𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔐𝔢, 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔪𝔢 𝔫𝔬𝔱

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 1

"You are beautiful, princess,"
It was always the same bullshit I had heard over and over again. Sure I could say that dark red hair isn't a sure commodity, but it's become boring now.
          "Thank you, Count Martini," I replied trying to plaster the best smile I could.
Count Martini was a blabbermouth, but he was decent-looking nonetheless—high cheekbones, pale skin, dirty blonde hair and bronze flecked eyes. That's a pretty decent description given the fact that most counts are old, pot bellied men with no sense in fashion.
I was to receive a report on how the county was doing, but before I could even ask the count started to blabber on and on about how "beautiful" I was.
Even examining my wooden desk and the engraving of multiple flowers that I pretty much memorized was more entertaining.
          "How are the people of the county faring?" I asked.
         "The Spring is bountiful this year, thanks to the goddesses Flora and Fauna our land is healthy and with that so are our people,"
"Good, this year's Spring banquet be held shall you and your county contribute to the ingredients of the dishes."
"It would be and honour, your highness,"
         "How is Lord Martini?" I asked— the former count had been ill for three years now handing over the title of count to his son just a year ago.
"I'm afraid he will not last much longer," the count sighed.
          "May the gods forbid," I replied. "Well this is all the time we have the crops for the banquet dishes should be delivered to the palace a week before the banquet takes place,"
           "Yes your highness, I shall pardon myself now," he bowed and walked out of my study.
Sighing I dropped myself in the leathery conforms of my red couch. The remaining sunlight of the day poured through each magnificent standing window on each side of the room, my desk was in the backed centre of the room with two couches in front facing each other with a table to serve refreshments for guests if they arrive. Behind me hung a large portrait of—well me.
I turned around to observe myself— I had never been one for portraits and artists in my opinion didn't depict me well. My long dark red curls flowed down to the bottom of my elbows which rested on my lap entwined with pearls and golden leaves. I had worn a luminescent tulle gown that day with a prominent neckline and ruffled sleeves entwined with pearls. I looked at my face, deathly pale, but still proof of my livid wake was present. Rosy pink cheeks and lips more prominent with the rose water I used that day were clearly depicted along with my eyes.
I had never liked the colour of my eyes— a pale silver, coated with long lashes and clearly visible from the large round shape of my eye. According to my lady in waiting they were "alluring".
They're not.
I look as if I woke up from the dead like my eyes are devoid of life and I'll never be able to live again.
That's certainly what I'm feeling right now and if I don't drop dead in bed it would be a shame to my name and heritage.
I walked over to the door that connected my room to my study. Ivory walls and dark, polished floor a single chandelier hung from the centre of my room which I personally thought was a bit dramatic. My bed was laid in the backed centre of the room, white marble bookshelves covered the gold and pearlescent white walls, a white rug took up much of the space in my room, and a huge vanity was placed to the left corner of my room near the door, a window sill lay next to each side of my bed, one with a cushioned sill that I can sit on.
           "Yasmin please get me out of this gown," I stumbled inside. My white pearlescent heels had started to dig in to the heels of my feet and my dress which was  squared neck lined and light blue embroidered with jewels and silks had started to itch and my hair had dropped the cherry on top practically pulling the hair out of my skull with the tight up-do I had done.
           "Of course my lady," Yasmin had been a gift to us from one of the neighbouring empires, Zengis to serve me. She was suspected to be a spy at first but after years of loyalty and a thorough background check it was obvious the Zengis were sincere in their friendship.
For now at least.
Yasmin had long black hair that she covered with her headscarf and stunning icy blue eyes it contrasted with her brown skin. She wore a black headscarf today and a simple red dress with gold embroidery.
She changed me into a loose pink silky night dress and let my curls fall loose and unwound. I felt much better.
            "The delegation ceremony is tomorrow," Yasmin informed while brushing my hair.
             "What?" I asked. I wasn't prepared for this at all.
             "Your highness the delegates will be arriving tomorrow, don't tell me, you forgot," Yasmin sighed.
             "Umm,"  I had been so caught up with the Spring Banquet that was to be held in two weeks time that I forgot about the delegation ceremony itself.
            "I thought this would happen so I have everything prepared your highness,"
"What would I do without you my dear friend," I chuckled and Yasmin grumbled.
               "Your highness you are a princess, you must make friends very wisely," she chided but a hint of a smile was visible on her lips as I smiled.
                "Yes ma'am," I rolled my eyes playfully.
                 "Well if that's the case then I should get a good nights rest for tomorrow," I stretched my arms and walked over to my bed and pulled the curtains over the windows before I laid down.
                   "Then I bid you farewell, good night your highness ," Yasmin bowed.
                    "Good night," I yawned as she smoked out the candles and was already drifting to sleep as I heard the door click shut.