Forbidden Love
Chapter 1: The Decree
Summary: Let's go back to Medieval Times where King Masterson rules of the small country of Green Grove, and must decide which Lord's son is worthy of having his daughter, Princess Josephine, as a bride.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twisted.
I am awoken all too early in the morning. I despise this fact. My father, the King, always makes my ladies in waiting wake me up before the sun breaches the horizon on my birthday. But this birthday, along with the rising-before-the-sun, comes a brief note from my father. He says that I am to be promptly in the Throne Room at sunrise. I do not want to be present for the decree that my father plans to announce this morning. I voice my dissatisfaction to the ladies sent to get me ready, and they dutifully nod their heads at my words but do not offer any comments of their own. They know their place, and sadly, I am to know mine as well. This is the morning of my 16th birthday, and I am to be presented to my potential future husbands on this day. My father has arranged for 4 Dukes to present their sons for the possibility of being deemed worthy enough to marry me. Dukes Ogden, Yates, Farrell and Daly are presenting their sons Lord Scott, Lord Archibald, Lord Cole and Lord Tyler to me today. No one in the kingdom knows that I have pledged my love and body to one lesser being than a Lord. But my love for this man is forbidden, and I am to follow my father's orders and marry a Lord.
"Princess Josephine, are you alright? You do not seem quite like yourself this morning." My main lady in waiting, Lacey says, quieting the speaking of the other 3.
"I am not looking forward to my impending marriage. I do not care for any of the gentlemen that my father has sent to be present here today. Besides, I am only 16; I should not have to marry at such a young age." I say with a sigh.
"I'm sure one of the Lords will catch your eye. You just haven't had the chance to meet them yet." Lacey says. She's always been the one to look on the brighter side of things.
"I used to spend time at the Duke of Ogden's castle; I am very well acquainted with his son. Lord Scott is not aware of another's personal space, especially when that other person's space is my own. As for Lords Archibald, Cole and Tyler, I have spent some time with them, on my mother's request, but none of them seem to be interested in marrying into my family. I do not know if it is simply a disinterest in becoming King one day, or a disinterest in me, either way, I do not see a potential for a happy life and marriage in any of them." I say.
"Your Highness, could it be that they have grown up since you last saw them, maybe their views have changed." My lady in waiting, Phoebe says as she gives me a hopeful look.
"While I would usually agree with you, there is little chance of that happening. I was in the company of Lord Archibald in the beginning of last month; in the company of Lord Scott a week after that; in the company of Lord Tyler a week later; and then most recently in the company of Lord Cole. None of them are pleased with what is basically going to be an arranged marriage. I do not love any of them, and they do not love me, so sadly, my father is going to be forcing me to marry someone against my will who I do not care for." I say.
"Is there someone that you care for that you would like to marry Princess?" My lady in waiting, Regina asks.
"I do not see how that is any of your business Regina. In actuality, none of you should really be hearing any of this." I say with a huff.
"I'm sorry Princess; I know that it is not my place to ask. I was just curious." Regina says and she ducks her head.
"And that kind of curiosity, if not noticed by a member of the Family Royal, is what can ruin us. Luckily, I am much more observant that other Princesses, so I do notice when that kind of thing happens." I say.
"Princess, if you don't mind my asking, is there any chance that, if given the time, that you could eventually love one of the Lords?" My last lady in waiting, Sarita asks.
"Possibly, but there would have to be something for that love to be based off of, and I feel nothing for any of the Lords." I say.
With that, the conversation ends. Lacey, Phoebe, Regina and Sarita finish getting me ready and then follow me downstairs to the Throne Room, all the while straightening out the back of my dress. For my birthday today, I am wearing a black velvet and cream satin dress with bell sleeves. The cream satin material has floral stitching all about it. The velvet clings to my body to show of the natural curves that I possess while the satin flows away from my body to give the illusion that I am floating as I walk. I do not understand how my mother can think that the illusion works, but I am not one to question her. As I near the Throne Room, I take a deep breath. I am about to walk in and face one of four possible futures. As I walk in, my arrival is announced.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Josephine, the Heir Apparent of Green Grove."
I roll my eyes at the title. I do not understand why my father insists on having my entrances be announced with my full title. Can't 'Princess Josephine has entered' be enough for him? It is for me.
"Ah, Sweetheart, there you are; I'm glad you received my note this morning." My father says as he strides over to me gives me a very brief hug.
"Good morning Father." I say with a small curtsey. I hate curtseying, it's very annoying.
"Good morning Princess, and might I wish you a very Happy Birthday." The Court Jester and one of my only true friends, Rico says with a bright smile.
"Thank you Rico." I say with a small nod and curtsey.
"Now, Josephine, I must talk to you urgently about the importance of today. And what today can mean for the remainder of the week." My father says as he wraps an arm around my shoulders and starts to walk me toward the thrones.
"Father, we have gone over this many times already. I am to meet with the Dukes and their sons today, and throughout the rest of the week, spend time alone with the Lords. I do not need to be reminded of this." I say with a sigh.
"Josephine listen to me, there is more to today then simply meeting with the Dukes and their sons. Today I shall decree that by the time the week comes to an end that you shall be married. And you will marry the winner of the Festival Games." My father says sternly.
"Father, why must they vie for my hand? I have known all of the Lords my entire life, and even spent time at each of their castles last month, and none of them seemed really keen on trying to win my affections, or my hand." I say.
"Josephine, this is serious." My father says.
"I know it is father, and believe me, I am taking this seriously, but none of the Lords seem to have any interest in me, or I in them." I say with a sigh.
"Nonsense; despite what you perceived while in company with the Lords last month, they have all sent their approval of the idea of vying for your hand in marriage." My father says with a shake of his head.
"I was with Lord Cole just last week Father; he even mentioned that he does not see the point in this." I say. I am nothing if not persistent.
"The Dukes have assured me that their sons are willing to do this. You were not in their company every moment of every day, things might have changed." My father says before turning away from me once we reach the 3 steps that lead to our family's thrones.
"I doubt it." I mumble under my breath.
"Do not mumble Josephine. It is not Lady Like, or Princess Like." My mother says as she walks over to me and brushes at the shoulders of my dress.
"I am sorry Mother; it shall not happen again." I say with a small curtsy.
"Ladies, please come here." My mother calls over to my ladies in waiting.
"Yes Your Majesty?" Lacey questions once they have come over and kneel.
"Take my daughter into the dress room and redo this corset. My daughter is to show off her assets to the Lords today and this just won't do." My mother instructs.
"Right away Your Majesty." Lacey says and I sigh before starting to walk away.
"Excuse me Your Majesties, but the Stable Boy would like a quick audience with the entire Royal Family." Chandler, our Royal Announcer, says with a bow towards all of us.
"See him in Chandler." My father says after sharing a quick look with my mother.
There is a small smile on my face that only grows as the Stable Boy enters the Throne Room. I glance over at my parents and when I see that they are staring at him with looks of slight annoyance, my smile fades completely. This week I have to prove that he is worthy to have my hand.
"Your Majesties, Your Highness, thank you for allowing me to speak." The Stable Boy says.
"What is it you need to say boy?" My father asks.
"Firstly, I just wanted to let you know that my father and I have built extra stables to accommodate those of the Dukes and their Sons." He says before turning his gaze to me. "Secondly, I would like to wish the Princess a Happy 16th Birthday." He adds with a small bow before turning to my parents again.
"Is that all?" My father asks.
"Yes Sire, it is." He replies with a nod.
"Thank you. You may go." My father says with a dismissive hand.
With another bow, and a hidden wink in my direction, the Stable Boy is gone. As he exits the room, Chandler returns.
"The Duke and Lord Farrell have arrived Your Majesty." Chandler announces.
"Thank you Chandler." My father says as my mother places a hand on my shoulder and ushers me to the dress room.
"Mother, what would happen if none of the Lords want to win my hand?" I ask.
"You don't have to worry about that Dear. They all want to be King one day, and the only way to do that is to win your hand." My mother replies.
"They didn't show any interest in doing so when I spent a week with each other them last month." I say.
"Are you sure Dear?" My mother asks.
"I'm sure. Lord Cole said that he didn't see a point in this; Lord Tyler seems more into bedding any girl that he can then wanting to be King; Lord Archibald won't even look at me; and Lord Scott just stares at my chest, if he isn't chatting up one of his maids." I say.
"That does not sound like the young men that I know." My mother says as she finally undoes the ties on the back of my dress so that she can reposition my corset so that my breasts are pushed up more.
"Mother, can I tell you something without you freaking out or getting mad?" I ask tentatively.
"You can tell me anything, but there is no guarantee of not getting mad." She replies.
"I love…" I start to say but am cut off by my father's booming voice.
"Welcome one and all. I want to thank the Lords of Ogden, Yates, Farrell and Daly for coming here to try and win the Princess' hand in marriage. By the end of the week, one of you will be graced with the honor of saying that Princess Josephine is your wife. Now, for the winning, my daughter, Her Royal Highness, Princess Josephine, Heir Apparent of Green Grove."
My mother pushed me towards the door and I walk out as gracefully as I can. The way that my mother repositioned my corset has made it very difficult to breath. As I walk into view, all 4 Lords go from looking at me to staring at my chest. I take in their reactions right before I start to black out.
"Princess Josephine!"
It's the last thing I hear before everything goes dark.