Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

I don’t care for her sort of beauty. She’s too soft and floppy looking. Anyway, I don’t want her. Oscaro picked her, but I think I should choose my own. After all, you’ll be my lady-in-waiting, not his.”
    â€œI can’t be.”
    â€œWhy not? Why can’t you?” She smiled warmly. “I’m a new queen. You’d be a new lady-in-waiting. We’d be so merry.”
    I gathered my courage. “I’m a commoner, Your Majesty, an innkeeper’s daughter, not a lady.”
    â€œ Lady Aza, I suspect a title can be found for you. I’ll speak to my husband. Now will you be my lady-in-waiting?”
    I stared at a spot where a green floor tile met a red one just beyond the hem of my gown. If I was her lady-in-waiting, I’d have to live here.
    At home they loved me.
    â€œThere would be a wage. A generous wage.”
    A wage!
    I could give only one answer. My generous wage would be a godsend to the Featherbed.
    Before I could speak, she added, “You have such long thick hair. I can show you how we wear our hair in Kyrria.” She licked her lips again. “Some of our fashions would look pretty on you.”
    I doubted that, but perhaps the different fashions might help a little.
    â€œI’ll be honored to be your lady-in-waiting. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
    â€œGood. Then it’s settled.”
    As her lady-in-waiting I’d often see Prince Ijori.
    She rose. I scrambled up.
    â€œLady Aza? At the fountain you made voices come from the statues.” She looked uneasy. “You did that, didn’t you? It wasn’t the statues?”
    â€œIt was I. I was illusing.” I had no reason for concealment. I’d done nothing wrong.
    She still looked uneasy. “Can all my subjects illuse?”
    â€œNo, Your Majesty. I tried to teach my family, but they couldn’t learn. I don’t know of anyone else who can do it.”
    â€œOh.” She flashed her smile. “How talented you are!” Her voice became peremptory. “I wish to go outside. Conduct me outdoors, Lady Aza. I command it.”
    How imperious she could be!
    I didn’t know how to obey. I had no notion where we were or where the castle entrance was. I looked down the corridor, hoping for a ray of sunlight. But in this part of the castle the tallow lamps provided the only light.
    Hmm … If we exited through a chamber window, we’d be outside. We weren’t on an upper story. We wouldn’t have to jump.
    I bent over and peered through the nearest keyhole, hoping to see an empty chamber, hoping not to see a person in underclothes—or in no clothes at all.
    The room seemed to be an office. There were a desk, a chair, a map on the wall. And no occupant.
    I opened the door. “Follow me, Your Majesty.”
    In the room I pulled the curtains aside enough to reveal a narrow casement window, which I cranked open. I stuck my head out. The drop was nothing, no more than a foot. I brought my head back in and put a leg through the window.
    The queen looked puzzled, but she’d see in a moment. I gathered my skirts and squeezed them and my other leg outside. The window frame was tight, but I needed only to pop myself through and then I’d be out.
    â€œAs soon as I get through, I’ll help you. It will be easier for you. You’re slimmer.” I pushed against the frame, but I was wedged in.
    Ivi laughed. She drew the curtains farther aside, revealing a glass door. If I’d even turned my head, I’d have seen it.
    What a fool I was! I struggled to get out, but I only locked myself in tighter.
    Ivi pushed on my shoulders, to no avail. She could hardly speak for laughing. “I’ll find … someone … to help … you. I’ll be back shortly.” She stepped outside.
    I didn’t want her to go. I needed help from someone stronger than she was, but I didn’t want to be alone.
    What help would she bring? A