Peeta of Twelvania
Well…
"Your highness!" a voice shouted from the other side banging on the door "Your highness, the Duke requests you to meet him in the dining Hall immediately" it was Hazel; she was the chamber maid and tormentor of my sleep.
"Mmh… Hazel? Tell father I will see to him when I am livelier" I mumbled trying to focus my blurred vision. I looked over at the clock and saw that it was only 8 in the morning "I do not appreciate being woken at such and early hour, especially on the weekends"
"Your highness, I insist you to head down now. Your father said that he has important news to tell to the whole family" she replied still pushed up against the door. It then swung open "Now chop, chop, we must get you ready for Breakfast"
"But I don't want to head down for breakfast, can this not wait. Wait until 10 at least" I moaned as I crawled out of the warm sheets, I wasn't usually like this. Whining and complaining, but my father has had me attend special classes on etiquette and mannerisms. Why I do not know, but he says that they are very important and I must attend.
"Stop whining you, it should only take a short moment and then you have the rest of the day to yourself" she scolded. After hearing what she said I pouted, I know I was being a little bit whiney but still. I was woken up at 8 in the morning on a SATURDAY!
"I hope so Hazel, why am I being dressed formally? It is after all only breakfast" I wondered as I stared at the mirror admiring my attire, she had dressed me in traditional Twelvanian clothing. I wore a long sleeve black satin shirt with draping cuffs topped with a stone-grey vest and shimmering sunset orange cape which looked like dancing flames when flowing, accompanied by charcoal black boots and dress pants. I always thought they looked ridiculous.
"The Duke told me to dress you in these; he said he wanted you to look your best" she replied. "It must be something very, very important for him to want you to be dressed in these" she said with a slight chuckle.
"I do wonder what father has to say, it better be something good for waking me up at such an hour to see him" I replied with slight resentment in my voice.
Hazel chuckled "Now, now" she replied almost cooing and patting my cheek "Remember the classes you took, back straight and be courteous. Oh, and don't mention your discord at the circumstances" she said pointing at me and giving me a look that said 'behave'
"Do not fret Hazel, I will act appropriately" I smiled "Now, head back down and tell the Duke I am on my way, you know how I like my entrances"
"Of course your highness" she said while curtsying before trotting out of the room to notify my father. I walked over to my bedside table and picked up a picture of Lord Hawthorne's son Gale and me when we were younger. I smile back at those memories of just me and him. I used to fancy Gale (yes, I'm gay sorry ladies) but then he fell for the coal miner's daughter Katniss Everdeen. I place the picture back on the bedside table and start heading toward the dining hall.
"His highness, Peeta of Twelvania" I heard the butler call out as I strutted down the stairs in my ridiculous costume.
"Ah, Peeta!" I heard my father bellow "Come, have a seat my son" before I did I noticed two things lacking. First there was a distinct lack of breakfast and second a distinct lack of family.
"Father, why did you call me here, I was told that important news was to be given over breakfast to the family" I said my voice laced with spite "Yet, I see no food on the table and no other family members present"
"You will show your father more respect when speaking, and never use that tone" my father pointed with disapproval in his eyes "Have a seat" he instructed.
I swung my fiery cape over my lap and sat down opposite my father "My apologise" I replied "I am tired and have not had much sleep as of late" I shrugged I then stared at my father who was now off of his chair and standing with his hands behind his back facing me. "What is it you wish to discuss father"
"You are- Gay" he said very awkwardly "and although I accept you and still love you, I have always feared that you would never find a good match" I grimaced at his words "But, it seems my worries were foolish. Yesterday the King sent a proposal to me asking for you to be wed to The Prince" my eyes grew wide; he didn't accept him "which I accepted without hesitation"
"What!" I shouted "How dare you accept a proposal on my behalf!" I stood up from the chair and was about to leave before the guards stopped me from heading back up the stairs. "Let me pass" I said my voice tinged with anger "I demand you!"
"Enough Peeta!" My father shouted from the table "It was not a proposal to you but to me, I have accepted and that is the end of it" he raged his face turning red, not that it stopped me.
"I will not marry someone I do not know, if I am to marry it will be for love and not for some political manure that you have concocted to increase your own power and status!" I yelled
My father lunged forward grabbed me by the collar "I told you to show me some respect!" my father shouted "Look around you! We are nothing, because of my father's decision to join the Theritanians. Our people grow hungry and there is no money left in our vaults since the tribute agreement" he released his grip and turned his back to me "If you marry the Prince, the king agreed to not only gift us more gold but to release us of the treason tax, if this happens we will be able to feed our people. Twelvania will be a thriving duchy once again"
I looked around the room, the rugs and carpets that once looked so majestic and regal were now decayed and dull. The windows had cracks, the wooden floors split and termite eaten. Father was right, our people need help. "Ok" I choked out "I will marry the Prince, I shall leave Twelvania in order to save it"
"My son, I know you will be happy and I wish you all the best" he said patting me on the shoulder "Now, we must hurry the Escort is on her way"
I looked at him "So I am to leave today?" I questioned "But, I have not said my goodbyes to my brothers"
"Your brothers are out with the lords, they said they did not want to see you leave" I saddened at his explanation "They have never been good with goodbyes"
It was not long before the Escort had arrived by bullet train. She was dressed in bright pink with a candyfloss pink wig. She looked so strange and un-usual, like most Capitol City citizens. She chirped at me in her high pitched accent and bowed "Morning your highness, I am Lady Effie Trinket. Envoy of the King and your escort" before I knew it she had torn me away from my father and loaded me on the train, I wasn't allowed to bring anything with me. I was to come empty handed and everything will be provided for me when we reached Capitol City. I saw the station pass in the blink of an eye, the standard of Twelvania the last thing I saw.
"How long will this journey take" I enquired of Effie
"Oh not long at all, we will reach Capitol City within a day" she chimed "Now, your highness there are something's I have been told to inform you of"
"Like what?" I questioned suspiciously
"Follow me your highness" she said trotting down the hall of the Cabin "Quickly"
Ok, so I think this is one of the more novel ideas of mine (I blame my obsession with European Royalty for this) So, Peeta in Capitol City. I wonder how he will react to Cato? ;)
Crazydunn98 xoxo