The Rebel Nobility

Chapter 1

To all esteemed families,

It is our greatest pleasure to invite you to the Palace for a celebration. The Royal Family have chosen to honor the newest members of our distinguished Royal Guard with a feast that the whole kingdom can enjoy. They wish to let the members have a day to be honored for choosing to serve and protect their home. On the 26th of the month we hope to see you celebrate with us. We do request you dress up formally, but to enjoy yourselves. This is also a celebration for Prince Theo. He has finally come of age and will be attending this ball.

The Palace

Adela

"Adela!'"

The booming voice of my father stirs me from my reading. I look towards my bedroom door with curiosity. Father never calls for me. I usually have one of our maids timidly knocking at my door with a note between their fingers. With that rushing through my thoughts, I swiftly walk out of my bedroom and down the mahogany staircase. I walk into our great room and notice him with a letter between his fingers. As I walk towards him, I notice the red hawk gleaming on the right corner of the envelope. The symbol already tells me that this is important. You don't have the royal emblem showing up in everyday letters. I sit on the plush couch in front of him and wait.

"I received this letter today. Apparently, there will be a big celebration for the new guards. Prince Theo will also be attending. We are expected to come, so I have sent for a dress maker. She will be here later today. Just be ready." Without even being able to speak, I was sent away to my room. I trudge up the stairs to return to my book.

My family always go overboard for royal events. They send for dress makers and makeup artists. I love them, but it would be nice to relax every once and a while. I guess being the daughter of a Duke and Duchess does come with its disadvantages.

A few hours later, I hear another knock on my door. The dressmaker lets herself in. This isn't just any dress maker. This is Marie Bellarie, the Queen's best friend and a good family friend. She actually has a daughter, but I have never had the chance to meet her.

I watch the short women almost glide across the room. She has this bubbly personality that could make anyone laugh, but her eyes tell of a deep knowledge of stitching and detailing.

"Ok sweetie. I already have the perfect dress design for you. This will be an attention snatcher."

With one look at the colored sketch in her hands, I knew that this dress would be different. Not the frilly, poofy ball gowns I'm usually seen wearing. With that echoing through my mind, I look up at her with apprehension heavy in my eyes, "Are you sure about this?"

The sudden twinkle in her eyes told me her answer before she could even get out, "I'm positive."

-

"C'mon! Laura you can do this," I told the small girl. I was into ballet, more of a hobby, but this little girl asked for my tutoring.

Now, Laura just turned 11, so she is "in fact, a big girl now" so my reasoning for calling her a little girl is unknown.

She stretched her leg up in the air, but with little ease. I lifted mine to copy hers, and held her hand.

"Push yourself, you can't find your limitations until you do. Here, if I hold your hand you can't fall over," I smiled at her.

"Natasha, dear! Message for you!" My mother called me down.

Normally, you see a duke or a duchess with maids doing the work, but seeing as my father was rarely about, busy doing work, mother wanted to bond. She knew I needed a parent and maids couldn't be that. Don't get me wrong, we did have maids and butlers, but they were more family than workers.

"Yes, mama?" I replied, telling Laura to keep her pose as I ran down the stairs.

"You received mail today," she told me, waving around a white envelope, with the unmistakable red hawk in the top right corner.

I gawked at it, the royal emblem showed up regularly regarding my fathers work, but for me?

I look towards my mother, then back to the letter, gesturing towards myself. She nodded eagerly. Her and I jumped and squealed together.

She was like my best friend when it came to these things.

I tore open the letter and read it, my happy smile twisted into one of confusion and doubt. Why would I need to be there? Are they trying to set me up? What's going on?

"Mama, I... I think they got the incorrect household," I said sadly, handing the letter back to her.

"No, the royals are never incorrect, Natasha," she scolded.

"Mother..." I sighed.

"I've already called the dressmaker, so you can't back out of this one, you're in too deep," she stated excitedly and winked at me.

"Mom! Are you kidding?-"

Before I could say anything or even finish my sentence, a knock rang throughout the house hold. I hung my head as mother raised her eyebrow.

"Fine. Let's get this done with," I regrettably said.

"Hello Miss... Natasha! I'm Rosanna. My mother is fitting another customer, so she sent me to fit you!" She said with a smile.

"Yes ma'am, come along. Where do you recommend?" I asked.

"Family room?"

"Okay," I glanced at the sketchbook she clutched in her arms. The dress wasn't fluffy and bright, it wasn't your typical ball gown.

"May I ask why you chose this design for me?"

"Well, I actually drew many designs for your personality, seeing as I've never met you. But now that I have, I see you're mostly into showing skin rather than coverage."