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“Yes,” I said, thinking of my uncle Mehdi and the many times he helped with the chores around his house. “My father always said that it was important to know how to do things for yourself. No one is going to do everything for you in life. It reflects badly on you if you watch others do all the work and you just stand there.”
“Well, that might be the case in Midar,” said Darith with wide eyes. “But it’s different here. We do not expect the nobility to lift a finger. It’s a craft and helping the servants would insult their profession.”
Craftsmanship. The word sent a pang of guilt through me. The importance that the people of the Elvish regions placed on their craft made sure there was only one step I could take. That I needed to be treated like a delicate flower for the rest of my life in order not to offend people was jarring.
I plastered a smile on my face. “Fine. I won’t help them then. My apologies. I wasn’t aware of this.”
“Thank you, princess.” Darith turned her face away. “You’ll learn. There’s a lot you will have to learn about being a princess of the Elves.”
Princess of Manzimor, not a princess of the Elves.
I turned to the servants, who observed our exchange with interest. “Please continue. I didn’t intend to offend your craft.”
They placed their fingers on their chin and a fist on their chest, before going back to work.
I sat on the bed, feeling more lost than ever.
Darith sat next to me. “Understand, things are different here. You’re going to have to get used to it.”
“I’ll do my best,” I said, not sure if I could ever get used to this. It didn’t seem right.
“Good,” Darith said as she turned her attention back to the servants. “Let’s get this unpacking done so you can rest.”
As I sat on the edge of the bed, I watched as the servants finished unpacking my things. It was surreal to see my life being put away in this new room. A life that I never imagined for myself.
And yet, here I was.
After everything was unpacked and put away, I could finally relax. Darith dismissed the servants, and they left me alone in my rooms.
I placed salt and silver under my bed, in the corners of the room, and on the windowsills. A Midarian tradition to ward off evil intentions, and I wasn’t taking any chances.
I added a few tapestries to the walls to make the room feel more like home. And then I sat on the bed, staring at the empty fireplace.
“What is that tapestry on the wall?” Darith asked, gesturing to the one that I had brought with me from home. It depicted the redwood forests of Midar.
“Oh.” A smile lightened my features as I looked at it. “That’s home. The redwood forests. It’s a family heirloom. It’s been passed down for generations.”
“It’s exquisite.” Darith admired the intricate detail as her fingers paused on the runes. “I’ve seen nothing like it.”
Elvish hearth casters didn’t use the same rune work as Midarians, so the meaning was lost on her.
“The runes are protective magic,” I said, understanding her curiosity. “They were woven into the fabric to protect the room and those who sleep in it from harm.”
Her brow furrowed. “And do you believe you need that?”
“The redwoods remind me of home, and that’s all I need.”
I needed the protection of the runes, but I wouldn’t tell her that. Some things should remain secret.
“If you say so.” Darith stared at the tapestry with a longing expression. “I can see why. It’s lovely. Your parents must be very proud of it and you.”
“They are.” My voice filled with love and admiration. “I’m very lucky. I miss them already.”
“They’ll visit you here soon enough.” Darith nodded. “And in the meantime, we’ll take good care of you. We are happy that you are here.”
“That’s kind of you to say. What can I expect tonight? Will there be many guests?”
“No, princess.” Darith shook her head. “The party is small and intimate.”
