Paper Rings

Chapter 1: A Mighty Mistake

"Really? Do I really need to?" Claire whined, scrunching her nose and staring at her options in disgust. "They're all so," she hesitated, analysing the pictures carefully, "arrogant, kind of like you guys." She looked at her brothers, who shook their heads disappointedly.

"Come on, just pick one. Remember Aiden? He is a great guy. You've met him before," her brother said, pulling a picture closer to her. She pulled another face and flipped the picture around, crossing her arms. She sat sulkingly, like a toddler whose toys got taken away.

Her eldest brother, James, sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. She was supposed to have been engaged already, but being the youngest and the only girl in the family had its perks. She had been spoilt nearly rotten since her birth and got whatever her little heart desired. Her cheeks plumped as she pouted and whined. They were fighting a losing battle.

"They aren't pretty," Claire whined, hugging her knees, causing her dress to wrinkle. "If I am to be married off to some sod, he should be nice to look at. Otherwise, I would be miserable forever! You wouldn't ever want your little sister to be miserable, would you?" She gave her brothers the puppy eyes, resting her chin on her knees.

"I will talk with the King, but if he forces your hand, there's nothing we can do to stop him," James said, walking towards the door. His strides were long and confident, and his wedding band that sealed his fate sparkled in the morning sun. He was next in line, and his duties were already displayed in the deep lines on his face. He didn't have time to dillydally like the rest of them anymore. Surrounded by paperwork and responsibility, she felt a bit sorry for him. Any trace of his boyish features was washed away by his piling responsibility.

The rest followed him out. When the door closed with a soft click,she flung herself onto her soft bed. She groaned loudly, contemplating if she should throw a fit. She knew she was being selfish and immature, but she despised the looks her brother gave her. A pitiful look that sent shivers down her spine. She was used to getting her way, but with everyone all grown up, she was alone and more needy than ever.

The morning sun was burning brighter, reflecting off the surface of her collection of jewels and gems. Her eyes followed the rainbow patterns that danced on the wall. She felt contempt and happy. Even her stack of studies that created a shadow on her desk couldn't take away her happiness.

A light rapt knock silenced her thoughts. Quickly, she fixed her hair and patted her dress down before opening the door. The youngest brother, Nicholas, stood there waiting. He was recently engaged after a bit of drama with three different princesses and two different princes from different kingdoms that nearly ended with a war.

If she ever needed any love advice, he would be last on the list.

She looked at him expectantly, eyeing the ring he fiddled with. It was a plain gold band with some engravings on, but nothing that stood out to her. It was as dull and boring as he was.

"The King summons you," he said pitifully. "We tried to pursuade him into giving you some more time, but you know how he gets," he shrugs. Even though he was only a year older, he had decades' worth of dating experience. He was well known as Prince Cassanova, fooling around with anyone who looked at him or caught his eyes. Dresses or suits didn't matter to him, as long as they were keen.

She laughed, "Sure, I shall get going immediately." She ruffled his hair when she passed him, moving out of his way as he swatted her hand away. He grumbled something under his breath while fixing his hair, a mirror in one hand and a comb in the other. He followed behind her, still muttering and grumbling.

"Maybe you should be wearing the dress. Do you want me to send you one of my mine? You might need to get it tailored, though," she teased, moving away before he could shove her. Taking his mirror, she quickly patted down her hair and smoothed the wrinkles in her dress. Her brother gave her a once over before knodding in satisfaction.

The double door loomed menacingly over them. They gulped loudly. Their heart beats echoed off the walls.

"Well then, I'll be off, my beautiful darling, Lola, is waiting for me," he said, already backing away. She watched as he nearly tripped before skipping away from her. She pulled her lips in a tight grin before facing the problem at hand. She hadn't come up with an excuse just yet, or at least not one that the King would accept.

"Come on, Claire, you've got this," she muttered to herself before raising her hand to knock on the door. Before her hand could make contact with the door, she was swept off her feet by the force of the door swinging open. Before she could let out a string of cuss words, which would be totally unladylike, a hand appeared in front of her.

"Princess Claire, I am terribly sorry, I would have been more careful if I had known you were standing on the other side of the door," his voice sounded like nails scraping on chalkboard and she cringed inwardly. She picked herself up, ignoring his hand and dusting herself off.

"Prince Aidan, what a pleasure it is to see you on this lovely afternoon," she said with fake sincerety. "I should have been more careful. There is no need for you to apologise for my carelessness." Sarcasm dripped off her words, but he didn't seem to notice. "If you would excuse me please, I have been summoned," she gave him a sickly sweet smile and watched as a blush crept out his collar. She held in her disgust and brushed past him, making a mental note to burn her dress at a later stage. A shame, as it was her favourite, adourned with shiny ornaments, gifted to her by a neighbouring kingdom.

Checking to make sure her dress was tidy, she stepped into the room. She could feel the eyes of the King burning a hole through her. Shame sprouted on the cheeks and bruned her ears. The queen was seated prettily next to the King, and she let out a relieved sigh, She would live to see another day. She greeted them and curtsied, taking care to go extra low. She heard her mother letting out an amused laugh and let the smile spread onto her face.

"You know why we called you here today. We have an urgent matter we need to discuss, which you have put off for far too long," the King bellowed. His voice rattled her bones. She flinched before muttering an apology. The King sighed, leaning back into his chair. His eyes were sunken with tiredness, and she knew it was partly her responsibility.

"Your Royal Highness, I know my time has come to leave my comfortable nest, but I feel it is too soon. I am not ready yet. The world outside is so big, and it is filled with horrid people," her voice was softer than she expected. Her bracelets jingled as she played with them nervously. "But I know how important it is to the kingdom. Thus, I have a proposal to make." The silence that followed lasted an eternity before the King let out an amused scoff.

"And my dear child, what is the proposal that you wish to make?" The soft voice of her mother soothed her nervousness. Claire knew that the Queen would always coddle her and take her side. The Queen gave her an encouraging nod.

"Since my birthday is in a few weeks, I have thought to throw a masquerade ball and invite all the neighbouring kingdoms. It will give me a chance to celebrate and savour this last moment of goodbye. Then, after words, with a few of the princesses, I could host a sleepover before making a decision of which boy I would marry."

"Prince," the King corrected, "which prince you will marry."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness, a prince. And if by then I have not made a decision, I will happily accept and comply with whatever arranged marriage that had been set up." Her hands were clammy, but she refused to wipe them on her dress. This was by far the worst idea she had ever come up with. It gave her roughly one month to find a pretty enough prince to settle down with. If not, well, then she would have to marry the snake that keeps slithering around their halls.