THREE

(LADY SULTAN)

The opening of the yearly ball at The sultan's palace is a most highly seldom invitation, indeed, for every lucky bachelor or single lady, from the palace to the houses of low but high-class persons, will be on display."

"The mud on my boots refuses to clean, so taking them off is my only option"

"The princess climbs to the tallest tree beside the walls of the palace, assuming that is her only way to get in without being caught by the guards. Climbing trees has always been a skill she exhibits in the garden. Every princess is supposed to learn how to use the teacups and cutleries but this princess climbs the tallest trees in all the land... Some will say outrageous but I will say devasting..."

(PLATES AND CUPS JIGGLING)

It is lunchtime and as I said before, the princess will never want to miss a meal time. She rushes into her bedroom to see, Miriam, laying on her bed, covered with the bed sheets. The face of the princess says amusement but Miriam shows dismay.

"You are so lucky, Kleo, few times your sister knocked on this door and I lied to her about your rest. Now I believe you need to take a cold bath."

The princess keeps smiling at the complete honesty of her friend.

"Thank you so much, Miriam, and yes, indeed, I need to take a cold bath before the bell rings for lunch the last time."

(PALACE BELL RINGS)

👸🏾~

My eyes shot open at the sound of the last ring of the palace bell and I grimaced at the ceiling. I could smell lunch being made as I walk down the massive stairs, wide enough to contain twenty people on a stair, except the person, is plump. I walked into the dining room in time to interrupt a conversation between My father and Rashida. My mother sat at the table with them listening quietly, curiosity shining through her face.

"So every Prince is going to be here by tomorrow night?" Rashida exclaimed breathlessly, her fingers covering her mouth from her ladylike gasp. Her brown eyes were wide and glanced at her father and mother's faces.

"All of them, actually Bachelors, Single ladies and couples but specifically it's held for the singles" My father nodded, glancing at my mother who was currently drinking her glass of juice.

For the moment my attention was drawn to the smell of baked bread, garlic hummus and freshly boiled potatoes. The aroma ignited my stomach and I found myself ignoring the rest of my family.

" What about Kleo, is she going to the ball?" I heard Rashida whisper, but at once the whole table was silent. I look up at my father as I chew down my bread. I don't want to attend the ball, I have never attended it though but I am not interested in going either.

"Well, she is old enough and besides she is going to get married after you are swept off your feet."

I try not to spit out the juice in my mouth, but the thought of getting married to a man is the last thing on my mind. I can not stand the thought of being controlled all my life, like the rules my father has imposed on me is not enough, I will not let another person control me, because that's what all wives do.

The table was silent for the rest of the lunch and I appreciated it because I was getting too irritated with the ball topic.