Royal Feuds
Chapter Two: Lindsay Castle
A young man of 16 years stood in a greatly adorned bedroom and was staring blankly at the window. Running a hand through his wavy blond hair Prince Miles began to pace. He was nervous, and he didn't know why. He was very rarely nervous about anything and he was fruitlessly searching himself for a plausible reason for this feeling of dread he could not shake.
"Of course, I am meeting my intended tonight" Miles thought suddenly going over to sit on the edge of his bed. His startling green eyes closed as he thought of the preparations he was sure his mother would make him endure. "My intended, the Princess who seems to magically disappear every time an arrangement has been made for us to meet" Miles thought bitterly, although he was in NO way looking forward to meeting the girl he would be spending the rest of his life with, in a stiff ball – or meeting her anyway actually . Miles was not fond that his life revolved around a 15 year old pact, but he would sacrifice much more than what he was to make sure his people weren't suffering. Every decision that his mother and father – Queen Isabella and King Wayne – had made had revolved around the fact that the marriage to this Princess Serena was an important pact that had to be kept.
If either Royal family deemed something inappropriate their kingdoms would be in full fledged war … again. "So even though I could break this engagement …I wouldn't"
Sighing slightly Miles looked up when his bedroom door opened, and another boy with dark brown hair and deep eyes walked in.
"Bern!" Miles said startled and got up to greet his cousin "I thought you weren't supposed to get here till tonight. A few hours before the ball"
"Well our mothers decided that you needed moral support and that they needed sisterly companionship" Bern stated mildly and sat on Miles bed where he had been sitting.
"So" Bern said dragging out the word, ever since both boys had been children they had decided that they were perfect companions. Bern was seemingly care free, but showed a serious personage only in the company of those he trusted. Miles was pounded with pressure, and secretly wanted only to make some decisions of his own.
"Yes?" Miles answered an amused expression splayed on his face.
"How are you feeling about tonight?" He asked searching his cousin's face, having not grown up with any siblings Miles had become more of brother than a cousin to Bern.
"I'm nervous" Miles admitted again pacing the room, trusting that after he'd admitted it to himself he would be able to admit to Bern.
"Well that's natural you are – "Bern began an amused smile on his face
"Meeting my intended" Miles finished "Don't remind me, I'm not looking forward to it."
"But that's not what you're nervous about?" Bern asked curiously, understanding that Miles was extremely annoyed.
"No. That's what's bugging me; I don't know why I'm nervous. I've already met Corhen's Princess and I'm actually looked forward to seeing her again. The other Princess shouldn't make me this nervous. I just have this feeling that something bad is about to happen."
"What type of bad?" Bern asked seriously sitting up slowly.
"I don't know" Miles admitted, becoming extremely irritated. "If I could just figure it out…" he said furiously and began to pace faster than before.
"If you keep doing that you'll wear a hole in the carpet" Bern commented getting off the bed, and walking over to him. "Come on lets go wander around the market. Did you pick out the gift your going to give to your princess?"
Serena stood in front of the large mirror her mother had gotten her when she turned 13. Looking into it now she winced slightly as Bethany tightened the strings on the corset she was currently adjusting.
"Bethany" Serena said in a tight voice her breathing slightly hampered by the corset
"Could you loosen the strings a bit? I can almost breathe."
Bethany laughed slightly her round face dimply as she hastily pushed her wavy red hair out of her face. Her blue eyes sparkled slightly as she looked back at Serena.
"You know I have to make it look like the corset is at least crushing your ribs" She laughed dryly "It's a good thing you and I found a way to keep you breathing, and keep your mother happy"
When Bethany had fist been hired as a lady in waiting, Serena had just received her corset and mirror from her mother. Although it was unusual, Bethany and Serena had become friends and agreed that no woman should have to torture herself for a man. They had altered the corset so that the strings could not be pulled past a certain point, therefore allowing Serena to move and breathe comfortably.
"There" Bethany said satisfied "Now all you have to do is slip on your dress"
Serena took the dress Bethany held out to her letting the cool blue silk slide over her hands. Turning to Bethany she whispered softly "This was Emily's. I wonder if mother knows…"
Again shaking off her brooding thoughts Serena slipped the blue silk over her head and settled it on her body. She turned to Bethany for approval.
"Sere… Look in the mirror" Bethany whispered softly, her eyes twinkling with an over whelming joy.
Serena turned slowly back toward the mirror and a small gasp escaped her throat. The girl staring back at her was a complete stranger. Her usually messy dull brown hair had been straightened and swept into a braided bun at the back of her head. A few curls had been left to gracefully frame her face; the dress was a flowing gown and accented her curves. The shoulders hung slightly so that the sleeves swept off her hands, the dress was not adorned with embroidery or Jewels but simply was beautiful sky blue.
Bethany was standing a little away, smiling broadly. As Serena turned back to her with a stunned look, she grinned.
"It's definitely a change, isn't it?" She asked still smiling.
"I hope my mother doesn't expect me to look like this all the time" Serena commented finally, she was not fond of balls or flowing dresses and rarely allowed herself to wear one but the subtle grace of the one that had once belonged to her grandmother suited her.
"You're sneaky" Serena said to Bethany and had the satisfaction of seeing the mischievous glint come into her eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Bethany answered swiftly changing her expression to a scandalized look "I would never do anything sneaky"
Serena was struck by an idea and a full smile bloomed on her features.
"You may not but sneaky but I am" Serena said and went over to her wardrobe. "Didn't the Queen say I could invite a friend?" she asked a held out a light green dress.
(Well?)
Madusa's Daughter
