A Blackened Rose
Chapter One
Castalia was a prosperous yet small kingdom. Since its existence, when the Kings of Yellan, it's neighbor, broke a small part of their kingdom and gave it to Wilfred the Great, Castalia has long been full of adventures and wars. Over the years the crown passed down the Royal Family Black, each inheritor providing their nation with even more pride and wealth.
Prince James XI was crowned king when his father, James X died of consumption. The new king was young and handsome, and all subjects rejoiced at his coronation, they loved their young king already.
He led them through great times, such as victories of small nations over the populance like Arden, Pirto, and the prized Troniel. He also made a peace agreement with the Ogres and Trolls, and became friends with the Elves. Things were looking up for this rising kingdom.
It soon came to view that the handsome prince must soon be married off. Young women from promising families stormed the palace night and day, hoping to win the greatest prize of them all, while King James hid away from the crowds.
His consults decided that not just any girl would satisfy the needs of the kingdom, and that James would have to marry a rich princess, to form an alliance between the two kingdoms.
Many were selected, Princess Hildigar, Her Highness Jilliana, Duchess Renee, and many more. Yet all were found lacking. Too fat, too skinny, too dumb, too smart, too tall, too short, too fair, too dark, too pale too tanned. A criteria was passed, and any princess not fitting it could not show up to the palace. Princesses were seen less and less in the palace walls to King James' satisfaction, but to his consults dismay. They began to lose hope, and just as they were about to lessen the decree, they heard from King Harold of Wellston, claiming his daughter was perfect for the King. It was going to be a perfect match! Wellston was rich, powerful, and formidable.
A voyage was planned. King James was to go to Uilias, Wellston's capital to meet with the Princess Drucilla. The day finally came. They entered the castle, admiring the luxury and the detail. King Harold welcomed them warmly.
"Welcome my friends, I hope your journey was grand, and now we shall have a splendid feast in your honor, King James. Ah, here is my precious now! Drucilla, come along and great James!"
And from behind the king stepped out a young woman. Everyone stared. She was exquisite. Small build, she had long, curly black hair that cascaded down her back. Her eyes were huge, staring up like two great pools of ice. She had tiny features, and pale skin. Her mouth was rose red, and had plump, pink lips. She had a perfect figure, small where she needed to be, and large where she must be.
James was enthralled. The whole night, he talked to her, while she timidly, yet intelligently answered. Everything was going superbly well, the consults decided, and everyone couldn't agree more. It was a match made in heaven, the King was openly in love.
Yet something wasn't right. Harold sported a look of malevolence and sleekness, that only the Chief Steward Jim noticed. The Princess Drucilla didn't look like she was as happy as James was. She kept looking away, staring at her father as though begging him not to make her do this.
Something was going on, Jim decided, so he decided to follow the young princess after the banquet was finished. He was surprised when she led him down to a dungeon. She opened the thick wooden door and stepped in. Jim followed. He was surprised to see King Harold waiting there.
"Ah, my dear, you performed splendidly tonight! Very nice my darling, very nice. My plan has started just as I planned..."
Jim was worried. Something wasn't right...
* * * A/N: Thanks to you all for reading this! Next chappie should be out in, oh, maybe a week or something, I'd like to wait till my reviewers review this chapter! So, until then!
Shiseidox: Haha, yes well, I know the prologue was short, but prologues are supposed to be short! I hope this was long enough!
Michele: I'm glad you like it!
Mel: Yeah, I like writing stories through the vilain's perspective, it's really interesting!
Teigr: I hope you like it!
CrimsonEnchantress: YES! I totally agree, vilains are wayyyy more interesting!
The Kumquat Warrior: Nope, I haven't read those books, but thanks, I'll look into it!
Miss Piratess: Mmmm popcorn...
Chapter One
Castalia was a prosperous yet small kingdom. Since its existence, when the Kings of Yellan, it's neighbor, broke a small part of their kingdom and gave it to Wilfred the Great, Castalia has long been full of adventures and wars. Over the years the crown passed down the Royal Family Black, each inheritor providing their nation with even more pride and wealth.
Prince James XI was crowned king when his father, James X died of consumption. The new king was young and handsome, and all subjects rejoiced at his coronation, they loved their young king already.
He led them through great times, such as victories of small nations over the populance like Arden, Pirto, and the prized Troniel. He also made a peace agreement with the Ogres and Trolls, and became friends with the Elves. Things were looking up for this rising kingdom.
It soon came to view that the handsome prince must soon be married off. Young women from promising families stormed the palace night and day, hoping to win the greatest prize of them all, while King James hid away from the crowds.
His consults decided that not just any girl would satisfy the needs of the kingdom, and that James would have to marry a rich princess, to form an alliance between the two kingdoms.
Many were selected, Princess Hildigar, Her Highness Jilliana, Duchess Renee, and many more. Yet all were found lacking. Too fat, too skinny, too dumb, too smart, too tall, too short, too fair, too dark, too pale too tanned. A criteria was passed, and any princess not fitting it could not show up to the palace. Princesses were seen less and less in the palace walls to King James' satisfaction, but to his consults dismay. They began to lose hope, and just as they were about to lessen the decree, they heard from King Harold of Wellston, claiming his daughter was perfect for the King. It was going to be a perfect match! Wellston was rich, powerful, and formidable.
A voyage was planned. King James was to go to Uilias, Wellston's capital to meet with the Princess Drucilla. The day finally came. They entered the castle, admiring the luxury and the detail. King Harold welcomed them warmly.
"Welcome my friends, I hope your journey was grand, and now we shall have a splendid feast in your honor, King James. Ah, here is my precious now! Drucilla, come along and great James!"
And from behind the king stepped out a young woman. Everyone stared. She was exquisite. Small build, she had long, curly black hair that cascaded down her back. Her eyes were huge, staring up like two great pools of ice. She had tiny features, and pale skin. Her mouth was rose red, and had plump, pink lips. She had a perfect figure, small where she needed to be, and large where she must be.
James was enthralled. The whole night, he talked to her, while she timidly, yet intelligently answered. Everything was going superbly well, the consults decided, and everyone couldn't agree more. It was a match made in heaven, the King was openly in love.
Yet something wasn't right. Harold sported a look of malevolence and sleekness, that only the Chief Steward Jim noticed. The Princess Drucilla didn't look like she was as happy as James was. She kept looking away, staring at her father as though begging him not to make her do this.
Something was going on, Jim decided, so he decided to follow the young princess after the banquet was finished. He was surprised when she led him down to a dungeon. She opened the thick wooden door and stepped in. Jim followed. He was surprised to see King Harold waiting there.
"Ah, my dear, you performed splendidly tonight! Very nice my darling, very nice. My plan has started just as I planned..."
Jim was worried. Something wasn't right...
* * * A/N: Thanks to you all for reading this! Next chappie should be out in, oh, maybe a week or something, I'd like to wait till my reviewers review this chapter! So, until then!
Shiseidox: Haha, yes well, I know the prologue was short, but prologues are supposed to be short! I hope this was long enough!
Michele: I'm glad you like it!
Mel: Yeah, I like writing stories through the vilain's perspective, it's really interesting!
Teigr: I hope you like it!
CrimsonEnchantress: YES! I totally agree, vilains are wayyyy more interesting!
The Kumquat Warrior: Nope, I haven't read those books, but thanks, I'll look into it!
Miss Piratess: Mmmm popcorn...