The Tale of Reicheru (Beginning)

CHAPTER ONE1

“Your Highness, dear, get your coat on. It’s time for our daily outing. Oh, did I tell you yet? I have a secret admirer! It’s so romantic…”2

Prince Thames sighed in annoyance, knowing it was pointless to argue, and rose from his chair. Nis nurse swept him outside the door and closed it behind them, still babbling on and on about the mysterious secret admirer who had left her a bouquet of fresh cut flowers just the other day.3

“Ah, who could it be?” she giggled, cheeks flushed a rosy pink. Her hands had become occupied with twisting her handkerchief into a swirl of pink and white. “I do wonder so…” Her meaningless chatter was carried off on the wind, leaving no impact on the young master.4

Thames wanted more than anything to get back inside to his studies. Working away at his desk with paper and pen was his personal paradise; the sound of the pen scratching merrily across the parchment was music to his ears. He hated the outdoors, where things could be spontaneous and unpredictable. Nothing out there was ever orderly and structured like he wanted it to be. The slightest things--the crack of a branch when stepped on, or a squirrel running across the grass from out of nowhere--might scar him for the rest of his life.5

This was quite unhealthy for a growing boy of his age, according to Nurse, at least. She made sure he went out every day, saying sunshine and fresh air were good for him. He was sure, however, that the real reason for these outings was that she enjoyed seeing him made miserable.6

Today it was even worse than usual. Snow had just started to fall the day before, and already the ground was covered in a crisp, clean white blanket that had been perfect down to the tiniest detail before they had ruined it with their footprints.7

Thames hated winter even more than he did summer. But then, he hated quite a lot of things. Shivering with his light coat clutched tightly to his chest, he pursed his lips and gently blew out. One of the few things he liked about winter was seeing his own breath in the air. It never ceased to fascinate him.8

Nurse suddenly stopped gushing about the man of her dreams, just noticing how cold it was. Thames was starting to turn blue, and the coat he was wearing was meant for warmer weather. “I apologize, your Highness,” she said, smiling a bit sheepishly. “I did not realize it was so cold. Let us go inside for some hot chocolate from the royal kitchens, yes?”9

Thames did not particularly like hot chocolate, but was all too eager to get out of the cold. Forcing a smile of what he hoped looked like enthusiasm, he nodded and followed her back into the castle.10

The young prince felt relieved once they were back inside, enjoying the feeling of having both feet planted firmly on the solid stone floor, and not sinking through cold, wet snow. His shoes and socks had gotten soaked, leaving a small trail of melting snow on the floor.11

In the kitchens, he sat down at the oaken table along with Nurse and waited impatiently for the hot chocolate to be ready. The cook’s assistant who was making it for them just insisted on adding various things to the concoction, and never seemed to run out of them. As if the pinch of cinnamon and handful of tiny marshmallows that were already floating in it weren’t enough. When it was finally declared ready, he gulped it down in a rush, ignoring that his tongue got burned, then went to his bedchambers, where he pulled off his dripping footwear and slipped on a dry pair of socks.12

Titters and giggles of the maids floated up the staircase. Nurse must have been gossiping with them, as she often tended to. Thames childishly stuck out his tongue. Her now-famous, anonymous sweetheart was probably just some child who liked causing mischief.13

A loud burst of hearty laughter sounded from the kitchens. He wondered what was so funny. Shrugging, he descended the stairs and went back to writing his essay on ancient warfare.14

15


A deathly pale girl lay shivering violently amongst the snow, light violet hair streaming out about her. The almost-frozen lashes drooping forlornly from her gently closed eyes were moist with a mixture of snow and tears. Her smooth, silky soft skin was nearly as pale as the white frost that enveloped her.16

Her small, delicate mouth moved slowly, lips uttering a stream of words. “I’m so sorry, my Princess,” she cried out bitterly. “It’s all…my fault…I have failed you.” With a heaving breath, she pulled out her knife, holding it up to the small ray of sunlight filtered through the sky. “I never thought…it would come to this.” The blade slashed down in a beautiful sweep; an attempt to end her own pathetic life. “Farewell,” she whispered.17

18


CHAPTER TWO19

The Princess stood out on the balcony, skirts, and veil flapping softly in the wind. The breeze enchanted her hair, snatching up the dark strands and letting them dance. Her fingers were interlaced, hands closed and head bowed in a solemn prayer. “Murasaki,” she breathed, her face ashen. “Murasaki…” The world swam before her eyes as she fell into a stupor.20

21


Knock, knock, knock! The impatient hammering of fists jolted the prince out of his slumber. Thames pulled himself out of bed and proceeded to answer the door, yawning to himself as he went.22

Nurse handed him his tray of breakfast, stacked with food fit for a king. “Hurry up and eat it,” she commanded. “Then we can go outside for our morning walk. It really is lovely outside, you know. I’ve gotten out our winter coats and furs, so you’ll be all nice and warm.”23

Thames poked at his eggs with his fork before spearing a bit and holding it to the light for closer inspection. “Okay,” he muttered, eyeing it uncertainly.24

“Eat, I said,” Nurse said crossly, giving him a stern look. “Don’t just look at it. It’s fine, it’s not poisoned, it’s already been checked by one of the servants--”25

“Eeew, that’s disgusting!” he exclaimed, wrinkling his face in repulsion. The fork and eggs fell back onto the tray with a loud clatter. “You mean to tell me, it has the servant’s slobber in it???” Pushing away the object of offence, he turned his back and refused to so much as look at it.26

Nurse huffed, anxious to get out of doors. “But, if you’ll excuse me, Your Highness,” she protested, “We’ve gone over this before…You know it is necessary for the food to be tasted before being passed onto you. Royalty is ever in danger; there is always someone or another who hates ’em, and possibly attempts at assassination. This is done to protect you. It’s for your own good--”27

“I don’t care,” he said haughtily, nose upturned. “Remove it from my sight at once.”28

Nurse frowned, mood darkening. “Fine, go without breakfast. But mark my words, you’ll have to get hungry sooner or later, ’tis only human nature. And then you’ll eat what’s offered to you, and be grateful, too!” Her hand latched onto his sleeve, yanking him along. “Come, now, I’ll not be deterred any longer from my morning walk!”29

Thames jerked free, rubbing his arm where it had become red. “I’m still in my pajamas,” he snapped. “Now, would you kindly leave, so I can change my clothes in peace?”30

Nurse bowed meekly. “Yes, Your Highness,” she said obediently, regretting her rash actions. He could have her hanged or beheaded, after all. “I’ll just take this, I know some maids who would be glad to have such a fine breakfast,” she called over her shoulder as she carried the tray out.31

The young prince blew an insolent raspberry after her, then threw open the doors to his wardrobe. At the bottom, standing under all the clothes, was a small box. His fingers snaked under the lid and flipped it up, than reached inside. Here lay his precious stash of sweets. There were candied nuts, little chocolates, and a couple old tarts that had somehow gotten by without becoming stale. This was what he ate when Nurse thought he would get hungry and eventually eat what was given to him.32

He picked out an apple tart, deciding that he had better finish the rest of the tarts soon anyway, before his luck ran out and they went stale. His lips closed over it, tongue savoring the taste. Delicious.33

“Your Highness? Are you dressed? May I come in?” Nurse called.34

“Egads,” he murmured. “She’s back already?” He swiftly finished the tart, guzzling it down with a drink from the water pouch that lay on his table.35

“Your Highness? Did you hear me?” Nurse demanded. “If you won’t answer, I’m coming in!” To prove this, the doorknob turned slightly, but then it stuck. Thames had locked it once she too his breakfast away. “Da--…the door won’t open!”36

“It’s locked. Just wait out there. I’ll be out in a minute.” He clapped the lid back on the box, slid it back to the bottom of the wardrobe, and pulled out the clothes nearest to him.37

“Why are you always taking so long?” Nurse scolded from the other side of the door. “Goodness!”38

Thames rolled his eyes, mimicking her words softly as he stripped off his pajamas, scowling at the embarrassing flannel pattern of pink and white stripes. He wasn’t a little kid anymore.39

“Thames?!?”40

“Patience is a virtue,” her charge said in a slightly 41

amused manner, thinking of all the times she had drilled this into his head. He pushed his head up through the space for his neck in the tunic and threw his arms into the sleeves, then pulled it down and tucked the row of buttons into their holes.42

“If you aren’t out here in two minutes, you’re sleeping outside tonight.”43

Thames tripped over the pair of thick brown breeches he was pulling on and cursed gravity as he crashed onto the floor. He grimaced as the cold stone edged into his back. “Oww…” he moaned, trying in vain to get up.44

Nurse frantically twisted the knob, trying to break through the lock, but to no avail. “Thames?!?!?” she shrieked, shrill voice clashing into his eardrums.45

He gasped and managed to grab onto the bedpost, pulling himself up. It was a slow and agonizing process. Several times he nearly fell back down due to Nurse’s high-pitched screeching, but somehow managed to steady himself and keep going. Once he was standing again, his arms and legs ached terribly, but he gritted his teeth and bore it.46

“THAMES?!?!?”47

“I’m…okay…” he called, sliding the breeches up his legs. He made it to the door and turned the bit that stuck out in the middle of the knob, unlocking it, then pushed forward.48

“Well, you took long enough,” Nurse said darkly, pushing his coat, boots, and gloves into his arms. “Bundle up, now, and come along!”49

They were soon at the front door, and she threw it open with a flourish, letting the air rush in. The shock of it struck him like a battering ram, nearly knocking him off his feet. Judging by how it felt, it was as at least twice as cold as it had been the day before.50

Mumbling an incoherent string of words under his breath, he slowly shuffled through the piles of icy sleet. The water seeped through his boots and socks, swimming in a morose puddle around his feet. The bitter weather stung at his cheeks and through his thick woolen gloves, numbing his fingers.51

“Oh, cheer up!” Nurse said brightly, unfazed by the gloom winter weather presented. “The sun is shining--”52

“It’s blocked by the clouds,” came the irate reply.53

“The flowers--”54

“Are dying from being buried alive under the snow.”55

“The trees are--”56

“Bare.”57

Nurse breezily brushed off his comments. “The snow is beautiful,” she declared.58

“It’s all messed up, now that people have sloshed through it,” he returned, closing his eyes to shut out the world.59

“Oh, don’t be so negative,” she told him, ruffling his hair.60

“I hate optimists,” Thames growled, pulling away. And when people ruin my hair, he added mentally.61

“Darling, why don’t you make a snow angel? How about building a snowman? Or making snowballs? Honestly, I don’t mind if you throw snowballs at me. Most children your age…”62

Thames bristled, the buzzing in his ears blocking out the rest of her words. Children. Why did she always have to use that word? He was already fourteen; surely that was old enough for him not to have to endure hearing that word in reference to him anymore. He wanted to kick himself. Why had he come out here in the first place? He could have faked a cold, and spent an enjoyable day in his bed, reading volumes on heroes of the past, instead of being forced to “enjoy” the snow.63

Nurse’s curls bobbed merrily round her face, cheeks flushed and eyes shining. “Or…” she whispered, excited as a young child, “We could go sledding!”64

Thames opened his mouth to let her know exactly what he thought of THAT idea, and instantly regretted it. A well-aimed snowball hit him in the mouth, flooding his tongue with the unwanted sensation of burning and freezing at the same time. “Aaack!” He spat out the lump of snow, coughing with indignation. “Who…who threw that snowball?!? I demand to know!” he raged, flinging his arms up madly in the air.65

“Erm…that was me, Your Highness,” his nurse admitted, choking back a laugh at the look on his face. “I didn’t know you would react like that.”66

Thames fumed. “I will not stand for this any longer! We are going back inside, NOW!”67

Nurse shook her head. “We are not going back until I say we are,” she said firmly. “I want to see how the lake looks, with all the water as ice.”68

Thames felt his hand reflexively clench into a fist, knuckles white. “Now I see why people become misanthropes,” he mused. “If they have half the reason I do, they are justified. No one ever listens to me, and I’m royalty. What life must be like for the peasants…”69

“Thames? Are you coming, or would you rather wait here until I get back?”70

The prince sighed and trudged after, kicking up little clumps of powdery precipitation with his feet. If he stayed, he would most likely just wonder what was taking her so long and go after her, anyway. It was too bad he couldn’t go back to the castle while she went off to the lake. He didn’t see why she got a set of keys, and he didn’t.71

“Your Highness, would you please stop kicking up the snow? And catch up, will you?”72

“Yes, Nurse.” The snow crunched loudly under his feet, and he cringed at the noise. Determined to find something positive about his situation, he raised his hand over his eyes, peering out over the sparkling white. Nothing. He squinted, sure there had to be something besides snow out there. Still nothing. No, wait… His gaze flickered back to a certain spot with a smudge of color. It was far off and barely even noticeable, but it was there. He was sure of it. It happened to be in the direction of the lake, so the farther he walked, the clearer it became.73

His eyes widened, his mouth forming a small “O” of surprise. “Nurse,” he said, steering her slightly so that she was looking in the right direction. “There’s…someone…lying out there…”74

Nurse rubbed her eyes. “A--Are you sure?” she asked, startled.75

But Thames had already ran off towards the body, leaving blurred footprints behind him.76

Nurse raced after him. “Aaargh! I’m not as young as I used to be…” She waved, trying to get his attention. “Your Highness! Come back! It might be a corpse…” She swallowed, meeting a knot of fear that had risen in her throat. Her legs stayed frozen in place for a moment, but then she snapped out of it and sped off. “THAMES!!!”77

When she reached the young prince, she found him knelt over a young girl, trying to see if he could detect a heartbeat. A long, silver knife lay at her side, plunged headfirst into the snow.78