Chapter One
The infuriating scent of my parents' room slivered down my back bringing chills to my skin. I loathed being summoned to their dreadful room. All it did was bring unwanted memories of me continuously getting in trouble. Not that I was a terribly troublesome child; I just had a bit of a rebellious side. Constantly being "lady-like" wasn't exactly in my personality. I could reminisce for years of everything I've done to be trapped in this room, but today there just wasn't enough time.
"I want you to be pampered and ready to meet him." My mother snarled her hazel eyes full of annoyance and fear that I'd mess something up. Messing up ones day of meeting their soon to be betrothed wasn't a brilliant idea, especially with one being the future queen.
"It's not like I'm not trying, mother. This isn't my idea of enjoyment, you know." I retorted my body bubbling up in hate for my mother, "I'd much rather wait for me to meet someone spontaneously."
"You don't who this man is, do you? Then it's spontaneous. Now quit your whining and go get ready, I'm done with speaking to you," My mother snapped, then sighing to softly say, "You know I love you, right? Please be good, darling. I just don't want to mess this up." From fury to reassurance and kindness my mother's hazel eyes stared into mine giving me a hug on the inside as well the out.
Dressing for the meeting of the prince was not only the most horrid part; it was also the most dreadfully longest part. Constantly getting hair tugged, eye brows ripped off, it was just completely and utterly atrocious. But alas, we finished and what everyone claimed as "astounding" I called "fake". I had a pale pink dress on (a bit too poofy for my style) with golden lacing. The sleeves reach to my hands, and then to cover my apparent dreadful nail bitten finger I wore white gloves. Though the dress screamed misery I made an attempt to be a bit more optimistic I sucked it in, smiled and gave gratitude to everyone who complimented me. Turning to face my mother she inquired if I was prepared and I shook my head "yes", although my head shaking was hesitant.
The carriage ride was absolutely dreadful, I hated it. The rough, bumpy dirt road caused my dress to be even more uncomfortable than originally, then having to squeeze in with my mother, and father caused the ride to be most unpleasant.
"…And remember not to slouch! I know how you lack such manners." Mother reminded me for the thousandth time.
"Adabelle, if you could also refrain from scaring him off that'd be just lovely…I know how you have…tendencies…" My father said, beginning to drift off again staring through the carriage window.
"I'll be fine. I promise. After all he is my future husband." It took every bone in my body to force those words through my mouth. The mere thought of being married made my stomach want to turn inside out. (But if it did turn inside out I'd most likely get scolded for it being to un-ladylike and disowned.) In all honesty, I could never see myself married; actually I despised the thought of me in a relationship. Really, there are peasants prettier than myself who deserve the opportunity to become the apparent most beautiful, all ruling queen. But I suppose I was the one to be chosen, which was really horrid because I hate it, and I hate to sound ungrateful but this act just isn't me.
When we arrived at Prince Ayers' I could feel goose bumps throughout my entire body. As if all the heat from the world disappeared I immediately began to shiver, I could feel my head twirling with anxiety. With the immense, obnoxious opening of our arrival to the villagers I nearly wanted to scream and just curl into a ball of self-pity. Finally we were seated into a large room, with white marble floors, light blue walls and across the walls flowed beautiful golden swirls. There was a table, obviously to feast at, that was enormous it had to be over fifteen feet in length; the width was at least three feet. The top part was glass, and then the legs to the table were a white marble much like the floor. The chairs to the table had light blue cushioning and were made with a light oak wood. In the middle of the table had laid a roasted turkey that looked almost as big as me. There were plates and silverware set out along with drinks. Sitting at the end was King Mito of the Pandmalec Kingdom. Beside him was his beautiful wife, Queen Eliza, and behind them stood Prince Ayer. Ayer was fairly tall, he looked to be about 6'2, his hair ran down to the end of his shoulders perfectly cut and pampered with, making it look knight-ish. He was fairly attractive. My father broke the ice with inquiring, "Well, King Mito, shall we discuss the wedding arrangements along with our wives?"
"Yes, yes! That sounds wonderful. Your daughter and my son can talk some things out as well. Oh, and please help yourselves to the food!" Mito agreed, then like that my parents, and Ayer's parents vanished into another room. I awkwardly walked over to grab a cup on the table, after taking a sip I knew it was water. I could feel the tension in the room as Ayer walked over to me. His outfit was blue and gold, much like everything else in the castle. I stuck out horribly with the color choices, a pale pink and gold to a blue and gold didn't make such complimentary colors.
Inhaling Ayer finally spoke with, "So, uh- kids?"
I nearly choked on my own water. How could I already be expected to bare not just one child but more? I refrained from snapping and just grumbled, "Let's keep it simple for now."
Ayer's eyes opened wide, "I didn't mean to offend you princess! I'm- ugh. I'm sorry, I didn't plan this. My mother did I just despise this, I'm sorry." For the next couple hours Ayer and I got along pretty well. He was shy, and obedient. Mostly listened to what his parents said, he didn't really follow his own opinion; he wasn't cocky whatsoever, modest really. All in all, Ayer was an extremely sweet person with no desire to be a king either. In fact he had met an extremely kind florist named Iris that he just fell in love with, unfortunately it's forbidden for him to ever have a relationship with her. So evidently, he's stuck with me, the complete and utter opposite of who he loved. After twilight we all said our good-byes, then my family and I headed home. On the way back my mom was ecstatic to hear the meeting went well and that I didn't mess anything up. She almost had tears in her eyes from the enjoyment, whereas I held back every tear of anger and agony of the enforcement of the marriage.
After the horribly exaggerated long day I was very much pleased to escape the uncomfortable dress, and five pounds of makeup to just change into my comfortable night gown. It was a darker pink (My parents refuse to give me any other color, unfortunately.) and sunk down to my feet, the gown was loose allowing me to breathe. I collapsed onto my pink bed, surrounded by my pink room then I shut my eyes and fell into an immediate dreamful sleep.
Then when I awoke, no longer was I in the comfort of my own room but in complete darkness.