Ascendant

Chapter One

My eighteenth birthday was just over a fortnight away. My closest friend and dearest lady in waiting, Anna, was braiding my long blonde hair in front of the mirror in my bedchambers. Anna's tiny fingers pulled through my hair,

"Alice has told me that the king grows ill."

I sighed, handing Anna a ribbon to tie my hair with. Alice was my father's mistress, and one of Scarlett's ladies. I did not like her, and I did not believe anything that she said,

"For all we know, Alice has poisoned him."

"Mary!" Anna gasped, stepping back from me.

"I do not trust her. If my father is ill, inform the guards that no one is allowed in his bedchambers less it be Scarlett, the doctor, or I," I said, walking out of my chambers swiftly.

I navigated through the thick castle halls to Scarlett's room. Her dark hair was curled to her shoulders, Alice and two other ladies were fitting a feminine crown upon her head. Scarlett flitted to the mirror, admiring herself, her plum-colored dress fanned out around her.

"What are you doing?" I asked, announcing myself.

"I see that you didn't knock," Scarlett grimaced in the mirror, "Mariette, I would prefer if you knocked."

I bowed my head gently but didn't leave the room.

"When I am Queen of Roma, you will knock upon entering my chambers, won't you?" Her bright blue eyes, the eyes of my mother, bore into my soul angrily. It was a look that my mother would never bare. Scarlett knew that our father was ill... She was preparing to take the throne. Alice was looking at me, sharing Scarlett's judgmental look.

"Yes sister, I will make sure to knock. I simply wanted to inform you that father grows ill, but I see you are well aware," my words and eyes trailed off.

"I am. I need your help preparing to take the throne, Mariette. I have a special project for you," She smiled at me in a way that twisted my insides, "There will be many potential suitors in the castle within the next several days, I would like you to document their names, ranks, and anything you find important in a journal for me to aid in my choice."

"Have you not considered ruling alone?" I asked her, dreading the task placed on my shoulders. Scarlett would not even meet these men; she would be making a decision on the King-consort of Roma without even letting him court her.

"Roma is not ready to see a woman hold all power, the nobles are calling for someone to fill father's seat on the throne, and I intend to fill it. I want someone with ambition and a high rank, someone that will quiet the nobles," Scarlett paced in front of her bed. Alice leaned into the pillows,

"It would be preferable if you could be wed within a month after your coronation. I am sure Roma will have a wonderful King-consort."

"May I remind you that our father, the King, yet lives?" I glared at Scarlett, feeling impatient with Alice. Alice pulled her light brown hair into a bun behind her head and looked at Scarlett, waiting for her to address my outburst. Together, the two of them were as mean and cut-throat as Roma's most ambitious political nobles. Scarlett drew in a sharp breath,

"As the HEIR to the throne, I have always been prepared for this, little sister. I will mourn father's death, but I have been ready for this responsibility since I was but your age. You are too emotional Mary. One day, you will be hardened by diplomacy and you will understand. Now go, the maids are already preparing for the first of many suitors." She turned on her heel, flipping her dark curls over her shoulder and gently centering the crown on her head. Thinking of my father, the image made me feel ill.