Sorrowful indeed is the parting of life, no need to ascend and lament the setting sun. The past is gone, only the annual flight of autumn geese remains.
For several days, a fine rain had been falling, and thankfully, it had stopped tonight. The dark night felt oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Claire clutched her bundle tightly, taking a roundabout route to the West Palace Gate to avoid the patrolling guards. When she arrived, she saw no sign of Edward. She had thought to be late due to the detour and worried that Edward would be anxious waiting for her, but it appeared she was the first to arrive.
Claire found a discreet spot behind a rockery to wait. As time passed, her initial joy was replaced by the biting cold wind. She saw a figure approaching with a lantern in the distance, but upon closer inspection, it was just the night watchman. Her legs ached from standing for so long, and with a sigh, she rubbed her sore calves and began the walk back to the Purple Hall.
The moonlight slowly pierced through the clouds, casting a gentle glow on the palace buildings, their lights flickering. The paths were wet from the rain, and the pebbles were slippery underfoot. With each step, the sound of water splashing echoed around her, mirroring Claires despondency.
He had stood her up. Did he change his mind? Did he regret his words? Perhaps he realized the weight of his responsibilities as a prince.
She had taken a step off the path, and now they were forever bound to a cycle of longing and separation, fated to be worlds apart, never to find each other again.
In the distance, the Purple Hall was ablaze with light. Claire sensed something amiss and hid her bundle in a large jar by the side palace gate before heading towards the hall.
To her surprise, all the palace maids had been dismissed, and as she entered the main hall, a regal female voice called out to her, "Claire, where have you been at this late hour?"
Claire looked up to see Queen Elizabeth, resplendent in gold and silver phoenix-embroidered robes, her hair adorned with a phoenix crest, and her crown glittering with the rarest of gems from the Western Regions.
"Your Majesty, I couldnt sleep with the rain tonight, so I thought Id take a walk in the fresh air..." Claire replied, keeping her head bowed and her hands clenched in anxiety.
The queen remained silent, her gaze shifting to a young maidservant by her side. The maidservant, a smirk playing on her lips, spoke up, "Your Majesty, shes lying!"
Claires head snapped up in shock, her eyes narrowing at the maidservant, Jane Eyre. Claire had taken her in out of pity, not knowing she would become a thorn in her side.
"Your Majesty, you see, Claire often gets close to the princes under the guise of being a senior maid in the Purple Hall. Among them, she is closest to Prince Edward. I heard it with my own ears the other night; she and Prince Edward were plotting to elope!"
Claire should have known that Jane was trouble. She was a spy sent by Prince Jamies faction. Despite keeping a close eye on her, Claire had underestimated her cunning, and now she held the upper hand.
"Is this true?" the queen inquired, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at Claire, who was kneeling on the ground.
"Every word I speak is the truth, Your Majesty. Please discern the truth!" Jane asserted, her loyalty apparent as she eagerly awaited the queens judgment.
"Mistress Yun, reward her," the queen commanded.
A box of jewels and two gold ingots were brought forth and given to Jane as a reward. Claires heart raced with fear; she knew the queens decisive nature all too well.
"What do you think should be done with someone who tries to leave the palace without permission?" the queen asked, her gaze falling on Jane.
"Death by beating!" Jane quickly responded, casting a feigned sympathetic glance at Claire.
The queen signaled to Mistress Yun, who immediately ordered several servants to seize Jane. "Take this maid out and carry out the queens command," she said.
Janes self-satisfaction turned to panic as she was dragged away. "Your Majesty! Queen! What do you mean? Why arent you taking that wretched woman? Why are you taking me? Your Majesty!!"
Her screams echoed as the gold ingots and jewel box spilled to the ground. Claire stared in disbelief as the queens true intentions became clear.
"The maid Jane, from the Purple Hall, was caught trying to leave the palace and has been sentenced to death by beating. Let this serve as a warning to all... Claire, do you understand?"
Claire bowed her head, "I understand, Your Majesty. Thank you for your guidance."
"You know my intentions, so do not disappoint me. You are young and should not give your heart away at a time like this. The king and I have been generous to you, and you should know your place. Do not seek what is not meant for you. You came back tonight, which shows that your rendezvous did not happen. Men, after weighing their options, understand what is more important. Do you understand this lesson?"
"I do," Claire replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The queen rose and left, Mistress Yun supporting her as they exited the hall. Claire sat on the cold floor, a single candle by the window snuffed out by a sudden gust of night wind. The queens words resonated with her—a warning that if she dared to overstep her bounds again, her fate would be worse than Janes.
Was it worth a thousand gold to exchange for a smile? After all, longing is not as good as meeting. Claire held the emerald jade hairpin close to her heart, her memories of the past a landscape she could never forget to let go.