Princess Carmel; Chapter 6

 

Princess Carmel; Chapter 6

© 2022 by Amber Wright

SCROLL FIVE

“You have returned to our cheerful Princess Carmel again, no?” Zara noted as she put away the sandals and outer robes which Damali and Eman had helped her out of.

Now Carmel stood in her tunic with her hair sprayed in flaming curls over her shoulders. The lamplight flickered across the room and made the walls look silky amidst their drapes of purple and linen-white. She waited a moment before she spoke.

“Yes, I have returned to cheerful Princess Carmel again because I have an idea.”

“Idea, my lady?” Zara looked alarmed. “You sound a little too cheerful. What is it?”

“Shall we watch the stars at my window?” Carmel clapped twice and her maids reappeared with confused faces. “We will watch the stars from my window—and I want tonight to be a special night for us to always remember.”

“Yes, my lady.” Damali and Eman nodded.

“As you wish.” Zara helped Carmel into her warm night-robe. “Let us proceed.”

Carmel giggled as she tied her robe around her waist. “Zara, you do make it sound as if we were to be in a funeral procession instead of simply—having a nice time!”

“Somebody has to be a little sober around these chambers,” Zara frowned playfully. Her dark hair was perfectly parted as she took off her veil for the night. “You three girls are hopeless.”

“But not joyless.” Eman’s smile was filled with dimples as she raced Carmel to the window, plumping her cushion that she was to sit on as she went.

They sat in silence for a short space of time, watching the black night sky with its millions of sparkling white stars. Some stars were blinking; while other stars stood still as if they had been molded into stone. One particular star caught Carmel’s eye and she watched it intently.

“That star is very bright.” Damali pointed to the star that was nestled in the southeastern sky.

“I think it is beautiful!” Eman exclaimed, clasping her hands, eyes glued upwards. “My lady, which star is that one?”

“Al-Fakhitah.” Carmel answered absently, her mind scrolling through the list of star names she had studied for years. “It means ‘the dove’.”

“How fitting, my lady.” Zara gave her an arched-brow look. “The dove means peace, and ‘the dove’ is shining its brightest tonight. It must be a good omen.”

“I hope so.” Carmel nodded, swallowing a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. She needed more than a good omen to carry her through this difficult time of choosing.

00000

“It seems your admirer still remains.” Damali told Carmel as she brushed her hair the next week.

“I wish my admirer was just that—remains.”

“Let’s not be so morbid, Princess Carmel.” Zara said from arranging scrolls, papyrus and a reed pen on the little table for lessons. “You are a young girl that should not think of such matters relating to the dead.”

“Just last week you were speaking of funeral chants,” Carmel frowned. “Pray tell me, why is my speech so different?”

“The difference is that you are a young princess who will learn to be a great lady one day. Now is the time to think about life and to see how you can better this life for those around you—for you have such powers to do so.”

“To think I’ve never given that idea a single thought.” Carmel sighed out, watching Damali fix her hair through the looking-glass as she sat on the plush stool. “Such a silly wretch am I!”

“But today you are young,” Zara reminded Carmel with a bright voice. “Today you must live your life abundantly—for your people. They will accept no less.”

“You must be the happy, content model for us all to follow!” Eman wrapped the multi-strand necklace of colored beads around Carmel’s neck. “You are our inspiration.”

Carmel smiled and tried to shake her head modestly but the brush held her hair. She felt her cheeks grow hot and she stared into the looking-glass foolishly. Big blotches of red highlighted her cheekbones amid their tan coloring.

“Every girl in the kingdom looks up to you because you are so talented, strong and kind.” Eman added.

“I am honored to hear this.” Carmel muttered in embarrassment, watching her flush deepen on to her forehead. She took a drink of the water from the cup on her dressing table, realizing her throat was drying like a piece of parchment.

“As a matter of fact, my lady,” Damali turned up the corners of her mouth into a dimply smile, “every girl in the kingdom would trade their weight in gold to be you.”

Carmel’s eyes lit up. “Then maybe I shall trade places with one of them—so my marriage to King Ezron will never be. Would you trade places with me?”

“I am not—every girl.” Damali laid the brush down on the dressing table and patted Carmel’s shoulder sympathetically. “I’m afraid you will have to endure his highness King Ezron.”

Carmel let her breath out in a big sigh. “Being a princess is not a bed of roses, is it? It’s more like a carpet of thorns.”

“And weighty crowns—such headaches!” Eman giggled merrily, pinning Carmel’s veil into place. “Aren’t you so very sad you were born into this palace and its riches? You are blessed.”

“Yes, I am blessed—until King Ezron had to pierce my happy house with his thorny crown!” Carmel stood up and folded her arms. “Do I look acceptable for my ride?”

“Acceptable.” Zara nodded; then smiled. “I am sure his highness could find no fault.”

“Come along, Damali and Eman.” Carmel ordered as she swished her way across the cushiony purple and white designed rugs. “I have no wish to meet my thorn without an escort. I might get pricked—and die before my time.”

Eman giggled and Damali immediately stood right by her side, like a guard. The cedar door swung open before her and Carmel entered the corridor. The limestone floor felt silky and flat under her sandals as she padded along, her smooth skirts billowing around her ankles. She glanced up from counting the stained-circles in the limestone and found her sister Nikkal walking towards her.

“Good morning, my sister!” Carmel gave her a hug and stepped back. “Do you wish to ride with me?”

“I would like to very much but,” Nikkal did a roll of her eyes, “I have wedding matters to tend to—and it is very exasperating! Perhaps another time, if you wish?”

“Yes, that will be fine.” Carmel then walked on after a goodbye, eager to begin her ride in the cool of morning.

The sun nearly blinded her as she stepped out into the morning filled with beauty and fresh air. She inhaled a lungful of air and stepped into her waiting chariot, Eman and Damali on each side of her.