Clockwork Princess - Chapter 9

The next day, Sebastian awoke to the sounds of distant talking and music.  It was coming from nearby, that much he could tell.  He was still a bit foggy, though; perhaps he was half-dreaming?  He rang the bell for Guy, and listened a bit more.  Yes, there were definitely people talking somewhere nearby.  Sounded like – Women?  Sebastian frowned to himself.  The only girl he knew that worked in the palace was Sabine, and these tinkling voices surely didn’t belong to her.
Just then, Guy entered the room.  “Good to see you’re awake, my lord,” he said, as he stepped over to the prince, a bed tray of dispatches in his hands.
“Guy, what’s this noise I hear?” Sebastian asked as his valet arranged the tray and his papers.
“That’s the princess and her ladies-in-waiting, sir,” he answered, as he checked to make sure the most recent paper was on top.
“Ah, all ri – What?” Sebastian almost tore the parchment in his hands.
“Oh, and a violinist she heard when she was out yesterday.  The princess liked the music so much she had him come in to perform during lunch.  Speaking of which, would you like yours right now?  The doctor said it would be best.”
Sebastian choked back the urge to shout at the man.  “Guy, are you telling me that the princess left the palace yesterday, without my permission?”
Guy thanked God that he was able to hide his smile behind words.  This was too delicious.  “Well, yes, my lord.  You were drugged; there was no waking you up to ask if it was all right, and she is the princess after all.”
Sebastian’s mouth tried to look like it was smiling, but instead resembled a tight grimace of pain.  “You’re right.  Now, where are they?”
“In the queen’s chambers.  I believe they’re in the sun parlor right now.”
Sebastian glared.  He hadn’t ordered the queen’s chambers prepared.  “Guy, get me dressed and summon a rolling chair.  I need to see this.”
A few minutes later Sebastian, followed by Guy, was on his way towards the sounds.  He could hear two women besides Marie, and a violin playing.  The prince gestured for the door to remain closed as they approached, and carefully pushed it open just a crack.
The sun parlor was basically a large, decorated porch.  One wall consisted of windows that could accordion back into their pillars to reveal a wonderful view of the palace gardens and the mountains far beyond.  Delicate wrought iron furniture, painted white, was scattered about the marble tile and the gauzy curtains fluttered slightly in the breeze.  The princess was at her own table situated on a little dais, with a lunch tray before her. Beside her and sitting at a lower, less fancy table were two women.  An older man in a worn but still nice frock coat was sitting before them, playing the violin.  Sebastian looked again at Marionette, and realized that she was wearing a different dress, and her hair was styled differently, as well.  He quietly closed the door again.
“I’m going to have a talk with the clockmaker,” he told Guy, “Have my lunch ready in my quarters in fifteen minutes.”
“Yes my lord,” Guy said, as Sebastian directed his chair to the lift.
René was packaging the poison-detecting goblet in a velvet-lined box when his door opened and the prince wheeled into the room.  “Your highness, I was just about to see if you were all right.  I’ve got your-“
“There’s a problem with Marie,” Sebastian said, carefully getting to his feet.  He was still a little dizzy, so he held onto the chair back.
“What’s wrong with the princess?” René asked as he stood, slightly panicked.  She hadn’t come to her lessons the night before; he’d assumed she was still sleeping.
“She’s acting on her own,” Sebastian answered, through clenched teeth.  “While I was asleep she left the palace and got herself some servants.  She had the queen’s chambers and quarters for her women prepared and now she’s having lunch and being entertained by some street performer!”
René sat back down, his jaw hanging open.  “She what?”
“She isn’t acting like clockwork!” Sebastian shouted, swaying suddenly as a wave of nausea hit him.  René got to his feet and helped the prince back into his chair.
“Your highness, are you all right?” he asked.
Sebastian nodded and waited for the feeling to pass.  “I just want you to explain her behavior,” he said, once he was feeling better.
René sat back and thought a moment.  “I wish I could explain, your highness, but neither of us knew exactly what would happen.  Honestly, the most I had hoped for was that she would be able to follow commands and speak when spoken to.”
Sebastian sighed.  “Well, I want her to stop doing whatever it is that she’s doing.  You made her to follow my orders, so that’s what I want her to do, all right?”
René shrugged, “I would, but I don’t know how to do that.  I’d probably have to take her head off and cut it open, but I don’t see what good that would do because – “
Just then, Princess Marionette entered the room.  “Oh, Sebastian, there you are!” she said, walking to the prince’s side.  “How are you feeling?”
Sebastian stammered, “I, well, I’m doing all right, but I need to ask you about your ladies-“
“Oh, them,” Marie said, sitting in a chair that had wheeled itself over, “ I thought it would be unseemly for me not to have anyone attending me for the party this weekend, and I did need help getting myself together yesterday.  Sabine didn’t know how to navigate some of my dresses, even.”
“Ah,” Sebastian said, “Well, I thought that I told you to – What party?”
Marie smiled, “Well, we’re getting married in two weeks, and I don’t want to embarrass you at the celebration by being awkward and not knowing anyone, so I thought I’d organize a coming-out ball of sorts.  I can meet people and practice my manners and dancing and all of that.”
René was dumbstruck.  She had changed dramatically.  A few days ago she didn’t use words like ‘thought’ or ‘didn’t’.  Even her voice had a special kind of cadence to it, and her smile looked downright genuine.  Even more amazing was her effect on Sebastian.  René had never seen the prince look so delightfully agitated.
Sebastian cleared his throat, “Well, that is a good idea, Marie, actually.  I’ll get Belloch started on planning the menu and – “
“There’s no need,” the princess said, “Louis helped me plan the food already and I’ve made a list of music that I’d like you to go over.  I’ve also thought of some good wines to go with the buffet and I need your help making sure I’ve gotten them right.”
Sebastian smiled, somewhat confusedly, “Oh, very good, then.  I’ll be sure to look over them once I’m done with my lunch and my dispatches.”
Marie stood, “Thank you, Sebastian,” she said, giving him a slight kiss on his cheek, “It’s so good of you to take time to help with the planning.  I’ve barely started lunch; would you join me with yours in the sun parlor?  I’ve found a wonderful violinist and I think you’d really like his music.”
Sebastian stood, his thoughts whirling in his head.  Two minutes ago he had been ready to order René to take off her head and rummage about in it, but now…  Now he was thinking about how delightful it would be to have lunch and drink wine in the breeze.  It had been a while since he had heard any human play the violin, too, so that would be nice.  Marie was looking exceptionally pretty today, too.  Prettier than they had designed her, it seemed.  “Yes, I would like that, my dear.  Now why don’t we go and – “ The prince swayed suddenly and Marie caught him.
“Oh dear,” she said, “This is all my fault, Sebastian.  Here, hold onto my arm and we’ll walk down together.  René, is it safe for me to use the lift with Sebastian?”
The clockmaker practically had to shake himself out of his shock.  “Uhm, yes, yes it should be.  It can carry two of the heavy cleaning carts at once so you two should be fine.”
“Thank you, René.  Have a good lunch!” she called, as they walked out of the room, talking about the upcoming party.
René looked over at Scraps, who was sitting on some of his schematics.  Scraps looked just as shocked as he did.  “Scraps, I don’t know what that was, but that was not clockwork.”