A Tale of Two Princesses by V. Ashenden Read Free Book Online

money I earn back to you. I swear."
         His jaw shifted. "If the princess has offered, I dare not refuse. Your highness, by all means, take her with my blessing."
         "Then it's settled," Celeste said, looking at Homa. "I do hope you're ever so careful with her, Homa. For if she is discovered in the castle, she will find herself in the queen's wrath, and you with her."
     
    * * *
     
         Sienna felt like a princess, walking through the castle, soldiers all around her, standing guard. Everything was so clean! Even the floors beneath her sandals shined. Yes, the floors shined! She didn't even know how to make a floor shine, but somehow, the floors shined.
         "Come along, child," Homa said.
         "Sorry, madam," Sienna said, hurrying to catch up. "This is the most magnificent place in the whole world!"
         Homa chuckled. "I do forget how marvelous it is sometimes. It must be something to see for you, child."
         "It is! It is! Is this where they have balls and parties?"
         "No, child, this is the entry hall."
         "Oh!"
         Homa took her through a door that led to a staircase. She picked up a candelabrum to guide her footsteps. At the bottom of the staircase, another door opened into a hallway with doors on either side, not so different from her uncle's tavern, but far bigger and cleaner and nicer.
         "Does the princess herself sleep down here?"
         "The princess?" Homa said. "Heavens, no! This is the servants' quarters."
         "Oh. This is where you sleep?"
         "I am her highness' lady-in-waiting. I sleep in chambers."
         "Um, okay. So, where am I sleeping? Is there a stable in the castle?"
         "Of course there's a stable. What does that have to do with anything though?"
         "I just thought I'd be sleeping in the stable."
         "Goodness, child, why would you want to sleep in a stable?"
         "I always sleep in the stable at home."
         "Dear me," she said. "I shudder to think of what that uncle of yours has put you through."
         "Uncle Banyan isn't so bad. He's nice to me when the tavern's doing well. It'd do better if I worked harder. It's my fault."
         "I dare say," she said, opening one of the wooden doors. "This room belonged to Deidra. It's yours for the brief time you'll be with us. The kitchen wakes with the sun to prepare breakfast. I'll return for you then. Do not go wandering about the castle."
         "No, ma'am. I'll stay right here."
         "See that you do," Homa said. "Goodnight."
         She turned to leave, but then Sienna ran after her, crashing into her and hugging her around the waist.
         "Child!"
         "Madam Homa, thank you for saving me. I thought tonight was going to be the worst night of my life. Now, I'm in a castle and it's the most incredible thing I've ever seen. And I know the princess wasn't going to help me, but you changed her mind, and I don't know why, because you don't even know me and you didn't even have to speak up, but you did, and if I can ever repay you, I will."
         Homa had a gentle smile. She patted Sienna's golden head. "Do sleep well, child."
         Homa closed the door. Sienna looked around the room. It was far larger than her stable. It was even larger than her uncle's tavern rooms. There was a bed, a real bed, off to the side, and a dresser for things, and a mirror! She hurried and looked into it. She remembered staring into her mother's mirror when she was younger. Her uncle had sold it off with the house. Now, the only way she ever saw herself was in a bucket of water on a clear day. She tilted her head as she looked at her profile. Her hair really was golden, more so than she ever thought it was. She put her chin in her palms and smiled.
         "Me? Why, I'm Princess Sienna, of course. How do you do?" She giggled at her reflection. "What's that? Where's my tiara? Oh, I'll go put it on."
         She began searching