The Summer King's Winter Bride

The rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains coaxing her eyes awake. She had slept lightly throughout the night, tossing and turning for the heat, throwing all her blankets on the floor.

Her maid Elise hurriedly walked in, carrying a new gown of gold silk with silver embroidery.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed as Elise set a gold tray on the table for her to reach. 

Princess Caroline brought the steaming cup of liquid to her mouth and took a small sip of its contents, savoring its sweetness.

"What is this strange concoction Elise? This is not my usual hot chocolate and cream."

"Your Highness this is a special concoction of herbal tea, fruits and rose petals, meant to cool the body, I am told the kitchen had it especially made for you."

 "The gown you just brought in? I do not remember ever seeing it at the Winter Court."

"A gift, from His Majesty, requesting that you wear it."

"How thoughtful of him, now he wishes to dress me up as well."

Princess Caroline opened the cover of a bowl of cold porridge. She looked at it and asked.

"Elise what am I eating today?"

"Oats, barley grains, sunflower seeds with a mixture of dried apricots and cranberries, Your Highness. It was especially made for you to help you adjust to the warmer climate."

"I see so my diet will be completely different from now onwards?"

"Yes, Your Highness." Her maid confirmed.

"Your Highness, I shall get your bubble bath ready, you must leave within an hour if not you will be late for the court gathering at the Solarium. We are running late."

"Of course, Elise."

Elise quickly ran into the bathroom and filled the bathtub with luke warm water, she poured in the soap solution, which had the scent of sea salt, grapefruit, warm apples, vanilla and rose water. 

Princess Caroline undressed herself and taking a towel, stepped into the bathtub, releasing a sigh of relief that the temperature was just right.

"Elise, this is not my usual bath scent."

"Your Highness, the royal perfumer and soap maker insisted I put this in your bathwater to purify, cleanse and perfume your skin, to impress His Majesty the King."

"I see, how kind of them, well if it pleases the king I suppose I should accept it." She muttered under her breath, feeling a little miffed at having to make so many changes once again to accomodate a royal life in the Summerlands.

Apparently the servants were doing their best to help her embrace the culture and the lifestyle of the Summerlanders and help her blend into the Summer Court warmth.

Elise quickly helped her into her underclothes and laced her corset, and pulled the new gown onto her body. She then started braiding her hair and pinning tiny gold jeweled hair pins to her hair that sparkled in the sunlight. Princess Caroline opened her jewelry box to take the royal crown but was stopped by her maid.

"Your Highness, this was brought for you to wear, I am told it belonged to the late Queen Aurora of the Summer Court," said Elise as she placed a gold necklace with pearl drops around her neck and matching earrings, she took out a beautiful gold tiara with pearl teardrops at the edges and placed it on her head before Princess Caroline could protest.

Princess Caroline admired the jewels of the Summer Court but whispered sadly.

"I do not look like a princess of the Winter Court anymore."

"Perhaps not Your Highness, but you are doing your people a great service, with your compliance."

"Thank you, Elise."

The clock on the mantle piece chimed, reminding them that they needed to leave.

Princess Caroline looked at herself one last time in the large mirror and followed her maid to the Solarium.

She squared her shoulders just outside the doors as her presence was announced. The double doors opened and she walked in with a smile plastered on her face despite the nerves she felt that seemed to coil within her.

The Solarium was a vast gold circular chamber with a glass dome that allowed the sunlight to filter in uninhibited. Trumpet vine and climbing rose grew wildly along the marble pillars of the chamber their fragrance mingling with the scent of citrus fruits such as tangerines, lemons and limes that grew in pots near the entrance.

In the center of the room was a long table, where the nobles sat dressed in rich fabrics of amber, crimson and gold. The men wore tunics, leather vests and their fingers were heavy with rings. The women were draped in silks of various shades of colors that shimmered and shine as the sunlight caught it. Their hair adorned extravagantly with jeweled pins that sparkled beneath the sunlight.

At the head of the table sat King Casimir in a black tunic that had gold embroidery that made his eyes glow, his raven black hair fell across his shoulders, gold rings on each finger and single gold ring on one ear. He looked at ease as she walked in, his eyes following her every move and taking in her new countenance in summer court colours.

Every pair of eyes studied her carefully as she made her way to the long table, a maid pulled out the chair closest to the king for her to be seated. Princess Caroline swallowed discreetly and made her way towards the head of the table as she sat in her seat. A lady seated opposite her remarked.

"So this is the Winter Court princess we have heard so much about."

She was a beautiful noble woman with dark auburn hair which was braided in an intricate coil. She wore a dress of bright orange, its bodice laced with gold embroidery, the rings on her fingers were not just decorative rather they were meant to be noticed. Most probably a woman who wielded power, princess Caroline assumed as she asked.

"What have you heard?"

"A powerful princess who wields ice and water, with a cold resolve and beauty as fair and radiant."

"That is true," Princess Caroline gave her a reluctant smile. Not sure if she were a friend or foe.

"Though I must say gold does not suit you." The noblewoman pointed out.

An insult in front of everyone, she was most definitely a foe, Princess Caroline thought as she answered.

"Yet His Majesty was kind and welcoming enough to gift this dress and jewelry to me, for that we must show some appreciation, shouldn't we?" Princess Caroline asked sweetly, in her determination to unnerve this woman and put her in place.

A deep chuckle came from somewhere down the table.

The noblewoman seemed to pale as she considered her next words carefully.

"Your Majesty, it is kind that you wish to help her assimilate to summer court life."

She said boldly addressing the king.

King Casimire chuckled, "now now Daphne I sense no apology at being outright rude to our guest and newest member of court."

Lady Daphne Chandler was taken aback and begrudgingly said.

"My apologies Your Highness, I did not wish to offend you."

"All is forgiven," replied Princess Caroline graciously.

Though next time she wondered if she should be less gracious should this woman try to overpower her at court.

An elderly nobleman leaned forward stroking his gray beard.

"Tell us princess, how well are you settling in our warm lands compared to a lifetime of winter?"

"I am settling in well, Lord?"

"Callahan of the House of Verona."

Princess Caroline took a sip of her wine, and for the first time she enjoyed its taste, it was warm, earthy and fruity.

"The wine is to your liking, Your Highness?"

An elderly noblewoman took notice of her smile.

"It is, its a rich flavour." The princess replied.

King Casimir turned towards her and whispered in her ear in front of the nobles.

"You must try the food, go ahead, I'll distract them."

Princess Caroline giggled and caught herself, remembering that it was inappropriate.

King Casimir then turning towards his nobles said.

"Come, come lets discuss your concerns and stop berating my guest of honour."

Conversation drifted to politics and trade, welfare of the people's in different regions.

Princess Caroline listened carefully as she ate each dish the servants laid in front of her.

This court was a battlefield like any other and she would soon learn its rules.

King Casimir leaned towards her once more and whispered,

"You handled everything well."

"You should not be surprised."

"I'm not." He whispered a smile on his face and his warm golden gaze on her.

She met his golden gaze with her dark blue one, he however seemed to surprise her at every turn and corner she thought. Perhaps he was not as cruel as the stories depicted him to be.