Summary: A desperate monarch makes a pact with another king that will one day force him to give his headstrong daughter to the king's harsh son. Within the castle walls lay many secrets, including a deadly curse with one year to break. Let the fairytale begin.

0 0 0

Chapter One

The girls were chosen purely by title and temper. For example, Princess Heidi of Germaine was chosen because she was not only beautiful and accomplished, but delicate and ladylike, or so the rumors went. However, her sister Princess Alaine was not chosen because she was heard to have a horrible temper and heaven knew they didn't need that to contend with.

The Countess Keleigh had been married for a year before her husband was killed by the plague. A young and simpering maiden, she too was chosen, along with her four cousins, the Ladies Florinda, Belinda, Lucinda, and Melinda.

Added to the list were a princess from Eyerlin, another from Scoughtlyn and yet another from Spainne. It seemed as if there were enough ladies, but Franklin had only nine and would have preferred an even ten. That meant that there was only one more candidate for find...

"What about Princess Cecilia?" Suggested Franklin.

"Her Highness," Edmund wrinkled his nose, "is an old maid."

"An old maid?" Scoffed Gregory. "She is not even eighteen!"

"Fine," gritted out another councilman, Alec, "she is not that old. But still... I think it would be a bad idea."

"Oh honestly," huffed Franklin. "From what I hear, the girl is supposed to be a very accomplished young lady. She is not only multi-lingual, but has impeccable equestrian skills. She has also, from what I heard, dabbled in archery and combat skills. A perfect diplomat and skilled debater..." He trailed off at the looks he was getting. "What?" He wanted to know.

"She's very unconventional," Edmund said. "What kind of ruler would she be?"

"An effective one," shot back Gregory. "She could be a good influence on Derek! Besides, she is rumored to be quite pretty."

"We don't want pretty, we want beautiful," Alec put in. "Fraanc is known for its beautiful women. And we certainly don't want to soil our reputation."

"You're all fools," sneered Franklin. "What about Queen Marguerite? I think that it has been proven that she has brains and has done the country well. What is wrong with having an intelligent woman?"

"Nothing," one man protested. "Besides, Her Majesty grew into her role as a leader. When she first arrived, she was very quiet and polite and beautiful."

Franklin scowled. "Of course she was quiet," he snapped. "She was terrified out of her mind! And besides, looks? Where have looks gotten us? Four generations and still no progress! She could be The One. I vote she is invited if not for Derek, but for the people."

"Same as I," said Gregory.

"And I," said another.

And another.

And another.

Before long, ten of the twelve men had voted for Princess Cecilia to be invited.

Finally, "Aye," was heard from Alec, who sighed. He looked at Edmund.

"I suppose there is no choice," Edmund said stiffly. But then he reminded them of one little factor, "Just good luck trying to convince her father."

King Cesario of Italle wasn't an irrational man. Hardship after hardship had taught him to be practical, resourceful, and reasonable. However, he had lost so much and what he still had he held dear to him, including his daughter, Cecilia.

Cecilia wasn't an only child, with a younger sister named Isobella, but she was still the heir to the throne and was treated and trained as such. From a very young age she had sat in on various meetings, traveled to foreign countries to address issues, educated in the needed languages and skills… her upbringing very much resembled that of a boy's.

This never bothered Cecilia much. She believed in equality of the sexes—though she was warned to keep this to herself—and did not care if people though her odd. There were times though, late at night, when she wondered why she couldn't be just like every other girl in the world. Why she couldn't be normal.

However, Cecilia was trained as a young lady as well. She still learned how to dance and curtsey and act like a debutante like every other princess. She was aware, though, that her people thought ill of her upbringing due to the simple fact that she had not yet been married.

This, she concluded, was mainly her father's fault. Ever since her mother's death during the war, ever since the fact that they became quite poor due to the money needed for the said war, he treated her and her sister as if they were simple-minded children that should be looked after. Cecilia thought this absurd as he raised them both to be the exact opposite of such.

However, Cecilia did not mind being an old maid and childless. Isobella was bound to be married off one day and her children would become Cecilia's heirs. Besides, there was no one who caught Cecilia's eye. The world, from what she had seen, was mostly full of empty-headed, vain, selfish men who clearly thought women were made to serve them. Even if that was the general consensus of the world, Cecilia couldn't help but think—but hope—there had to be someone out there who didn't think that way.

And until she found that someone, she would not get married.

So far, it looked like she wouldn't be finding that someone anytime soon. And with the exception of bouts of loneliness, Cecilia had accepted a life of solitude. As a princess, she had no right to hope for a fairy tale ending.

There was a knock on her door, and her maid, Emilia, came in. "You have a letter, Your Highness," she curtsied and handed Cecilia the letter. Cecilia blinked. It was sent directly to herself, instead of her father, which Cecilia found intriguing. She hardly ever received anything for herself.

After dismissing the maid, Cecilia cut open and unraveled the parchment. It read:

To Her Royal Highness Princess Cecilia of Italle:

By official decree of Her Royal Majesty Queen Marguerite of Fraanc, you have been invited to spend a year in her court as one of her special guests. You, among other princesses, are candidates to become her son, His Royal Highness Prince Derek's bride and queen.

It is strongly suggested that you accept. Even if you are not chosen by Prince Derek as his queen, you have the undying gratitude of the country of Fraanc and our everlasting alliance.

If you do accept, please journey of Pareis, capital of Fraanc, by the twenty-second of June. However, if not, please send your regrets as soon as you are able.

Thank you.

Her Royal Majesty Queen Marguerite of Fraanc

Leaning back into her elegant little chair, Cecilia considered the offer. She hardly liked the fact that this letter made it sound as if she would have to compete with no-doubt catty and spoiled girls for the heart of a no-doubt charming and spoiled prince.

Straightening up and taking out a sheet of parchment, Cecilia prepared to pen her decline. But…

She leaned back into her chair. It had been a while since she was able to interact with people her own age. The war had prevented that… and she wondered how other girls her age acted. She could easily guess but she would never truly know…

Besides, what did she have to lose? Her father and the former king of Fraanc, Maxwil, were good friends before the war ended Maxwil's life. Nevertheless, it would be an opportune way to strengthen alliances with the future king. Perhaps she would make friends. There was no way that she would capture the heart of this Prince Derek anyway, that she knew for sure. But this was an opportunity that may never come around again.

Taking a deep breath, Cecilia knew her mind was made up.

She was going to Fraanc.

That is, if her father let her.


Last edited: 8/9/10