Ugh. I really hate my older sister Madison. She's really detestable sometimes.
Let's reverse this and I shall tell you what happened.
It was approximately 5:00 AM and the sun was shining. The birds were chirping and everything was peaceful in the kingdom of Firethorn.
You see, I'm a princess. No jests, it's true. There are five princesses in our kingdom and I happen to be the youngest. It's awful.
Anyway I was happily sleeping in dreamland when suddenly I heard a very loud and obnoxious sound. It was a bell ringing. LOUDLY.
I gave a sigh of impatience and tried to get back to my dream.
However the stupid bell kept on ringing and my brain finally gave up and decided to start the day.
I'm not a morning person, I happen to love my beauty sleep and I detest anyone who interrupts it. Hence, I hate on Madison.
How is it her fault? Well to explain I shall have to tell you about my kingdom and my sisters.
So, our kingdom is the Legendary Firethorn. It is one of the most successful kingdoms in the world. However people think it has one tiny drawback,
There are no princes in our family, only five princesses.
The eldest is Sinead, she's fifteen. She has light auburn hair which is always tied up into a sensible ponytail. If there has ever been a time where she let her hair down, I wasn't there. Sinead has light blue eyes and a most domineering personality. Honestly, she's always bossing the rest of us about and treating us as if we were infants. Of course I get this treatment more often just because I'm the youngest, awful really. Then again she can be caring when she really wants to be, Sinead doesn't show it much though.
A year after Sinead was born; another redhead girl came into our family. That's Amelia or Amy as she likes to be called. Amy has reddish brown hair and bright green eyes. She's always cooped up in the library reading some disgustingly dusty books. Amy wears the most hideous dresses I have ever seen. Many a time, I have offered to give her a makeover, which is saying something since I hardly do anything for anyone. However she always refuses because she says there's no reason to be all dressed up for anyone. I disagree entirely, image is everything. Amy can have her moments though, she's incredibly brave when provoked enough and will fight back. It's a pity she goes straight back into her protective bubble right after.
After Amy is Reagan, she and Madison are twins. Both of them are thirteen. Reagan is quite alright actually. She's nicer than Madison, that's for sure. She has strawberry-blonde hair which is usually in two plaits. Reagan is always getting dragged into trouble by Madison. Pity really, she is too nice to Madison. I guess it happens when you are twins. Reagan is sporty but she can also be girly at times. Personally if I had a fashion crisis and needed help in choosing between a puffy, princess dress and a silk, red, assassin dress; I would go to Reagan. We get along pretty well mostly. However she can get a bit, obsessive. I mean it really, no teasing, it's true. Reagan's a good sister though.
Then there's Madison. She's perfectly fine most times and we get along alright. However she is such a tomboy! She has strawberry-blonde hair like Reagan, but it's usually in two pigtails. Madison absolutely detests being a princess. Her spirit loves to be free and being a princess really cuts into her freedom. So she always sneaks out of the castle and goes to the village. However the guards always find her sooner or later. Sometimes Madison and I go sneak out together, when I get enough of the 'No Going Out' rule, but that's only sometimes.
So why do I hate on her? Well, the bell that's been ringing signals that a princess is missing, and who usually sneaks out from the five of us? Madison. Now it would've been fine if that stupid bell didn't interrupt my beauty sleep but now that it did, it's all Madison's fault.
I should probably tell you about myself. Well, I'm Princess Natalie of Firethorn. I am the most fashionable out of all the princesses, if I do say so myself.
I have amber eyes that everyone says resembles those of a tiger's, I also have silky smooth, black hair that reaches the small of my back.
The bad thing is, I'm only twelve, the youngest in the family. Ugh.
So back to present time, I was all curled up in my satin sheets when the door of my bedroom slammed open.
I carefully felt in my nightgown pocket for my dart gun. It was there. Gripping my weapon, I turned to face the person.
"Good morning, your highness!"
I sighed in relief; it was only my lady's maid, Lucy. She was a cheerful old thing, only sixteen and already working as a servant. Her wavy brown hair was tied up in a neat bun and her face was beaming with a bright smile
"Oh, you frightened me Lucy. Good morning"
"Isn't it a lovely day today? A great day to meet your betrothed, highness"
Suddenly, I frowned and thought,
Oh no. I can't believe I forgot.
Lucy recognised the look on my face and giggled.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten your highness? Why if it were me, I would be dreaming and preparing to meet my future husband for weeks!"
"Oh please, do not remind me Lucy. I hate strangers, now I have to marry one"
"Not until you're eighteen, highness and that's a long way away"
"Ugh. When's he coming?"
"I think 7 'o clock for breakfast princess. Prince Hamilton of Dragonwish, Prince Evan of Daffdil and the princes Stephen and Mark of Blueleaf are coming as well, I think. You and your sisters will have to prepare for you betrothed for they're all coming for breakfast"
"Wonderful, just wonderful"
I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Have they found Madison yet?
Another giggle from Lucy before she answered,
"I think it's because her betrothed is coming that she sneaked out today actually"
"Blazes, I should have gone with her"
Lucy laughed before ushering me out of bed and into the bathroom. She left to prepare my clothes and to let me gather my thoughts.
This is one of the bad effects of being a princess: arranged marriages.
It's terrible.
Sinead met Prince Hamilton three years ago when she was twelve. He hardly ever comes to our kingdom; he's only come twice to Firethorn.
Amy met Prince Evan when she was twelve too. You see we usually meet our arranged husbands when we are twelve. Anyway Evan and Amy seem to get along well. I read in her diary that she thinks he's adorkable. He seems too awkward and clumsy to me.
Prince Stephen and Mark from the kingdom of Blueleaf are cousins and the same age, thirteen. Madison is not happy with Prince Stephen; she detests him almost as much as being a princess. Anybody would really, he's such a liar and he tends to blame things that were his fault on other innocent people. Prince Mark isn't much better either, Reagan just plain ignores him. I think he and his cousin call her "Ice Princess" behind her back.
Now, it's my turn to meet my betrothed. I don't know how to feel about this. Apparently he's from the kingdom of Aquarose. He has an older brother who's fourteen and could've been Amy's betrothed but another princess got to his brother before Amy.
After I finished my bath, Lucy helped me into my dress and did my hair.
It looked wonderful as usual. I was wearing a dark-ish red dress (you could even call it blood red). Some parts of it were a lighter shade of red though and it matched my shoes. A tiara with a glimmering ruby in the centre was placed on my head.
My hair was curled at the bottom and Lucy said my dress nicely complimented my eyes.
I set out for the dining room as elegantly as I could.
I wonder what my betrothed will be like. Will he have dimples? I love dimples, they are simply too cute. I hope my prince has dimples. EW. That sounded so desperate.
"Good morning Natalie!"
A cheerful voice suddenly said. I turned to face my older sister, Amy.
She had a bright smile on her face and the most lovesick eyes I had ever seen.
"What's so good about it?"
I grumbled. I suddenly felt that I didn't want to get married to someone I didn't know.
"Don't be like that! Our future husbands are coming today"
Amy advised her reddish-brown hair swaying slightly. She had worn a jade green dress with some parts of it emerald green. Amy's hair was down whilst a bit of it was tied with a green ribbon. She wore an emerald tiara to go with her dress.
"Yes well, you actually like yours. I'm certain I'll hate mine"
"You two don't have a prince who's as dumb as a brick"
Amy and I both turned around to see Sinead coming out of her room scowling at the thought of Prince Hamilton.
Sinead wore a light blue dress that matched her eyes. Her hair was down whilst some of her fringe was pinned with a blue flower pin. She wore a sapphire tiara that matched her shoes.
"Oh hello Sinead"
"Hey Amy, Hi Natalie"
"Your dress really suits you"
"Thanks Ames. If only it weren't for Hamilton and it was for some other boy"
I decided to change the subject. I really did not want to think about arranged marriages.
"So, have they found Madison yet?"
"Have you stopped wishing you went with her yet?"
I glared at Sinead before answering,
"No"
"Well they haven't found her yet either"
Just then we heard a door close and saw Reagan come out of her bed chamber.
"Hey Amester, Sin, Nat!"
"Do not call me that!"
The three of us yelled simultaneously at a grinning Reagan. Honestly that nickname is ridiculous!
"Geez, take a chill pill you guys"
Reagan said cheekily.
Her hair was in its usual plaits tied with lavender ribbons. Reagan was wearing a lilac coloured dress with lavender shoes and an amethyst tiara.
"Can't wait to see Prince Mark can you Reagan?"
"What? There is no way that's ever gonna happen!"
Sinead smiled cheekily before shrugging in fake disbelief.
Reagan just stuck her tongue out at Sinead like an immature toddler.
Just then we heard a huge commotion in Madison's room and stopped to listen.
She seemed to be yelling about something incoherently whilst her lady's maid was trying to calm her down.
After about ten minutes the shouting finally stopped and we all burst into Madison's unlocked door.
"Guys! There's a little thing called knocking! Ever heard of it?"
Madison was sitting in front of her dresser whilst Sara, her lady's maid was brushing her hair.
The runaway wore a purple dress with matching shoes. There were two purple ribbons on the dresser which indicated that she was to have her hair in its usual pigtails. Madison's amethyst tiara was in front of the dresser, ready for use.
"Hurry up already Madison; we're all waiting for you here!"
"As if I actually want to meet Prince Stephen again, besides Sara won't let me go without styling my hair"
Reagan glared before crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly.
"Five minutes. Then we're out of here"
She said firmly.
We all rolled our eyes heavenwards. Seriously Reagan can be so strict sometimes.
Five minutes later, Madison was ready and we all set out to go meet our betrothed ones.
The first thing I heard when the doors to the dining room were opened was the sound of my father's laughter.
"Then I said to the peasant: 'Leave now or I shall take away your eggs!' Ha-ha and then he said: 'Yes, of course. I shall go now you're Eggcellency!' It was a wonderful experience"
I immediately recognised the voice and groaned inwardly.
Reagan and Sinead seemed to be doing the same whilst Madison groaned outwardly.
Amy however was looking like a lovesick puppy dog.
Of course she would, it was after all, Prince Evan Tolliver. He has the corniest jokes in the world though, I don't get why my father thinks them funny.
"Ah, I see our princesses are finally here. Good morning darlings"
That was our lovely mother, Queen Elisa of Firethorn. She sat on our father, King Charles of Firethorn's right side.
"Good morning mother, father"
My sisters and I chorused whilst curtseying politely.
I noticed that Prince Evan was sitting on our father's left side whilst a chair was empty next to him. Amy quickly sank into said chair and tried to say hello to him. It seemed her shyness had taken over again, the stutters will come soon.
Sinead sat down in between mother and Prince Hamilton. Evidently she moved her chair closer to mothers and farther from the prince who was eating like a caveman. Honestly his table manners were appalling!
Madison and Reagan sat down, not too happily I might add, next to their respective princes.
Next to Prince Evan sat a boy about my age, maybe a little older. He had dirty blonde hair and green eyes, unbelievably identical to Amy's. I cringed at his clothes. It was apparent that they were completely neat before but now they were dirtied and scrunched. The reason for that might be because he was eating like Hamilton.
I was beginning to dislike this guy already.
On the other end of the table sat two elegant and smartly dressed people. They were probably the parents of the boy.
Taking my time, I sat down next to the boy since it was the only empty chair left anyway.
"Well, now that you princesses have joined us. We would like to introduce someone"
The king announced loudly.
Indicating the munching machine next to me he said,
"Meet Prince Daniel of Aquarose"
The boy stopped eating to reply with,
"Oh please call me Dan"
Then he went back to his vigorous attack of the breakfast food.
The queen cleared her throat indicating she wanted to announce something as well.
"Also, King Peter of Aquarose and Queen Wendy of Aquarose"
She said indicating the two people looking smart.
"Now, let's eat"
With that everyone started to eat, some much more violently than others.
I began to pick up my fork and attentively picked at the food. It looked glorious but I knew better. There were probably about a hundred calories per cake slice on there.
"Uhm Dhan, wash your nam?"
I glanced to the boy on my left with a raised brow. He was giving me a questioning yet I suppose, 'friendly' look.
"I'm sorry, I don't get what you said there Daniel"
Daniel rolled his eyes before swallowing his food and repeating his sentence,
"I said: I'm Dan, what's your name?"
"Ohh right, well I'm Princess Natalie of Firethorn. Nice to meet you Daniel"
"Don't call me that"
He replied seriously.
"Why not Daniel?"
"I don't like it! Stop calling me that"
"But Daniel sounds like a fine name"
"Okay then, Nat. I suppose I'll call you that from now on as well"
"Fine, I won't call you Daniel anymore. Just don't call me that Danie- I mean Dan"
Daniel (I'm still calling him that in my head) smirked upon finding a way to irk me.
"No way, you annoyed me too much. I think it's time for a little payback, Nat"
"I'm not joking, don't call me that"
"Why not, Nat?"
"I hate that preposterous nickname so stop it!"
"But Nat sounds like a fine name"
Rage seeped through me, I felt like annoying him to the roots of his hair like he was doing to me.
"Fine then, Daniel. I suppose I'll call you that until you start calling me Natalie"
"Well too bad I don't care Nat!"
"Whatever Daniel!"
This was getting out of hand. I was too annoyed to stop now however and glared at him in disgust.
Daniel glared right back with the same amount of venom.
This kept on going for about five minutes before Queen Wendy cleared her throat for attention.
"I hope you are all getting along"
"Getting along just fine"
I replied with a fake smile.
"Yeah, Nat here is really kind"
Daniel added through gritted teeth.
"Why thank you Daniel"
I said turning to him in fake cheer.
"Well, that's good news. I would like to make an announcement"
Queen Elisa said standing up.
"We have discussed it with King Peter and Queen Wendy. We agreed that all five princes shall be staying as guests in our kingdom for 20 weeks!"
She finished cheerfully.
I silently did the maths in my head before saying,
"That's-"
"Five months!"
Daniel interrupted whilst I glared at him.
"I can't stay here that long!"
Prince Stephen said suddenly with panic.
His cousin did the same whilst Madison and Reagan rolled their eyes.
"Yes you can! In fact every one of you can. We've already talked to your parents and they all said yes!"
Queen Wendy announced.
Amy looked like she was ready to burst with happiness whilst I'm sure the rest of us princesses looked the exact opposite.
"Oh no! I'll miss the ninja parade at home! Curse you Natalie!"
Daniel whispered in a murderous tone.
I can't believe I have to be stuck with this pompous boy for five months. Five months! I hate my life. Ugh.
Finally I'm done with the first chapter. Excuse my mistakes I unfortunately have no beta, sob.
Disclaimer: I had the rights to the 39 Clues but then Natalie stole them from me. :( I don't own the 39 Clues now.
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