Prince of Penance

Chapter Twelve: Daisies Are For Peasants

Sunni could not believe it. She could not believe her luck! She was there, at last, in a Gummi palace, in a dress once worn by the Queen, having lunch with other people her age in the Court, before the throne of handsome Prince Bryton. It was as if somebody had said, "Here Sunni, you want your dreams to come true? Why not? Here you go!"

Her lessons at the school had been interesting, the history of the Gummis of Monteray, who couldn't make it to New Gumbrea and decided to settle on a tropical island instead, the stories of the knights and noble kings that have sat on the throne, the temporary separation of the Gummis by humans who drove them off, and of course King Augustus who drove off the invaders and reestablish the Gummis in the houses and palace buildings they had built, giving the Spanish colony its own spin on that strange Gummi/Human pluralism in art and buildings that was sometimes visible in places Dunwyn Castle and along travelled roads which Gummis and humans shared. Which lead to an art history lesson, then lessons of course in spelling, and math, (she was good at math!) After lessons she had finally been freed to go eat in the Palace with the rest of the Court, and had been seated between Lady Melli Bella and Kenia, one of the young girls in her class with her.

"So I told Sir Wallaby that if he ever tried to kiss my hand again, I would bespell him to become besotted with that donkey he calls a pony," Melli Bella said in vague humour to the person to her left.

Melli Bella was NOT the same as how Councillor Numa played her to be in Gummi Glen. The real Melli Bella was cruel, and indifferent, and ignored Sunni completely. Sunni found that she didn't mind, really. She had made quick friends with Kenia, a pink furred girl with about as much in common with Sunni as a candlestick; she wasn't the least bit scholarly, she was rich, and she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life being served and having to do nothing for it. Sunni actually wanted to be a Princess and protect her citizens, if she ever did become a Princess one day. Years of being friends with Cala had taught her what a real responsibility it was being a Princess, and she wasn't disillusioned to the very real work involved. But the one thing she and Kenia were both on the same page with was the subject of boys, and they chatted about boys at such a fast clip that Melli Bella had jokingly commented that she could swear she could hear flies buzzing nearby.

But against all her fears, the girls Sunni's age were not the uppity snobs that she had thought they would be, not in the least like Melli Bella. It seemed that they were more than willing to help the 'new girl' get settled, and were insanely jealous that Sunni was wearing Queen Thistle Rose's old dress, regardless as to how out of date it was.

"Wow Sunni," Kenia said as she took dainty sips from her glass. "You are really lucky, being friends with the royal family. They don't make friends with anyone! And they never eat here in Court."

"They don't?" Sunni was highly curious. "But why not?"

"Well its obvious isn't it?" Melli Bella said with a sniff, interrupting their private conversation. "Too many rats in the nest, so to speak. Too many enemies. Peasants are safe, because they couldn't care less who the monarch is and wouldn't try to assassinate them."

Her voice was so thick with derision as she said this that Sunni knew immediately exactly whose side of the argument Melli Bella was on; her own. Sunni didn't think that it was really true that just being a peasant made her safe.

"But the Queen is nice, why would anybody be her enemy?"

"Well," Kenia said, oozing a soft sigh. "She is being so very careful over who she lets anywhere near the Prince. Only she can give him permission to wed a potential Queen, unless he is finally Knighted and becomes the King then he gets to decide himself. She doesn't want anybody bad trying to get to him! Oh but I wish I could get close to him and dance with him! And to be living with the Queen, wearing her dresses...So pretty! You really are lucky Sunni!"

Sunni smiled. She was glad her dress was going down so well. She found she preferred her dress to some of the strange and elaborate creations of the Court. Her own dress was a simple forest green ruffled dress with a pink organza lace petticoat and little cute pink ribbons, one of which was a hair clip that was keeping her curly hair up upon her head. She had wanted to cut her hair; she kind of missed her boyish bob. But the look on Gruffi's face when he had seen her after getting dressed was one of the softest he had ever seen him give.

"My little Sunni is growing up," he had said, then covered his face. "Scuze me, I must have gotten something in my eye..."

Soon dinner had ended, and the adults returned to the state rooms and places of the palace where adult courtiers preferred to inhabit, leaving the young people of the Court to take command of the Great Hall. Young men and women in fashion of every colour of the rainbow spilled out of through doorway and into the room. The Hall was filled with excited chatter and Sunni was glad to be free of Melli Bella and her uppity arrogance.

"Come on Sunni!" said Kenia, taking her by the arm. "I'll introduce you to my sisters and their friends! And Prince Bryton will be returning to the hall from his own dinner so maybe we'll be able to see him!"

Sunni was delighted by this prospect; she had to admit that her own crush on handsome Prince Bryton was just as strong as Kenia's, and he had only just seen him yesterday! Although he did look like Gusto in many ways, in many ways he also stood out; stronger, a bit taller, and a younger face. But she had to push the dreamy Prince Bryton out of her head as a whole gaggle of Kenia's friends and siblings had surrounded her and were plying her with a billion questions about her dress, her family, her journey, and ultimately trying to needle her into talking about Gusto.

"Well, what's he like?" said one girl awkwardly, the name of which had escaped Sunni in the blur of introductions.

"Well, he's just Gusto to us," Sunni said, feeling puzzled by their nervous silence. "He's nice, likes to live alone I guess, but he paints pictures and is very creative."

"Do you think, though, he's a little off centred?" Kenia's sister Pennia said, and Pennia was more of a taller version of her younger sister, the two of them wearing dresses so similar they could have been twins. "A bit strange?"

"Well yeah, he is a bit strange," Sunni admitted with an embarrassed blush. "But then so is everybody in my family."

"It would be a shame if he were to die," said Pennia sadly. "So few members of the Royal blood left in Monteray. But they have to do something about the monster."

"It's horrible isn't it?" said Dalli, Melli Bella's daughter, a red haired girl with white fur who Kenia had whisperingly told Sunni had her eyes on the Prince and the very real possibility to wed him. She was already friends with him. "That monster appears and the whole ocean opens. My father told me; a great raging storm that will not subside until the monster has fed on a living breathing being. It knows if you try to feed it something that isn't alive, though it has no eyes; it can smell fear."

"Oh that's horrible!" said Kenia in a squeal. "Please don't talk about that Dalli, I'm not allowed!"

"Oh but what's the point in forbidding the rumours?" said Pennia with an annoyed look at her sister. "We all know about what happened to poor Captain Tyba and his crew by now."

"Well what happened?" Sunni asked, her curiosity bubbling up in her chest.

"Well," Pennia coughed gently. "The good Captain Tyba and his fine crew went forth to try and slay the beast once and for all. But the monster had a thick hide; scales like a dragon covers its body so that no harpoon can penetrate it. Captain Tyba, however, had the idea that they should tie themselves to their ship so they wouldn't be sucked into the monster's mouth if they fell overboard; and so the monster tore the ship apart to get to a victim. Only one person survived; Felli Bella, who hasn't been the same ever since. He still has that horrible cough and a limp..."

The girls all squealed in horrible distress; apparently Captain Tyba had been a dashing, brave and polite spoken bear who had been entirely besotted by the Queen. He had wanted to wed Thistle Rose, but there was only one snag that had prevented their tragic love from being united in matrimony; the Queen could only have permission to wed by an adult male relative. Her son had been only fifteen at the time and unable to give his permission. The whole Court was still a year later mourning the loss of the Queen's beloved.

"The poor Queen!" said Sunni in dread. "She seems so happy though!"

"She covers it up well," admitted Pennia. "Matters of the heart must not come between the Queen and her duties. Even her feelings for her brother Prince Augustus."

The chatter continued on in this vein for some time. But Dalli suddenly spoke up in her huffy voice, sounding quite appalled with it a ll.

"Well I'm not going to stand around here talking about a soon-to-be-dead Prince, when there's a very real living one standing right over there!"

A squeal of delight erupted from the group at the arrival of Prince Bryton to the Court, and Sunni held her breath.

Oh he looked so dashing today! He was dressed in formal navy blue robes, and his unofficial crown was on his head. Kenia had explained that the Prince had a crown for doing official royal business, a crown for informal visits, and a crown for if he were to ever enter into battle. The last crown had yet to be worn by the Prince, who preferred the lighter less gaudy informal crown to everything else. Sunni couldn't blame him, the crown he now wore looked so much lighter and more comfortable than the heavy thing he had been wearing in court the day before.

Dalli immediately fluttered over to him, like a butterfly separating from a flock to descend upon a choice daisy, and immediately began to chatter with him. For his part the Prince look bored and annoyed with Dalli. There was tension in the lines of his forehead and he was frowning in consternation. Sunni watched as the Prince disentangles himself from Delli's conversation and then, much to the horror and delight of all present, he descended straight towards Sunni and her new friends, making no bones about it. It was obvious he was there with a purpose, and he greeted the girls briefly before turning to look directly at Sunni.

She could swear her heart stopped beating. He was there, not two feet from her, and looking straight into her eyes.

"Dear Miss Sunni," he said politely. "I was delighted to make your acquaintance yesterday, are you enjoying the Court? The Palace."

Sunni felt her voice get caught in her throat; she could swear that Kenia was practically vibrating with excitement beside her.

"Yes sire," Sunni said, suddenly finding her voice. "The Palace is so beautiful. It must be wonderful to call it home!"

The Prince, momentarily stunned, broke out into a hearty laughed.

"My Sunni, you are forthright! Well perhaps you might like a tour of the grounds? I have...a need for air."

Kenia couldn't help a squeak and Sunni noticed that the girls in her group were all staring at them with various looks of...jealousy. Awe and absolute idol worship for the Prince, but the jealousy at this very direct request was highly apparent.

"I...would be honoured to Sire," Sunni stammered, covering a blush.

"Just a short walk," said the Prince, voice sounding slightly annoyed. "I have...a matter to discuss with you as well which would not be...suitable for the Court."

The Prince bowed to her, held out his arm, and she went with him, very very much aware of the excited whispering and gossip that broke out the minute she was just out of proper hearing distance from the lot. Dalli was giving her the most foulest glare and Sunni smirked, sending a coy fluttery smile her way.

Hah! Take that!

She was totally unaware, as she was strolling along the gardens with Prince Bryton, totally lost in her own little world, that they were being watched.

---Heheheh, I love Sunni. :) Just a break from the male-centric perspective I'd been employing. Something a little more feminine, and definitely Sunni. I have to start working on my characterizations of other characters though. I'm falling into stereotypes again, which is kind of what I'm trying to avoid. And just so you know, if anybody has read Mercedes Lackey's Herald Mage books, I was inspired by her descriptions of Court and palace fluttery when I started thinking up what the Monteray Court would be like. So there is probably a visible resemblance to that.---