The Royal Dressmaker

The Royal Dress Maker

That Day

Her dishevelled red locks flowed from her marron-coloured hooded cloak; her face almost completely covered. She leaped onto the train, tattered scarlet bag in hand, landing in a pile of hay. She was soaked from the rain and her breathing was so heavy it could weigh down her whole body. She opened the bag and manged to smirk a little despite her fatigue. It was almost bursting at the seams, full of gold. She clutched her stomach.

“We are going to be okay, little one”.

Three days earlier

In the town

The kingdom was feverish with excitement, you could almost smell the exhilaration from the crowd and taste the anticipation from the market’s fresh fruits. It was princess Saga’s coronation in a mere three days. The princess’s parents fought alongside their countrymen giving their life for tranquillity, their people held great admiration from them. Well, there was one exception: Mayor Aslak, who opposed the idea of peace and lusted for power, the power he could never quite grasp. Rumours around the town have it that he was sure the king would leave the title to him but instead he bestowed the honour to his daughter Saga. Aslak was enraged by this and he offered his hand in marriage to the beautiful princess, who rejected him without hesitation. He has not been to the castle since that day, villagers wonder when or if he shall return.

In the castle

The princess let out a faint sigh as she gazed out of her bedroom window. Her dark skin sparkled in the sunlight, she had pear-coloured eyes that could penetrate through the soul of anyone she met and the brightest smile despite the loss she has experienced.

“Am I ready?” she asked Agatha, her dressmaker, and close friend.

Agatha giggled through her words and replied, “Well your highness, you will be if you let me take your measurements”.

“Ha-ha, very smart. I do worry though, what if I’m a bad queen?” The princesse's face fell.

“Oh, Saga, I have no doubt you’ll be the best queen there has ever been in this kingdom!” Agatha exclaimed.

“The war left us struggling, I can barely keep the castle afloat never mind a kingdom” Saga sighed larger than before.

“This year harvest ought to get you back on track, start there and worry about things as they happen your highness” Assured Agatha.

“I am sure you’re quite right.” Saga raised her arms. “Right then time to measure”.

Before Agatha even took a step forward, a tall man appeared in the doorway. He was wearing a black collared coat, with curly golden hair and olive-tanned skin. He was extremely attractive, but he carried an icey atmosphere with him.

“Aslak” Princess Saga snapped, her voice cracking and her body radiating with vexation.

“Princess, your irascibility could scare your guests away. Not me though, I came to apologize for my actions. It was unmannerly of me to lash out at your heart-breaking rejection.” He spoke with all the sincerity of a viper trying to coax in a mouse for its feast. “And who’s this?”

“Agatha, my dressmaker.”

Agatha bowed timidly, trying to conceal her awkward nature.

“She was just taking my measurements. So I am afraid you will have to make your way out, it would be inappropriate for you to stay. I accept your apology.” Saga could always maintain decorum even when her whole body urged her to pounce.

“Very well, thank you Princess” He bowed and slithered out of the door.

Two days earlier

In the castle.

Agatha was in her room working on the coronation gown. She had chosen a pear green to match Sagas eyes. Her room was humble with all the necessities; a small window, a chest of drawers, the bed laced with yellow daisy-patterned sheets. It was enough for the time being, but Agatha knew deep down she may have to leave the castle and Saga to have a more fulfilling life.

There was a knock at the door.

Agatha opened it to find one of the guards standing there.

“Something arrived for you ma’am.” She handed Agatha a small wooden box.

“Thank you” Agatha closed the door.

She opened the box to find the most dazzling emerald green beads she had laid her eyes upon and a small black book beside them. She picked up the book, opened it on the first page and began reading.

“These would be perfect I wonder who…”

One day earlier

In the town

The townspeople had grown more exuberant than before; the bustle of music, laughter and the smell of fresh bread filled the air. Yet there Agatha stood in a darkened bricked alley, about to leave her life behind.

“Did you do as I asked?” He questioned threateningly.

“Yes, it is done” Agatha gulped, shivering with trepidation.

“Well done.” He reached inside of his satchel and pulled out a red bag, which he proceeded to hand to Agatha. “There is your reward”.

Agatha nodded; her shaky hands reached out for the bag.

“Be gone by tomorrow, got it?” he grumbled.

“Got it” agreed Agatha.

That Day

In the castle

Saga ran frantically through the halls of the castle to reach Agatha’s chambers.

“Agatha?! Where is that girl? It’s my coronation, she’s never usually late why today of all days?” Muttered the princess.

She arrived outside Agatha’s door. She knocked with force.

“Agatha?”

There was no answer. Saga swung open the door.

“Aga…”

She was not there, her bed was stripped and there was nothing left except a small wooden box on the bed with a folded piece of parchment beside it.

On the train

Agatha began to rest her head upon the hay, tears cascading down her face.

“I’m sorry, Saga…” she cried as she watched the town become distant from the tracks.

In the castle

Saga opened the parchment. It read:

Dear, Saga.

I have grown to know you as a dear friend. That is why, with a heavy heart, I write you this note. I was sent these beads and told to put them on your dress for a large sum of gold. Of course, I would never endanger you. Saga, I am with child, so I told him I had stitched every bead. I know you will bring the kingdom to greatness, but I had no time to wait. I must run. Your life is in danger, be wary.

I will miss you forever.

Agatha.

Saga opened the black book. On the first page there was something written.

With these Arsenic laced beads,

Kill the princess.

In return, I will give you all the gold you will ever need to leave this town.

If you do not comply, it is your life I will take.

And we both know your life is not just yours.

-A.

Saga let out a blood-curdling scream and raced back to her room, towards the window. There was the train, it was almost out of her sight.