Chapter 1: The Little Sister
Little Iracebeth sat impatiently outside of the Queen's chamber, watching her father pace back and forth across the checkered black and white tiles of Marmoreal Palace.
As another cry was heard from the adjacent room, King Alburn, known for his calm demeanor in times of crisis and his fairness while delivering justice, fell into such a state of distress so noticeable on his now pale face. His daughter clamped her hands to her ears, and her younger brother quietly whimpered next to her.
That day was meant to be a joyous day for the royal family. For the people, it meant that once more, the kingdom of Underland was blessed with a beautiful princess, one to rule alongside her siblings fairly and justly, to care for her subjects as her own family, and bring peace and prosperity to the land. For the family, it meant another precious baby girl to love. But for Princess Iracebeth, that day was even more special, for it meant she was to receive a sister.
A sister, she thought. Such a strange word, with an even stranger connotation to it. Now, she would have a best friend, someone to talk to and share secrets with. Although she loved her little brother, Evans, there were just too many royal woes that she could not discuss with him, such as which dress she should wear to court, and which lord looked especially handsome.
So long as she doesn't kill Mother first, and get locked up in the tower.
A few minutes passed, in which the painful cries of the Queen turned into the pitiful wails of a newborn child. As soon as the sounds had ceased, the large wooden doors cracked open, and the maid poked her head outside.
"Your Majesties? You can come in now." She declared, as she held the door for the royals to enter.
Iracebeth squinted as she followed her father inside. The whole room was flooded with the pale morning light, which seeped in through the silky white curtains of the window showing the gardens of Marmoreal Palace. Her other lay on a large white canopy bed that took one fourth of the room's space, the red bedcovers pulled up, her head propped up by a fluffy crimson pillow. In her arms she held a little white bundle of cloth, which she looked upon with a loving gaze.
Alburn thought his queen never looked more beautiful in the tie he had known her, not even on their wedding day. Her sweet heart-shaped face held a soft blush that made her whole countenance glow with radiance, and her silver hair shone in the sunlight like the stars. He kept his gaze upon her, and affectionate smile spreading across his features.
"Racie, Evans" the Queen called to her eldest children, "come here. It's time for you to meet someone very special."
Evans sat next to his mother in bed, while his older sibling stood up, clutching the ivory bedpost. As she peered down upon the small, wrinkly face of the new princess, Iracebeth couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. Little did she know just how much Fate had in store for her and her family.
"What should we call her?" her father asked.
"I was thinking Mirana, for my mother, and Scarlett, for your mother" replied her mother.
And so came to be Princess Mirana Scarlett of Marmoreal, the third heir to the Underland throne.
