🗡️ A powerful King Stark rules over the land of Jarvonia, but without a son as an heir, his enemies are vying for his throne.
That is until he realises his true power may lie in his fierce and stubborn daughter, and whom he can wed her to...🗡️
So...
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Loretta had not slept a wink all night.
She had managed to avoid Wanda by retiring to her bed early, clawing off her own corset and gown until she could breathe again, and slipping under the sheets.
Her thoughts swam with the three Princes and her first proper interactions with each of them. How they had provoked fear, desire, lust, wariness, intrigue and more.
She was only about to be on her second day and she had over a whole lunar cycle left to go.
Worst of all, the Princess feared what her Father would do to her today. How he would punish her for her disobedience yesterday.
She had dreamt of that portrait of her Mother she had seen on the castle walls yesterday prior to the banquet. She had pictured her blue eyes frowning at her in disapproval.
"You have disappointed me."
Her Mother would whisper in her mind, although she had never known her voice so could not imagine that.
She felt she had crossed a line with the comment about her Mother yesterday. She knew that was her Father's weak spot. He still hurt over it like it was just yesterday, not nineteen years ago.
But he had raised a hand to her, his own daughter. She knew women had a place and a role to play in this society, but what kind of love was that?
The Princess also felt terrible shame at Prince Barnes, or Bucky as it felt so wrong to call him, witnessing the ordeal. She wondered what image he had of her now, talking back to her Father, being slapped like a child and then insulting him by probing needlessly to his past.
She pulled the covers over her face more as the sunlight filtered through the curtains. Loretta was surprised Wanda had not come by yet, rousing her from her supposed slumber and getting her ready for the day.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Before she had time to answer however, Ser Hogan walked in, averting his eyes. Quill was behind him, clearly having tried to stop him from entering.
Princess Loretta sat bolt upright in bed, clutching the fabric around her to preserve her dignity. She was not used to her Father's aides entering her quarters, and her stomach felt like it was in knots as to why it was happening now.
"Your Highness. The King demanded your presence at Breakfast, immediately. He has requested you wear your most ladylike gown." He said, clearly uncomfortable with the ordeal.
The Princess huffed in defiance as she narrowed her eyes at the Knight who was looking anywhere but towards her.
"Ser Hogan, where is my handmaiden?" She asked, suspicion lacing her tone.
He eventually met her eyes, a certain remorse to them.
"You Father has said until you learn to behave more suitably, you are forbidden from seeing her, instead a replacement will be sent each day from the servant quarters." He said regretfully.
