The Princess and the Stable Maid
The story of Crown Prince Yixing-Jiumin Jinhai and Seven continues...
Princess Yixing-Jiumin Jinyat rushed to the quarters of her brother, Crown Prince Yixing-Jiumin Jinhai, in the Hall of the Princes in Liliakinyosa, the imperial palace in Sendoshi. Entering his quarters, Princess Jinyat frantically said, "Jinhai! What happened? Where is Seven? I heard the maids talking. They said that Seven left you in Chessdo, and no one knows where he is!" Prince Jinhai replied softly, his posture and voice reflecting the heartache he was feeling, "Yes, Jinyat, the maids were right. He left me in Chessdo. I don't know where he went. But it was my fault that he left." Seeing that Jinhai was feeling downhearted and guilty, Princess Jinyat asked softly, "What happened, Jinhai? Seven is your best friend. You're like brothers! Something big must have happened." "It was something big, Yat. I couldn't believe it. Seven couldn't believe it, either. Neither of us knew what to do, and...and...I treated Seven really bad. Like he was nothing more than a baggage carrier. I'm really ashamed, and our father isn't at all happy with me. I could have caused a war!" Taken aback by Prince Jinhai's words, Princess Jinyat asked, "But Jinhai, how could that happen? What could make you do that? I know you! You always know what to do!" Prince Jinhai replied softly, "But, Yat, how could I know what to do when I found out...when Seven and I both found out...that...that he is really the queen of Chessa's, Queen Na'Omi's, long lost son, and his real name is Prince Toma?" "What?!" Princess Jinyat cried out. "What? Seven is Queen Na'Omi's son? How? How can he be her son? Six brought him from Xosuyel Vold. He's an orphan! Everyone said he's an orphan." Prince Jinhai related the story of how Queen Na'Omi's son was stolen from her and their speculation that two Gasyendithite martial arts masters had taken Seven as an infant to the monastery at Xosuyel Vold. "But how can they know, Jinhai?" Princess Jinyat asked. "That seems impossible!" Prince Jinhai told her how Seven was identified by his uncle, Duke Togawa and the old eunuch. "You've seen the mark on the back of Seven's neck yourself, Yat," Prince Jinhai said. "I always thought the monks at Xosuyel Vold made it on him. Even Seven thought so, but it's not. It's a mark put only on royal princes of Chessa, direct descendants of the king. That old eunuch put it on Seven's neck himself. He was certain that Seven is Prince Toma. And according to Queen Na'Omi and Duke Togawa, Seven even looks like the former king, Queen Na'Omi's husband and Duke Togawa's older brother. The Queen noticed it the moment we first met her. There's no doubt that Seven is Prince Toma." "What are you going to do, Jinhai?" Princess Jinyat asked. "Queen Na'Omi must be beside herself with grief that her son is gone again!" Princess Jinyat's heart ached when she thought about how the Queen must be feeling. "She is, and she asked me to find Seven and take him back to her, but Father is feeling pressure from the court. They think I'm not ready for such important missions, and that I really messed everything up, and well, maybe they're right," Prince Jinhai said, feeling disheartened again. "Father told me to stay here and think about my mistakes. He said someone else will find Seven." "They aren't right! I know you better!" Princess Jinyat, said, defending the older brother she admired so much. "Thanks for saying so, Yat, but Father told me I have to stay here. I want to find Seven. But right now I just can't," Prince Jinhai said. Suddenly, Princess Jinyat's eyes filled with tears, surprising Prince Jinhai. He knew that she didn't cry easily or often. She sniffled, "What can we do, Jinhai? I...I...I miss Seven. He is my friend, too. And, well, I...um. I like him. You know. He's so...so...real. He's not like all those boys mother and grandmother want me to meet. All they care about is status and money and connections. But...but Seven isn't like them. He's always so calm, and I learn so much from him." Prince Jinhai said, "Yat! I never knew you liked Seven! I mean not like that. You've never shown that kind of interest in anyone that I've ever seen or heard about, and the maids are always gossipping about that kind of stuff. I would have known." Princess Jinyat said, "Well, how could I? I don't like anyone else, and Seven is your friend and bodyguard, and a commoner. Mother and grandmother will never allow me to marry a commoner. You should know after what happened to Amalie. Grandmother almost had her beaten to death!" "I know. Don't remind me," Prince Jinhai said. "I hope she's doing okay working in the laundry. I could wring Tu's neck for what she did. Why is she like that?" "I don't know. She just is, no matter what I say. But let's not talk about her. What can we do to bring Seven back?" Princess Jinyat asked. "I can't do anything right now, Yat," Prince Jinhai said. "Father made it clear. I have to stay here. He might kill me if I leave the palace. But I'll think more about it. I don't even know where he went to begin looking for him." "We have to find him, Jinhai! If you can't find him, I will!" Princess Jinyat said. She turned to leave. "If you think of something, tell me!" "I will," said Prince Jinhai. "But Jinyat, please don't do anything rash. Father and your mother might do something drastic. I don't want you to get hurt!" "I know, Jinhai. When have I ever done anything rash?" Princess Jinyat said. She left Prince Jinhai's quarters with her handmaid, Su An, trailing behind her. Prince Jinhai stared at her back as she left. He'd never heard his obedient, sensible sister sounding so...flighty. He was a little worried about her.
That night, Princess Jinyat had a vivid dream, more real than she'd ever had before. She saw Seven hiking alone in the mountains. He was cold and getting tired. She felt his confusion and distress, and her heart ached for him. She felt like he was entering a dark place. Then she fell into a deeper sleep for awhile. Later, she dreamt again. She saw him sitting alone in his room, and she thought - she knew - that he was waiting for her. His mind was clearer, he seemed more confident, but he was still questioning. She wanted to help him, but he was so far from her. Then she woke. It was morning. Her maids came to get her ready for the day, brushing out her hair and styling it. Princess Jinyat said to her handmaid as she was braiding her hair, "I know where he is, Su An. He went home. He's at Xosuyel Vold."
Su An, said, "I'm sorry, Highness. Who is at Xosuyel Vold?"
"Nevermind," Princess Jinyat replied, unsettled. "I...I just had a strange dream. It was nothing."
Su An was with Princess Jinyat every day and knew her every mood. She asked, "Are you feeling well, Princess? Should I summon the imperial physicians?"
Princess Jinyat said, "No! I mean...no. I'm fine. It was only a dream." But the princess couldn't stop the feeling that she had to go to Xosuyel Vold to find Seven, and the more she tried to put it out of her mind, the stronger the feeling got.
Later in the day, one of the door attendants announced, "Princess Jinyat, one of the maids from the laundry has come to deliver your clothes."
Princess Jinyat said, "Show her in. She should know where to put them."
Amalie Nilsson came in, carrying the princess's clean clothes. She curtseyed politely, and Princess Jinyat said, "Amalie! I didn't expect you to bring my clothes. I thought you were confined to the laundry."
Princess Jinyat signaled one of her maids, and the maid took the Princess's clothes from Amalie and put them away.
Amalie glanced around slyly and whispered, "I'm not actually forbidden to leave, but I don't go out very much. I'm...I'm trying to stay away from the Empress Dowager. But I volunteered to bring your clothes, Princess, because I wanted to ask you how Jinhai is doing. I heard some gossip about him and Seven! I thought he might be feeling upset right now."
Princess Jinhai said, "He is, Amalie! He's so upset! Did you hear that Seven is the queen of Chessa's son? Jinhai and Seven argued, and then Seven left him in the middle of the night. Jinhai blames himself for it, and he's so downhearted. Father forbade him from going to find Seven. No one knows where Seven is, but I do, Amalie! I dreamt about him, and I know he went to Xosuyel Vold, and he's waiting for me there. I have to go there!"
Amalie said, "I heard some of the other maids talking about it. Seven is a prince? How can that be true? It's too incredible!" Amalie paused for a moment, then went on, "But Princess Jinyat, why do you want to go to Xosuyel Vold to find him? What do you mean that he's waiting for you?"
Princess Jinyat said to the door attendant and her handmaid, Su An, "Please allow me to talk privately with Amalie Nilsson for a moment." Su An replied, "Yes, Your Highness." She signaled the door attendant and left Princess Jinyat's quarters, the other maids following.
After Su An and the maids had left, Princess Jinyat said, "Amalie, do you like Jinhai? I know he likes you. He never would have spoken up for anyone else in front of my grandmother like he did for you."
Amalie said, "I...How can I answer you, Princess? Your family will have me killed if I get anywhere near him! Your grandmother hates me! Yes, I like him, but I can't like him! He's so smart and handsome, and kind of shy and awkward and humble, but also really...powerful? People listen to him. But I'm just a laundry maid, princess. I don't even get to work in the stables anymore. It isn't fair. I didn't do anything! I will never be allowed to be with Prince Jinhai." Her eyes filled with tears.
Princess Jinyat said softly, "I know, Amalie. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry about what Jintu did. You didn't deserve it. But you know, Father put you in the laundry to work to protect you. He knows what happened. You're Lady Britta's sister. He doesn't want you to suffer, but he has to appease my grandmother, too."
Amalie said, "I know. I know. I understand it. It still isn't fair, though." She hesitated for a moment, composing herself, then asked, "But Princess, why are you asking me about Prince Jinhai when you already know all of this?"
Princess Jinyat stammered, "Because... because I think you can understand my feelings, Amalie. I...I...I think I love Seven!" She went on, "but...he's my brother's bodyguard and friend, and my family will never allow me to marry him, but I have to! He's waiting for me, and he needs my help."
Amalie Nilsson was taken aback by what the Princess said. She did not know her well, but she knew Princess Jinyat's reputation for being obedient, intelligent, and sensible, and she had heard that Prince Jinhai and Princess Jinyat were close. Princess Jinyat, unlike her younger sisters, Princess Jintu and Princess Jinsam, was never cruel to Amalie, but never had she confided in her before. She thought Princess Jinyat must be really upset and desperate to confess her feelings for Seven to her like this.
Princess Jinyat continued, "I...I know we haven't been close, Amalie, and this probably seems strange, but maybe we can help each other? I know you were brought up in a caravan, and you know how to ride and how to take care of horses, and how to travel. I can ride some, but I don't know how to travel. Whenever I've gone out of the palace, it's always with so many people, and everything is taken care of for me. And finding Seven would help Jinhai, too!"
Surprised, Amalie exclaimed, "What are you thinking, Princess? I could maybe sneak out of the palace, and probably no one other than my sister would really care. But you can't just leave! The Emperor would tear the country apart to find you!"
"Jinhai would care about you, Amalie. I know he would," said Princess Jinyat said softly. "But I understand what you are saying, and I thought about that. I think there might be a way. My mother's family is from Sunrise Point. It's a little town on the ocean, and my mother and sister and I sometimes go there for holidays. My mother is planning to go there just next week. I think from there I can sneak away."
Amalie said, "Thank you for saying so, Princess Jinyat. I...I want to believe Prince Jinhai would care, but..." Her voice trailed off, and she paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Your Highness, Xosuyel Vold way up in the mountains, isn't it? It's so far away, and I know where Sunrise Point is. It's the opposite direction from Xosuyel Vold. How do we get to the monastery from there? And how do I get to Sunrise Point? It's too far, and it's too dangerous for just the two of us to go by ourselves. I know about these things, Princess. I lost my whole family, except for my sister, and my father's caravan had guards and knew the roads! I really want to help you and to help Prince Jinhai, but I don't think your idea will work."
Princess Jinyat, disheartened, said, "You're right. You're right, Amalie. I'm being foolish. What do I do? I can't explain it, but I know Seven is waiting for me, and he needs me! I have to go!"
Amalie said, "There's no way for us to go on our own, Princess, but there is someone who can go to find Seven, and maybe he will help us."
The Princess said, "But Father already said Jinhai can't..."
Amalie replied, "Not Prince Jinhai, Princess. Six. Six is Seven's mentor, right? I'm sure he wants Seven back as much as anyone, and if there is anyone the Emperor would send to find him, I think it would be Six."
Princess Jinyat thought for a moment, considering what Amalie said. "Six? Six can...I think you're right, Amalie. Six is our best hope to go to Xosuyel Vold." She called out, "Su An!" Su An!"
Su An entered the Princess' quarters, "Yes, Highness?"
Princess Jinyat said, "Su An, please send someone to get Six. I would like to speak with him."
Su An said, "Right away, Princess." She went out to summon Six.
The Princess said, "Amalie, please don't tell anyone about this, not even your sister. My mother and my grandmother will be furious if they get word of it, and that wouldn't be good for me, Jinhai, Seven, or you."
Amalie replied, "Of course, I won't tell anyone, Princess. I...I hope everything works out for you and Seven. I think you belong together." For a moment, her usually bright demeanor clouded. "Thank you for confiding in me. I'm just a laundry maid, not worthy of your time. I'm...I'm glad you thought I might be able to help you."
Princess Jinyat said, "I still think you can help me, Amalie. I think we can help each other. And, well, can we...can we be friends? You know I don't get along well with my sisters, so sometimes I'd like to talk with another girl. You don't have to call me 'princess' or anything like that when it's just us talking. Just call me Jinyat."
Amalie, a little shocked by what the princess said, replied, "It..I..I'm just a laundry maid, Princess! Your grandmother would skin me alive if she thought I was trying to get close to you. She'll think I'm just trying to get close to your brother. I don't want everyone to think I'm a golddigger. Your sisters and your grandmother already think I am, but I'm not!"
Princess Jinyat said, "Don't worry, Amalie. Father already gave orders for them not to bother you. I can keep a secret, and Su An and my maids can, too." She shook her head, "You shouldn't be working in the laundry, Amalie. It's so far beneath your abilities. Let's be friends! I know that Jinhai will protect you, and I will, too."
Amalie, her natural optimism returning, but still shaken by her conversation with Princess Jinyat, said, "I...I would like to be your friend, Prin..., er, Jinyat. Do you think I can? I'm really not like my sister, you know. I think you and my sister are more alike. More sensible."
Princess Jinyat said, "I know, Amalie, but I think it's good that we aren't so alike. You have more imagination. You're more daring. People like you because you're fun and talkative. I want to be more like you."
Amalie said, "Everyone wants me to be more like you, Princess! Maybe we can learn from each other? Okay, I will be your friend, Jinyat. It will be fun!"
Just then, Su An called, "Princess! Six has arrived."
Princess Jinyat said, "Thank you, Su An. Please, send him in, and fetch some tea for us, will you?"
Amalie said, "Jinyat, I need to get back before they start looking for me. I'll get caned if I'm late." She turned and left, hurrying back to the imperial laundry.
Neither Princess Jinyat nor Amalie realized how eventful their newfound friendship would be...
Princess Yixing-Jiumin Jinyat rushed to the quarters of her brother, Crown Prince Yixing-Jiumin Jinhai, in the Hall of the Princes in Liliakinyosa, the imperial palace in Sendoshi. Entering his quarters, Princess Jinyat frantically said, "Jinhai! What happened? Where is Seven? I heard the maids talking. They said that Seven left you in Chessdo, and no one knows where he is!" Prince Jinhai replied softly, his posture and voice reflecting the heartache he was feeling, "Yes, Jinyat, the maids were right. He left me in Chessdo. I don't know where he went. But it was my fault that he left." Seeing that Jinhai was feeling downhearted and guilty, Princess Jinyat asked softly, "What happened, Jinhai? Seven is your best friend. You're like brothers! Something big must have happened." "It was something big, Yat. I couldn't believe it. Seven couldn't believe it, either. Neither of us knew what to do, and...and...I treated Seven really bad. Like he was nothing more than a baggage carrier. I'm really ashamed, and our father isn't at all happy with me. I could have caused a war!" Taken aback by Prince Jinhai's words, Princess Jinyat asked, "But Jinhai, how could that happen? What could make you do that? I know you! You always know what to do!" Prince Jinhai replied softly, "But, Yat, how could I know what to do when I found out...when Seven and I both found out...that...that he is really the queen of Chessa's, Queen Na'Omi's, long lost son, and his real name is Prince Toma?" "What?!" Princess Jinyat cried out. "What? Seven is Queen Na'Omi's son? How? How can he be her son? Six brought him from Xosuyel Vold. He's an orphan! Everyone said he's an orphan." Prince Jinhai related the story of how Queen Na'Omi's son was stolen from her and their speculation that two Gasyendithite martial arts masters had taken Seven as an infant to the monastery at Xosuyel Vold. "But how can they know, Jinhai?" Princess Jinyat asked. "That seems impossible!" Prince Jinhai told her how Seven was identified by his uncle, Duke Togawa and the old eunuch. "You've seen the mark on the back of Seven's neck yourself, Yat," Prince Jinhai said. "I always thought the monks at Xosuyel Vold made it on him. Even Seven thought so, but it's not. It's a mark put only on royal princes of Chessa, direct descendants of the king. That old eunuch put it on Seven's neck himself. He was certain that Seven is Prince Toma. And according to Queen Na'Omi and Duke Togawa, Seven even looks like the former king, Queen Na'Omi's husband and Duke Togawa's older brother. The Queen noticed it the moment we first met her. There's no doubt that Seven is Prince Toma." "What are you going to do, Jinhai?" Princess Jinyat asked. "Queen Na'Omi must be beside herself with grief that her son is gone again!" Princess Jinyat's heart ached when she thought about how the Queen must be feeling. "She is, and she asked me to find Seven and take him back to her, but Father is feeling pressure from the court. They think I'm not ready for such important missions, and that I really messed everything up, and well, maybe they're right," Prince Jinhai said, feeling disheartened again. "Father told me to stay here and think about my mistakes. He said someone else will find Seven." "They aren't right! I know you better!" Princess Jinyat, said, defending the older brother she admired so much. "Thanks for saying so, Yat, but Father told me I have to stay here. I want to find Seven. But right now I just can't," Prince Jinhai said. Suddenly, Princess Jinyat's eyes filled with tears, surprising Prince Jinhai. He knew that she didn't cry easily or often. She sniffled, "What can we do, Jinhai? I...I...I miss Seven. He is my friend, too. And, well, I...um. I like him. You know. He's so...so...real. He's not like all those boys mother and grandmother want me to meet. All they care about is status and money and connections. But...but Seven isn't like them. He's always so calm, and I learn so much from him." Prince Jinhai said, "Yat! I never knew you liked Seven! I mean not like that. You've never shown that kind of interest in anyone that I've ever seen or heard about, and the maids are always gossipping about that kind of stuff. I would have known." Princess Jinyat said, "Well, how could I? I don't like anyone else, and Seven is your friend and bodyguard, and a commoner. Mother and grandmother will never allow me to marry a commoner. You should know after what happened to Amalie. Grandmother almost had her beaten to death!" "I know. Don't remind me," Prince Jinhai said. "I hope she's doing okay working in the laundry. I could wring Tu's neck for what she did. Why is she like that?" "I don't know. She just is, no matter what I say. But let's not talk about her. What can we do to bring Seven back?" Princess Jinyat asked. "I can't do anything right now, Yat," Prince Jinhai said. "Father made it clear. I have to stay here. He might kill me if I leave the palace. But I'll think more about it. I don't even know where he went to begin looking for him." "We have to find him, Jinhai! If you can't find him, I will!" Princess Jinyat said. She turned to leave. "If you think of something, tell me!" "I will," said Prince Jinhai. "But Jinyat, please don't do anything rash. Father and your mother might do something drastic. I don't want you to get hurt!" "I know, Jinhai. When have I ever done anything rash?" Princess Jinyat said. She left Prince Jinhai's quarters with her handmaid, Su An, trailing behind her. Prince Jinhai stared at her back as she left. He'd never heard his obedient, sensible sister sounding so...flighty. He was a little worried about her.
This story continues the adventures of Crown Prince Yixing-Jiumin Jinhai and Cao Qigong, otherwise known as "Seven," his faithful companion and bodyguard. This story directly follows the events of The Queen's Lost Son and From Orphan to Bodyguard, from Prince to Monk, and is concurrent with the events of The Princess and the Stable Maid, and further describes the relationships of Crown Prince Jinhai, Seven, Queen Jenmei Na'Omi, Princess Yixing-Jiumin Jinyat, Amalie Nilsson, Lady Britta Nilsson, and others of the Imperial Family of the Great Sacred Empire, and the royalty of Chessa. Enjoy! More background to these stories is found in The Last Testament of Kenzo Na'Omi, King and Who is Prince Toma?. Look for more chapters soon!
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