here?" I gestured to the tapestries, the thick stone walls with their deep windowsills.
    "The queen would see to your safety. And to your education as well."
    "I don't want to be educated!" I stamped my foot.
    Lord Frederick spun me about with impressive strength. With a practiced eye he scanned the corridors, then pulled me close. "Your fate, my child, is no longer in your control. You are the embodiment of this kingdom, and if it is to survive the calamities that lie ahead, you must also."
    I must have