I finished getting ready for the day and sighed. My father has had me meeting a different suitor every week and today; was the start of this new suitor's week. "Cassidy; your gentleman caller and father await you in the east parlor" my maid, Giselle said as she passed by the door of my room on the way to put the linens in the closet. "Thank you Giselle; please inform Papa I will be there shortly" I replied. "At once your highness" Giselle replied. Yes; I am a princess more specifically I am Cassidy Elizabeth, Princess of Wales.
When Giselle had gone; I made sure I was laced up and presentable. As I left my room; I reflected on the last two suitors. One had an absolute lack of manners while the other was completely in it for the power. I did not know if this one would be any different. Truthfully; I did not want to get married anytime soon but I would not have a choice. I had come to the age where it was time for me to be married and my father still had to make the final decision on my future husband. I knew never to question his judgment once he made a rule or a decision. I finally arrived in the east parlor and my father looked up while the stranger immediately rose and bowed so quickly that I could not see his face.
"Cassidy; you look beautiful this morning. I would like to introduce you to your new suitor, Monsieur Armand St. Just" my father announced. The gentleman now called Armand finally straightened up and looked at me as I curtsied softly. He was handsome, covered in fading bruises. "Armand, Cassidy; I shall leave you alone and let you get acquainted. There will be a servant outside if you two need anything. I have to see what the details are about a meeting for tomorrow. If all goes well today then I will arrange for you two to go riding tomorrow along with a picnic" my father said as he got up to leave. Before he left; he added "Armand; would you please be so kind as to give mine and Cassidy's reservation to your sister and Percy for their Summer Solstice garden party."
"Of course your majesty" Armand replied. With that; my father left the room and the butler stayed outside. He told me his history and how he had come to England with his sister, Margruite when she had married Sir Percy Blakeney, who is my dad's closest friend. I finally dared to ask "Were you involved with this mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel that would explain your faded bruises?"
"Yes I was and still am" Armand replied. "Then you know who the real Pimpernel is" I asked. "Yes but you must never reveal it to your father" Armand replied. "I promise" I answered, taking a sip of tea. He seemed to hesitate a moment and whispered "The Pimpernel is my brother in law, Percy." I gasped in shock and asked "I want to know everything. Will you please tell me?"
He thought for a moment and replied "Let us save that for tomorrow when we will not be so closely watched. I promise I will tell you then." "Very well" I replied. With that; we continued to talk before being summoned down to luncheon in the garden. I had no idea what would be happening and I would soon discover that love can exist even in the coldest and blackest of hearts.
