The Loneliest Ballad

27 June, 1362. Magdaline Castle, Islia.

Anxiety gnawed at the back of Princess Celia Devon's mind. Her closest friend was upset with her, but kept refusing to say why.

Lady Lauren Blackwell had been Celia's friend for as long as both girls could remember. Lauren was only twelve, almost a year younger than Celia. Her dominant, forthright personality however, made her the leader of their small clique of high born girls at the Islian court.

And when Lauren targeted someone within their group in her anger, it wasn't at all pleasant.

Of course, Celia knew Lauren wouldn't ever do anything like pick a direct fight with her. After all, she was a princess of the Royal House of Devon, eldest daughter of Crown Prince Leo and granddaughter of the revered King Edward Devon of Islia. Lauren was her friend but also her subject.

Lauren was definitely upset about something, though. She'd been aiming several snide little remarks at Celia for the past few days now. Ever since…

Celia counted back the days in her head. Ever since her birthday?

Celia had turned thirteen only a few days ago. As the eldest of the royal grandchildren, a lively banquet had been thrown in her honour that day. She'd also been gifted a pendant by her parents - a stunning, heart shaped silver pearl on a golden chain.

Lauren always seemed to react rather badly when anyone ever pointed out the difference between the two girls' stations in life. She was only the daughter of an earl, not a royal princess.

It's not like Celia could do anything about that, could she? No one had any control over what family they were born into.

And it's not like Lauren was living in poverty, was it? Both her and her two sisters were pampered by their own parents.

The two friends were now sitting in one of the pretty, ivy covered pergolas overlooking a small lake. Celia had managed to pilfer a few little cakes from the castle kitchens and had offered to share them with Lauren, knowing how fond she was of the apricot filled pastries.

Lauren ate them greedily, of course. Yet she still sulked.

After striving to be patient with the moody silence for a while, Celia gave an annoyed sigh and spoke, "Either tell me why you're so upset Lauren, or I'm going back inside. It's not because of the banquet my grandfather held for me, is it?"

"No! I'd hate to be forced to parade in front of the court like you have to endure."

Celia let that comment slide, knowing it was an outright lie. "Very well. It's not pendant my parents gave me then, is it?"

Lauren eyed the rare pearl gleaming at Celia's throat enviously but refused to speak.

"I'm sure your parents will gift you something equally beautiful for your own birthday. So stop dwelling on it. Jealousy is a curse, as my mother would say."

"Your mother? She said that?" The younger girl rolled her eyes. "She's hardly one to talk when it comes to coveting what someone else has."

Celia frowned. She knew Lauren didn't really care for her mother. Actually, none of her friends did. They all spoke as if her mother were some terrifying granite statue. Celia didn't care - none of them knew her mother like she did and how warm she could be. Yes, her facade was one of a rather stern woman but she was also supportive and wise.

Something about Lauren's tone rankled. "Why are you speaking rudely about my mother?"

"Because she has no business telling me or anyone else what people shouldn't be jealous about. She's full of jealousy herself!" Lauren half whispered. "Why a handsome man like your father married her, no one understands. Especially when she wasn't even his first choice."

Celia snapped her mouth shut in shock, the retort dying on her lips. After swallowing awkwardly, she managed to speak. "What are you on about, Lauren? How would you know anything about my parents? You just happen to know everyone's business from before you were born?"

"No, but my mother does. She's been a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty for lord knows how long. Long enough to have known your own mother before she married into royalty, at least. She told me the crown prince liked her sister better but your mother made him marry her instead."

Celia folded her arms across her chest. "I don't believe you."

Lauren shook her head, dark braids swinging. "Let me guess. Your mother never told you she once had a sister?"

"Of course she did! Her sister is a nun. She's also a lot younger that Mother and they haven't spoken in years. So how could Father have been interested in a mere child back then?" Celia wasn't blind. She knew everything in her parents' union wasn't perfect. But she also knew they cared about each other in their own ways.

Lauren smiled, the sharp little smile that always appeared on her face just before she truly attacked a victim. "Oh, how sad. So you don't know then, that your mother had another sister, that she's a twin. Or was, I should say."

"What? That's ridiculous." Celia shook her head at the strange words. How could her mother have a twin, yet never breathed a single word about it?

Lauren smiled wider. "It's true. Her twin's name was Ilse and she was very pretty. Well, prettier than your lady mother at least, but that's no great challenge." she snorted. "Anyways, your father apparently wanted to marry the sister but your mother didn't like that. So she schemed to steal him away from her own twin. And then the twin died."

Celia could feel her eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. "Did your mother tell you these awful lies?"

"They're no lies." Lauren replied. "Mama said the Thierre sisters had once been amongst the queen's ladies. Both of them fancied your father and they fought over him. Only one made it out of that tussle alive."

Celia stood up abruptly. After glaring down at her friend for a long moment, she started running back towards the castle.

She ran through the enormous gardens as fast as she could, until her breath was tearing from her throat. The problem was, she couldn't really outrun Lauren's ugly, confusing words.

And where exactly could she run to?