Princess Academy: Chapters 15–20

Britta had a shrewd smile. "I keep thinking about a tale my nurse used to read to me about a bird whose wings are pinned to the ground. Have you heard it? In the end, when he finally frees himself, he flies so high he becomes a star. My nurse said the story was about how we all have something that keeps us down. So here's what I'm wondering—if Miri's wings are free, what will she do now?"

On later visits she brought a book filched from Olana's shelf, and the day came when Marda read an entire page on her own.

I cut all day and I squared all night
And I thought I'd mined the mountain's might
Then I saw all my work by the bright dawn light
The mountain was the world and my labor a mite

Miri thought of the painting of the house, of Marda saying that nothing could get in Miri's way, of the silver gown with tiny rosebuds and the feeling that buzzed in her bones when she thought of the significance the title "Princess" would add to her name. At that moment, it all felt wispy and weedy compared with Gerti's immediate need.

By her foot, a single miri flower wiggled in the breeze. That gave her hope. The pink flowers seemed to thrive around beds of linder.

The entire area had once been a working quarry, and surely there was a remnant.

And from then on, no one hesitated on an answer without being deluged with hints from a dozen different girls, some less helpful, some exact, but the flailing girl always managed to sort through them and come up with the correct answer.

Miri thought it possible that none of the girls could recall, but many placed their hands in their laps, explicit in their refusal.

To Miri's recollection, Olana had given the name of the curtsy only once, but Miri had read it recently during personal study.

Miri grappled with herself. She did not want to give Katar anything, but her sense of justice would not allow her to help every girl but one.

Miri watched the fat congeal in her egg-and-wheat-bread soup and listened to the whispered conversations of the other girls.

Knut tousled her hair.

She needed a break from a teary Liana consoling a red-faced Bena and the scalding stares of some very jealous seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds.

She saw now that this spot was not only her favorite; Katar sat on the rocky outcrop, her knees pulled into her chest.

But when Katar turned toward the light, there was an unmistakable sheen of tears.

The girls seemed to avoid the prickly topic of the prince and his choice of bride, but an uncertain excitement persisted in the academy. Even practical-minded Frid was prone to stare at the sky with a hint of a sheepish smile.

Certain that he was peering out, Miri smiled and gave a cheeky wave.

All over the building, women and men in brown-and-green clothing were sweeping, dusting, laying rugs and hanging tapestries, stoking fires in the hearths, and making the building warmer and livelier than Miri had known was possible.

Still, sounds like the prince will be staying a few days. She's bound to be better tomorrow and can take her turn wooing him.

She fingered the frills on her sleeves and bodice, shook her skirts, and let her mouth hang open in awe.

The seamstress held one of the pink ribbons up to Miri's face and said, "This shade fairly shouts out the rose hues in your skin. If I was asked to make a dress for you, I'd have made it this exact color."

Olana entered in a dark brown dress of fine cloth with skirts so long, they swept the floor. She looked so natural and even lovely in her finery, Miri guessed some of what the tutor must have given up in coming to Mount Eskel.

"Yes, now go," said Olana, giving Miri a push.
Miri lurched forward, nearly stepped on her skirt, righted herself, and with a pounding heart strode down the corridor, toe to heel, toe to heel.

Tapestries in vivid colors covered the walls, making the hall feel warm and alive. Their vibrancy was surpassed by the shades of the attending women's long gowns and the men's shirts, breeches, and feathered hats.

"The music is beautiful. Do you like dancing, Your Highness?"
"Yes, I do," he said, his tone amiable if slightly distracted.

Miri recognized the overture for "Evening Shadows" and scurried out of the way as the prince escorted Katar to the center of the floor.

Miri observed Esa's turn with the prince, wincing in apprehension, but he was as stoically polite with Esa as he had been with Katar and Miri.

Miri's other dance partners were more appealing than the prince.

Many spoke freely about the provinces of Danland, the capital, and their profession as a personal guard, delegate, or courtier.

Steffan could not gauge what a difference the change in trading would make and did not know how much it had meant to Miri to be a part of it.

She opened her mouth to say something disparaging about herself, but her heart was thumping, and she was afraid her voice would shake, and then she remembered one of the rules of Conversation—Be gracious to compliments.

"I can imagine that it might be overwhelming. There's only one of you, but you have to get to know twenty of us."

The rocky path she had run on her entire life suddenly felt as treacherous as sprinting through mud, and she wished with all her breath that she could fly as the hawk, though she did not know what she was running from.

He carried her back to the academy writhing under his arm and dumped her on the floor of the bedchamber.

Some had golden loops in their ears, some carried cudgels and staves.

"We may look rough, but we're not ignorant. We know the prince was here to choose a bride, and once he's chosen and the betrothal sealed, it cannot be undone. A princess-to-be will provide a hefty ransom."

It seemed futile to assert again that the prince had not chosen, so no one answered.

Miri could see that Frid was willing to be the martyr, but Miri would not let her.

That unleashed every voice in the room, and girls leapt to their feet, each shouting that she was the princess. Some of the girls pushed each other, feigning anger.

"Either they're lying or that prince took pleasure from sweet-talking all the girls just to disappoint them later. Except one. But which one? Any guesses?"
His men pointed to one or another of the girls in halfhearted speculation.