Prologue
There was a time when our Parisian valley flourished with life and beauty. Our valley was ruled by a kind and rich man; Prince Erik Destler.
The prince's life was filled with energy, laughter and love. Love that was mostly for his beloved wife, Christine. The prince would travel all across the world bringing her back treasures from various exotic shores as ways of proving just how much he loved her... However even the brightest of days can be corrupted by dark storm clouds.
One night there was a terrible fire which took away every happiness that had been bestowed upon the prince's life. His wife had perished within the blaze and Prince Erik's face had become tarnished with a hideous scar across the right side of his face, causing him to shut himself away from the world as his wife's body was laid to rest.
Prince Erik began taxing the residents of the valley as his heart grew hard and cold. Many woman were intrigued by his mysterious and dark persona and he found himself welcoming them into his arms as well as his bed; Not caring for the fact if they were bound by holy matrimony or not.
However, this story begins before I had even met the prince. My name is Bella and my Journey started just as my father's latest journey across the sea came to an end.
Chapter 1: Deeds And Debts
Bella happily studied one of her beloved books whilst her sister mopped the floor,
"Bella, can you please get your head out of those books and do the laundry?" Evelina demanded and Bella sighed before marking her page and placed her book back within her apron,
"Yes, sister" she answered before getting back to her chores.
Evelina eventually sent Bella to the village to buy some groceries with what little money they had left but Bella was stunned to see her father weakly disembarking from his ship a week early from when he was meant to return,
"Father?" she called out, rushing to him and hugged him tightly and he could only smile brightly,
"My darling, Bella" he greeted but his daughter could only look at him concerned,
"Father, what happened?" she asked but he insisted that they return home before he told his tale.
Bella poured her father his favourite brew of herbal tea,
"We hit a storm on our way back home... The ship would surely sink and so I had no choice but to throw our cargo overboard just to keep her afloat" her father explained and Evelina looked down sadly as Bella placed a comforting hand upon her father's shoulder,
"Don't worry, father... We'll get through somehow" she assured but it was then that there was a knock at the door and Bella went to answer it to discover a very stern man standing on their doorstep,
"I was told that Captain Du Bois has returned from his voyage" the man stated and Bella nodded in confirmation as her father came up behind her, earning the visitor's attention,
"I have been sent by Prince Erik" the man informed and Bella father looked even more forlorn than he was before,
"Come in" he invited and Bella allowed the man to step inside.
Bella and Evelina listened outside their father's study as the visitor and the messenger discussed business,
"I'm here to collect your debt to Prince Erik" they heard the messenger say,
"I know... I just need a few more months" their father replied,
"Today is the deadline. You promised Prince Erik either your ship or one of your daughter's services until you are able to pay off your tax debt" the man reminded firmly and Bella heard her father sigh,
"Three days?... That's all I ask" Their father demanded and silence fell as they heard footsteps approach the door,
"Three days and not a day more" the messenger warned firmly and Bella and her sister fled before they could be caught.
Bella and Evelina sat within their room with sad expressions upon their faces,
"Father will never give up the ship" Evelina said knowingly,
"And The Prince will not give up something that is owed to him... We best get some sleep and we can discuss the situation in the morning" Bella encouraged causing Evelina to nod in agreement as she laid down in her bed before soon falling asleep but Bella went to her desk and retrieved a piece of parchment and dipped her quill within ink before beginning to write,
'My Dearest Father,
The last thing I shall ever allow you to do is give up your ship to our scoundrel of Prince.
It is because of this that I shall travel to the Prince's Chateau and serve him until you can raise the money in order to pay off your debt.
I have always dreamed of travelling to far off places like those I had read of within my beloved books and although this is only a short journey up the valley... It is a journey all the same.
Please do not blame yourself for this is my own decision and I go without any doubt within my mind.
I shall count the days until I can hug you and Evelina once again.
Until we meet again, father.
Bella xxx'
Bella found someone whom was willing to take her halfway to the prince's Chateau and she walked the rest of the way before entering through the sturdy iron gates and knocked on black double doors,
"Can I help you?" a man asked politely after opening the doors,
"Yes... I am Bella... Captain Du Bois's daughter and I'm here to offer my services to the prince until my father can pay off his tax debt" she explained and noticed the sorrowful expression on the man's face,
"Very well... Follow me" he instructed before leading her inside.
Let me know if I should continue! Review in order to unlock chapter 2!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996