All Chapters of Spider King: The Legend Begins: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Muriel was granted a room in the townhouse, just as she was in the castle. It was smaller, but clean and pretty. Once her things were put away, she went with the princess to a very stylish little cafe to have some pancakes sprinkled with chopped spring fruits. Muriel had wanted to rest, but she was required to do as the princess wished, and the princess wished to be out and about. After that little meal, Princess Arya wanted to go to a bookstore. Muriel sighed and went with her to that place. Then, once a few books were purchased, it was time to go to the townhouse, but not for a rest. They had to change clothes, put on charming sun hats that were fastened under their chins with ribbons, and go to a horse race. That was very fun, but Muriel was already getting tired. Lunch was taken in a restaurant. Then they finally went to the townhouse for a rest, but there would be a ball soon, so they needed to rest quickly. Muriel took the greediest na

This morning would be stressful. Muriel hoped she didn't embarrass her mistress. They were preparing for a trip to the Royal Palace, where the king and his immediate family resided. Prince Vidar Petran, Princess Arya's younger son, would normally be required to make appearances at the Royal Court once a year. Since he was mostly stuck in bed, his mother had to represent him. That meant that Muriel would be there too. The princess had kindly taught her basic court etiquette, but Muriel was still worried. One main concern the princess had was repeating to Muriel over and over that unless she was being directly addressed by a member of the royal family, she shouldn't make direct eye contact with them. That seemed peculiar, but Muriel saw no reason to disobey. She also had to wear the most formal, most impractical, brightest and laciest clothing in her wardrobe. Her skirts were only slightly narrower than the princess', only

The round tea table was on the polished floor of a long veranda that was near a small, man-made pond full of fish of nearly every color. Muriel was given a cup of tea and a small serving of treats, but she wasn't allowed to engage in any conversation. She silently remained by Princess Arya, who was speaking with the king. The king was a tall man with droopy gray eyes and a hooked nose. His skin was fairly light. His hair was brown and thinning. He didn't look very extraordinary, aside from his rich clothing. His name was Thorvaldo Petran, and the most significant thing Muriel knew about him was that Princess Arya actually divorced him. He was terse with the princess. He did listen to her when she spoke, however. When the princess handed the king an envelope that had their younger son's wax seal on it, he took it and read the message inside very carefully. The wax seal had a special symbol in it, a stag leaping over a stylized logogram.

"Are you frightened, Muriel?" "I ... Madam?" Princess Arya seemed completely content. There was nothing negative or hateful about her features. "There's no need to be so distraught. I'm not angry. My son is a sad little introvert. It's extremely difficult for any woman to use him to skip any rungs on the social ladder, and you haven't done anything of the sort. You're proper and dignified. You may accept this gift with no shame." The princess reached over to Muriel's box and picked up the gem. It filled up her palm. Some of light shone through the stone and onto her flesh. "You should go to a sitting room," the princess advised, "one with a big window, and watch how it plays with light." "I ... I'm still confused, Your Highness. I don't know why he would give me such an expensive thing." "Expensive? Hm?" The princess blinked a few times. Then, very loudly, un

She didn't read. She pretended to read while thinking, but that didn't get her anywhere. Feeling quite embittered by her lack of mental progress, Muriel let her eyes float around the library. Books ... couches ... armchairs ... paintings ... tables ... bookcases ... plants in pots and vases ... stuff ... stuff ... stuff ... Huh? Muriel slowly and lightly closed her book against her thumbs as she gawked at something. It wouldn't normally have bothered her. In fact, had her outlook been normal, she would have assumed she was looking at nothing more interesting than a wallpaper's pattern. And the wall did have a wallpaper with an intricate pattern. Muriel had seen so many rooms with luxurious wallpapers. She had become accustomed to these expensive things in a very short time. She wouldn't have thought to look at the wallpaper if she hadn't been thinking so painfully.