The day came for me to turn myself in—I mean, present myself to the palace.
That day, my attendants ran around me busily. Tutte and the other maids were all circling me to put me in this and that outfit. And since I had no idea what would be the right outfit to wear when meeting royalty, I could only leave it to them.
I was put into a one-piece dress in my trademark color, white. It featured a striking puffy shirt, and the maids decorated it with golden embroidery; it was an outfit perfect for a day out.
I got into the carriage that was prepared for me by the entrance. Only Tutte and I were riding inside it. As we took off, I took out a piece of paper and began mumbling what I’d written on it beforehand.
“What’s that, my lady?” Tutte asked.
“I wrote down my apology to the prince, so I’m practicing it so I can remember... I always get so tense when I have to talk that I can’t think straight.”
“I...really don’t think you were called over to apologize,” Tutte said, but I wasn’t listening. I was simply that tense and anxious.
The royal castle stood at the heart of the capital, guarded by tall walls. My carriage crossed the large bridge over the moat, carrying me into the castle. The coachman exchanged a few words with the guards, and after continuing deeper into the premises, we stopped.
“It seems we’ve made it. We’ll have to walk from here.”
As always, Tutte stepped out of the carriage and prepared a step stool for me. Waiting for the right time, I stepped outside. I was greeted by several of the palace’s valets, who were standing there in a neat file. One of the palace’s maids led me to a certain room.
“Please wait here,” the maid instructed, opening the door and ushering me inside.
I walked inside fearfully, but then, suddenly, a curtain of water descended on me with a large splashing sound. A wash basin’s worth of water came down on me!
What is this...? It’s like when you walk into class and the blackboard eraser falls down from the door and bonks you on the head...
The curtain of water was gone, and all that remained was me, soaked to the bone. That much water was more than enough to drench my small body. The sheer shock of what had happened left me and everyone around me stunned.
Huh? Wait, can’t I use this to weasel my way out of meeting the prince? Such conniving thoughts crossed my mind before I’d even fully processed the situation. No, calm down, Mary... Everyone’s still stunned, so no one knew this was coming. Did someone plot this against me on their own? Did the prince do this? I mean, water appeared out of nowhere, so it must’ve been magic. But the prince is my age, so he shouldn’t be able to use much magic... Did an adult do this? But it’s such a childish prank...
Standing there, dripping with water, I continued to contemplate my position. Wait, I’m supposed to be immune to offensive magic. Then this must be a day-to-day spell. Even I should be able to cast that, but...given how much water it produced, I’d assume whoever cast this must be pretty experienced...
The more I tried to figure this out, the less it made sense.
“My lady, are you all right?!” Tutte was the first to come to her senses.
She hurried over to me, and upon realizing she had nothing to wipe me off with, angrily demanded that a nearby valet get me a towel.
Thank you for getting angry like it’s you who got wet, Tutte...
While I was grateful to her, I’d all but given up on figuring out who did this. I couldn’t let this chance slip me by.
“Tutte...let’s go home. I can’t show myself to His Highness like this...” I hung my head, looking deflated. I spoke softly, but just loud enough for everyone else to hear, and turned on my heels.
I get that this might be rude to the prince, but I didn’t bring a change of clothes. This is a fair decision.
I made to get away before the palace’s valets snapped out of their surprise and called for me to stay.
In any case... I don’t know who’s behind this, but thanks for letting me get away! I pumped my fists inwardly while trying to keep a disappointed facade as I left the palace.
Later that night, when father learned about what happened, he angrily stomped over to the castle demanding an explanation. I pretended not to see this.
Storming the castle to look for the culprit? You can’t make that kind of a scene, father dearest...