"Whatever do you mean?" the lady-in-waiting said in astonishment.
"He has no sense of humor, he isn't intelligent, he can't talk about anything except tourneys, and half of what he does say he gets wrong.
I'm glad we're only staying three weeks. I don't think I could stand to be polite to him for much longer than that."
"But what about your engagement?" the lady-in-waiting cried, horrified.
"What engagement?" Cimorene said sharply.
The lady-in-waiting tried to mutter something about a mistake, but Cimorene put up her chin in her best princess fashion and insisted on an explanation. Finally, the lady-in-waiting broke down.
"I… I overheard Their Majesties discussing it yesterday." She sniffled into her handkerchief. "The stipulations and covenants and contracts and settlements have all been drawn up, and they're going to sign them the day after tomorrow and announce it on Th-Thursday."
"I see," said Cimorene. "Thank you for telling me. You may go."
The lady-in-waiting left, and Cimorene went to see her parents. They were annoyed and a little embarrassed to find that Cimorene had discovered their plans, but they were still very firm about it. "We were going to tell you tomorrow, when we signed the papers," her father said.
"We knew you'd be pleased, dear," her mother said, nodding. "He's such a good-looking boy."
"But I don't want to marry Prince Therandil," Cimorene said.
"Well, it's not exactly a brilliant match," Cimorene's father said, frowning. "But I didn't think you'd care how big his kingdom is."
"It's the prince I don't care for," Cimorene said.
"That's a great pity, dear, but it can't be helped," Cimorene's mother said placidly. "I'm afraid it isn't likely that you'll get another offer."
"Then I won't get married at all."
Both her parents looked slightly shocked. "My dear Cimorene!" said her father. "That's out of the question. You're a princess; it simply isn't "I'm too young to get married!" "Your Great-Aunt Rose was married at sixteen," her mother pointed out.
"One really can't count all those years she spent asleep under that dreadful fairy's curse."
"I won't marry the prince of Sathem-by-the-Mountains!" Cimorene said desperately. "It isn't proper!"
"What?" said both her parents together.
"He hasn't rescued me from a giant or an ogre or freed me from a magic spell," Cimorene said.
Both her parents looked uncomfortable. "Well, no," said Cimorene's father. "It's a bit late to start arranging it, but we might be able to manage something."
"I don't think it's necessary," Cimorene's mother said. She looked reprovingly at Cimorene. "You've never paid attention to what was or wasn't suitable before, dear; you can't start now. Proper or not, you will marry Prince Therandil three weeks from Thursday."
"But, Mother-" "I'll send the wardrobe mistress to your room to start fitting your bride clothes," Cimorene's mother said firmly, and that was the end of the conversation.
Cimorene decided to try a more direct approach. She went to see Prince Therandil. He was in the castle armory, looking at swords. "Good morning, Princess," he said when he finally noticed Cimorene. "Don't you think this is a lovely sword?"
Cimorene picked it up. "The balance is off."
"I believe you're right," said Therandil after a moment's study.
"Pity; now I'll have to find another. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes," said Cimorene. "You can not marry me."
"What?" Therandil looked confused.
"You don't really want to marry me, do you?" Cimorene said coaxingly.
"Well, not exactly," Therandil replied. "I mean, in a way. That is-" "Oh, good," Cimorene said, correctly interpreting this muddled reply as No, not at all. "Then you'll tell your father you don't want to marry me?"
"I couldn't do that!" Therandil said, shocked. "It wouldn't be right."
"Why not?" Cimorene demanded crossly.
"Because-because-well, because princes just don't do that!"
"Then how are you going to keep from marrying me?"
"I guess I won't be able to," Therandil said after thinking hard for a moment. "How do you like that sword over there? The one with the silver hilt?"
Cimorene left in disgust and went out to the castle garden. She was very discouraged. It looked as if she were going to marry the prince of Sathem-by-the-Mountains whether she wanted to or not.
"I'd rather be eaten by a dragon," she muttered.
"That can be arranged," said a voice from beside her left slipper.
Cimorene looked down and saw a small green frog looking up at her.
"I beg your pardon. Did you speak?" she asked.
"You don't see anyone else around, do you?" said the frog.
"Oh!" said Cimorene. She had never met a talking frog before. "Are you an enchanted prince?" she asked a little doubtfully.
"No, but I've met a couple of them, and after a while you pick up a few things," said the frog. "Now, why is it that you want to be eaten by a dragon?"
"My parents want me to marry Prince Therandil," Cimorene explained.
"And you don't want to? Sensible of you," said the frog. "I don't like Therandil. He used to skip rocks across the top of my pond. They always sank into my living room."
"I'm sorry," Cimorene said politely.
"Well," said the frog, "what are you going to do about it?"
"Marrying Therandil? I don't know. I've tried talking to my parents, but they won't listen, and neither will Therandil."