Deceptively Royal

Chapter 3

"Twenty minutes until the ball starts. Are you ready?" My younger sister Gwen asks. In response I show her my bitten, chewed up nails. "Don't worry, you will make a fantastic queen. I wish I were the one getting crowned."She says wistfully. "One day you are going to be the queen, just wait. Go slip into your dress and get ready for the ball. I'll ask Daphne to do my makeup."

Daphne has hearing like a dolphin, so she comes into my room only seconds later. She brushes my eyelids with a navy blue to match the stars on my dress. Then goes on to give my cheeks some colour and paint my lips mauve. "Have fun at the ball. Be sure to tell me about everything afterwards."

Gwen returns in a fabulous sage green gown. The bodice has gold flowers cascading along the front and does its part to show her royal status. I take Gwen's hand leading her to the end of the hall where we part ways.

Gracefully I glide down the stairs and stop to curtsy at the guests. Callum offers his hand "May I have this dance, milady?" I graciously take his hand in acceptance. He leads me to the dance floor, and we waltz along to the magnificent music being played by the orchestra. "You look beautiful," Callum says with a shy smile. "Merci, you look rather dashing as well." He has a deep plum tuxedo on, and it suits his face well.

The music starts to pick up and Callum goes off to find a new partner. It is custom to dance with multiple people in a single evening, so I scan the crowd for a gentleman without a partner.

I catch eyes with the insufferable Philip of Ruden. Reluctantly I make my way over there, not wanting to stray from tradition. "Bonjour Philip," I say with a tight smile. "So have you given any thought as to who your husband will be?" Philip asks in that obnoxious voice of his. Trying to spare his feelings I reply "Yes I have, the future king will be Callum Anderson of Ether. I hope you are not too disappointed with the result." "Nonsense you two will be great together." He rushes off in hopes of finding a new dance partner.

For the second time that evening I am left searching for a different partner, but I needn't worry. My mother secretly escorts me to the powder room to freshen up. "Stay in here. Fix your makeup, go to the bathroom, I do not care. Just wait in here until you hear your name called."

She leaves, giving me a moment with my thoughts. I can not believe that in a few moments I will be the Queen of France. My whole life will change in a matter of minutes. I certainly do not feel ready. Maybe I never will be prepared. Wow that is a scary thought. The princess who is next in heir is not suitable for being queen. That would cause my mother a whole lot of disappointment.

From the ballroom I hear "And now I am pleased to present the coronation of Marley Ash." I walk with my shoulders back and my chin up until I am in the center of the makeshift stage. I scan the crowd for Gwen to settle my nerves. She smiles and rubs her left ear, our subtle way of saying 'good luck'.

"Marley Ash, daughter of Margret and Henry Williams, do you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of France and its surrounding kingdoms, according to the respective laws and customs?" The archbishop says officiating the ceremony. "I solemnly promise to do so." "With the power vested in me I declare you the new Queen of France."

One of our servants hands him a cushion that holds the crown and he carefully lifts it. He goes to place the crown on my head but never gets the chance. For at that moment a pistol shot goes off and a large hole appears in the wooden door.