𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴

The Beginning

Every morning it's the same sounds: the maids moving to and fro; the Hunters gathering their weapons; the streaks from Mother demanding something from her lady in waiting. As I moved downstairs, towards the breakfast room, I caught a glimpse of the shimmering blades of knives and swords and the pointed heads of arrows. Oh how I long to be out of this dress and corset and with those men.

***

I take my place at the long mahogany table, oppose my little sister Lena. I hear Father before he strides in sits in his grand chair. Our dear Father always makes time for his two daughters- it's our Mother who doesn't.

"It's going to be a good season this year girls" Father says as he helps himself to the loaf of homemade bread.

"Really?" I say, "that'll be good then"

"Yes, plenty of dear tracks this morning - and pheasant - in fact I got a few of those myself!"

"Father!" Squealed Lena, "Hilda's coming of age in a few days time, what are we doing to celebrate?"

"Oh really Lena? I don't need to do anything!"

"Of course you do!" Father sounded frantic, "you don't come of age every year!"

Everyone laughed at that.

"Well, what do you suppose we do?" I asked.

"I thought you knew what one did when one came of age." Father sounded disappointed - was I supposed to learn what to do on each birthday, like I learn how to look after children in preparation for my own? I thought I didn't need to pay attention to boring things like that! Besides, all I want is to lead a normal life and do what I want - not what other people tell me to do.

"Well, Father, what is it that one does when one comes of age?" I asked

"One finds a husband."

"What? Are you trying to make me laugh? I am not getting married!"

"What?" It was his turn to question what the other has said. "When you come of age Hilda, you have certain responsibilities that you need to take over. To do those things, a husband will look after you and help you." He sounded agitated - father never sounds like that.

"But I'm only young," I countered, "how can you expect me to find a man that I know will do these things?"

"Now my dear, I will help, as will your mother, to find the best suitor. When you come of age, the whole town will know and will be expecting you to look your best. Men will begin to ask for your hand in marriage."

"I-" I started

"Hilda!" Came a high shout from somewhere above "Hilda!"

I rose to my feet and called to my Mother: "yes Mother."

"Hilda." She puffed as she came marching onto the room. "I need you to go and put the pretty blue dress on - you know the one we just bought - the really beautiful one-"

"Yes Mother, I know," I said. "where are we headed?"

"Into town, I need as many people to see you before you come of age, did you have the conversation with her?" Mother asked, turning to Father.

I knew that I couldn't wait any longer before mother turned on me again so I took this moment of slip out of there and upstairs to my bedroom.

Mother's lady in waiting was already there, laying out jewelry and powders.
"Imogen," I said to her, grabbing her attention.
She sighed and hurried me forwards where she spun me round and started untying the back of my dress.

"You better start to get up earlier when you come of age my dear." Imogen said. "You really do need to start preparing for when your married."

"What if I don't want to get married," I said quietly so no one else would hear.

"You are a woman. You have so do what's expected of you: you must become a wife. You just have children. You must support you family no matter what. And, when the time comes, you must become the Queen of this town."

Now she was tightening my corset, already I could feel my breathing being restricted.

"Lena would make a far better Queen than me. Why does it have to be me anyway? Surely it doesn't matter who reigns? As long as they are the right person for the job."

"It's not my place to say my dear, I'm sorry."

With that, she placed a pearl necklace round my neck, brushed powder onto my cheeks and styled my long, brown hair.

***

As I walked back downstairs I could see the Hunters organizing the armor having spent the last hour cleaning it. Why am I a Princess? Why do I have to do what I am told...? Fingers snapped in my face, it was mother:

"Whatever do you think your doing staring at the Hunters? They teach you bad manners Hilda. Peasants. The only thing they're good for is providing us with food."

"Mother, they do other jobs as well, you know."

"That's enough now, dear." Mother trilled, as Harlow our chaperone came into the hall at this moment, bowed his head and said:

"Ma'am, the carriage is ready."