Existence


Chapter 1:

Existence

Miss VanDaufer


The morning came chasing up Kelcie Ramanthel's bedpost with the wind on the planet of Amiheir. She opened her eyes and looked longingly out at the miles of wilderness that surrounded the Castle. But, she was a Princess, and Princess's didn't spend all day traipsing around the countryside. She crawled out of bed and glanced at the chronometer on the wall. She had fifteen minutes until she had to meet the rest of her family downstairs for breakfast.

At fifteen, Kelcie was the youngest in a family of four. There was her father, King Rishard Ramanthel, her eldest sister, Rebekka Ramanthel, eighteen, and Mariel Ramanthel, her middle sister, seventeen. Kelcie slipped on a morning gown and looked at herself in the mirror. She wishes she could be pretty like her sisters. Her hair was a dull, dirty blond. It was neither straight nor curly, but wavy. Her skin wasn't pale and beautiful, but tanned from days out in the sun. Her eyes was a odd blue-gray color. She was only 5' tall and thin. She wasn't the alluring beauty like Rebekka, or the smart, diplomatic one like Mariel. Just independent, outspoken, ugly, Kelcie. She decided to leave her hair down, and slipped on an old pair of slippers. She grabbed her signet ring and exited her chambers.
Unlike her sisters, she had no use for a lady's maid. She could make her own decisions about what and what not to wear. Her birthday was next week, and she hoped her father remembered. It was her sixteenth birthday, and sixteenth birthdays were special. Rishard, Mariel, and Rebekka were already in the dining room when Kelcie entered. Rebekka was first to speak. Dressed in a forest green gown, she looked out of place at the simple breakfast table. Rebekka glared at Kelcie.

"Why are you wearing that old thing?" Rebekka snapped.

"Kelcie, you're late." Rishard said coldly. "Have a seat, and don't keep up waiting again!"

Kelcie obliged and took a seat, but glared back at Rebekka. While her family lapsed into conversation about the agenda for the day, Kelcie ate in silence.

"You know, my birthday is next week." Kelcie said, when there was a break in the talking.

"Ah, yes," Rishard smiled. "We've got the most wonderful present for you. I guess I'll go ahead and tell you about it now."

Rebekka had a smug look on her face, so Kelcie knew it couldn't be good whatever it was.

"You will be able to serve Emperor Palpatine on Coruscant in the Imperial Palace." Rishard smiled.

Kelcie, who had been taking a sip of tea, choked. "Doing what!" she asked in disbelief.

"Oh, you know, his concubine, pleasure slave, any way he needs you to serve his needs." Rebekka replied with a triumphant look. "I'm sure he won't mind that your . . . Ugly."

Kelcie quickly stood up, her temper flaring.

"I won't go!" she told Rishard defiantly.

"Oh yes, you will." Rishard retorted.

"No, I won't!" Kelcie yelled before storming back up to her chambers.

She burst into her room and threw open the doors that led to her balcony. She ran onto it and stopped at the edge. The wind tossed her hair across her face and whipped her dress about. She wouldn't go to the Emperor! She couldn't! Amiheir was her home!
Rishard ruled the planet with an iron fist. He supported the tyranny of the evil Emperor Palpatine. Even though Amiheir was a small planet on the outer rim, it provided the galaxy with much of its food. Rishard also had close ties with the Emperor, and often went on trips to Coruscant. Amiheir was mostly mountains and wilderness, and no one knew it better than Kelcie. She'd grown up exploring the treacherous land. Perhaps she could hide out in the mountains until this whole thing blew over. It was an idea, a good idea.