It's Only A Step

She tumbled through the clothes and landed against the closet door with a loud thump. She quickly stood up, opening the door a crack, peering into her chamber. Her maid was standing in the middle, frozen into place, a heavily embroidered jewel encrusted gown in her hands.

She bounded towards her maid placing one finger on her lips and the other on the maid’s shoulder. The maid’s eyes grew round with fear and confusion.

“Shh. It’s me. Don’t worry.” She let her hands drop.

The maid’s hands flew to her face, framing the perfect “o” of her mouth. Her eyes looked her mistress up and down, questions in her eyes.

“It’s me, Anna.” She looked at herself and pointed. “These are called jeans, and this…” she tugged at the sweater. “Is a sweater. Very practical.”

“But, but….” The maid stuttered.

Anna twirled around. “I’ve been traveling. These are the clothes they…where I’ve been.”

The maid stooped and picked up the gown, smoothing it with her hands. She pushed it toward the princess. “You must put this on.”

Anna shook her head. “Shortly. I like these jeans. Very comfortable. And look at this…” She extended her wrist to reveal a large wristwatch.

The maid took a step back. Afraid.

Anna chuckled. “It’s called a wristwatch. It tells the time.”

The maid shook her head. “No, no my lady. It cannot be.” She glanced toward the open window. “The sun, the moon, the bells. They tell us the hour.” Her head sharply turned to the window as the deep, round sound of the bells floated in. “There it is. Time to dress.” She held out the gown.

Ann grabbed the gown and tossed it on the bed. The maid inhaled sharply, rushing over to smooth the garment. “My lady…” she trailed off. “Perhaps some tea. To calm your nerves.” The maid sketched a curtsey, preparing to leave.

Anna pointed at her wrist. “There is plenty of time.” The maid flushed and took a small step towards the door but was blocked as the Prince entered. The maid curtsied, head bowed and melted towards the fireplace.

He stood in the middle of the doorway, resplendent in his silken hose, golden embroidered doublet and jewel encrusted sleeves. He wore a capelet of the palest blue silk.

“Anna!” he called. His voice a rich baritone, velvety yet firm. He reached behind him, pushing the door. It slammed shut causing the maid to cower.

Anna poked her head around the heavily draped post of her four-poster bed. She bunched the drapery material in front of her, attempting to hide her attire.

“Here. I am here.” She called weakly.

The Prince strode  into the room, arms extended. “Come here. Give us a kiss.” He patted his cheek.

Anna tried to melt into the draperies. “Forgive me, highness. I am dressing. For the ball. Tonight.”

He strode towards the bed. ‘You always have time for me. Always.” He kept advancing reaching for the draperies, pulling them away and exposing her. He staggered, taking a step back suspicious and surprised. “Undergarments? A new design?”

Anna stepped forward and twirled. “Jeans. Sweater.” She held up her arm. “A wristwatch. For telling time.”

He stepped back, one hand on his breast. Stricken. “What is this? Witchcraft?”

Anna laughed. “No. The future. It’s good.” She grabbed his hand. “I can show you. There’s a world out there.” She leaned towards the closet.

He pulled his hand away as if he was burned. “No. No. This will not do.” He stood at rigid attention.

Anna playfully pulled at his sleeve. “Come, have a look.” She grabbed at his sleeve, pulling him a step towards the closet. “What could it hurt?”  She pulled again. “Just one step. Cross the threshold.”

One foot moved slightly. “Everything.” His mouth was a tight line and his chin jutted out. “Our two kingdoms will unite after we are married.” He took a step forward. “That is the contract.”

Anna pulled at him. “We can have some fun. I’ll show you.” He moved steadily towards the closet. “The contract doesn’t say anything about not having fun.”  She pulled again, this time with more urgency. “We can have both. The kingdom and the future.”

They were in the closet. Anna pushed the clothes to either side, making room. He stood there, unsure. “You know I chose you over Isabella. You will be my princess and then my queen. That is all that is required of you.”

Anna held the clothes aside. “I know. But come, have an adventure. We could both do this. I can have more and so can you.”

He folded his arms across his embroidered chest. “You are required to be my princess.”

She took a step towards the swirling light. “I will be!” She reached her arm through, pulling him closer to the light. “It’s only a step..”

They were through and stepped into…

…an alley. The sounds of traffic and cars honking filled the air. A cat, sitting on a dumpster hissed loudly at being disturbed.

He turned, looking at the faded and chipped brick of the buildings that surrounded the alley and wrinkled his nose. “This is foul.”

Anna hopped, happy in her element “It’s not so bad. Come.” She pulled him towards the street, but he hung back.

“This,” he swept his arm wide. “This foul place is what you have brought me too?”

Men and women, business suited and casual hurried past them, most with phones to their ears. A few broadly looked him. Some smiled and offered a thumbs up.

A street geared man shouted, “Looks good, dude!” and hurried on.

“Dude? I “am the prince of the realm!” He exclaimed with uncharacteristic ferocity. “This is not fine, or well or good.” He clapped his hands over his ears. “The noise offends me.”

Anna grabbed his sleeve, pulling him forward. He did not move. “Let’s get a coffee.”

He shook his head. “I do not wish this coff-e.” The word was foreign, awkward as he said it. “Take me back. I must reconsider.”

She walked ahead of him down the alley, fear and uncertainty on her face. The cat hissed as they passed. “This,” she spread her arms wide. “Is a new world. Full of life…”

He tapped the brick wall looking for the opening. Anna shoved his hand aside. “This is for me.” She easily found the opening, the colors swirled, and they stepped through.

He strode out of the closet and into the bedchamber. He turned, his face no longer that of the beautiful prince, but dark, twisted, and angry. “You,” he pointed his finger at her. “Will give this up! This is profane!” Spittle flew from his mouth. “No princess of mine will do such a thing!”

Anna shrunk back, surprised, and startled. Then she stood up straighter, her hand brushing the gown still on the bed. “No. I. Will. Not.”

“Then you will not be a princess nor a queen.” He started to pace. “Your role and your only role is be demure. To smile. To be pretty.” He stopped and faced her. “Do you understand?”

“But…” He held up a hand, stopping her.

“You will be giving up a life of luxury, your parents, and your rival Isabella will ascend the throne.” He smiled at her, lips curling into a sneer.

Anna stood straight, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. Her hand caressed and then clutched at the gown. She pulled a pamphlet from her back pocket and held it up in front of him. “See? I have some worth and value.”

He laughed, a scornful sound. “So little,” His arms swept the room. “This is what you will lose.”

She paced in front of him. “Surely…”

“No.” He tone was firm. “You have no other needs. Only me. That is all you have and are meant to be.”

Ann quickened her pace around the room. “You must agree…”

He cut her off with a sharp swipe of his hand. “No.”

Ann stopped and stood in front of him. “ A deal then. A bargain.”

He shook his head, his lips curling into a smirk. “You cannot bargain. That power is mine and mine alone. You will do as you are told.”

Tears glistened in Anna’s eyes. She slowly shook her head. ”I am not your plaything. Your pretty doll.”

He laughed softly. “You have no choice.”

Anna wiped away her tears. “I do have a choice.”

He laughed, a harsh sound.

She poked her chest with her thumb. “I have talent.” She thrust the playbill at him, shaking it and pointing to the picture. “I thought we could have it all. Now I see that’s not true.”

He grabbed it from her, ripping it in half and tossing it to the floor. He ground it with his heel. “That is your bargain.”

Tears streamed down her face. “Then it is done.” She cupped her hands in front of her face and blew gently. “Out bond is broken. I give you Isabella.” A flame shot from her hands and was extinguished.

She grasped the gown, tearing it and ripping away the pearls and precious stones. She scooped them up. “Have your smiling Isabella.” She took s step towards the closet, the lights swirling with a renewed intensity. She held up both hands, “Free!” she shouted.

Taking one more step she jumped through the swirling lights. They winked out.