Aleksei

Chapter 1

I woke up to the harsh and cold morning air against my back. I fluttered my eyes open, wondering what time it was. Our servant, Fiona Baker, hasn't come into my room yet so it is early before dawn. I can't be caught up this early, I have a very strict schedule of waking up at dawn and falling asleep after dusk. If my father were to figure it out, he would harangue me all day nonstop, apart from eating. I lay as still as possible, hoping to fall back asleep or for Fiona to come into my room as an excuse to get up. Dare I question my father I would get put in a cell, or worse.

"My lady, it's time to wake up," it felt like I've been laying here for ages.

"Good morning Fiona," I faked a yawn, so hopefully she wouldn't be suspicious of me waking up before.

Fiona's a small lady with slight tanning and curly, silky, black hair. She always wears the same black gown on duty. "Let's help you into your dress, m'lady." She pulled out a lovely scarlet dress that matches my hair almost perfectly. She helped fit it around my slim frame, likely caused by my father under-feeding me trying to make me perfect.

"You look beautiful!" Fiona said, covering her mouth. I nodded, this dress is lovely but it's not me.

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Fiona helped me down to the eatery, where my father, Igita Tynmir, was waiting for me. "Why, you look lovely Rae." His cold, green, dagger-like eyes were staring into my soul piercing through me. He was a tall and muscular guy, black hair and war-scarred over his body. It felt like he could hear my every thought, see my every flaw. He dismissed Fiona then turned to me with a more serious glare, worry began to pool in my chest. It felt like a knot that could only be untied by getting away from him.

Seconds turned to hours, minutes to years. His eyes scanned my face looking for the smallest imperfection. "Brighten up, princess. You can't win over a nation looking so weary."

I had to hide my disgust. I'm not a leader, I don't want a nation. I don't want him to have a nation either, yet here we are. King Tynmir, the soft tyrant. Wholly different personality outside castle walls. I was broken out of my thoughts by him clasping his hands together. "Shall we have breakfast," he said in such a joyful, spine chilling way that I wonder what's got him in such a great mood.

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"We need to talk." He put his hands together, staring at me from across the table. Trying to hide the fear.

I straightened myself, "About what, sir?"

A smirk quickly came and left his face, glad I know my place calling him sir. "Rae, it's about time for your betrothal. You have to choose a prince so we can get more control over more land. I hope you understand, your mother certainly didn't." The last part was almost a whisper, but it still rang in my ears.

I don't know my mother, she supposedly died in childbirth. Moreover, I certainly don't want to marry anybody. I couldn't tell my father that, but I think it's too late anyway. His eyes scanned me as I accidentally let my mask slip. He saw my hatred and disgust at his words.

"Maybe some more time in your room will do you good, Rae." He looked calmly furious, a terrifying combo. Especially out of somebody with such a stance. I quickly and quietly left for my room. My dress caught under me and tore a little bit. I just picked it up and kept going. I heard his chair scrape as he got up, and I started going faster.

"Lady Rae, are you alright?" Fiona's voice came from down the hall, I turned to look at her and paused dead in my tracks seeing a figure behind her.

It looked to be a tall man, I couldn't make out any features from the shadow. "Fiona! There's somebody behind you," she turned terrified, but quickly calmed down. Confused, out of my mind, I watch her turn back to look at me and she starts to walk over.
She picks up my hand from my side clasping it, calmly saying "Are you alright, miss? There's nothing there." I look back over her shoulder and like a ghost, the figure is gone. I start shaking without realizing, and she gently guides me back over to my room.