"Learn To Accept Fate"
1. "Welcome"
The rain fell heavily from the sky. Lightning struck and thunder roared. The silver carriage cast an eerie glow from the moonlight. Raindrops dripped quickly from the doors and roof as it swiftly made its way over the smooth ground. The driver stopped the horses from going at more then a trot, afraid of them sliding on the slippery road.
The carriages occupants were both deep in thought. But their thoughts were not the same. The one clothed in the simple green dress was thinking about what they were to have for dinner and if she would need to help make it or not. For she was only a lady-in-waiting. The one dressed in the more pretty blue gown with golden patterns imprinted upon it was thinking much differently. For she was the Princess of Arimar, and she was travelling to Madrica to meet the Prince she had been 'assigned' to marry. Every year, all the Princes and Princesses of age sixteen in the country were sent to a certain kingdom. Each year the kingdom to meet up was randomly chosen. This year it was the kingdom of Madrica. And every year the Kings would see what kingdoms they needed to make peace with and then get one of their daughters or sons to marry the daughter or son of that kingdom. The Royals stayed there for 6 months, while the wedding arrangements were made. That year Arimar needed to make peace with Madrica. So the eldest princess and prince were arranged to marry.
"Gabriella?" A voice snapped the princess out of her thoughts.
"Yes Sharpay?"
"What do you think it will be like? What do you think he'll be like?" Sharpay asked eagerly. It was nice to see she was excited. Even if Gabriella wasn't. Gabriella simply shrugged and settled back down. Seeing she didn't want to speak, Sharpay settled back down too, disappointed. But she knew the Princess would be thinking about it a lot.
And she was. She had never been more anxious in her life. She had no desire to marry this Prince. She had wanted to fall in love properly. Even though she knew this would be her fate from birth. Sighing deeply, Gabriella let herself fall into sleep. It would be a while until they got to the Palace of Madrica.
The carriage came to a halt. Gabriella woke up startled.
"Were here Your Highness." The driver opened the door and bowed low. Thanking him, Gabriella and Sharpay stepped out of the carriage. The walked quietly to some cover.
"This is where we are going to spend the next 6 months. Not to bad." Sharpay commented. The Palace was quite grand. It was very tall and made of black stone. To Gabriella it looked plain creepy. But she didn't dare say so. She knew that the Royals of Madrica weren't known for there kindness. That is why she couldn't believe she was being forced to marry the eldest son. Hopefully he would not be like his father. Though she highly doubted it.
The driver rode off and a servant came out of the front door to greet them. He led them inside. It wasn't as gothic as outside. Torches lighted up the foyer and paintings of past Kings and Queens stared down at the visitors. It made Gabriella shiver. The servant saw this and offered her a coat. She politely declined. The servant went away to announce their arrival.
"Sharpay!" A voice echoed off the walls. Gabriella and Sharpay spun around sharply to see a boy striding across the foyer hall with a grin plastered on his face.
"Chad," Sharpay greeted the stranger with a smile and a hug. She turned to Gabriella. Chad bowed.
"Greetings Your Highness."
"Sharpay, who is this?" Gabriella asked trying not to be rude.
"Oh sorry Gabby, this is a friend of my family. He's father is the Head Knight at Vanirind Palace."
"Any friend of yours Sharpay is a friend of mine. Please call me Gabriella." Gabriella smiled kindly at Chad.
"So who's Prince Troy getting married off to then?" Sharpay asked. It made Gabriella wince when Sharpay talked about the forced marriages.
"Princess Taylor of Syley. She seems nice. Her father is." Chad told them. "If you don't mind me asking Princess, who are you going to be marrying?"
"Not at all," Gabriella answered coolly, "But what did I say about calling me Princess?"
"Sorry Gabriella,"
"That's okay. I am going to be marrying Prince Ryan of Medrica." Gabriella had to force the words out. If Chad felt sorry for her or thought anything bad about the marriage arrangement, he did not show.
"I must get back, Taylor's lady-in-waiting, Kelsi, will want to go over some things with me. Please excuse me." Chad hurried off. The servant came back and motioned for them to follow him.
They stopped outside a large wooden door. Gabriella could tell it was Prince Ryan's study. Know she was about to meet him, she didn't know how she felt.
"Enter." A loud, sharp voice from inside called out. Gabriella gulped and Sharpay gave her an encouraging push. Almost stumbling, Gabriella entered Ryan's study. It was well furnished and well lit. Ryan sat at a desk in the middle of the room. He was quite handsome. He stood up at her entrance and smiled. It didn't give Gabriella any comfort over marrying him.
"Welcome Gabriella. May I call you Gabby?"
All Gabriella could do was nod. She was too afraid to speak. He seemed polite enough and didn't seem to be the tyrant that his father was made out to be. But first impressions were not always the right ones.
"I am very excited about this peace exchange between our two families." He said. He did sound excited. But Gabriella was very wary of the fact he had called their marriage a "peace exchange". It showed he cared little for her. Or that's what she thought. He was probably like his father, Gabriella concluded, he was more excited about getting to rule another land then the marriage to the Princess. All wealth and greed; Gabriella had a feeling it wasn't going to be nice living in this castle.
"Your Highness, the guests are ready for you entry." Another voice came in through the door. It was the same servant who had showed Gabriella to Ryan. The servant poked his head into the room.
"Ah good. Gabby, this is my most loyal servant, Zeke." Ryan introduced Zeke and Gabriella wished she hadn't allowed Ryan to call her that, "If the guests are ready then let the banquet begin!"