The Curse Of Fate And Love

Chapter 1 pt 1

  Victoriana walked slowly over to the large doors of the meeting room following her half sisters in their curiosity. Victoriana was unfortunately as curious as her sisters about the matters of the sudden meeting; there wasn't many emergency meetings with envoys. Most would send letters of their arrival weeks in advance. They all wanted to hear what the noble from Tethiania was meeting their father for. She pulled the youngest of the girls, a 13 year old girl named Cemile back before she peeked around the door and accidentally revealed themselves to the men they were trying to eavesdrop on.
  Victoriana instead stepped forward closer to the door herself, the hem of her skirts brushing against the polished floors, the simple feeling of fabric against the stone reminded her that she needed to be careful, making no sound as she stepped closer. Earlier that day she chose to wear as simple of a dress she could wear as a woman of her station for a day of leisure, a day filled with no lessons or duties. Victoriana’ dress was a forest green, with minimal Ivory pearls that emphasized the dress and her status. Today she wasn't at all interested in the extravagance of the court of the Oceana Palace.
  The girls could hear the conversation behind the slightly cracked doors. The four young women briming with anticipation and excitement at what could be happening. Why would delegate arrive here? Tethania has been a solitary country for years long before her generation. Many generations ago they isolated themselves due to uprisings, civil war, and a succession crisis.
The delegate was from the northern country of Tethiania, who was seemingly a powerful person within the country to make the first outside contact with another country, not once in their lives has someone of power from Tethania had come to speak to their father directly.

“Enough with pleasantries your majesty, I do have important business with you.” The delegate spoke smoothly.

“What business would that be Count Lum” Gabriel Silvius spoke setting down the goblet of wine.

“The Emperor Arik Darius Reimund is looking for his new queen, your eldest daughter has caught his attention.” Count Lum smiled with confidence at Victoriana's father.

"Looking for a new queen.... thought he'd stay a widower, I might be willing to marry off my darling daughter Emperor Arik Darius if there is something that can be offered for her hand. As you know her dowry is quite large." Gabriel Silvius spoke to the guest in an overconfident tone.

"Your majesty, His Majesty Emperor Arik Darius has asked for first princess Victoriana Ariadne. The Emperor is willing to open up multiple trades routes to your beautiful country” Count Lum responded with a sweet tone to hopefully convince king Gabriel.

Victoriana stepped back quickly and grabbed her younger sister’s hand giving the other two a look to leave. The girls quickly left not wanting to get caught nor wanting to hear any more of it. Swiftly and quietly they left the hallway. Walking towards the queen's apartments. Victoriana couldn't believe it, she was soon to be betrothed to an emperor so far away from home. While she was trying to convince her mother to let her marry her lover, her darling Lowell. She drew in a sharp breath, her mind racing. Victoriana didn't want to be married to a fierce, heartless warrior like emperor Arik Darius.
She watched her sisters walk into the gathering room of her mother's apartments, with herself following closely behind, still holding onto Cemile’s hand. As she entered the room she quickly calmed herself to hide her panic. She sat slowly into the chair as a maid handed her back her needlework. Victoriana looked down at the piece of art she was previously creating hoping it would remind her to stay calm.

"Victoriana my dear how was your walk?" Her mother asked in her usual tone, it expressed little emotion. The words were ones of simple courtesy. Her eyes glinting with concern noticing the slightly panicked look that was on her daughter's face

"Yes mother, we enjoyed the walk. My spirits needed it" she spoke in a kind way with a small smile to reassure her mother.

"I'm glad" her mother responded in the same tone, disdain hidden deep within that tone. Not enjoying her husband's mistress’s presence in her company although enjoying the bastard daughters in her company, as well as her own daughter and her ladies-in-waiting. Victoriana understood her reasons for that disdain quite well.