Chapter 1
Ella had near given up ever finding her daughters. They were nowhere to be foundShe turned the door knob of the tower room praying that she wouldn't have to mount another flight of stairs.Ella smiled happily at the charming picture her three girls presented framed by the light of the setting sun. They all sat near the window laughing at the exploits of their brother, Christopher, who was practicing his fencing in the castles training ground. Their laughter quite destroyed any anger Ella felt for them.
Aria the eldest after Christopher was the first to realize that their mother, the Queen of Kyrria, was standing inthe doorway. At 21 Aria was considered to be the most beautiful of her three sisters. Her fair curls were held back by a blue riband and her eyes seemed to reflect the colour of the sky. She was tall and graceful and like her mother very fair. Many said that she resembled the young queen Daria. She was known throughout Kyrria for her beautiful melodious voice. Aria was the reason that peace was maintained among the Royal siblings of Kyrria.
Sitting next to her was Faye who was 2o and also a fair beauty like her sister but her curls owed their existence to hot irons and her eyes were not a as bright a blue as Arias. But that's where the similarities between the two sisters ended. Faye was unlike her sister a very flighty creature inclined to falling in love with a new face everyday. She and Aria were very close constantly exchanging girly secrets and generally giggling and having fun together.
The youngest of them all was Eleanor or Eve as her family affectionately called her. She like her mother had bright green eyes and long thick curly brown hair which often enough was the bane of her existence. But unlike her mother she was dusky in complexion much like her father. She was 18 at least 7 years younger than the eldest, Christopher. Despite this age difference Eve and Christopher or Kester as she called him shared a very special bond. Eve tended to be a little derisive of Faye's attempt to catch a boy and Aria's tendency to be quiet. She much preferred her older brothers mischievous company. They shared a common interest in music and books. Both of them loved the library of the castle. Ella often shook her head at the amount of time those would spend together in the library plotting new tricks.
"What did I tell you about spying on Owen. You know how he hates it," admonished Ella. Aria and Faye giggled as Eve defended them, "But mother darling that is precisely why we do it. Though I think its a trifle unfair. Why does Kester get to go around doing fun stuff like archery and fencing while we're stuck here doing needlework." Faye exclaimed," What! and risk getting hurt or worse," she shuddered "tanned." Aria laughed at the two of them, " I don't mind not learning how to fence and instead learning how to sew. But I wouldn't mind learning how to fence either." "Aaaah, that's my Aria ever the diplomat. But I didn't invade my daughters bower for no reason. Tomorrow Prince Alexander of Ayortha is coming. And Eve could you and your brother refrain from teasing him about his accent". Christopher walked in at this time slightly sweaty from his exertions.
Christopher looked like a male version of Eve on a larger scale. He too had bright green sparkling eyes. His brown hair had been cropped short and was slightly spiky. He had a very engaging grin which he frequently used to get what he wanted. He was also known to be a little bit of a rake. Eve was the only female impervious to his charms. Eve and he formed an odd pair since he was so tall and she was so short.
" Mother dear ,whom precisely is coming and why should Eve and I not tease him? There is very little entertainment these days," drawled Christopher." What Kester here means mother is that his fan club has ceased to worship him for the past few days?" said Eve laughingly. Faye and Aria watched in amusement as Kester chased Eve around finally cornering her and battering her unmercifully with pillow. Ella rescued her youngest from her uncomfortable predicament. " I'll leave you four alone now. Remember to wear something nice tomorrow."
The minute Ella left Kester suddenly became very serious," I have to tell you all something very important."