In The Name of Love

A melancholy tune floats out of Minna’s lute under her skilled fingertips, capturing her mood exactly. Across the room, Fifi is coaxing Algot to look in a particular direction by bribing him with grapes with one hand while she sketches him with the other. In their study sits a draft of a reply to Prince Didier, hidden between Minna’s well-worn copy of the Lanourehm—that is, the sacred texts of Chuezohm—and a similarly disheveled history of Aethyrozia. The princesses have no desire for their maids to find the letter and start any rumors. If word should get out that I truly did prefer Prince Didier, and Prince Adalberto were to find out about it…. Minna stifles a shudder, which would have disrupted her playing and made Fifi ask questions. That would be the worst thing. He doesn’t deserve to suffer any more heartbreak.

She wishes she’d gotten to speak to him again, alone, before he left for Zosya with his brothers. But such a thing would be most improper to request, and no opportune moments such as what Fifi had with Kai in the courtyard presented themselves. Indeed, Adalberto met with King Ansgar for perhaps half an hour after breakfast, and then the Syazonians took their leave. Emiliano and Casimiro refused to even look at her, not that she expected anything better from them. The saving grace, to Minna’s mind, of their departure was that, when Adalberto said goodbye to her, he briefly clasped her hand, closing it around a small piece of parchment with closely written instructions for getting a letter into his possession, should she see fit to write to him.

She hasn’t told Fifi about it. Minna and Fifi have never kept secrets from each other, but Minna cannot help wondering—would she have told me, if I hadn’t read that note from Prince Didier over her shoulder? Or would she have kept it a secret, to avoid causing me pain? It’s hard for her to say; both feel like equally likely choices for Fifi to make. Especially now. She’d never thought to be afraid that their relationship would change, because of her Quest for Favor, but now everything feels different and strange. We aren’t sharing the same adventure anymore, Minna realizes sadly. I haven’t left yet, but I’m betrothed now, and there will be wedding planning to do, and Fifi’s still where I was before all this started.

Minna can’t help wondering if Fifi will be all right without her, and if she’ll be all right without Fifi. They’ve practically always had each other, except when Minna was very tiny. Of course, they’ll still be able to write to one another, but that’s not the same as living together, seeing each other every day, whispering to each other in the dark every night. Fifi will be busy with her own Quest for Favor, and Minna will be adjusting to a new home and being a wife.

A knock at their door startles Minna into playing a jarring chord. Across the room, Fifi drops her pen, splattering ink on the wooden floor, and Algot squawks and flies into the princesses’ dressing room. Queen Ingrid lets herself into their suite before either of her daughters can answer the door.

“Hello Minna, Fifi. I’m glad you’re both here,” she greets them. “I’ve just been speaking with your father. We have much to discuss.”

“One moment, Mother. Let me just clean this up,” Fifi replies, pulling a rag from a pocket in her skirt to wipe up the spilled ink. It’s not the first time her artistic endeavors have resulted in some sort of mess.

Minna rises slowly from her chair, having too many questions to be able to voice any of them. She sets her lute down gently where she once sat and just looks at her mother, overwhelmed.

“Let’s go into your study. I believe we’ll be more comfortable there,” Queen Ingrid suggests. “And yes, Minna, it’s all to do with your wedding. Prince Adalberto came here with a letter from King Celestino in case you were to choose any of the Syazonian princes, so as to streamline planning.”

“Of course he did,” Fifi mutters. Minna and their mother both choose to ignore her, at least until they’ve all settled themselves in the study with the door closed. Minna sits next to the desk with the hidden letter to Prince Didier, trembling. “So what was in the letter?”

“Just expectations about Minna’s trousseau and what goods our countries will exchange as part of the marriage contract,” Queen Ingrid replies. “Nothing unreasonable, and really nothing you need to concern yourselves with. Your father will make sure the Syazonians get their jewels and furs and parchment, and that we receive our gold and silver and iron.”

“Then what else did they discuss?” Minna asks.

“Firstly, they’ve selected a date for the wedding. The ceremony will be held on the twelfth day of Santor, with days of feasting and merriment to follow.”

“That’s less than four months away!” Fifi exclaims, eyes wide with horror.

“The Syazonians will be planning the festivities,” Queen Ingrid continues with a meaningful glare towards her younger daughter, “and given that Adalberto has been so recently widowed, they believe all the festivities ought to be more subdued than is traditional, provided you agree, Minna.”

“Of course. That is more than reasonable.”

“I thought you would agree. Of course you deserve the best they have to offer, but there’s no sense in torturing that prince.”

Minna smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She almost wants to ask, again, if her mother thinks she made the right choice, but both of her parents showered her with compliments on her sound judgment after their supper with Adalberto. I just hope we’re able to find happiness together, someday, she prays.

“Beyond that, the Syazonians wish you to bring no fewer than twenty-eight gowns with you—fourteen formal gowns, including the one you will be married in, and the rest more everyday wear, with shoes to match each,” Queen Ingrid says, checking a piece of parchment in her hand to make sure she has the numbers right.

“Goodness gracious,” Minna gasps.

“Yes, we’ll be spending quite a lot of time with the seamstresses over the next few months. I believe you should have a mixture of gowns suited for warmer weather and gowns suited for colder weather, and of course you’ll need caps and cloaks, and kirtles and farthingales and partlets and petticoats, and stockings and gloves, and nightclothes…. Goodness, there’s so much to plan and make for you!”

“Can I not take any of my current wardrobe?”

“We will be going through all of that to start. You should be able to take some of it, but I don’t want to send you with anything that’s worn or dingy. Your father is quite insistent that the Syazonians must believe they are making a good investment.”

“Minna is not an investment!” Fifi protests.

“The treaty is, though, Fifi sweetheart. To that end, Minna, you may take some of your jewels, but none of the Aethyrozian crown jewels—your father was quite insistent on that point.”

“Speaking of which, Fifi, have you seen that gold bracelet with the pearls you gave me at Friggenter last summer?” Minna asks. “I can’t seem to find it, nor the ring with the emeralds…”

“Have you been leaving jewelry on the dressing tables again?” Fifi replies. “You know how Algot likes shiny things….”

“You really ought to keep that bird confined to his cage, Fifi, or else release him outside and let him fly free,” Queen Ingrid chides.

“I’ve tried, Mother. You’ve watched me. He just flies right back through the window as soon as we open it. He likes it here, for whatever reason.” As she speaks, Fifi drags a chair into the corner to stand on so that she can see into a niche in the stonework of the wall.

“Fifi, dear, do be careful—”

“Ah, here are some things. Minna, come take them.”

With a sigh, Minna gets up and crosses the room to Fifi on her unladylike perch.

“Are any of these what you’re missing?” Fifi asks.

“Unbelievable,” Minna mutters as Fifi hands her not only the bracelet and the ring she’d mentioned, but multiple gold chains, two brooches, and several earrings, some hers, some Fifi’s. “How did you know where to look?”

“Just by watching him. He likes to sit up there, talking to himself. But enough of that. We’ve found what you wanted. What else do we need to do before your wedding?”

“Will there be time, between all the meetings with the seamstresses and the other preparations, for everyone to sit for portraits?” Minna turns to her mother, eyes pleading. “I cannot hope to see you and Father and Fifi and Emrik often, once I go, and…I think it would be a great comfort to me, to bring miniatures with me to Syazonia.”

“We will make time for it,” Queen Ingrid agrees immediately. “Whatever it takes. You should absolutely have that blessing.”

“Will we be going with her, for the wedding?” Fifi asks.

“Of course you may go along, Fifi. I’m sure Minna wouldn’t have it any other way. Your father and I haven’t discussed who else may stay or go. Aethyrozia will not rule itself just because a royal wedding is occurring. But we will see what can be arranged.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Minna smiles, embracing her. She’s always loved her parents, but never before has she been so thankful to have her mother’s support and kindness.

“Of course. You are doing your country a great service, and I know the Quest for Favor did not go entirely as you might have hoped. You deserve to have every possible comfort and reward. And I want to spoil you a little before you go to Syazonia.”

“So all her new gowns will be purple and cloth of gold, then?” Fifi quips.

“Maybe one,” Queen Ingrid laughs. “But let’s not push our luck. Minna, tell me what’s most important to you for your wedding arrangements, and I will do all I can to make sure your wishes are granted.”