Hi, everyone, I'm Irish. This is my first fairy-tale fan-fic (I have written other stories on an account that I can't remember anymore), so I'm kinda nervous. It was my friend's idea for me to post it here, and I'm hoping you like it. Thanks for reading. =) ~Irish.
Arianna's POV
I'm not sure when exactly the discussions started, or why they even happened without my consent or knowledge, but it wasn't long before I noticed preparations being made for a grand ball. Whenever I asked one of my servants, they would tell me "The decorations are for the ball, my Lady," or "I am to bring these to the kitchens to be prepared for the ball, Princess." I was never told what the ball was for, who was being invited, or even who it was for. When no one around me would tell me what I wanted to know, I, of course, went straight to my father.
Now, anyone else would have thought me insane for going to the King for something as trivial as a ball that I knew nothing about. But, then again, anyone else would not have known about the strong bond between my father and me. Ever since my mother died seven years ago, my father has dropped everything to talk to me whenever I come by. Rather than bestow the title Crown Prince on my younger brother, he, on my sixteenth birthday, announced that I was now Arianna, Crown Princess of our country, and next in line for the throne.
Slipping out of the watch of my ladies' maids, I headed towards the throne room. Father was supposed to be in there all day, talking to some foreign ambassadors from the surrounding kingdoms. I hadn't seen them arrive, but personally took no interest, for the people that usually visit my father are old and boring. When I arrived in the throne room though, I was in for a surprise.
Filling the room were young gentlemen, all seeming between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five. My father was talking to a group of them, nodding and smiling at different times, giving several of them questioning looks when they said something he either did not like or agree with. I stood there for several moments, waiting for him to notice me. I finally caught his eye, and a wide smile spread across his face. Excusing himself, my father crossed the room and came to stand before me. "Arianna! What a pleasant surprise! Do you require something, my dear?"
If anyone was surprised, it was me. Why were all of these young men here talking to my father? What happened to the foreign ambassadors? Father has said they were coming to discuss matters that I need not worry about just yet. And then reality hit me. The ball; the men. It was all becoming clear. I knew what my father and his councilors were planning. The ball was for me. My eighteenth birthday was less than a month away; eighteen was the usual age for girls to be married. I felt anger building up inside me, but I knew better than to let it show.
Forcing a smile onto my face, I started talking. "Father, where are the ambassadors you spoke of? These gentlemen seem to be rather young to know much of great importance to you," I mused, hoping my earlier theory was incorrect. "And my servants have been speaking of a ball. Have you any idea what it is for?" I knew the answer; I knew that my theory was the most probable thing that could be going on. There was a small sliver of hope, though, that my father and his advisors had decided that I could wait, as my mother had, to get married when I was twenty-one, rather than eighteen. The smallest bit of hope was enough for the smile on my face to become genuine.
Before my father could answer, a man approached him. He seemed to be one of the youngest in the room, probably nineteen, or recently twenty, and was nothing special to one's eye. He was of average height and build, had slightly unruly, long brown hair, tanned skin, and deep brown, seemingly black, eyes. And yet, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. To me, he was handsome, gorgeous even. He said something to my father that I didn't quite catch before turning to look at me. Feeling that I had been caught in my staring, I looked down quickly. My face was obviously red, I knew it, but I hoped they didn't notice. Or, if they did, I hoped they didn't make any comments. My father talking again made me look up; luckily, my face was no longer nearly as red.
"Arianna, if you'll excuse me…I have much to discuss here. I will make sure to come find you after supper tonight," was all he said before walking off with the man that you just had to stare at. This was so unlike my father, though. Normally, he would stop everything to see what I wanted. Once, he put a whole meeting on hold for two hours because I wanted to show him my sewing. He even cancelled a dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Alirone to come on a ride with me.
I saw the dark haired man that led my father away from me look back over his shoulder to take a glance at me. I held my head high so he wouldn't see how angry I was, and stalked out of the hall, headed back towards my rooms. Rather than go to my bed chamber though, I went out to my rose garden, the place I always go when I'm upset or uncertain about something. So my father has been planning this ball to find a suitor for me. And, of course, he had to speak with all of the eligible men so he knew about each and every one of them, so he could choose for me a variety to meet. I would have no say in this marriage. I would just be able to meet all of these men and be able to choose which one I liked best out of the selection. My father's idea of a perfect arrangement. No true love, just a hope of a happily ever after.
I hope you liked the first chapter! Please R&R! Any and all comments/criticizime is adored, and everyone who does get officially added to my list of favorite people ever!
Thanks again!
~Irish.