Dearly Detested

Chapter 1

"Forbidden love, and the torment of having to be separated. The works of a fairy-tale, but reality can be quite harsh"

Bright lights soared through the sky, the sound of fireworks deafening my people as we celebrate the victory of the Battle against the people of Arcadia. Being part of the royal family pulls me away from the battlefield, to prevent being captured. But I yearn for more, to experience how life is outside of going to balls and ultimately looking down on the townspeople. My parents had always told me how our kingdom Lolcos was stronger than any other kingdom in the 4 nations.  A place for peace, made out of power. But how can we be at peace when we achieve it through the slaughter of thousands, possibly even millions of people from other kingdoms. I wish i could escape, but being under watch from the King and Queen hardly ever gives me time to relax on my own. Ever since my brother, who was one of the knights on the kings court, was captured and slaughtered by the Prince of Pylos, they have stayed on high alert. Today we celebrate one victory, and Tomorrow we go to exact revenge on Pylos, invading them and executing the prince for all to see. 

I've been begging my parents to give me permission to join in with the rest of the knights on their expedition. But anytime I even attempt to utter word about it, I get stopped. "Please father, let me g-" I say, standing in front of the throne. "Silence! I forbid it" My fathers voice boomed through the room, sending shivers down my spine. "Guards, take her to her room!" The guards instantly snap in a walking formation and approach me. I take a step back. "I can go on my own" I say well glaring at my father, "One day you will regret treating me like this". My fathers face scrunched up, the veins in his head showing but doesn't speak as my moms hand lands on his shoulder and his face softens. I turn, and begin my walk to the living quarters. 'I don't deserve this, I should be allowed to go! Its my brother that died, as children we were always so close' I thought as I approached my room, exhausted. I entered my room, shutting the door behind me as the light from the moon shines on my silky pink furniture. I walk beside my bed to the mirror and stare back at myself 'How disgusting'. The caked on makeup, the braided hair, the long tight dress, I just don't look like myself. I undress, pulling the lace over my head smearing my makeup. Walking over to a bucket, I grab a washcloth and emerge it in the water, washing off the makeup from my face. "That's better" I mutter to myself after I took down my hair, it falling past my shoulders in waves. I take one last glance in the mirror, not seeing a princess, just seeing myself. Unrecognizable like this to anyone else besides the guards and my family to keep me safe. The exhaustion has taken a toll on me, and i collapse onto my bed and fall into a deep sleep. 

*next morning*

A loud bang erupts in the early morning, and I rise out of my bed in a hurry rushing to my window. I look down from my tower, to see destruction. Fire, followed by screams. 'Whats happening?' Confusion filled my mind, my thoughts get interrupted as I hear a knock at my door. "Princess Rochelle, Princess Rochelle!" I rush to the door, and open it. "We must go, I have to take you to safety. Its Pylos, they started an invasion!" One of the guards on the Kings court said in urgency. "Where are my parents" I said, staring at the Guard whilst in a sleeping gown wearing only the bracelet my mother gave me for my 18th birthday, with the symbol of royalty on it. "Your mother was injured, she's with the majesty and a medic in the hidden Quarters with a few guards." He said, frowning. "Give me a second to grab a few thin-" I said before getting cut off as his hand wrapped around my wrist pulling me after him "We don't have that much time, We must leave now!" The screams of my people grew fainter as we passed through the castle finally entering a room on the east quarters. "I don't believe they will find us here" He said, closing the door behind him. "Whats your name?" I asked, pulling away from his grip as it loosened. I wasn't acquainted with any of the guards, as they served my father primarily. "The name is Lex, I apologize for being so rough with you princess. I was worried, as its said that the Prince of Pylos is here to get you as well. Hoping to end the royal bloodline." Lex said, looking at me for a second, then staring at me up and down and slyly smiling. "It's alright Lex, but the prince is here? If he's come to kill m-" I start to say, when suddenly the door shoots open.

I look at the person at the entrance to the doorway, and my stomach flips. 'Marvelous' is all I could think. Such beautiful brown eyes, that matched his long flowing brown hair. He look's perfect, his pale skin making a perfect complexion. I've never seen someone so gorgeous, but who is he and why is he here? His eyes met mine, and time felt like it froze. My concentration broke as he spoke. "Look what we have here" He grinned, as his eye's fell to my bracelet before going back up to my face staring back into my eyes. "How pretty... Princess of Lolcos, Rochelle." The man said, his head tilting before more men piled behind him. "What do you want us to do with her, Sir?" One of the men said behind him, and he waved his hand in Lex's direction. "Take care of that one, no one lays a hand on the princess but me. Understood?" He said, and the men nodded. "Understood!" The men said in unison. I backed away slowly, realizing the danger I was in. "Who are you?" I stammered, my body shaking. But I already knew. "Oh, let me introduce myself M'lady. I'm the prince of Pylos, My name's Jed." He stepped towards me, smiling.