First Impressions

"You're finally of age Mirabella." Madam Josine informed, slowly running a coarse brush through her daughter's silky, long, silver hair. "You're beautiful my sweet girl."

Praises like these were nothing new to Mirabella as she had heard them on a daily basis from her family, maids and suitors. "And now, it is finally time for your beauty to serve its purpose."

Mirabella who had been successful in holding her tongue slowly glanced up in the mirror at her mother's devilish expression, nothing like the loving mother she knew the days, weeks, months and years prior.

"What do you mean mother?"

"Surely you knew it would happen someday..." Madam Josine gave Mirabella a sigh of pity. "How sad a mother will be to see her loving daughter go."

Mirabella had a blank look on her face opposite to the feelings burning inside her stomach. "I see, mother. I will be sad to leave as well."

"Don't be selfish, child!" Her mother yelled, smashing the brush into the mirror, shattering it. a stray glass pricked her skin causing a droplet of blood to fall in synchrony with her tears. "This union is for the good of our family." Josine wiped away imaginary tears and sobbed softly.

"How could you be so thoughtless?" another sob. "After we took you in, clothed you, fed you." She glared at Mirabella. "You were birthed and raised for this single purpose, to marry and control the future king of Poland. Do not disappoint me."

"I believe you misunderstand, mother. I have no intention of staying. I apologize for having upset you. However, I would do anything for the prosperity of our family."

Josine smiled and retrieved the brush. "Good. That is the daughter I know and love." Josine soon left and Mirabella sat like a statue, staring at her cold and lifeless eyes in the broken mirror. "Anything for my family."

Not much longer, three maids came to assist her with getting ready. The head maid started to relay the madam's message. "You will be escorted to the crown prince's palace at noon where you will have a month before the wedding to get yourself acquainted."

Mirabella was dressed up in a clear blue dress that had diamonds adorning every corner, glistening as she moved. Her hair was braided then tied up into an elegant bun with a diamond butterfly clip holding it in place. she carried a blue, flower decor fan in her hand as any female of high standing always does.

Mirabella walked with confidence as any female of her standing should. She was escorted to the Greendale carriage by her trusted knight who quickly mounted a horse and started the journey with her to the palace of the crown prince, her soon to be husband. Her personal maid rode with her, occasionally staring at the lady with fearful eyes before quickly occupying herself with other things.

At the crown prince's palace. His highness, Prince Hesteel was staring outside his room window idly when his best friend, personal knight and advisor stepped in. "Word has been sent that your fiance will be arriving soon."

Hesteel chuckled darkly, "That's just a nice way of putting it." He gave Jermaine a fleeting look. "We all know Greendale's actual goals." Just as he diverted his attention back to the window he saw a golden carriage pull in through the main gates.

"It seems she has arrived." Jermaine acknowledged. "Won't you go meet her?"

Hesteel spared only a fleeting glance before he turned his attention to other pressing matters. "I'll find some way to get rid of her before this month's end. There is no need for me to get myself acquainted with her."

"Killing and disposing of her would be a menial task." Jermaine bowed. "However, it would cause unwanted attention."

"Nevertheless, it's something to consider."

Mira, descended from the carriage with the help of Gale, her personal knight. Kiara stumbled out behind her. Mira walked strode towards the palace doors with confidence as she was taught by her mother.

Who she assumed to be the head butter greeted her with a deep bow. "It's a pleasure to see you have arrived safely, milady." He stood up straight and gestured further into the palace. "Let me direct you to the crown prince's quarters, where you will be staying in a room diagonal to his for the rest of your unmarried life."

As he walked, he informed her of the minor details, which she only gave her brief attention on. "After the wedding ceremony. You will be moved to the Jornan room, this is the shared room for both your highness and his highness the crown prince."

"Breakfast is served at 8 if more than two hours have passed and milady has not joined the breakfast table, it will be brought to your room. To avoid the long wait, you can have a maid fetch the breakfast if you refuse to join the dining table. Lunch and supper is whenever you want."

Just as they arrived at her room. The butler bowed. "I hope you have minimal issues here and we will work as best as possible to ensure your comfortable stay. Is there anything you are allergic to?."

"Peach and nuts." She paused for a second before adding. "And also pine."

The butler gave one last bow before he excused himself and Mira entered the room, her maid, Kiara rushed in and went to get the lady's belongings sorted.