Haidee turned back to the Count yet again, her satchel swinging on her back with the force of her turn.
"But what if I—"The Count raised a hand.
"You will survive, Haidee. Now go. You have a long journey ahead of you." Count Tolderon stared hard at her, as though willing her to finally leave the castle.
"There's a lot you can learn about ruling. You'll do well. You will be fine."Haidee folded her hands.
"You will miss me while I'm gone, won't you?" she asked tentatively, afraid of angering the Count.
"Immeasurably, princess. Now leave." The Count waved her away.
"Hurry, or you will miss the sun rising on the ocean. I shall conduct it just for you."Haidee's face broke into a beaming smile.
"Yes, my Count." She hurried away, pulling a suitcase behind her.
As she boarded the ship bound for British Isles, the sun slipped over the horizon, and Haidee could have sworn she heard the opening notes of the day's orchestra breathing color into the world. Someday, she knew, she would be responsible for coloring the world's every morning, day, and evening. She thought of the colors she could strew across the sky, tinting the clouds a shade of purple or gold with a flick of her baton.
But that would have to wait. First, she had to learn. And then, she had to rule.
