Arthur Augustus Piemonte: A Short Story

The girl stood facing the portrait, her left index finger resting on her pursed lips. She tilted her head and let out a melodramatic sigh. It was a portrait of her great grandfather with a leopard cape wrapped around him as he held his head high and his carribean blue eyes stared off in the distance. At a first glance he would appear to be robust or regal, but she knew that it was all a ruse. Instead, Arthur Augustus Piemonte was nothing of the sorts and was in fact a fraud. It was this information that puzzled the girl: why would the family still showcase him; despite his efforts to involve their secluded nation in European politics and then almost single handedly end the monarchy?

“Your Highness,” A voice behind her beckoned with a hint
of impatience that could only be picked up on if you had grown accustomed to it. Margerie, the nanny and overall caretaker for the girl, had been standing behind her for several minutes. It was a daily routine that the young princess had been practicing since she was seven and Margerie was ready to move onto the next part for today.

Everyday at nine the princess would awake and Margerie would rush into her chambers with a pitcher of water and a platter of muffins, hardboiled eggs or orange slices if the season called for it. She would place it on the bedside table and excuse herself all without making eye contact. The princess would eat bits and pieces of the meal provided and then call out of Margerie. After bathing, her lesson would follow and then shortly after noon the princess would wander down the staircase and to the foyer where the painting was hung.