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“I think I know, dear heart, and don’t you fret. I won’t give the Prince any reason to be upset this visit, I promise you. Nanny will keep her thoughts to herself this time.”
Tulip smiled and kissed her nanny on her soft powdery cheek.
“That’s right, give your old nanny a kiss and forget your troubles. It’s solstice, dear, your favorite time of year, and nothing will ruin this for you, I promise you that!”
The carriage reached the front doors of the castle, where Lumiere was standing, waiting to open her carriage door.
“Bonjour, Princess! Aren’t you looking as beautiful as always? It is so lovely to see you again!”
Tulip giggled and blushed, as she often did when Lumiere spoke to her.
“Hello, Lumiere. I trust the Prince is attending to more pressing matters than taking time to greet his fiancée, who has traveled across the country to visit him for the solstice?” grumbled Nanny. Lumiere took it in stride.
“Indeed, Nanny! If both of you will follow me, Christian there will take your luggage to your apartments in the East Wing.”
Nanny and Tulip looked at each other in wonder. Usually they would be shown up to their rooms so they might refresh themselves after their long travels. But Lumiere ushered them past many vast and beautiful rooms until they finally arrived at a large door wrapped to look like an extravagant gift with a big gold bow.
“What is this?” Nanny snapped.
“Go inside and see for yourself!”
Tulip opened the giant gift wrapped door to find a winter wonderland within. There was an enormous oak tree stretching to the very height of the golden domed ceiling. It was covered in magnificent lights and beautifully ornate finery that sparkled in their glow. Under the tree was an abundance of gifts, and standing among them was the Prince, his arms stretched out as he waited to greet her. Tulip’s heart was filled with joy. The Prince seemed to be in wonderful spirits!
“My love! I am so happy to see you!” She wrapped her arms around his waist and embraced him.
“Hello, my dearest. You are in quite a state from traveling, aren’t you? I’m surprised you didn’t insist to be taken to your rooms to make yourself presentable before showing yourself.”
The Prince scowled as if he were looking at a dirty servant girl and not the woman he loved.
“I’m sorry, dear, you’re right, of course.”
Lumiere, always the gentleman, and eager to please the ladies, added, “It’s my fault, my lord. I insisted she follow me at once. I knew you were excited to show the princess the decorations.”
“I see. Well, Tulip dear, soon you will be queen in these lands and, more important, queen in this house, and you must learn to decide for yourself what is right and insist upon it. I am sure next time you will make the right choice.”
Tulip colored a deep crimson but found the most authoritative voice she could manage.
“Yes, my love and prince. Lumiere, if you will show Nanny and me to our rooms so we may ready ourselves for dinner…”
With that, she left the room without even a kiss for the Prince, for she was rushing to avoid letting him see she was on the verge of tears.
How dare he suggest she was unseemly to come into his company upon her arrival? Did she look so grotesque? Lumiere seemed to hear her very thoughts.
“As I said when you arrived, dear princess,” he said, “you look beautiful as always. Do not heed the master’s words. He has been rather distracted as of late.”
Nanny and Tulip just looked at each other, wondering what this visit had in store.
It seemed to Tulip there were fewer servants than the last time she visited, though the castle didn’t seem to suffer for it; it looked even more grand than usual, having been decorated for the solstice. Her favorite court companion, Pflanze, a beautiful black, orange, and white cat, was in attendance to keep her company. “Hello, beautiful Pflanze!” she said to her little friend, and she leaned over to pat her on the head.
“So you’ve named her? What a strange name. What does it mean?”
Tulip looked up to see the Prince standing over her.
“Oh! I don’t know! I thought you came up with it. I was sure it was you who told me her name,” the princess responded.
“It wasn’t me. I don’t even like the beast!” he said, giving Pflanze a dirty look as she gave him her customary side glance and adjusted her paws.
“Someone else must have told me, then,” said the princess.
