1 Chapter 1

I'm sitting on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Everything has changed so quickly that I don't even know what to think any more. So, as I sit here, with my blonde hair blowing in the wind, I can't help but think about them. What did they do to deserve any of this? My parent's have worked hard all their lives. They fought to be together, apparently to the point of running away. Which I just recently found out. My father had owned a fruit stall in the small town where I grew up. We had a small farm there. My father grew all sorts of fruits there. We had a few horses, a cow, and some chickens. Only animals that could produce food products for us. Last week, my father fell ill. He died a few days ago. He died of fever. Mother and I did everything we could to help. We took on the farm work and worked the stall. Shortly after we buried my father in the cemetery, soldiers came. It all happened so fast I still haven't fully processed.

My mother was apparently a runaway princess. Something about my father dying made it to court. My grandparents didn't hesitate to send soldiers to bring her home. Now I'm locked inside stone walls with the only view this edge of the cliff over the ocean. It's the only time I am at peace with being here. My mother is now dressing as royalty, and though I will soon need to do the same, the king and queen are giving me time to adjust. Mother is nothing like the woman who raised me anymore. She is not the mother who laughed as I climbed trees. She is not the mother who played in the stream with me after coming home from town. Now all I get are sympathetic looks, and small shrugs.

I sit on the cliff for what seems like only minutes bit is probably around an hour. Then my personal guard comes up to me.

"Your Highness, the Queen is looking for you." he says. I sigh at having my time interrupted, but I know it would be impolite not to go. I stand up and walk back towards the castle.

"Thank you Peter." I reply simply as I follow him inside. He leads me to the sitting room where my mother and grandmother are waiting. I stop just inside the door and curtsy to the Queen.

"Thank you for coming so promptly. I'm sure you are wondering what you have been called for." The Queen says to me.

"I am a bit curious." I say as I sit in the chair across from my grandmother.

"I know that this is a huge change for you. However, we are getting an extremely late start on your royal training. You are already 15 years old, in only 2 short years you will be of marriage age. It is time to get started on your lessens. Normally a princess would only have 2-3 lessons a day, but you will need to take 7-10 a day. You will be busy from sunup to sundown to get you up to par on the royal life. You need to learn how to dress, when. How to speak, how to walk. On top of proper riding, fighting, among hundreds of other things. Your mother here, will be just as busy. She needs to catch up on royal affairs and begin to prepare. She will be the next Queen. The King want's her coronated by the end of summer. That means you as well need to be ready for a public appearance by then. We will allow until the start of the week, then you will begin. I hope you can understand why the matters must take place so promptly. I have the royal dressmaker working on some simple dresses to start you off. The royal fabrics and dress style are nothing like what you are used to. We need to get you out of trousers. We will work you up to full ballgowns. I recommend you start by allowing your personal maids to help you bathe and dress this weekend. I will check in with you periodically to make sure all goes according to plan." She says. My mother doesn't look to happy about any of this, but she just nods.

"I understand your Majesty. I will begin tomorrow." My mother says. Then they both look to me expectantly.

"I understand, may I head to bed?" I ask. Not really wanting to entertain this anymore. I won't be rude, and I will do as I need to. I'm not going to like it though. With a smile and nod from the Queen I stand up and leave. I pause outside the door to let everything sink in.

"You have raised a fine young lady, even if she wasn't raised the royal way. She holds herself well, and she doesn't object or argue. I was worried upon hearing you had birthed a child. She is not to wild though. I do hope she keeps her spark. I know this life can wear on those not strong enough." The Queen says to my mother.

"I may have raised her in a different life, but even for me the royal upbringing never left. I'm sure that has worn off on her. She is the strongest person I know. She will do magnificent things." My mother says. They both go quiet after that.

I begin to head towards the main hall when Peter appears. Normally guards would stay behind, but I don't know my way around yet. So Peter agreed to guide me until I'm familiar with my new home. Once we arrive at my rooms, Peter opens the door so I can walk in. Then he closes the door and stations himself outside.

As the queen suggested, I allow my maids to help me dress for the night. I try hard to not feel bashful. I have never been without clothing in front of anyone else. My mother raised me to be independent in that regard. Clair helps me dress into a nightgown then I sit at the dressing table and allow my hair to be brushed out by Emily.

"Do you need anything else Your Highness?" Clair asks.

"No, that is all for tonight. And please, call me Arabella." I say for the eighth time. Neither one responds, they just curtsy and leave. I sigh to myself as I head over to the sofa. I pick up the book I brought from home. One of my father's favorites. I read for a bit before climbing in bed. This life has just started but it is already a whirlwind.

avataravatar
Next chapter