Royal Devils

Claire

*Claire is the main protagonist of the story, she lived with her family in their castle (Their royalty) before the events of the story*

Claire's backstory

The sun was beating down and Claire sat staring out into the courtyard absentmindedly as lady Clarke, or as everyone but Claire knew her Ettie, spouted on about something. Every day was almost identical for Claire, she and her brother Greigh were woken up as the birds began to sing (Greigh was three years her minor) and Claire was spirited off to her lessons. These lessons dragged on and consisted of lectures on proper decorum and memorizing scrolls filled with names of important Earls and Earless'. All the while Greigh was taken to the courtyard and got to practice sword fighting for a measly hour before he was left to do whatever he liked.

He was practicing now, Claire looked out longingly at her sweat drenched brother who jumped around with a smile on his face. He caught her watching him and lowered his sword to throw her a beaming smile. No sooner than he had his sparring partner whirled round and caught him on the hip causing Greigh to fall over before quickly jumping back to his feet, a smile still spread across his face. The sight caused Claire to laugh slightly, her brother had always been a slight airhead but she still loved him.

"Claire Jessica Glen! Pay attention, this is important if you are to succeed your parents."

The shrill, high pitched voice of her etiquette teacher Ettie Clarke dampened Claire's mood significantly and with deliberate slowness she turned her head and glowered at the surly woman before her. Lady Clarke was like a song which kept repeating itself, every time Claire had the audacity to entertain herself with anything other than her studies she was a veritable wild child who would bring shame to her family. Claire's family was one of the three royal families in their country, they were however the least powerful of the three and as custom dictated the eldest child would succeed the previous monarchs. Claire hated it. She was so envious of Greigh who could do whatever he wanted, of course she had the option to abdicate from the position but not only would that force Greigh to undergo her horrendous tutelage but her parents would be heartbroken. As much as Claire didn't like her responsibility she would bear it, even if only to preserve her own conscience.

"Do not give me such an unscrupulous look Miss Glen. It is not befitting of a princess."

With that last word Claire felt her frustration burst forth and she spoke, nodding her head to mark her sentences.

"Yes, yes, of course. Of course I know that a princess or any royalty must always be polite, must always act like they're better than everybody. Oh and don't forget they must act like pompous fools who pretend to know everyone even if they can't match a name to a face. Yes, yes, the mere fact that I dare to look at you with such impunity on such a hot day when I'm stuck listening to the same thing I hear every day is not befitting of even the lowest of Earls. I apologize then Lady Clarke that I dare to look down upon your monotonous teachings which will prepare me to take the mantle once my parents are dead!"

At the end of her speech Claire sat upright and sat in the most dignified way as if to prove her point. Lady Clarke stood dumbfounded, it wasn't the first time that Claire had spoken against her lessons but this was certainly the most spectacular and defiant one of late. Lady Clarke tried to stammer something but she still seemed in shock from Claire's outburst. After a moment of sputtering half spoken words she finally shook her head and looked down on Claire from where she stood.

"I see that the hot weather has caused your attitude to deteriorate as well. I believe that you know well enough how you must act in the presence of dignitaries but I hope you also realise how important it is that you maintain this knowledge. Although your parents may have a long on prosperous reign you must be ready to take up their mantle at any time."

She paused and took a deep breath before continuing on with a slightly milder tone, "However I do appreciate that the weather is hot and the day may be better spent outside so you may go and join your brother in the courtyard. Although if you plan to join in the sword practice may I advise you to change clothes."

Claire looked down at the lace ridden dress she was wearing, did Lady Clarke really think that Claire would spar in this outfit. Pushing it to the back of her mind she climbed up over the window and jumped to the ground, that earned a shocked yelp from Lady Clarke who rushed over to the window to check how she was. The window was only a few feet from the ground, something Claire could jump on the worst of days. She turned away from Lady Clarke's shocked expression to Greigh's slightly surprised face which still bore a bright smile.

"Are you joining us?" He shouted across the courtyard.

"After I change clothes."

With that Claire bound past Greigh and his sparring partner and headed to her room, the entrance to which was on the other side of the courtyard. It was faster to cross through the courtyard than to take the halls of the castle. Once in her room she quickly stripped and ran to her wardrobe, from which she pulled a pair of leather leggings and a short tunic. She quickly changed and pulled on her hunting boots, running to the mirror she bound her hair. With the final touches to her outfit she returned to the courtyard, running even faster now that she was in more suitable attire. As she emerged from the castle she saw that Lady Clarke had almost reached her, she stopped in her tracks as she saw what Claire was wearing.

"Lady Glen! That is no attire for a princess."

With a wave of her hand Claire blew her off and ran over to Greigh, jumping on his back and pulling him to the ground. Although Greigh was younger than her he was taller and stronger, after all there was only a three year age difference and they were both past the point where they would grow any further. They pulled each other to their feet and from there Claire was equipped with a sword and sparring soon ensued. Of course Greigh won but still the evening was enjoyable and much more so than the mind numbing lessons she usually had to endure.

Authors note:  this is her more childish side as shit goes down in the book which has less than positive effects on her mentality however I'll try to add another one from later on after i've introduced more characters. Don't worry there won't be spoilers, i'll be carefull,

kit xx