I have been working on a story for a while and I figured I would post it here. I'm totally open to feedback. If you have any, please PM me.
Chapter 1
“The beautiful princess was woken by the prince and they lived happily ever after,” I said. I closed the book and looked down at the dozen chubby faces starring back at me. Most of them were staring off into the distance, enveloped by the thought of their queen and king meeting so romantically, but one child was curled up with his legs to his chest and his small blue eyes twice their normal size. Timidly, he raised his hand.
“Is the witch ever coming back?” the young boy asked.
“Thankfully, no,” I assured the child, “My father took care in making sure she would never be seen again.” I wasn’t about to tell the youth that my dad, their king, had stabbed an evil sorceress in the gut.
“Thank you, Princess Brie,” piped up a small girl. The rest chorused the expression of gratitude.
“Of course, my dears, now please follow Sir Gartet to where your parents are waiting,” I replied, gesturing toward a uniformed man by the doors of the library. The children reluctantly obeyed, leaving me alone. I looked around the room, letting memories flood my mind. My father reading to me in the rocking chair by the window overlooking the gardens when I was just a babe. My mother teaching to read out of her favorite books as a child. Reading to my baby brother, Kias, when I was seven. My older sister, Louna, introducing me to romance novels when I was thirteen. My many lessons in English, history, science, and foreign language. And now my weekly readings to children of the kingdom.
I checked the clock above the door. It was eleven-thirty. I had time for a chapter, right?
Quickly, I picked up my magenta skirts and walked to the rocking chair by the window. On the shelf, sat a tattered book, worn through with age and love. I picked it up and immediately got lost in the lovely descriptions of far off places, adventure, and romance. I was so enveloped that when I looked up at the clock it was one thirty!
The book slipped from my hands and I ran as fast as possible in heels. They clicked across the marble floor in fast rhythm as I rushed towards my chambers. I burst through the door and called out.
"Cecile!" I started taking bobby pins out of my hair. "I'm sorry I'm late. Where is my dress?"
A small woman in a servant’s uniform hobbled out of my bathing room. A frown was engraved in her plump face but she set to work undoing my corset.
“It is laid out on your bed, Your Highness,” she said. In three seconds, my long brown hair was down and in soft curls. Jeweled pins were used to pin it back and a small silver tiara was set upon my brow.
“Thank you so much Cecile,” I said and rushed to the clothing laid out on my blankets. Within minutes, it was slipped, tied up, and matched with shoes. I quickly checked the mirror to make sure I looked acceptable. The dress was a beautiful dark emerald green and the bodice was embroidered with shining gold thread. The skirt flowed down elegantly and a small train dragged across the floor.
Without any more delay, I rushed out the door and to the garden. Dread filled me as I entered the room. Many people were mingling and ding on dainty horderves. As poised and casual as possible, I walked through the crowd and joined my sister at the head table.
“You’re late,” she said. Louna looked stunning a lilac gown with pearls as her accessories. She was sitting by herself which meant that no one would pay much attention to our conversation.
“Yes, I know,” I said quietly. “I got caught up in the library.”
Louna scoffed in amusement. “You can never seem to be without a book, can you?”
“Apparently not,” I replied, blushing.
We were then interrupted by a young man. He looked to be about the same age as me, seventeen. He had raven black hair that made his blue eyes stand out. He held himself as though he too were royalty. Yet, I saw no family crest upon his chest.
“Milady,” he said to me with a bow. “I am Blake Everest. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”
I stood and curtsied. Another suitor no doubt sent by my parents. “And to you as well.”
“May I take you on a short stroll?” he held out his arm. I looked at my sister who was practically suffocating trying not to laugh. I accepted only out of politeness.
Blake led around the garden and he talked. A lot. He talked about his family. He talked about his word training. He talked about silly things he would do as a small child. I, being the respectful princess I’m supposed to be, smiled and listened.
“And that is how I almost died from a dandelion,” he finished. I giggled politely and replied with the most formal words I could come up with. As we neared the table again, I turned to him and said.
“I thank you for this lovely stroll but I believe my parents are expecting me,” I curtsied and walked away as fast as a princess could walk.
“So” Louna said. “How did it go?” She elbowed me in the arm playfully when I sat down. I looked at her with exaggerated annoyance and we started laughing. My mother looked over at us with curiosity. Her blonde hair was pulled back in an elaborate updo and her gold crown shimmered in the warm afternoon sun.
“What are my daughters so amused by?” she asked.
“Nothing Mother,” Louna said. She tried to calm her laughter but failed with flying colors. She clutched her corseted stomach and tried to ease her breathing.
The queen smiled and rolled her eyes. “You two are so silly.” My mother turned back to her lunch and daintily put a miniature sandwich in her ruby lined mouth. She was pretty and I was jealous that Louna got her looks instead of me. The two were practically I identical. Their blonde hair was silky and perfect, their bright blue eyes shone with laughter, their physic was slim and flawless. I myself got my dad’s traits. I got his unruly brown locks and pale green eyes. Not exactly what a princess is supposed to look like.
As I tried to help Louna regain her composer, another young gentleman approached. He introduced himself as Sir Peter Longu and he asked if he could take me along. This was going to be a long afternoon.
Just Smile and Wave (A Book)
