3 Chapter One

Control.

I need it.

Not in abundance. But control is essential for anyone to feel sane.

You'd think being the princess, and heir to the throne of the most powerful in the Kingdom in the world would give me all the control I could ever need. But that isn't true. I have very little power when it comes to making decisions in my own life.

The only control I have is over my appearance. That is unless we're making a public debut. But other than that I may look as I please. My wardrobe is my rationality.

I have seven piercings in my left ear lobe. One ruby, for my father. One sapphire, for my mother. One peridot jewel, for my eldest brother, Robert. One amethyst, for my younger sister Sloan. One crystal quartz, for my brother Marcus. One opal, for my brother David. Finally a pure diamond, for my youngest sister, Juliet.

I gifted myself the first five earrings when Marcus was born. Then I continued the tradition for both David and Juliet.

My right ear only has one piercing. A shiny emerald, for myself. I decided to save my right ear for my own family. Once I have married another stone will appear next to the emerald. My husband will pick out his stone. Then more will appear as I have my children.

I love my family very much. I have a piece of jewelry for each member of my family. The earrings for my parents and siblings of course. But more for my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. as well.

A fine silver band, for my Grandmother. A ring made of glass, for my uncle Clinton. A golden ring, for my uncle Barnabus. A twisted gold and silver bangle, for his wife Molly. My uncle Clint's wife, Lucile, had a glass ring as well. Fogged flowers to decorate the surface. I don't wear it anymore. I haven't worn it for six years. I put the ring on her finger when she was buried. She died giving birth to my cousin, Lilliana.

For Lilliana, I wear a silver necklace with a pressed lily flower charm. Uncle Barney's son, Nicholas, who also happens to be my best friend, gifted me with the necklace that I wear for him. Three turquoise stones with yellow cracks strung along a thick silver chain. His younger sister, Brooklyn loves gold more than anything. She is an extremely shy girl, so for her, I wear a simple golden chain.

The most peculiar piece of jewelry that I own by far is what I wear for my grandfather. I'm unsure whether or not I can classify it as jewelry. He asked me to wear, three, thin, worn straps of brown leather around my ankle. I complied, of course, but he never explained to me why.

The sound of running water lifts me from my drowsy stupor. I pull on my white bathrobe and stroll into my ensuite bathroom. It's filled with warm steam. Kennedy somehow knew that I needed a bath this particular morning. I rid myself of my robe and the nightgown underneath. Allowing myself to sink deeply into the wonderfully warm tub. Dried flowers float on the slightly pink water's surface. mixing with oils and salts that perfume the water creating a delicate aroma of citrus.

Kennedy is my personal servant. I cannot call them a butler or maid. All of the servants in the castle wear a sleek black mask. Paired with a black draping over their heads. My brother Bobby told me why they wore those masks. He said that the original saviors did not want us to see our servants as humans. So they wear black masks. It is a firm, looks as if it is made of heavy glass. The mask barley contorts to the facial structure that all humans have. There are no eyeholes or breathing holes. The masks have a special design.

All of the servants can still see and breathe normally. Although the complex functions of the mask remain a mystery to me. Their design is public knowledge, all I would have to do is hop on a public database and search. But my time holds no room for such mundane tasks. I could ask Marcus to look it up for me, but I am not with him often. When I am with my siblings we all have a far more important task at hand.

The surface of the black masks is incredibly shiny. So reflective I would be able to apply my makeup using it as a mirror. A thin white line runs vertically down the center of the mask. Again, I am unsure of its purpose, if it even has one at all.

"Tell the chefs I want french toast," I say from my waters. My eyes remain closed as I speak.

Kennedy does not respond. But I know that I was heard and my order is being silently relayed to the kitchens, somehow.

When I was younger the silence of the servants used to unnerve me. But once we closely studied the 'Rules of the Work' I found it to be law and not a habit. I will never simply have a conversation with Kennedy. They will only answer me I ask a direct question or give an order that requires them to speak.

"What time is it?" I inquire whilst massaging a hair mask into my scalp.

"Eight fifteen, Princess," Kennedy responds.

Because along with the servants remaining faceless, and referred to by last name only, they also must remain androgynous. The masks filter their voices. When they speak I can only hear the prerecorded voice programmed into every servant mask. It sounds like a woman with a very low voice. Or a man with a rather high voice. Keeping me and all the other members of the Court, clueless.

"And when is breakfast?" I question.

"Nine thirty, Princess," They reply instantly.

I've been in the tub for nearly half an hour now. I rinse out my hair before walking out of the enormous bathtub. Which is more of a pool in my opinion. Made of smooth, ashen river rock. There are three steps with a golden railing that leads down into the depths of the tub. Eight people could fit comfortably inside of it.

Across the room stands and equally as a tremendous shower. The dark rock continues. A bench sits in the middle of the widespread shower stall. With a small fountain that comes out the top and dribbles own the four sides once the shower is turned on. Golden showerheads are scattered above and around the walls of the shower. A myriad of knobs sit opposite of the faucets, emitting every, soap, scrub, and creme imaginal.

Dripping from the perfumed waters I pull my robe off the hook that Kennedy had hung it from after I, along with my floral nightdress, left it pooled on the floor. Wrapping my hair in a white towel, I walk a back out to my expansive bedroom. Looking out of my windows I see the pure morning sky.

"Open both of the doors to the balcony. Then put my hair curler on. The fat one that makes the big ringlets." I instruct.

Most people expect the Court to be filled with rude, narcissistic, materialistic, and shallow people. I like to believe that I am not rude, narcissistic, or shallow. But I am undeniably materialistic.

Ever since I could talk I've loved all things fashion. This lead to the custom made closet my father had installed in my room for my tenth birthday.

My balcony looks over the west side of the palace. I can see the front gardens from my windows. They are especially lovely looking in the spring. But my closet took up the entire northern wall. There was a glass window in the center of the wall. Next to the window was a panel. Which when press on ejected a keyboard and screen. All I must do is type in the keywords for the clothing that I was looking for. Then my options that the closet's computer had narrowed down would appear on the touch screen for me to select. The closet stores all of my clothing, shoes, and accessories. Except for my jewelry, there is an entire vanity dedicated to my jewelry.

"Kennedy," I said as I typed the words 'green' and 'jumpsuit'. "What is my schedule for today?"

"Your agenda today is Breakfast with the family at nine-thirty. Then a forty-five-minute slot has been cleared for your personal time with King Joshua and Queen Lynn."

"Will my father be there?" I interrupt, selecting my clothing and moving onto shoes.

"I have been informed that King Joshua will not be in attendance," Kennedy replies.

"Figures," I mutter. Waving my hand to indict that they should continue.

"After that, you will attend your lessons until lunch at one o'clock."

I've moved into searching for accessories.

"Then, from two to four in the afternoon you have a meeting with Daniel the Great and his wife Lady Kelly. Along with the King and Queen." Kennedy pauses. " The rest of your schedule says 'to be determined' until dinner at six forty-five."

That's odd. I've never had a formal meeting with both my grandparents and parents before. Shaking my head slightly I press the white button next to the keyboard. My outfit comes out of the window.

An emerald green jumpsuit. The sleeves are made of two separate pieces of tulle that are cinched together at my wrist with a golden band. Then a golden belt that looks more like a rope with tassels is woven through the loops at my waist. I leave it untied and hanging against my thighs. I pair the outfit with a black pair of heels. The straps of the shoes criss-cross around my foot and clasp at the base of my ankle.

Once dressed I venture back into the bathroom. The tub has been drained the flowers cleared out. My stringy wet hair is brushed out and blow-dried before I continue. Kennedy slicks my hair back into a tight ponytail at the top of my head. While they busy themselves with the curler and form my hair into soft ringlets I do my makeup and select my jewelry.

Uncle Barney's ring and Brooklyn's necklace are the only pieces of family jewelry that make the cut. Alongside with my earrings. Those I never take out. I also dawn a thick golden ring around my thumb, it's laid with a large back stone in the shape of a square.

"So where is this uncomfortable endeavor taking place?"I question Kennedy as we descend from the children's tower. All of the bedrooms that belong to me and my siblings are in the largest wing of the castle.

"Breakfast is in the sunroom this morning," They answer from a few steps behind me.

"Brace yourself, Emmalyne," I mutter to myself once we walk into the sunrooms eating area.

Everyone is already seated once I sit. Aside from Bobby, but he's never on time. As soon as my bum touches the seat the kitchens staff flood around us brandishing food. A platter of french toast on set down in front of me.

Once they disperse the pleasantries begin. I tuck my napkin into my lap before delicately cutting my food.

"Good morning Emmalyne," My grandfather smiles sipping his beverage.

"And to you, Grandfather," I reply placing a raspberry in my mouth.

My father sits at the head of the table. My mother across from him. Because I am heir to the throne I sit directly to my father's right. Grandfather to his left. Then to my mother's left, my Grandmother sits then across from her Bobby attempts to slip in unnoticed.

Mother does not let that happen. "Wonderful of you to join us, Robert." She smiles slicing a mango.

He offers a suppressed grin to the table before tearing into his sausage. Bobby and I have had a delicate relationship ever since I was eight. I don't blame him for being resentful towards me. Because he is the eldest out of the six of us. But as it states in the 'Rules of the Court', "If the firstborn heir is seen to be unfit for the thone the eldest member of the Royal Court will pick the next child they see fit."

Bobby was deemed unfit by the time he turned ten. For the next month, I and the rest of my siblings were put under close observation until I was selected to inherit the throne. He resented me for it.

His hatred towards me was the root of my many upsets as an early teenager. I spent six years of my life begging for him to forgive me. By the time I was fourteen though my life had little time for such childish matters, like sibling relationships. I eventually came to accept that he would hate me forever and moved on with my life.

Grandfather kept an annoyingly close eye on us as children. He would sit in on all of our lessons, we used to school together, until we turned ten, It was that very room where it was decided that Bobby was unfit to be king.

A month and two days after, all of the extra lessons Bobby received were then taught to me and were continually taught to me for the next decade. Ever since I was eight I have been preparing to be Queen of Legibus.

"Father, when is the next Conference of Kingdoms?" I asked sipping my coffee. It's cold now. I left it untouched for the first twenty minutes of breakfast.

"What day is it?" He replies with a timid grin.

"June tenth," I chid back.

"Ah, then exactly three weeks from today," My father answers smacking his lips.

"It's in Aedifex, correct?" I continue to pester.

"Precisely, Emmalyne," My Grandfather cuts in. "Joshua, you should be extremely proud of your daughter. If I didn't know any better I'd say she could be crowned today."

Heat rushes to my cheeks as I smile downwards at my plate. Praise from my superiors has always made me a blushing mess.

"You're nearly right, father," My father replies. His tone much less friendly then it was just moments ago. "Except for the fact that she has not selected a man to marry."

The warmth I felt moments ago disperses quickly. I respond to criticism even worse then praise.

My grandfather purses his lips knowingly. "That is quite the snag we've hit."

They both exchanged knowing glances. I know I'm in the wrong. I have approximately half a year to select a spouse, but I've done a wonderful job at procrastinating it. I'm supposed to be married before I am coordinated to be Queen. That way the King can be coordinated alongside his Queen.

This also means that my wedding ceremony will be held in just over a year. Either with a man I chose or one that the court does.

I muster a smile and check the ornate clock on the southern wall. It's four minutes until ten. I delicately wipe my mouth before pushing out of my chair.

"Excuse me," I say softly. "I have a small matter to attend to before my personal visits." I'm unable to keep the drip of venom that taints my final words.

As I walk from the sunroom I hear several chairs scrape against the stone floors behind me. That will be my siblings getting up and leaving the table. I know what they're thinking.

'Emmalyne is the future Queen. If she's gone; then what's the point of us staying?'

The sunroom is at the back of the palace. I walk all the way to the front of the castle with my thoughts swimming. I touch the solid doors with the flat of my palms before spinning around.

Kennedy stands underneath the giant family portrait hung on the wall. I take a steady breath before speaking. A princess's voice never falters.

"Go," I dismiss. "You aren't allowed to be present during personal time anyways. I can walk myself to the eastern wing."

They nod before turning around and walking into a small hall I haven't ever spared a second glance at.

I'm so deep in my own thoughts I've traveled halfway to the eastern wing before I realize I even moved from the front entrance.

Either something has happened with the other kingdoms or my hand is being forced. I think to myself as I wring my fingers. I'm taking too long to find a man. That's what the meeting is about later.

It clicks inside my head as I turn the final corner. The very end of the hall stands my parent's chamber. The solid door is painted a ruby red with a sparkling diamond knob. I'm halfway down the hall when the door swings open.

My mother sits in a stiff armchair by the window bay. Her posture is impeccable as she gazes out at the window at the stables. I see Juliet riding her snow-white horse in the distance as I sit across from my mother in an equally as stiff chair.

"Good morning, Mother." I smile.

"Emmalyne," she smiles warmly. "How are you?"

"Wonderful," I answer. "I actually was wondering something."

"Well dear, that's why we make time for you. Ask away." She replies.

I have to swallow my scoff. 'We' she said. I don't see my father anywhere. "Do you and father sleep in the same bed?"

"What?" She gasps. I can tell that was not a question she was expecting. "What do you mean, Emmalyne?"

"Well, I know there are two chambers," I start as I gesture to the double doors on either side of the room. "So, the better question is, do you and father share a bed chamber?"

"I see your father was useful at breakfast this morning," My mother murmurs to herself. She sounds slightly bitter. "And to answer your question, we do."

I nod. That information was less helpful than anticipated. "Tell me how you met him."

My mother smiles to herself. "Well in all honesty Em, there is not much to tell. You see, your father never bothered with selecting a spouse. He was much too busy working on finalizing a new law at the time. He left the selection of his spouse up to the Court.

"One day, two soldiers came to my house with a ruby red scroll of parchment. I was summoned to the palace. As were three other women. After a forty-day trial, the others were sent home, that was the day met him."

"Wait, "I interrupt. "But it's a sixty-day trial, not forty."

"No," My mother corrects. "It's a sixty-day trial for the person selected by the prince or princess. But the Court is much more efficient with who they choose in the first place. So twenty days worth of trial isn't needed."

"Oh," I force out. "I didn't know that."

"Anything else?" She inquires, grinning again.

"Why did you have six children?" I request.

My mother's grin turns scornful. "I must admit. I'm not exactly proud of it. We had Robert because it was required. But in the time I was expecting him and when he was a little baby the Court wasn't breathing down your father's neck as much. We were able to become closer and be more of a family. I gave birth to Robert because I had to. I gave birth to the rest of you because I wanted too."

Something twists in my stomach. Was she trying to be kind? Admitting that she wanted me and not my brother? I feel sick.

"Well," I say standing abruptly. "I expect I'll be seeing you later. For now, I must attend to my lessons."