Arabella

Betrothed

The warm sea breeze swept through Arabella's hair, whipping it into the air behind her as she breathed in deeply. She smelled the tang of salt and water combined as she gazed out longingly at endless expanse of ocean before her.

The sea was crystal clear today, sending sparkles in every direction as the sun met the water. From her balcony, Arabella could see for miles. Her eyes met the white sails of the ships docked in the harbor, before looking past the never-ending stretch of blue, to the horizon.

Arabella sighed and closed her eyes as the sunlight bathed her skin with warmth. She could hear the crashing of the waves as they lapped at the cliffs below her. Seagulls cried out loudly overhead, their screeching mixing with the sounds rising from the harbor. She could smell the flowers blooming on the hills, and imagined their tiny petals and green leaves covering the cliffs near the harbor. A longing for the freedom of the open hills tugged at her heart. She hated being confined to the walls of the palace.

Everyday she would stand for hours on her balcony, just watching the ships that would glide into port at Palyra's harbor. There was much excitement and activity, and Arabella loved to see it all. She wished with all her heart that she could someday sail on one of those huge majestic vessels into the great expanse of water, off into the unknown. Every now and then, she would slip outside the castle walls and down to the harbor or the grassy hills, just to get some time alone, without having to be told to be more 'ladylike' or to mind her manners. Oftentimes, the princess of Palyra would saddle her horse, Artax, and go riding all day among the hills.

On her various ventures to the harbor, Arabella had become fast friends with an old sailor, Barnes, he called himself. He would tell her tales of his adventures on the sea while she helped him at the harbor. He had taught her how to tie various knots, and had even taken her on a small skiff around the bay. The last time she had seen him, Barnes gifted her an old silver locket. On the outside, a simple phrase was etched into it. It read, Follow your heart. On the inside was a compass. She kept the locket with her at almost all times.

Once, while exploring the busy harbor, Arabella came across an old piece of parchment that had been left on one of the many large wooden crates. Upon closer examination, she had concluded that it was part of an old treasure map. Most of the map was missing; it had probably been ruined from many years of handling. Even though it was useless, Arabella kept it anyway. It excited her to think that it probably came from pirates.

The curious princess made sure never to linger at the harbor after dark. Barnes had warned her about the occasional ruffian or pirate that liked to hang around. On most occasions, by the time she returned, Arabella would get quite a scolding for her many adventures, but that never deterred her from going out again.

There would be no escape now though. As of her seventeenth birthday, two days ago, she was now betrothed to marry the wealthy king of Romalia. Arabella wanted no part in the marriage, but her parents, King Richard and Queen Dahlia, would not hear of it. Their kingdom was deeply in debt and the only way for them to pay it off was for Arabella to marry a rich man. King Edwin was the richest of the rich.

While she had only met him once before, Arabella was sure that she could never love him. To begin with, King Edwin was twenty seven years old, more than ten years older than she was. He was kind enough to her, but had not smiled once, either to her or anybody else. He seemed like a very serious person. Even when Arabella cracked quite an unladylike joke, he had just glanced at her disapprovingly and continued to talk with her father. Arabella's mother was mortified and scolded her in front of everyone. After that experience, Arabella took a deep dislike to the man.

She would have to bear him once again, as her parents were holding a ball that evening to celebrate her betrothal. Arabella sighed again, not looking forward to having to wear a heavy gown and an uncountable number of jewels.