The Raven King

Chapter 1: The Raven

Closing the door behind her, a sigh left Eleanor's lips as she pulled the wig off. The braided, blonde weave dropped to the ground with a soft thud. Another day...She glanced down at her leather satchel. Another sale or two.

Through the small corner bathroom, she stared at herself in the mirror, blue eyed and fair skinned. With a small smile, she glanced up toward the ceiling as her fingers pulled the skin beneath her eye down. Like a horror movie, her finger poked and prodded at the contact in her eyes.

Don't blink. Don't blink. Don't blink. As she eased the blue contacts free, she blinked once then again letting her newly free eyes focus. Dark brown eyes stared back at her. Beautiful queen Charlotte, the fearest queen of the land. Removing the second contact, she placed both of them up before removing her wig cap, releasing her brunette hair. Look at her beauty and grace.

Reaching up, Eleanor rubbed her shoulder as she stepped into the kitchen. More like shoulder pain. Shifting through the cabinets, she searched for her afternoon tea. "How stand the hour?" Why, I be parched my good sir." She dropped into a low curtsy. "Your Majesty, why how lovely of you to grace my booth with your visit."

The kennel's screech cut through her practice, turning her attention back to the kettle. Soon, the smell of apple, cinnamon filled the air as Eleanor crossed the distance toward the small gray living room sofa. Just as she settled down, her phone buzzed against her ankle.

Ah, so that's where I placed the thing. She knew it had to at least be somewhere on her body. "Hello?" She replied, not even bothering to glance at the caller ID.

"Eleanor!"

At her sibling's cry, Eleanor's own smile softened. "Abigeal, you finally decide to call. Is New York so lovely that you forget you have family? Do you think you're an orphan now?"

Her words earned a scoff. "No, I was just busy with class and can you stop talking like that? Seriously, you're not at the faire anymore."

No, no she wasn't. Eleanor's shoulders dropped. I won't be back again till next year. Now it would be back to normal life, back to working nine to five as their mother...Eleanor shook her head. No, don't think about it. "Guess, I got a little carried away. How's New York?"

"It's beautiful, Eleanor! The big apple is everything we've dreamed of."

We? Eleanor picked at her skin. I don't think we had a dream together for a while now. Not since the day their father had..."I'm glad. Mom nearly collapsed when she learned you were moving across the country."

"Mom's always worried. Speaking of, how is she? Is she doing better?"

At the softness of the last question, Eleanor swallowed. "She's fine." Just slowly turning into a shell of her former self. "Tell me more about New York. How's the food, the fashion? Are people as rude as they say?"

"The food is amazing! There is so much to see and try! I'm going to gain twenty pounds by the time Christmas comes around." And even then, you'll look beautiful. Her sister was always so beautiful with their grandmother's ruby red hair, sapphire green eyes, and curves in all the right places. Walking down the street, she didn't miss the double takes people gave them.

How could someone so beautiful be related to someone like her.

"Right?"

"Hmm."

"Eleanor, were you even listening to me? I was trying to give you days to visit."

Ah, visit right... Her stomach turned at the very thought. All those eyes on her...watching her every move...looking at her patches and mocking her silently. "I don't think-"