Princess Carmel; Chapter 7

 

Princess Carmel; Chapter 7

© 2022 by Amber Wright

SCROLL SIX

Carmel's charioteer drove along the rollicking seacoast, stopping at her favorite spot under a canopy of palms to watch the waves—as she did every morning. She stood there as the breeze drifted into her veil, slightly ruffling it.

They sat there in silence, listening to the waves. A short distance away, the driver waited by the chariot and a guard stood not far away.

Finally, Carmel spoke. “It’s nice to be a princess but sometimes one feels like a prisoner when she has to bring a guard everywhere.”

“At least you have such nice guards.” Eman glanced back at the guard and lowered her voice. “That one has kind eyes and beautiful teeth. If he was twenty years younger, I’d wish to marry him!”

“Unfortunately, he is not twenty years younger so you need to get those foolish thoughts out of your head, Eman.” Damali gave her a frown. “Besides, you shouldn’t speak of marriage in front of the princess.”

“Oh, I was forgetting that—” Eman took a nervous gulp, muttering abashedly.

“That’s quite alright.” Carmel laughed the nervous catch from her voice. “I’m getting quite familiar with that word now. Now, let’s enjoy the morning and forget about—” she cleared her throat, “matrimony.”

Her eyes sank into the depths of the swirling blue waters of the sea, wondering if her life would always be so unpredictable as it.

Carmel put on a smile. “But being a princess has its glorious moments as well, despite the fact that royalty itself can be a headache.”

“And what, my lady, are your most glorious moments?” Eman asked chirpily.

Damali loosely let sand filter through her fingers, yet looked attentive nonetheless.

“I have many—but the best ones?” Carmel pinched her eyebrows together thoughtfully. “Designing buildings with Ab, making necklaces with Imm, enjoying my mornings here and…”

She paused, watching the sunlight pour onto the sea, making the waves sparkle as a thousand diamonds. “Which reminds me,” she stood up.

“Yes?” Eman followed her to the chariot, Damali lagging after them.

“I must make my sister Batnoam a necklace for her wedding.”

“But her wedding is days away.”

“Exactly. Only a few days until the wedding and yet I haven’t even started on the necklace! I must make her the most beautiful necklace in the kingdom.” Carmel smiled. “All competing aside.”

“All competing aside, my lady,” Eman had a twinkle to her dark eyes. “Let’s see who reaches the chariot first!” Her feet flew into motion.

Carmel giggled and clutched her veil as she moved her feet swiftly along. The air rushed into her lungs and she closed her eyes, forgetting she was a princess who was a ruler and kept guards. In that moment, she was a girl of Tyre—just like Eman and Damali.

Her giggles stopped when she heard a familiar voice say her name. King Ezron. Her eyes snapped open and she would have lost her balance had Eman not been beside her, gaping in stilled motion as well. She pulled her hand from Eman’s arm, and blinked.

“Good morning, King Ezron.” Carmel felt her tongue move but vaguely heard her words.

“I see the princess has a…youthful side.”

Carmel’s hearing snapped back into normal as she felt her eyes narrow. “I do believe every girl of mere thirteen years is said to be youthful.”

“Oh?” His eyebrows rose slightly.

“I am, after all,” Carmel made a little nod as she passed by him to step into her chariot, “still yet a child. I bid you farewell, my lord.”

“Not so fast, my lady.” King Ezron tilted his head towards his chariot. “The king of Tyre has told me that Princess Carmel will show me the city this morning.”

Carmel swallowed and saw Eman glance at her nervously. She stiffened. How much more of King Ezron could she endure?

“To ease your mind, your guard and one of your maidens can come as well.” King Ezron actually smiled kindly, “My lady?”

“Eman or Damali?” Carmel glanced from one maid to the other. Damali looked sharply at Eman and whispered something to her.

Eman nodded, and turned to Carmel. “I will come, my lady.”

Carmel stepped onto King Ezron’s chariot, followed by Eman and her guard. King Ezron motioned for his driver to drive on. Meanwhile, Carmel felt her knees knocking together. How could such a pleasant morning turn out to be so unpleasant?

“What a beautiful morning, yes?” King Ezron asked politely, gripping the chariot’s side.

Carmel nodded, silently adding Yes, it was a very beautiful morning until you spoiled it, King of Aram-Damascus. But I shall try to forgive you. She took a deep breath and began pointing out important buildings and landmarks.

00000

The red glass beads dazzled in the sunlight as Carmel strung the first string of the seven strand necklace. Beside her, her mother was making a single-strand necklace of solid white beads.

“Does it always have to be so,” Carmel let out her breath, “confusing, Imm?”

“Confusing?” Queen Anath paused, hands resting on top of the wooden structure where her necklace was attached to. “What is confusing? Duty or the confusing thoughts about King Ezron himself?”

“Both.” Carmel stared into the red bead between her first finger and thumb. If only her life was as crystal clear. But no, she had to be a princess with a complex destiny surrounding her. She glanced back at her mother. “Imm?”

“It was confusing at first,” Queen Anath began with a faraway look to her greenish brown eyes, “but then it became clear, suddenly.”

“How?” Carmel whispered the single word.

Queen Anath turned to her daughter with an understanding gaze. “I was your age when I married your father. My father thought it was the best thing, to be peaceful with our new state-kingdom which rules as this region’s capital.”

“How different was Sidon? How soon did you adapt to Tyre?”

“I adapted…naturally. After all, we speak the same language.” Queen Anath smiled and put her arm around Carmel’s shoulders. “Always remember, my daughter, be your true self no matter where you are. You are Carmel and no one can ever take your place.”