The Choice of the Maiden

Chapter One

Chapter One: 

Another Kingdom, Another Suitor

The carriage was unbearably bumpy in its attempts to roll over the uneven gravel path. It was apparent upon Emeline's mother's green hued face that she was in consensus with Emeline upon the quality of the ride. "If you so wish mother, we can travel back. I know you get terribly sick." Her mother looked up at her as if she just asked to set ablaze a puppy. "I think not Emeline! Sickness is a small ailment to endure when looking at the possibilities this trip could bring." Emeline's eyes found their way back to the trees they were surpassing. "Yes mother, I cannot wait to be put forth in front of yet another man of your pick and have him choose whether I am worthy enough to be his suitor." Emeline's mother did not react to her daughters sharp tone, instead reveling in the knowledge she so possesses, choosing now to share. "He is no man this time Emeline... he is a prince." Emeline's body absentmindedly perked up at the mention of this. This would prove to be the most ideal circumstance Emeline would have thought to imagine. Her mother of course would misinterpret Emeline's renewed interest, thinking to herself that maybe now her daughter would actually attempt to put her various skills to good use. And what better use than to land a prince, ensuring Emeline's mother riches for life. Emeline however, reveled in the idea of many suitors trying for the princes hand, thus eliminating Emeline herself quicker. She looked to the forest once more. What she would give to not be forced upon these journeys. She had but one year until she was able to collect her inheritance left to her by her late father. When she would collect it, Emeline had planned to never to see or speak to her mother again.

Trees quickly passed her sights, occupying her interest for no more than an hour, before soon becoming repetitive enough to lure her into deep slumber. She awoke to the familiar sounds of prodding and various adjustments being made to Emeline's dress. Her eyes quickly found her mother's hands smoothing down the fabric of an already tame dress. Emeline wished to smack her mother's hands off of her legs, instead choosing the intelligent choice of letting her mother do whatever she wishes, for this means they must be close. "Emeline, we must discuss something of rather high importance." Emeline internally sighed, externally nodded for her mother to continue. "You seem to have adapted the trait of snoring within your slumber. It is not ladylike and will not be regarded in a positive manor." Emeline said nothing to her mother, not trusting her body to contain her true feelings if she spoke, especially whilst still trapped in the confinement of the carriage. The tactic proved to be effective, for Emeline's mother soon became absorbed in her own mind. "I suppose I could gift his highness beeswax for the wedding." Emeline's mother's thoughts began to form aloud, much to Emeline's dismay. "I don't think that will suffice forever, her snores seemed to rock the carriage." Emeline took a deep breath, paying her mother no mind as she redirected her attention back to the window. She noticed her view of nature was now replaced by that of a village.

The further upward the carriage climbed, the grander the buildings became. It was only when the top of the hill was reached that the carriage drew to a halt. The carriage door opening shook Emeline's mother from her incessant rambling, immediately transforming her into the model lady. Emeline stepped out before her mother, turning towards the castle in which she was to stay. She could not deny the beauty that was presented in front of her, the stone walls stretching for miles upward, the fields of land surrounding it vast, before being engulfed in the mighty forest. Emeline turned away from the castle now, looking at the kingdom below. From atop the hill, the buildings looked to be minuscule. The kingdom stretched for miles outward from the castle, easily being the largest Emeline has had the pleasure to temporarily reside within. "Emeline!" Her mother's stern undertone and intentionally high voice drew her from her onlooking. Lifting the skirt of her dress, Emeline followed her mother into the gargantuan structure before her. Emeline's mother was trying to extract any and all information in regard to what type of lady the prince fancies from the poor servants assigned to show us to our rooms. Emeline was much more focused on the interior of the castle. It seems the grandeur of the exterior did not compare to the interior. The walls were mountains high, making anyone who stands within their territory seem inferior. The decor was light and yet held such power. The castle was cleaned meticulously, that fact apparent by the maids scurrying between rooms, worried a speck of dust has settled in the time it took to clean a different room. Once near what Emeline presumed to be the center of the castle, Emeline and her mother were informed their paths would now diverge. Emeline was to stay in the same wing as the other potential suitors for the prince, Emeline's mother staying within the same wing as the parents of the ladies. As the two branched in their different directions following a servant each, Emeline was delighted not to hear her mothers voice any longer.