1Esmeralda took quickly to the simple life of a farmer. She woke early in the morning to take care of the animals and fixed a meal at midday to take to Nathan out in the fields. They soon fell in love and were married. In the evenings when the planting was done, they rode horses and talked. Nathan spoke mostly of politics, the state of Imaginary and its economy, and how the government for the people was to rise from the ashes of the fallen monarchy.
"Surely the people are the ones with the true right to rule," said Nathan one day as the couple lounged under a tree, her head on his shoulder and their horses tied to a nearby tree. "Surely those who are governed are the ones who should do the governing."
Esmeralda kept her own council. She had not understood politics while she was a princess, but now as a farmer's wife she could see his point. She did not want perfumed men sitting in plush rooms making her laws when the men that knew the people were out among the crops.
He stroked her absentmindedly, playing with the gold chain around her neck. "You know, I have been hearing some rumors among the men of the town."
"Rumors of what?" asked Esmeralda.
"A taking-over of the ruling council," replied Nathan.
"They can't!" Esmeralda cried, turning to face him. "They'll all be killed!"
"We have done it before, we will do it again," said Nathan, trying to calm her. "My dove, we will not go in unprepared. We have amassed many agents inside the castle since the fall of King Leopold who are convinced that we will be the victors."
"Who is this 'we' you speak of, Nathan? At first it was 'the men of the town' and now it is 'we'? Nathan, you cannot join this rebel martyrdom!"
Nathan tried to gather her into his arms but she backed away, insistent. "Adeline. I know what I am doing. Do you remember the assassination of the entire royal family at all?"
"If I remember correctly, one princess got away. A botched assassination and a precedent to what will happen if you go through with this. A failure," Esmeralda said venomously.
"A chance we had to take. She was too naive to claim the throne anyway, and she has not resurfaced for months. The chance of her retaking her position is minute. I cannot stop now, since I have played such an integral part in earlier acts of rebellion! I was so vital they are considering making me the president of Imaginary," said Nathan.
"And please tell of the great part you played in the coup," Esmeralda stood and brushing the grass from her dress.
"I poisoned them."
Esmeralda froze. "You... poisoned... the royal family?"
"Yes, my dove. It was I that soaked the apples in oleander poison and sent them to the king. You are standing in the grove that produced the downfall of the Hartfordshire royal family," said Nathan.
"Monster!" screamed Esmeralda. She mounted her horse and galloped off, leaving Nathan and his explanations behind.
She rode until the forest began to look unfamiliar. The horse was foaming with exertion when she slowed her pace. She brought it to a stream and sat under a nearby yew tree to cry. It was as if she had lost her family again by discovering who killed them. She held her amulet close to her heart. Soon, a breeze picked up and her name sighed through the trees. The horse whinnied nervously when a man in red court dress walked lazily into the clearing, leaning on an ebony cane. Esmeralda was shocked at the visitor. The air grew warmer as she spoke.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"An old friend of your father's," answered the man silkily, stroking the death's-head capping his cane, "Come to aid the family once more in its time of need."
"My family is all dead and beyond your help now," Esmeralda spat. "Some help you were. What could you possibly do for us... me... now?"
"I could restore your throne," said the man.
"I don't want my throne! If I wanted that, I would have stayed with Nathan and become First Lady of Imaginary! What I want is to be a princess again, alive and well with the rest of my family. Safe and secure at court, where no one I loved was a murderer!" She broke into fresh tears.
"But that would mean you would have never met Nathan," the man pointed out.
"Good! If not for him, I would still have a castle of my own and a family that cared for me," sniffed Esmeralda.
"What if I told you I could teach you something that would rid you of Nathan forever?" the man asked mystically.
Esmeralda sank into rage. "I don't need to learn anything to pack my things and leave! I'll ride back to that peasant hovel, take what is left of my fortune, and get back to the castle. I will assume my rightful throne! Anyone suspected of participating in the revolt will be hanged from my city gates!"
"But how will you do it, little Esmeralda? You know nothing of politics or how to run a country. You will be eaten alive at court. Let me help you," the man in red cajoled.
Esmeralda knew he was right. Maybe this friend of her father's could become her friend as well. "Fine. Teach me what you know. I will need it to rule my kingdom."
The old man laughed softly. "Your reaction will be entertaining, little one, but I require some form of payment," he said.
"What do you propose, sir?"
"Something dear to you. It does not matter the size or the shape of the thing, just that it moves your heart to see it. The more dear, the greater the power you will be able to wield. And remember, Princess, you will need a great deal of power to rule a kingdom alone," he said.
"I will do it. I must," said Esmeralda.