Chapter 2

Bad News

That morning Bianca awoke and realized that she was meeting with her mother today. Her mother was so upset with Bianca blowing off Lord and Lady Lucas that she decided it was time to have a talk with Bianca. She called for her old maid, Daphne, to come get her ready. Daphne appeared instantly.

"Good morning, Daphne," Bianca said, pleasantly.

"Good morning, milady. What would you be wantin' this mornin'?" Daphne asked.

"I would like my nicest morning frock in a pale color for I am meeting with my mother. I also would like a simple pearl necklace and my hair done up in a fancy twist," Bianca replied, warming her hands by the fire.

Daphne nodded and went into Bianca's adjoining dressing room. As Bianca waited for Daphne to prepare her clothes, she thought about her dream. She had been dreaming about Dan. His curly hair, grey eyes almost seemed to haunt her. She knew she shouldn't be falling for him but she just couldn't help it. He was so cute. Just then Daphne called, "Your things are ready, milady."

Bianca tiptoed into the warm dressing room and Daphne began to dress her. Bianca slipped into a pale yellow dress that was a V-neck but wasn't very low. It hugged her curves beautifully and flowed around her ankles. Its long sleeves flowed around her arms making Bianca feel like a faerie.

"Oh, Daphne, where did you find this dress?" Bianca asked, for she had never seen this dress before.

"Your mother sent it over. She insisted that you wear it today, milady," Daphne replied, handing Bianca a pair of white high heeled slippers.

Bianca stepped into them and then proceeded to sit down in her favorite chair so that Daphne could do her hair. When she was done, Bianca felt like she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Bianca walked to her mother's chambers feeling light hearted and happy. As she entered her mother's room, she couldn't help but feel intimidated. Bianca's mother was quite a beautiful, young creature. She had blonde hair that was almost white and eyes so blue it was like staring into an ocean. Her skin was so white it was like porcelain and a nice slender body. Sometimes Bianca couldn't believe that this woman was her mother.

"Good morning, Bianca," her mother said, as Bianca entered her mother's chambers.

"Good morning, Mother," Bianca replied, sitting down on one of her mother's chairs.

She grabbed a tea cake from the tray of goodies and looked up at her mother.

"You look lovely today," Queen Sestina, waving her small fair hand around.

Bianca smiled and said, "You like a flower today, Mother."

Her mother was wearing a stunning white dress that was similar to Bianca's but it had a much to low neckline and flowed all around her body as though she was swathed in clouds. She wore a simple diamond necklace and her hair flowed around her. Bianca couldn't help but feel a little jealous at her mother's beauty but she tried to hide as much as possible.

"Thank you dearest but let's not get off the subject. I asked you to come here because it is time that you prepare to be married," her mother said.

Bianca nearly choked on the tea cake she was eating.

"Marriage? I'm only fifteen. You said we didn't need to think about it until I was sixteen," Bianca said.

"Well, I think it's time that you settle down and get ready to take your place as Queen," her mother replied, sipping her tea.

"Mother, I haven't even begun learning about the laws and regulations yet!" Bianca exclaimed, astounded at her mother's sudden urge to marry her off.

"I know but this is more important then being a Queen. You can start after your married. In fact I would like you to be married in the next six months."

"SIX MONTHS!" Bianca shrieked. "HOW TO YOU EXPECT ME TO FIND TRUE LOVE IN SIX MONTHS!"

"I don't. Your father and I have already made an agreement with the King and Queen of Taros. You are to marry their son, Prince Jason," Queen Sestina said, biting lazily into a cookie.

"You mean you're arranging my marriage?"

"Well, you'll have to at least like him but otherwise, yes, you will be having an arranged marriage," the Queen said.

Bianca burst into tears.

"How could you? I always thought you would take care of me. But instead you go behind my back and force me to marry someone!" Bianca cried and threw down her piece of cake.

She ran out of the room in tears and ran until she could run no more. She had run all the way to the pond that bordered the castle gates. There she collapsed under the willow tree in tears.

"I should have known," Bianca sobbed. "Cousin Lucy had an arranged marriage. I should have known Mother and Father would arrange mine too."

They've ruined everything, Bianca thought, tears streaming down her face. Maybe I'll just refuse to marry this Prince Jason. I throw a fit and fight anyone who comes near me.

To Bianca this seemed to be a good plan so she laughed to herself and spent the rest of the afternoon thinking of ways to ruin her marriage arrangement with Prince Jason.

Jason POV

"Jason! Snap out of it. Did you hear one word I said?" my mother snapped.

Jason's head shot up and he sheepishly looked at his mother.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I was just thinking," Jason said, sticking his fork in his eggs.

"About what?" Queen Penelope asked, taking a bite of her lemon cake.

"Um… just the nice time I had with Jack," Jason said.

Part of that was true. What Jason was really thinking about was the girl he had met while helping Jack in the stables. He had gone to visit his good childhood friend Jack in Rinwald. Since Jack was a peasant, Jason had insisted on helping Jack with his work in the stables. He had posed as a boy named Dan and he had met the most beautiful girl ever. Her name was Bianca and she had golden hair that shone like golden waves of sunlight and green eyes that were as green as grass. He sighed.

"Is something the matter, Jason?" his mother asked. "Are you upset about your arranged marriage?"

Jason shook his head. He was a little upset but getting married to a dream girl wasn't a big priority. He wanted to rule a country. After all as long as this Princess of Rinwald was nice, he could at least live with her. Jason brushed a lock of curly brown out of his eyes and got up from the table.

"I'll be going now, Mother. I have to begin my fencing practice."

The Queen just nodded and Jason went back to dreaming about Bianca.

Bianca POV

"Bee, wake up!" a voice cried penetrating Bianca's sleep.

"Go away, Daphne. I'm tired," Bianca moaned.

"I'm not Daphne! It's me, your best friend, Meghan!"

Bianca moaned and rolled over.

"Go away! I'm trying to sleep!"

"Do you realize that you've been sleeping for the past week?" Meghan asked, teasingly.

"Ha Ha, very funny. Now go away so I can get dressed," Bianca said, throwing a pillow at Meghan.

Meghan caught it and her blue eyes sparkled.

"Don't you dare try to start a pillow fight! I just go my hair done!" Meghan cried, gesturing at her red hair which was done up in a fancy twist.

Bianca just laughed and slipped out of bed. She crept into her dressing room with Meghan in tow.

"What should I wear today? My midnight blue dress or my green one?" Bianca asked.

"The blue one. I'm wearing green today."

Bianca laughed and Meghan helped her into the dress. It was a stunning dress. It was such a deep blue that Bianca felt like she was wearing the night sky.

"It's quite a beautiful dress, Bee. I've never seen you look so sexy," Meghan said.

Bianca blushed. She was embarrassed at being called sexy.

"Please don't call me sexy or Bee."

"Why not? I've always called you Bee just like you've always called me Meg."

"Fine. Whatever," said Bianca and she stalked out of the room.

As they were eating their breakfast of flapjacks and eggs, Meghan pointed out that it was a beautiful day.

"Maybe we should go riding. I could give you a short lesson before hand," Meghan suggested.

Bianca immediately thought of Dan and grinned.

"Sure, Meg. That would be fun. Do you think I can wear this dress?" Bianca asked.

"I don't see why not."

Bianca smiled and they ate the rest of their breakfast chatting about all the horrible things that come with being a princess.