Rose found the strength to ask.
Instead of answering, the woman raised her tired, frightened eyes to the sky.
“It flew over the rooftops, spewing flames,” she whispered. “Its skin sparkled like the sun. One could go blind looking at it. No dragon can be so beautiful and cruel. I barely had time to hide in the ravine before it breathed fire, and our village burst out like a T-bar.”
Rose listened in fascination. She understood that the peasant woman had lost her mind from fear. In her words, one cannot distinguish truth from delusional fiction.
There was an unbearable burning smell all around. Embers hissed. Remains from the former buildings equaled the flooring of soot and ash. Usually, the enemy’s fiery arrows turn settlements into one huge funeral pyre, but Rose did not really believe in the fact that the flame was expelled from the mouth of the “heavenly ruler”. Of course, it’s not good to be such an atheist, because she personally watched the grandiose tricks of sorcerers who came to her father’s court. However, none of them was able to create a real disaster. All of them only created illusions, but did not harm anyone. It is possible that evil magicians also live somewhere, but they do not dare to act openly. Their territory is enough for them, they do not climb on someone else’s without need.
Rose thought about it and decided that the peasant woman was crazy.
“If at least one castle of the feudal lord survived here, then look for help there,” advised Rose.
“Yes, I need to go for cover. The fortress is not so easy to burn down,” the woman was delighted. “And you hurry to the shelter before it’s too late!”
She too harshly underlined the last words, as if warning the princess herself. Rose was not impressed. It was only on the way back to her carriage that she suddenly remembered the footman who had brought the terrible news and the golden snake. It is necessary to ask the retinue about this, but all accompanying persons are silent, like idols. Apparently, the guards received clear instructions from Odile not to enter into negotiations with the princess, whom they hide and take away in a closed carriage from some punishing, unknown force.
The small detachment set off again. The smoky shroud that enveloped the road and the stinking ashes were left behind. Soon the scorched forests and fields disappeared from view, replaced by the former fragrant nature.
The gentle voice of the lady-in-waiting was overflowing with nightingale trills. She was sitting on a bench by a flower bed and sang some kind of romance, accompanying herself on the harp.
Rosa noted to herself that Mara’s dwelling resembles a mirage. Its lands were small, but fertile. Their mistress was engaged in trade with overseas rulers and received considerable profit from this, but she did not keep troops with her. It’s amazing how the invaders have not yet turned their gaze to its tiny state. All of Mara’s entourage consisted of court ladies, young aristocrats and numerous guests who stayed with her for a year or two, and then were replaced by new guests.
It seems like a scandal broke out last year. Several distinguished guests disappeared without a trace. They were searched everywhere, but they were never found. Someone accused Mara of a villainous murder. Then this brave man died under strange circumstances, and her title, wealth and surviving friends became Mara’s protection from evil tongues.
The magnificent chateau was surrounded by a huge park. The gazebos were drowning in flowers. The gardeners were not visible. The main facade was decorated with intricate stucco molding. The atmosphere of joy and harmony was spoiled only by the windows hung with blackout curtains. It is unlikely that even a single ray of light could penetrate the heavy, mourning-colored material. Subsequently, the servants explained to Rose that their mistress does not like daylight.
Many of the guests were still rested. Rosa despised such laziness, but since her cousin preferred an idle lifestyle, then no one had the right to tell her. There was no one in the chambers draped in silk and multi-colored twill. Luxury accompanied a strange loneliness. It seemed that the inhabitants of the chateau hibernate all day and wake up closer to the night to get to a feast or carnival.
The young page accompanied Rose to a small bedchamber, claiming that all other rooms were already occupied. The girl with difficulty pushed back the heavy curtain and let the light into the room. Sunbeams immediately danced on the panels. A barely audible groan broke the silence, as if the rays of the day had burned someone who was invisibly present in the bedroom. Footsteps rang out, the traces of two small feet were imprinted on the fluffy carpet, and the door opened by itself.
Rose tried to shake off the obsession, but moans still came from the corridor. Obviously, the light caused unbearable pain to the invisible being. Has the cousin decided to put a spy on the princess? Not. The very guess seemed ridiculous to Rose. Mara knows nothing about witchcraft.
The bedroom became light and comfortable. The atmosphere of evil left her along with the invisible spy. There is hardly any room left for a secret passage or a sliding wall. The whole room was filled with furniture. There is an embroidery frame by the window. This item seemed completely useless to Rosa. She had no intention of doing needlework. The table with curved legs served as a decoration rather. Nobody thought of putting writing instruments on it. Nearby are a rosewood wardrobe and chest of drawers. In the corner stood a screen painted with pastoral scenes. A lilac canopy with silver trim hung over the colossal bed.
Rose brought about a third of her wardrobe with her. But even her clothes could not match the chic of this setting. Rose wanted to pull the comb out of her travel bag, but instead she found a wreath of forget-me-nots exuding a wonderful scent.
For a moment, the girl was numb with surprise. After all, last night she put a dried wreath with crumpled petals in this bag, and now the flowers are fresher. Dew drops were heavy on the tiny, blue cups. The troll’s gift regained its original appearance and gained new strength over a long night. Forget-me-nots needed neither food nor water, but at the same time they radiated tangible energy and created a protective barrier around their owner. By the will of the donor, they became a talisman.
Rose put the magic item on the table and went to the window. There was a great view of the park from here. The maids of honor played music in the oak alley. They will entertain guests with their flutes and harps in the evening. Water gurgled in the fountain. From a height, the shoots of petunias and gladioli appeared as a palette of bright colors. Peacocks walked across the grass, from time to time letting loose their colorful, patterned tails.
“Autumn is coming,” Rose whispered, addressing the void of air.
The girl pressed her face against the glass in an unconscious desire to get closer to the mother-of-pearl butterflies fluttering from flower to flower. Immersed in dreams, she closed her eyes and heard a terrible, disturbing whisper right above her ear.
“Don’t be afraid,” a quiet, heartfelt voice said, “the worst will come only in winter.
“What?” Rose perked up. She realized that she was no longer alone, that there was someone on the other side of the window. This someone is talking to her. The princess opened her eyes. Her lips parted in surprise, but she could not utter a word. Behind the glass hovered that flexible, coiled snake. Not even a snake, but a miniature dragon. His eyes sparkled with all the colors of the rainbow. The wings glittered, and behind them stretched in an instant the darkened celestial sphere. Rose waited for the intruder to say something else in her bewitching, melodious voice, but he was silent.
Rose pressed her hot
