Chapter 1: Rose

I kicked the ball across the muddy field to one of the smaller girls, Sophie. Her curly brown locks twisted around her shoulders as she ran with it. I smiled as she kicked it into the net.

"Girls. Come say prayer. Dinner will be served soon." One of the sister's yelled to the ten or so girls that were running across the field still, one of them being myself.

Some of the younger girls groaned as they moved toward the old building. Soon they would learn that, that building was saftey. "Oh Rose." Sister Alberta grumbled. "You are 17. Almost proper age to be called back to the Russian court. You musn't play in the mud anymore."

"But the reason you say I should stop is the reason I continue. Before long I will have no time to play in the mud. I will be married to some stuffy prince and… I'll have to be a princess." I said taking her hands into my own.

"Oh. Go wash up. You're positively filthy." She said, urging me towards the bath house. The summer heat blazed around me as I reached the temporary wooden structure. In it sat a tin washtub that held cool water that had collected from last night's rain. I scrubbed my feet and my legs clean.

I made my way back to the long tables in front of the stone building where the sister's served porridge into the small container's we were allowed. Some of the newer girl's scrunched their noses at the runny substance. Though it was far less appetizing than the gourmet food the cooks served at court it was still better than what most people got.

I took my seat next to a postulant who glared resentfully at me. I was the only girl my age at the convent who had not sworn my life to the church. The thick creamy slop was dumped into my bowl. I made no move to eat it. It was a rule, everyone must be served and prayer must be said before a bite was allowed to be taken.

I smiled over at Sister Margaretta, Who sat across from me. Her face was tense and pale. Her eyes widened for a moment as blood began to drip out of her nose. Scarlette landing in her food.

"Sister are you alright?" I asked, my eyes squinting slightly. Foam began to fall from her mouth just as her head fell, face down into her porridge. The girl next to me let out a scream alerting the other nuns to the problem.

I sat frozen. How was i to move after seeing the one of the women who helped raise me drop dead in her dinner.

"Get that away from Rose at once!" Alberta's voice rang out. One of the sisters quickly pulled me to my feet towards the stone building. Once the heavy wooden doors shut behind Sister Alberta and I she sighed and took my hands in her own.

"It is no longer safe here, Princess." She said looking down at the ground. "We must send you back to court."

"Alberta, What happened to Sister Margaretta?" I asked as she pulled me into the catacombs.

"She was poisoned." Alberta said, pulling a solid oak chest free from one of the empty chambers.

"Why would anyone want to poison her? She was such a sweet lady." I said, horrified by what had just happened.

"They were trying to poison you. Sister Margaretta was assigned to taste your food for you." She explained throwing open the top of the chest. A fresh mad dress and a bronze tiara sat on top.

"She's been tasting my food? Since when?" I asked, as she handed me a few pieces of jewelry.

"Someone has been tasting your food ever since you left your mother's breast." She explained taking my shoulders in her hands. "You are Princess Rosemarie Hathaway-Mazur of Turkey who is to be married to the Russian Prince. People have been trying to kill you your entire life." she ran her hand gently down my thick brown hair,

And so it was. I was scrubbed clean in scalding water with oils poured over my skin. The scent of lilac flitted throughout the small room. I was dried and placed in fine silk small cloths. I winced as they tightened the corset around my curvy figure.

I was sat in a chair where my hair was braided back into itself. Finally a deep red gown was fitted onto my body and jewels were draped across me. A thick diamond necklace with a nazar in the middle was draped around my neck and a beautiful pearl gold ring was fitted to my finger. Finally a golden tiara was placed atop my head.

I felt the heavy velvet cloak on my shoulders as i walked, and my shoes pinched at my toes. I stepped into the light of the setting sun when the girls lined up, waiting to catch a glimpse of the princess.

They all Curtsied before me as I made my way to my carriage where all of my personal belongings were waiting. Butterflies swarmed my stomach as i made my way to where Alberta stood.

"How am I ever to repay you?" I asked, holding back tears.

"Your presence was payment enough, your grace." She said lowering your head.

"No. I'm afraid it is not. If you ever need anything, food, blankets, clothing, anything at all, please let me know. I will have men sent out here monthly to replenish you." I said, taking her hands in my own.

"Yes Princess, of course." She said, trying to keep tears from falling.

"Should I be this nervous?" I asked.

"You will be fine there. Girls you have known your whole life are being sent to court as we speak." She said, smiling sadly at me. "Safe travel's my dear." She said, drawing a cross in front of me.

Before I could even comprehend fully, what was going on, I was gone, being pulled away from my home of the last 8 years and off towards the Russian court.

Hello! Welcome to my story. For all of you wondering, yes this is a crossover with the TV Series "Reign", which airs on the CW. However it is not in the crossover section because you can follow it well enough without having seen the show. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Also, I have a Percy Jackson Fanfic, so if you're interested in that, check it our.

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ThePeridotMoon