1

It is an average day in the Kingdom of Meada when a knock at the door awakens a sleeping Molly. Opening her eyes, and turning towards the window, she sees the sun is just barely rising in the sky. It is normally too early to be expecting visitors at this time unless it is an emergency.

Now worried, Molly hurriedly pulls back the covers and climbs out of the bed, grabbing her nightgown and tying it around herself before calling to whomever that they could enter. Molly expected her handmaiden to be standing there.

Instead it is a messenger.

Oh no. What has happened?

"Apologies madam for interrupting you at this hour. I intended to speak with your father but alas I could not find him."

Molly pulls her strings to her robe tighter in an attempt to better cover herself in the presence of company. Her long mud colored hair falls in crazed curls behind her back. She stares intently, her dark green eyes mesmerizing. The messenger finds himself speechless for a moment.

"I trust this is urgent?"

He nods, handing a letter stamped with the official stamp from the King.

Molly's eyes widen with surprise, but she does her best to conceal it.

She takes it, carefully, not truly believing it was real until the paper touches her hand.

Dark blue wax with the symbol of a silver tide as well as a crown.

"You have been invited to court this evening."

Molly nods, taking this in.

There is only one reason for a lady to be called to court: to become the King's mistress. This was known by the noble families in the kingdom as the King had taken many of the young ladies as his mistress.

Anyone who held this title could not wed.

Therefore it came with land and payment from His Majesty.

Granted, there were other matters that could call a noble family to the King's side, but these matters would be handled differently, more openly rather than at the break of dawn in secret. For these matters were kept close, it was unknown whether the Queen was aware of her husband's doings. It was not uncommon for kings to have mistresses, and if she knew she was to not speak a word of it in public as to not disrespect the king. It was simply a way of the world. There was no fighting it.

Molly thanks him and he makes his exit. She watches to be certain he leaves. Her father, Gaston, an older nobleman enters, tensing as a stranger has just exited his daughter's chambers. When he sees the small silver pin of a raven that reveals the stranger to be a messenger for the King, he relaxes. All messengers wore a similar pin, the color matched the roles they served.

Silver for royal messengers.

Blue for the citizens' messengers.

The messenger repeats the same words to Gaston before leaving. He walks over, pleased.

Molly had been at court the past few days. This was the hope. That she, the daughter of a noble would catch the King's eye. In the Kingdom, even if Molly were to birth a bastard, the King would aid financially for life.

"This is great news dear one." He tells me

Molly nods in agreement.

As a woman, she knows she has no say in this matter. As was custom, it was the male duty to set up betrothals for their female relatives. It was their duty to find the best match for the women as well as accompanying them to the first few gatherings as a matter of safety.

Although not written into law, every citizen in Meada respected this.

"Come, we must make haste."

Wasting no time, Gaston sends for a carriage. Molly heads to her chambers with her handmaidens. They get to work changing her out of her dress to a more elegant one, floor length, flowy, and stunning. Blue that matches perfectly with the color of the tide. Not yet worn.

"Molly the coach has arrived!" Her father calls

Molly calls to her younger brother, Fin. 14 years young.

He calls out that he will meet her inside the carriage as he is helping their father load their luggage.

Molly and Finn's mother, Crista had given birth to Molly at only 15 years young. Christa was promised to wed Gaston only a few years shy of birth. They had met a handful of times in passing, and their families would set up meetings for the two. At 14 they wed and Christa moved in.

Molly was born a year later.

There were many pregnancies in between, but none bore any result. Two more tries, and then everything changed the following year. To everyone's delight, she was with child, and unlike before everything was going smoothly. She gave birth in her birthing bed seven months later. The relief was short-lived as Christa caught infection and died that very night. A devastating blow.

Molly heads for the door, seeing the 6 horses paired off in two, pulling a carriage to the front of the home. Two men in uniforms sit atop the bench, guiding the coach.

As it pulls to a stop, Moll, Finn and Gaston make way for the coach, climbing inside, excited for court. Molly sits, staring out the window, doing her best not to move too much so as to not potentially tear the delicate lace of her dress. It would be hours before arriving at the castle gates, at the least.