A Lady-in-Waiting

My name is Emma, I am the Lady-in-waiting for Princess Isabella. The most prized princess of the kingdom Cameron. She wasn't the second child of King Theodore and Queen Catherine. Her older brother William was raised to take over the kingdom and therefore was carefully watched and regulated.

Isabella, on the other hand, grew up pampered and catered to. Her only job in life was to prepare for a strategically arranged marriage. She was beautiful, charming, and her parents spoiled her. She was smart and knew the power she held and would often pout until she got what she wanted.

I had been left as a child in the stables. Queen Catherine still hormonal and dealing with the extra emotions after recently having delivered Isabella took pity on me. While she couldn't claim me as her own, she did ensure I would have a much better life than I would have.

As little children, we grew up like sisters, as we aged, Isabella always found a way to subtly let me know my place was serving her needs. After all, it was the least I could do for the favor her mother bestowed upon me.

Honestly, it wasn't a bad life. It was easy to ignore Isabella's bratty behavior. She also wasn't wrong, being her lady-in-waiting assured that I had a very comfortable life. Never having to wonder where my next meal came from. I was clothed, had a warm bed to sleep in, and was even given an education.

I was nameless, faceless, as I got older, I became really good at fading into the background. I was often able to sneak away hide in my favorite oak tree and read. As long as I made sure to take care of my duties and kept a close eye on Isabella's schedule, she never knew I was gone, or at least she never said anything.

Lately, with the preparation of the royal match ball, I had a lot fewer opportunities to sneak away. There was so much preparation yet to be done. Including deciding what dresses Isabella would be wearing. And who can forget the matching jewelry, shoes, and how to wear her hair.

There were going to be several royal families arriving. It was a chance for political marriages to be arranged. Both William and Isabella would likely find their match during this time. William had very little interest. Isabella on the other hand had a ranked list of who she would choose to court.

At the top of her list was the crown prince of Saldonia Christian. He was rumored to be tall dark handsome and extremely aloof. She just knew he would never be able to resist her charms. He would fall madly in love at first sight and whisk her away for her happily ever after. I had a hard time not rolling my eyes at her when she spoke about him.

Saldonia was the largest and wealthiest Kingdom and ultimately had power over all the rest. Thank goodness other than having authority and respect she had very little interest in political matters and wouldn't try to participate in ruling whatever kingdom she was to be Queen of. The power she would hold as Queen of Saldonia was a terrifying thought.

When she was having a tantrum, she would make many of the servants cry. The twinkle she'd get in her eye as she saw them breakdown revealed a sadistic side that not many knew was there. Wielding that kind of power could destroy nations.

If only I could have predicted the crazy turn of events that was about to occur, I might have run away. Honestly, I couldn't have though because not even in my wildest dreams would I have ever believed any of this was even possible.