ROYALTY

Chapter 2

My mother let go of me reluctantly but before she did, she squeezed my hand and had a smile on her face. Her last words were, "You would make a good queen." Before the carriage door slammed shut and the wheels rolled away. I turned back to see the home I had spent all my life in and the family I called my own. I was going to miss them so much. I was all alone in the carriage with just empty space to keep me company. I knew for one that the trip to the Northern part of Nolan would not take long since we were coming from the West, but I could not help but feel dread and a pang of loneliness. For the first time in my life, I was all alone.

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I jolted awake as I felt myself fly up in the air and land back down on the bench with a loud thud. Even though the carriage was spacious and cushioned it still felt uncomfortable. I looked out the window, we had already reached the Northern territory. How I knew was from the weather. The Northern to Western part of Nolan had a fair climate, with warm temperatures, even during the winter months, it was not all too cold compared to the Southern and certain parts in the Eastern territories.

I rolled aside the curtains and put my head out, my mother would scold me for doing this, but I could not stop myself, I was a wild girl, after all I had gotten my stubbornness and wild side from my mother. Strands of my hair came out loose, but I did not mind. I loved the feel of the fresh air on my face.

We were still far off, but my eyes caught sight of it, the tallest pinnacle of the palace. Even though it was covered by the magnificent trees it was still there for all to see. It reflected golden light as the sun beat its rays on it. Within few minutes we were in a clearing, the castle itself was surrounded by nature with only one exist and entrance. The carriage rolled into the palace grounds. I could not stop looking at the splendour of the place, it had five to six water fountains made from pebbles and marbles.

Beautiful patches of green here and there and even gardens with different designs of swing sets. I could bet my finest shoe none of the swing sets were ever used. I noticed other carriages lined up around the walls of the castle, all nobles daughters were still in. My carriage was among the last three to arrive, I realised as I turned back towards the direction we came from. The carriage driver heaved a sigh and jumped down from his seat to stand besides my door.

Once the castles golden gates were closed, a short man with white hair blew on a golden trumpet that glittered under the sunlight and simultaneously the doors to all carriages were opened and the footmen helped each lady out. Once I was out the footman bowed before me and I curtsied, that earned me some curious glances and shocked gasps from the other girls. I realised a female dressed in the most extravagant silk day gown stood by the steps her eyes focused solely on me. Her expression unreadable but she sent me a slight nod of her head. I did not know who she was, but I bowed my head a little so as not to be disrespectful.

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Antonella Madelyn Greyson of the Nolanian kingdoms." The short man with white hair had said. The males bowed while the females curtsied. She walked down the steps till she stood on the fifth to the last step.

"Welcome everyone," she said as she stretched her hand, her gaze landing on each and every one of the girls in front of her, her eyes lingering on me a little longer. "I know it is uncalled for, for the princess to welcome her guests on behalf of his majesty the king and the palace but I felt it was my duty since the king and the prince were unavailable to do so." She took a pause as she looked to the golden gates, no one, not even a soul dared to speak or even cough. "I hope you all had a very pleasant trip? You will be showed to your rooms where you are to prepare yourself, for the upcoming dinner that you would share with the king, his queen, the prince and his court."

Her gaze roomed around the entire courtyard filled with twenty-five of the most beautiful, adoring young ladies fit to be queen. Her eyes landed on me as she spoke her next words. "We do have rules and we expect everyone to adhere to them, and I mean everyone." All the girls turned to face me and were staring. Great I was being corrected by the princess herself. I rolled my eyes even though I was looking at the floor.

"You all will have maids waiting on you. They would help with whatever it is that you need, and you are advised not to, as it is also prohibited to room the palace grounds without supervision." All the girls nodded but I could still feel the eyes of everyone looking at me, she spoke a few more words and then each and every young lady was led into the castle, I was about to turn and leave when, "My mother always said rolling your eyes at a royal is very disrespectful, they can have your eyes out."

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