Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 262: Violet: To Love and Be Loved

24 May, 1348. Magdaline Castle, Islia

Springtime was known to be the loveliest season in Islia, especially in the meadows full of wildflowers that surrounded the castle. Court was especially lively and busy that year due to the arrival of so many new ladies. Apart from the jousting that was traditional throughout May, every day there was a picnic or a hunt. Every evening, there was a masque, a dance performance or a visit from travelling musicians.

In short, court should’ve been an endless whirl of fun and flirtation for any merry young lady, especially one who hadn’t been raised in the lap of luxury.

It wasn’t, though. And least, not for Violet.

Ilse, on the other hand, threw herself headlong into the activities, smiling without pause. During the days, she was asked more that once to sing at picnics in her pretty voice. At night, she danced until her feet ached. And everywhere she went, she was surrounded by admiring courtiers. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Her beauty seemed to bloom further as he days marched by, as if the very spring flowers blossomed just to flatter her. It truly was her season.

Violet had never felt so small and unimportant. The old familiar resentment she’d felt for her twin for years was now stoked to raging flames. It was a thousand times worse than what it had been in Orravalo, where it had only been her family who saw her inadequacies. Now, it was literally everyone that mattered.

Violet looked across the gardens to her sister now, who was sitting with a few other ladies, all weaving flowers crowns. It hadn’t taken the queen’s circle long to realise that Ilse had supplanted Kathryn Danner - not just in duties but also in Her Majesty’s affections.

As a result, every lady wanted to be Ilse’s friend.

Violet hated it. Not because she particularly wanted to befriend the other ladies - she found them to be mostly dull and vapid. She simply disliked that to be a success at court, she had to pretend to enjoy the company of boring women ruled over by a boring queen. She disliked having to laugh at jokes that weren’t funny and dance with men she didn’t find attractive, so that people could consider her pleasant company.

It seemed there was no place in the world where a woman could live to simply please herself, was there? Even Queen Celia was forced to sit through banquets when she looked weary and hold her smile steady even when she saw younger women flirting with the king.

Ilse’s lilting laugh jolted Violet out of her own sullen thoughts. A young nobleman had sprawled himself out on the grass amongst the ladies, who were all now giggling and teasing him as they crowned his curly head with flowers. Violet silently watched them for a moment.

If she was honest, truly honest with herself, she’d admit that what she hated the very most about Ilse’s stunning success at court was the role it shunted Violet into.

She’d not only been cast as the less interesting, less desirable Thierre sister. She was also forced to become her twin’s keeper.

Ilse had always been too trusting, too willing to see the good in people even if it wasn’t really there. Her sunny optimism could only make her a magnet for trouble in a castle full of unscrupulous people.

Ilse didn’t see it that way, of course. She didn’t suspect that ladies might offer her false friendship in order to further their own interests. She didn’t suspect that men might try to romance her because they wanted to use her for their own pleasures, then discard her.

She didn’t suspect because she never stopped to think, Violet brooded. She just flitted around as if she were the guest of honour at an endless banquet, all sweetness and light and terrible risk. Meanwhile, Violet was stuck trailing behind her to make sure she didn’t stumble into a potential situation that could soil both of their names.

So far at least, no men had approached Ilse in an overly bold or aggressive manner. So far, Ilse had flirted and danced with various men but hadn’t overstepped the boundaries of propriety.

So far.

As the afternoon started gradually started tracking towards dusk and the courtiers started scattering, Ilse looped her arm through Violet’s as the two girls walked back towards the west wing of the castle.

"Vy, are you feeling alright?"

Violet looked at Ilse in surprise. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you barely said a word at the picnic. And you’ve been very quiet at dinner the last couple of nights as well."

"Sorry, sister. But we can’t all be the belle of the ball, can we?" Violet gave her a faint smile that she hope masked the edge in her voice.

"I know you’re more reserved in nature. But still, you should try to talk to more people when you can, get to know them." Ilse elbowed her lightly in the side. "A lot of Her Majesty’s ladies, for example-"

"Ugh. Those are some of the stupidest, shallowest women that roam the continent." Violet scrunched up her face. "Do not tell me I should try and befriend them."

"I’m not saying they have to become the sisters of your heart, or that you should befriend all of them. But at least one or two of them. Let them get to know you as I do."

"And why would I do that?"

Ilse bumped her with her hip. "Because the days are more enjoyable with a little companionship. Same with the men here. If you smile and flirt with them, it’s not like you’re promising to marry them. It’s all a bit of harmless fun."

"Even if they’re short or fat or reek of horses?" Violet laughed despite herself.

"Even then." Ilse grinned back. "The short man who smells like a stable might end up being the heir to massive fortune. And he might just win you over with his sense of humour. Or maybe he’ll at least be fun company to chat with, Vy. You’ll never know if you just make snap judgments all the time. Stop being so cautious."

Violet snorted. "Your problem is you’re not cautious enough! You can’t trust everyone who smiles at you here."

"I don’t." Ilse smirked. "But if someone treats me kindly, I’ll be kind to them in return. Not everyone has malice in their heart."

Violet completely disagreed but didn’t reply.

When they reached their bedchamber, Ilse opened her clothing trunk. "I was thinking about changing my gown for dinner. Which one do think suits me better?" She held up a grey gown against herself and then a deep blue one.

Both colours made Ilse’s face gleam like a pearl and her eyes sparkle. Violet pointed to the blue dress without thinking.

After a few moments of watching Ilse’s preparations, Violet finally asked, "Sister, tell the truth. Are you really, genuinely happy here? Or do you just pretend to be because it’s better than being sent back home?"

"Of course I’m happy here! Everything is so beautiful and there’s something fun to do or see every day. People are friendly for the most part and the queen is a kind mistress." Ilse looked at her, eyes wide in disbelief. "Are you not happy here?"

"I suppose."

"You suppose? Would you rather be back in Orravalo?"

"Of course not! It’s just, well...what are we really here for?" Violet frowned, trying to understand why she couldn’t just let go and mindlessly lose herself in the court’s frivolity the way Ilse did. "Is it to serve a frumpy old woman and make polite conversation all day, until we find suitable husbands? What’s our purpose?"

"To enjoy the good things life has to offer, of course! All the things that seemed so impossible when we were younger." Ilse exclaimed. "We’ve never eaten or dressed so well. We’ve never been able to take part in masques or dance late into the night. Enjoyment is our purpose and I plan to seize it. You should as well for now."

"For now? Until we find boring, wealthy men to marry, you mean?"

Ilse gave her a sidelong glance as she removed her veil and began slowly undoing her braids. "You might be alright sharing your future with a boring man but I’m not. I want love."

Violet stared at her, utterly dismayed. Where did her twin get such outlandish, dangerous ideas? "Be serious, Ilse."

"I am."

"Are you mad? This isn’t the place to look for love! Everyone is out for themselves. All those romantic, courtly gestures are just for show. And love isn’t something you even need when two noble houses ally together. Our goal should be to make suitable marriages to secure our futures."

Ilse shook her head sadly. Was that a trace of pity Violet saw in her eyes? "I’m sorry you feel that way. Because we’re all made for love, Vy. To love and to be loved. There’s no greater goal in life than that."