Chapter one

I woke to the sound of birds chirping from the open doors of the balcony. I turn my head to rest my eyes on the soft sunshine and peaceful hills of the castle grounds outside. I soak up the feeling of the silky and slightly warm pillow ageist my face. A breeze passes through the room and gingerly russells the gold and white curtains.I close my eyes, not sleeping but soaking in the heat from the softly glowing morning sun. I breathe in, then out. A soft knock from my door tells me that my time of selfishness is over.

"Come it," I say.

One of the palace maids opens the door, "Sorry if I woke you princess, her majesty the queen requests you for breakfast."

She offered to help me with my clothes, but I refused. Even when I was young I didn't like others picking my clothes. My mother ,as I got older, wanted me the were billion dollar Victorian style dresses and corseted dresses. She always bragged to the queens of the neighboring countries how I got all my great "assets" from her. Sometimes it reminds me of when dad used to be here, she used to be more stable then, but was always working dad took the responsibility of raising me that was until a new disease that spread in a country that he went to, to discuss an alliance.

I walk out of my room and start the trek to the dining room. I study the white walls and slate floor of the halls I used to run through as a kid. Back then I had almost no responsibilities, unlike now I feel like I run the kingdom while my mother runs around with men. I sight loudly. Even though we live in the castle the castle is located far away from the kingdoms main towns, and asides from the maids my mother is the only other one in the castle. I admire the dress I where as I walk down the maze like corredors. The Intricate Designs of the dress captivate the eye of any who passes by, it is one of my most prized possessions, I assisted the maidens with sewing it,  the white ribbon that's around my waist is not tight but comfortable with a bow I tide in the back and the slightly gold and navy blue skirt with a gold top. My hair falls on my shoulders I have the top middle section braided back so it doesn't get in my face as I walk. I always hated my hair doing that. As I arrived to the door of the dining room I hope that she didn't have anything crazy planned. Like another teatime or another suitor. I've told her multiple times that if I ever wanted to be married I would do it myself and for a while she understood that until she tried to set me up with every other person she met. The maid in front of the door opens it and I smile at her as I pass. A good surprise waited for me behind the doors, ... no one but the plates of fruit and freshly cooked breakfast waiting for me to arrive. I sit down hungry, before I start a butler walks in with a letter on his tray.

"From her majesty, the queen." He says.

I take the letter from him, I thank him, and he goes on with his day. I study the purple and white envelope with the gold wax stamp over the flap. The stamp is what all of the royals of our family use for important business, the design of the stamp is our family crest a white horse surrounded by a ring of red roses, which is why all of us, in the family, know how to hide horses. I break the seal and remove the letter from the omvilope. I read the first line ," My dearest daughter Rayanna, I would like to inform you that I will be returning soon with.." I gasp " WHAT," I yell and then the maids come scrambling to my ade.