A/N from Erkith: As a warning, my readers from TP's can tell you that I sometimes don't update my fics for months, which has earned me many a rotten apple. I will however TRY, and am more likely to succeed with summer coming and all, so please be patient... on the other hand, feel free to kick my butt by email or review (might speed me up). Thanks go to Wake-Robin (where are you?) and the co-authors of "Pirate Princess"

You inspire the rest of us

Erkith


Betrothed

Chapter One: Tlanth's Hope

"You must be joking!" I screamed it – literally.

But, no, they were not joking. My parents don't play that kind of court game.

I cannot believe this is happening to me. ME! The future Countess of Tlanth! I'm the youngest niece of the Royal Family, the Duchies of Savona, and direct descendant of two very popular royal houses. How dare they do this to me!

Me, me, me. Life, I sound like Cousin Tara! I shudder to think of it.

But really, can you blame me? Oh... I haven't explained yet, have I? I'm just so... angry!

Basically, my wicked stepmother has just convinced my father to betroth me. Betroth me, nonetheless, to the last possible person I would ever – EVER – choose.

This is all her fault! Nita 'The Wonderful' is a mean, stupid, prissy and bitchy 'Lady' I'll never bring myself to like. I swear; if she hadn't come along we would never have been this far in debt! She's absolutely despicable with nary a redeeming trait! She gossips, buys extravagant clothes almost daily, hosts endless strings of parties, and she's endowed many of the same flaws onto my sister, Kitten. Does she think our coin grows out of our very flesh?

Of course – to be fair – I'm not sure Nita is even aware just how much our funds she tosses out with the refuse of each our frequent visitors. My father never denies her anything, why should she think about it? Tlanth is becoming quite the picturesque vacationing spot for the Remalnan Court. With the history of my Aunt Mel and her revolution, the new roads, and the added mystique of the colorwoods and Treefolk, it is little wonder why.

It is; however, costing us more than we can afford. Even, my father who is notoriously bad at managing our coin has taken note of this issue. He agrees something must be done, but has not yet warmed to my idea of sending the Courtiers to the Inn. I've been pushing the idea of charging, as well, but even I think that is, perhaps, too much to ask.

If only Mother was alive...

She'd never have stood for this madness! Nimiar Astiar, the Countess of Tlanth, would have found some way to make the in column surpass the out column. Something I've yet to accomplish.

As a popular centre of the Realm, one would think it would be easy, but you see fashions change all the time, and it would hardly do for even one gown to be out of date... Or so the women in my household whine in my father's ear as they order trunks of fabric and jewels.

We have rich lands and our taxes are fair, but the bounty does know ends! It cannot support such abuse! I'm sure I've never seen Kit wear any of the five ball gowns she owns more than once this year! We live so far from court. Why in the light's name must she have so many?

Tlanth could become a prosperous property again; the lands are rich and fertile, the commerce is strong, but Lord Branaric Astiar, my father, must do something! Our tills are falling to negatives, and he does naught. I fear that the only hope for Tlanth lies with me...

Shayla Astiar.

And they're sending me away.


A/N: Please review. They make me happy : D and happy writers feel guilty about not writing...

Erkith