The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Princess Attentia woke up the morning after the great feast filled with excitement. She was the only one of her sisters who had fully recognized the validity of the wizardess's claims. She knew it was true; for she could recall in vivid detail the dreams where she and her sisters gathered together in their father's castle each night, dancing away the hours. She also knew that she was not nearly as happy now as she had been in her childhood home. What surprised her was to learn that her sisters suffered similarly. They had all seemed, to her, so content and settled in their married life. No doubt she, too, appeared to be the same.

She was certain the wizardess could help. The fact that Harmonia Brist had identified the problem of the worn shoes gave her cause to hope. How wonderful it would be if she could become as joyful and content with her husband as she had been with her father and her sisters.

Princess Attentia put on her prettiest dress and sat down at her dressing table to style her hair. As she did so she thought about the wizardess. How beautiful she was! And oh, how Princess Attentia admired her. She wished that she were more like her.

Just then her husband's head popped out from under the blankets. "What are you doing up so early?" he asked. "I want everything to be perfect for the wizardess when she gets here," she told him. "And you, too, should get up and make yourself ready."

"Isn't it a bit early?" he asked her sleepily.

"I don't know when she will arrive, but I'm sure she'll come here first since we are the closest to the castle. "With one last adjustment to her hair she approached the bed and sat close to where her husband lay. "I do so want her to like us."

"How could she not?" he asked, reaching out to grab hold of her and draw her closer to him.

She smiled but pulled herself gently out of his grasp before he could rumple her dress. "I just want to be sure," she replied.

He looked at her speculatively for a moment. "You seemed genuinely moved by her theories last night," he remarked. "Are you unhappy, Attentia?"

"Of course not," she replied automatically. She looked at her husband and was instantly charmed by his appearance. His face had a childlike quality while it was still flushed from sleep that clashed delightfully with the masculine stubble on his chin. His gentle gaze and husky morning voice captivated her. She loved him so much. Shouldn't that make everything right? It seemed that it did not. She knew that he loved her, too, and that he wanted to please her. And yet there were times...

The door chimed just then, causing the princess to jump. "I knew it!" she exclaimed, running from the room.

Harmonia breezed in, looking exuberant and self-assured. She wore lovely bright colors that complemented her golden hair streaked with gray. She had a young, watchful expression, as her eyes took in everything around her. She carried with her a doctor's bag of sorts, quite large and stuffed to overflowing. PrincessAttentia wondered what was inside.

Princess Attentia apologized profusely for not having any refreshments prepared as she led the wizardess into their kitchen and immediately set about the task of making coffee.

"I have breakfasted already," the wizardess told her, sitting down at the kitchen table. "What I would really like is for you to sit here next to me."

The princess dropped what she was doing and sat down immediately. Harmonia smiled at the girl's...