Prologue
Josie's POV
I smoothed my skirt gently around my knees, loving the way the blue color seemed to match the Angeles sky that was out of sight. My nails weren't painted, my wrists didn't have any bracelets, my hair barely curled. The whole ensemble was like a polar opposite to what I had been wearing, all sans sequins and glitter. Not that I had a problem with those things, of course. This was just... different.
A new Josie.
Yessir, this girl was starting a new chapter. Assistant to Queen Eadlyn new chapter.
A small smile grew on my lips as no frustration about Eadlyn bubbled up in my stomach. A new Josie, indeed.
"Er... um... can I-is this-"
I glanced up at the sudden voice, meeting Kaden's gaze. His eyes were wide, as if I'd thrown something at him. I raised my eyebrows. "Kaden, you okay?"
He was silent, pressing his lips together until they turned white before, suddenly, "HiJosieyoulookreallyprettyisthisseattaken?"
I blinked, trying to sort out the words. Something about a seat? I motioned to the empty, blue velvet chair to my left, guessing at what he'd said. "Yeah, go ahead, nobody sitting here."
In a second, he was sitting down, sitting as stiff as a board, his hands on the armrests. I squinted at him. Osten was usually the one who acted like this, right before a prank. Instinctively, I glanced up at the ceiling before Eadlyn walking into the hallway with King Maxon (er, make the former King Maxon) caught my eye.
"So..." Kaden said quietly, staring at the shiny, polished floor before he cleared his throat. He glanced at me. "Um... so how are you doing, being Eady's assistant and all?"
"Oh," I grinned, watching as his face tinted a shade of pink. Maybe the stage lights are just getting to him... "It's great. She's actually a fabulous boss. Monarch. Sovereign. Whatever. I like working with the scheduling and meetings with her, Neena, and Lady Brice."
He nodded, a little smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
What was so funny?
"How are you? Still the best at fencing?" I inquired.
Finally, he beamed. "A gentleman is never arrogant."
I rolled my eyes. "Please. Do you realize how many times you've mentioned that you speak five languages? That's right, you're arrogant in several dialects."
He smiled at the ground bashfully, a few strands of his blond hair falling in front of his eyes in a very un-Kaden fashion. "Okay, maybe sometimes. But, really, I shouldn't."
"I knew it," I nodded, watching as a crew member flew across set, tapping people on the shoulder. "I guess the Report is about to start soon."
Kaden nodded. "Yep."
We waited in silence, listening to the chatter of the audience and crew until someone found Eadlyn, her breezing back into the room with a firm expression. I watched her gown fan out behind her, gliding along the floor. Her chin was held up with confidence being in her own skin, her eyes glowing with attention to the people in the room. She looked so royal, so noble. "She looks amazing," I said, shaking my head. How had I hated Eadlyn at one point?
Kaden was quiet for a moment before he looked back down at the ground with a half-smile that I half paid attention to. "I guess. Not as amazing as some people, though."
Alright, so this a new story I'm writing.
This will be from Josie and Kadens' point of views, and the story of how they fell in love and the joy and struggles it brings. I'm going to end this before the wedding, but I'll probably include an epilogue of 6 years later, like in The Crown.
Also, like The Crown, this will feature the characters we like so much and everything that I think might happen between the book's ending, and the Bonus Epilogue (which is in the Barnes & Noble edition.)
So, this story will follow the country as it changes, and as our characters continue to grow up. How did you like this first chapter? It's just a Prologue, so the chapters will get longer and more original later on.
I like Josie and Kaden together... I also picture Kaden as brunette. Random fun fact.
Thank you so much for reading, and please leave a review!
Bye!
~ Loveableheart