14. Magdalena

Magda’s mother couldn’t understand why she would even consider a marriage proposal to the Mad King, especially given rumors that he was behind the deaths of the Azuremi royals. So, Magda made a deal with her mother. Magda would go to the Ilusaurian castle for approximately one season of courting time, and then she would decide if she would go through with the marriage or not. It was enough to buy her some time, and for her mother to allow her outside of the fortress for one season.

So, she went back to the Scribestone, writing a different note to Prince Claude, saying:

Claude,

I accept your proposal, but we must speak soon. I think about you often. I will come to visit you and stay with you until the wedding.

With all my love,

Magda

It was a bit manipulative, but she needed Claude to think that she was on his side. She only hoped that Claude didn’t remember specific memories of their encounters growing up. For in reality, Dagmara would be going in her place. She and Claude hadn’t seen each other in over ten years, and he wouldn’t remember exactly what she looked like or acted like now that she was older.

At the Scribestone in the library, Magda was surprised to see another message.

One message from Sanyal Dhara, Flaustra.

Magda pressed the letters once more, opening the message.

Dear Magdalena,

I can respect that you are looking for answers from a close ally, but right now it is too dangerous to leave the fortress. You must not come to Flaustra. You must stay in Azurem. It is for your own good. I will write to your mother and let her know the same.

Queen Sanyal

Magda cursed under her breath upon seeing the letter. The plan was already in motion, and she had already sent back a response to King Claude. Also, she had already told her mother the news, and Dagmara was making preparations to change her appearance so they could pull this off. If Queen Sanyal wrote to Queen Bernadette, Magda wouldn’t be leaving this fortress for her entire life.

No. She still had to go to Flaustra, whether Queen Sanyal liked it or not. Magda was close to Princess Kiran, Queen Sanyal’s daughter, who had been crowned a year ago. Kiran would tell her everything…she just had to give the princess a bit of warning.

Magda picked up the quill once more.

Kiran,

I’m coming for a visit to Flaustra. Please tell your officers to be expecting me. I can’t wait to see you. I fear we have a lot to catch up on.

Your friend,Magda

After leaving the Scribestone, Magda slipped into her mother’s study. Queen Bernadette had a beautiful workspace that mirrored King Bogdan’s. Magda knew that inside one of the drawers there was a false bottom, where emergency money was kept for safe-keeping.

Before anyone could stop her, Magda crossed to the desk and opened the central drawer. Then she pulled open the bottom and grabbed three, small bags of golden coins. One bag had golden coins stamped with the elk on one side and water on the other, representing the currency of Azurem. The others were the golden coins of Flaustra, stamped with a tiger. Then, she also grabbed a few rings and gemstones from her own closet. There were so many expensive items she had been gifted, and she would be able to survive for years in other kingdoms. When Magda was sure she had enough, she packed a sturdy backpack with a hidden pocket on the bottom, perfect for storing money for her travels.

Two weeks later, the day came that Magda was set to travel to the Kingdom of Ilusauri. She stepped outside into the courtyard with her mother, handmaiden Urszula, and Dagmara. In front of them was a carriage leading a caravan of servants, gifts, and Magda’s chests.

Unlike other days, Dagmara wore an overcoat and a tight wrap around her head. It was necessary if they were going to pull off the switch before they got to Ilusauri.

“Goodbye, sweetheart,” said Bernadette, giving Magda a soft hug.

“Goodbye, mother,” said Magda.

“Remember, Claude killed his parents, and there’s no telling what he’ll do to you if he also killed the rest of our family.”

“That’s precisely why I have to go to him,” said Magda. “I’m a guardian. I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t let him control your mind.”

“Mom, you know his compulsion doesn’t work on other guardians,” Magda assured her.

“Claude will have medicine in case you catch any of the diseases on your journey through the countryside. Don’t be afraid to ask him for it.”

“Mom, I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, yes,” Bernadette said, sniffling. “Do what you need to do. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Giving her mom one final hug, she knew keeping her magic a secret from her mother was the right thing to do. Bernadette most certainly wouldn’t let Magda leave to find the truth about her powers, and learning that the Life magic died with Aleksy and her father would be too much for her mother.

Magda turned to Urszula and Dagmara. “Ready?”

“Ready,” they both nodded in unison.

She nodded to Odie who was prancing in excitement. “You seem ready too,” she laughed.

The knights flanking them on either side stepped forward and opened the carriage for the three girls. The head butler reached out his hand, allowing Magda to place a gloved palm inside it before she stepped into the carriage.

Odie hopped in next, helping himself up onto the bench even though he was too big.

“Oh, Odie!” Magda laughed, ruffling his fur.

“I hope Claude isn’t allergic to dogs,” Urszula laughed.

“Too bad if he is,” said Magda.

The door slammed shut, and Magda looked at Dagmara, who wore a concerned expression.

“Don’t worry,” said Magda, “I hardly remember anything about him from when we met as children. You will be fine.”

Urszula watched the exchange between the two with a confused expression.

“Move out!” yelled the driver, and in a flash, the carriage was bumping up and down along the cobblestones, being pulled outside of the courtyard, across the narrow bridge, and down the hill toward the rushing river.

They continued along the pathway, rolling across the dirt paths and into the forests that surrounded the edge of the Azuremi kingdom. About ten minutes into the journey, they were cutting through the poppy fields, still dusted with light snow, heading in the direction of Ilusauri.

Dagmara pulled off the wrap on her head. Her bleach-blonde hair was now sprayed on the ends with a shining silver. She wore dangling, jeweled earrings, representative of a royal. Then Dagmara pulled off her heavy overcoat, revealing a blue, embroidered dress with a sash around her waist, as well as a string of pearls dangling down her neck.

“Dagmara…,” Urszula let out an exclamation. Then she turned to Magda, “Did you give her your dress?”

Magda grabbed Urszula’s hands. “I’m not coming with you.”

“But King Claude expects you to arrive in the next week.”

“I know,” said Magda.

“I’m Princess Magda from now on,” explained Dagmara.

“You!? You’ll never pass for Magdalena.” Urszula laughed.

“I need you to help her.” Magda said to Urszula. “Please, you’ve been with me at all my royal engagements. It will be easy for Dagmara to act like me if she has you.”

“But why?”

“I’m going to Flaustra. There’s too many mysteries I have to solve. But I promise you that it will help Azurem, and my family.”

Urszula appeared skeptical, “You two are serious?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

Urszula shifted in her chair to bang on the back of the carriage. “Stop! Stop at once!”

Dagmara lunged forward to grab her arm. “Please, this is what Princess Magdalena wants.”

Urszula frowned. She fired a glare at the princess. “How long must we hold up the ruse?”

“A few weeks, maximum,” Magda said. “I have to speak with Queen Sanyal. Then I’ll be in Ilusauri before any wedding happens.”

Her maiden let out a deep sigh. “Fine. But hurry back. I don’t like the idea that I will be lying to a Mad King. You hear he’s wiping people out of their homes? Taking a full village and ordering everyone to leave for no reason! Not only are his people starved, they’re now homeless!”

“I’ve heard, yes,” Magda replied. She could sense her best friend getting uneasy. Then she leaned over to hug Urszula. “Thank you.” Then she reached over, grabbing the wrap and fur-coat, before putting on the clothing items. She took off her shoes, quickly giving her heels to Dagmara before trading them for Dagmara’s boots.

Then Magda leaned over and gave Dagmara a hug. “I’ll write to you as soon as I can. Stay strong,” she said.

“I will. Be safe,” Dagmara replied.

“You too,” said Magda. “Continue with the plan until you hear from me, unless he puts your life in danger.”

“Alright,” said Dagmara, “but you better come to Ilusauri soon.”

Magda released her friend and let out a sigh. “Come, Odie.” She beckoned her pet before cracking open the carriage door. They were still pulling through the poppy fields, and it wouldn’t take long to retrace her steps back to the castle and get her horse.

The carriages glided along at a snail’s pace, and Magda easily jumped down to the ground, Odie just behind her. The knights were up ahead, scouting the terrain in the distance. Magda pulled the wrap further around her face before darting off the path and into the forest.

From now on, she was no longer a princess.