Chapter 1

It was a bright crisp morn that greeted the very coming of this young maid. Lids were still shielding liquid colored irises as the sun outstretched her arms kissing the land in warmth, melting away the light frost that glazed its surface. The sweet songs of the birds were all one could hear, for once the world seemed tranquil and at peace… That was until..

"MARIE!" Came a high pitched cheery tone, high enough to startle any sentinel. Bright aquamarine eyes shot open as the youth jolted up right gasping at the sound of alarm.

"What is it!?" she prompted. Once her eyes adjusted to the dim light her brows met in a deep frown "Oh it's only you.." before she plopped back onto her pillow pulling the fluffy blanket over her head.

"It's time for your bath" came the sing song voice, the sound of clanking iron rings echoing as the curtains were forced open.

"Do you know what time it is?"came the irritated retort.

"Yes, it's time for you to get out of bed and get ready." Down went the blanket making the girl curl into a ball as she was greeted with the chills of the early morn.

Groaning sat up groggily "Am not eight anymore you know." she snapped before whipping the blanket over her head once more.

"Don't let me bring out the bucket." threatened the middle aged nanny.

The dreaded bucket… the one that greeted the most stubborn of mules who wouldn't get up in the morning… the one filled with ice. How her mother allowed such dark humor to prevail she never knew, but one thing was for sure she was cold enough without a rain of ice forcing her out of her cozy bed. Sitting up hissed "You wouldn't.."

The sly woman with the cheekiest of grins held out a small bucket, "Try me.."

Huffing stomped into her slippers as she drew on her robes, "Unbelievable.." she muttered under her breath as she briskly walked out of her room, ignoring her mother's very presence as she angrily walked down the hall.

"Good morning-"

"G'morning mother.."

Elizabeth drew on a confused look, which was quickly erased the moment she'd seen the sly grin upon Silvia's face. "Gave you a hard time again?"

The beam in her eyes seemed to say a mouthful already, "Not in the slightest ma'am. She's learning" she joked… an inside joke understood by just the both of them.

As Marie hopped into the tub she was greeted by that same ice cold bucket of water, "WHAT THE-"

-SPLASH-

She had half the mind to stand up before another maiden walked in and she was forced to save what dignity she had left by laying low beneath the now chilled water. "You did that on purpose.." angry bubbles were blown as she pouted.

Silvia chuckled "Oh am sorry," she began sarcastically. "I must have gotten the wrong..bucket" she emphasized.

Elizabeth chuckled from the side line as her curious bright orbs peeked from behind the slightly opened door. Silvia was a character, and it was because she handled Marie so well that she actually put up with her antics-as mischievous as she was. She didn't agree with her 'techniques' most half the time, but it did get things done around the house-raising a rebellious teenage daughter was no easy task after all. How time did fly… just yesterday she was cradling her in her arms… and now she was planning her debut into society.

The sound of the maid's soft spoken voice cut in politely into her thoughts, "Excuse me Miss, but your daughter's present arrived, should I let him in?"

Taking a deep breath Elizabeth nodded, " I'll meet him at the door."

Meanwhile back in the washroom…

The very grumpy eighteen year old had been all wrapped up and escorted back to her room. Standing behind the floral dividers she was being helped into her Sunday's best. Gasping stood stiffly straight "Does it have to be that tight?" she quizzed in a slight out-of-breath- fashion.

Silvia had been weaving the strings of the corset at this time, "It's not that tight lass, I made sure I skipped a few loops off the top and bottom."

Looking thoughtfully over her shoulder Marie stated, "You do know it's the ones round the middle that count…"

Sighing skipped every other loop round the middle in the end, "Better?"

Twisting her torso slightly to the left and right, felt a slight pang of relief, at least she had some mobility. "It'll have to do, thanks Silvia.." Stepping out from behind the divider took a seat in front of her mirror drawer while she was made up. About an hour later she slowly descended the stairs.

Elizabeth felt a pang of nostalgia the moment her daughter graced the stairs, she was so elegant…she had her father's eyes…

"Just like her mother." Came the sweet lyrics of Silvia as she beamed.

When did that woman ever walk in, she would never know, but she felt a sense of pride either way. Wasn't it just yesterday when she'd walked down these very stairs? The memories of her William waiting here where she was standing now played into her heart and mind. When would she ever see him again? She could just imagine him walking through that very door…

"Mother?" a worried puzzled look seemed to be drawn across Marie's face. "You all right?"

Hearing the small voice echo in the back of her mind snapped out of it the second time her daughter's voice rang out slightly stronger than the first. "Oh am fine don't worry."

"You were staring at me oddly again…" came the cautious notes matching the slight frown.

"Oh I almost forgot, " taking up a small rectangular box from the table presented it to her.

"Is it a sword!?" bright eyes eagerly glazed over the box before her hands quickly began flipping the hinges open to find a small formal whip. Curious confused eyes met Elizabeth's only finding a wide smile.

The bellow of a horse soon boomed from behind the door only heightening Marie's senses, "You didn't.." her voice was filled with anticipation as she picked up her skirt and quickly made her way out into the court yard finding a white stallion. "YOU DIDN'T!" she exclaimed joyously. Turning back ran up to her mother and embraced her tightly. "You got him!"

Laughing lovingly hugged her back and just looked at her stroking her cheek, "I know you had your eyes on him for quite a while." she began. "What are you waiting for you lilly we're going to be late for church, he won't ride himself you know." A playful note creped in.

"You mean I can-" reading the nod in Elizabeth's features dashed off receiving a playful smack on her rear. "Gitoutta here".

Chatper 2

The hustle and bustle played in well into early evening. "I wonder if I made a mistake, maybe I should've waited till after the party?" a sarcastically humorous play of words were spoken.

Chuckling "Ay ma'am you might'ave "

"Silvia!" exclaimed Elizabeth nudging her playfully with her words.

Sighing, tried to hide her worry with no prevail. " I better go buy her time then, " sighing once more looked at Silvia thoughtfully before the nanny put on a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, she'll make it."

Fifteen minutes since her mother's departure Marie rode in with a big smile on her face "Everything ready?"

Silvia, "Am not amused.." she mumbled, "Hurry up we don't have much time."

A quick bath later Marie and Silvia were both on their way to the Duke's castle, her great uncle had offered to host her debut after all. Running in through the back like she'd always done, cut through the kitchen and a few more halls before she skidded to a halt behind the great twenty foot double mahogany doors glazed with gold and intricate Baroque designs imprinted on it.

"I'm getting too old for this." huffed Silvia as she pruned out the crinkles out of her dress, and did some final touches on Marie's hair.

The Duke had just appeared round the corner with his youngest daughter giggling. "You're late." His humorous notes seemed to add into his cheerful composure as he picked up little Annabell.

"Sorry about that.." she apologized sheepishly. "Kinda got..-"

"No time for that hurry before your mother will have my head." He joked before issuing her through the door.

The moment she stepped into the ballroom, she was greeted with music, conversing voices, freshly baked pastries, and…"MARIE!"

Shrinking under her mother's glare "Where have you been? I've been worried!"

"Sorry, I-"

"Everyone had been waiting for you" Eyes softened seeing her daughter drop her gaze. Taking a deep breath, sighed again. "Well, at least you're here now and-"

"MARIE!" came a loud voice from a few yards ahead.

"What did I do now…" she groaned playfully only to meet her best friend Sonia who came from the continent.