Last Ruler

Chapter One:

 

                Nature is the one predictable thing in the world. The seasons flow in and out year after year. Life is a perfect cycle. Live, eat, be eaten. Too bad whoever created nature didn’t create our messed up world.

 

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            “ Valancy?” I whiped around to see my younger sister, Princess Baila.

             “Yes, Baila. What is it?” I asked, knowing I don’t have to. I knew exactly why Baila was here. My father had more suitors for me. Rich, vain, pompous young princes hoping to woo me and form an alliance between our kingdoms.

 

“Daddy wants you in his council room immediately. He has more young men for you to see. There are three in the throne room. Oh, they all look so grand in their military jackets and medals and handsome too. Which one will you pick? Will you pick the tall and skinny one or maybe the short, stout one? I know you you’ll pick the tan, muscular one. Now he’s a catch…” Baila took a deep breath and I took the opportunity to cut in.

 

“Baila your just nine. That’s too young to be thinking about boys.” I scolded her.

 

“Not even the attractive stable boy? I see him every time I go riding and he is so nice to me. Do you think he likes me? I like him but, he’s nothing compared to the princes Daddy has picked out for you. They are men anyone, including me, would die to marry.” She prattled on.

 

“Well, Baila, if you find them so marvelous you can have your pick of them because I, for one, am not killing myself for a prince my father has chosen for me. Where you see wonderful young men I see boring, identical shells with no personalities,” I declared.

 

“Really? That is fabulous!” Baila pranced off buoyed by happiness and muttering to herself “ Now which one should I pick?”

I chuckled to myself. I knew Baila shouldn’t really expect our father to marry an eligible prince off to his nine year-old daughter. The only way my father would have started looking for Baila’s husband then was if I was “happily” married off or dead. I sighed; dying was sounding better and better.

But, killing myself was an extreme that I would never consider. So, that meant that I need to delay my inevitable marriage. That meant making me something no prince would want; an unattractive bride.

Now to make myself ugly. I sat down in front of my mirror and carefully undid my waist length braid so my curly, red hair lay lose and wild on my back. I turned to my massive bureau and selected the least becoming of my elaborate dresses. It was unrevealing, with a high neckline, ankle length skirt, and sleeves covering my wrists. The empire waist was loose and flowing. Nothing like the form fitting low cut dresses the rich court ladies would be wearing. The rich color itself was revolting on me. Bright red could work for someone with darker skin and brown or black hair but not me. This color on me washed out my translucent, pale skin and maked my freckles stand out even more. Worst of all it clashed with my curls. Sadly, I could not make my sparkling blue eyes unbecoming. Still, even with my most striking feature unaffected by my quick make under my mother would throw a fit.

Satisfied I flung open the door to my suite. Taking advantage of the liberty of my loose dress and an empty hallway I dashed toward the nearest tapestry and ducked under it. I pressed the stone engraved with a dragon and a narrow stretch of the neighboring wall slid back revealing a narrow passage way.

As I wove my way through the narrow passages I remembered all the stories that led me to look for these passages in our castle. The countless stories I had heard of gorgeous heroines who hide from people in passages in dark castles and save and marry the handsome knight. Of course being a princess with plenty of time on my hands I poured all of my effort into finding passages in the walls. I thought that maybe if I found them maybe I would become a valiant heroine to and save a knight.

But now I knew three things; I would never marry a knight like the heroines, my name was the only thing valiant about me, and the only way I could use the passages was to save myself time. That was why I was using one now; it was the only way to make up for the time I lost.

As I emerged from a wall on the opposite side of the castle I heard yelling from the council room. This room was where my father conducted all of his meetings of state and from the sound of it there was one going on right now. You can always tell when there is a meeting going on because everyone in the council was always in a foul mood. The spoiled earls, dukes, and Marquees would rather be hunting than protecting their serfs.

When the council actually was talking about something productive it usually involved war. Who we should declare war on, who might attack us, who would make good allies and so on and so forth. War is just a massive game to them and unfortunately I was one of the pawns.

I stepped up to the door just as council had adjourned. I recognized the Duke of Pari, Marques of Thara, and Viscount Grindel among the men that rushed past me quickly mumbling the expected “Princess”. When the room was empty of the nobility I tentively stepped over the thresh hold to await my lecture about being nice to the eligible princes and how some of them were real gems. Yes, they were gems but only gems that could bring us political advantages.

“Valancy, this month there are three princes here. All of them are…Wah Wah Wah Wah Wah.” My father continued but I have heard this all before. Marry well for your country, he’s a war hero. Yes, I have memorized this speech.

After two minutes of his special form of torture father finished and offered me his arm. Looking at him was like looking at myself twenty years from now. However no matter how much we look alike we were very different. We had nothing and common and besides his little speeches he rarely talked to me. In fact our little walk was filled with an awkward silence filled with everything that has to be said but never will.

We reached the doors of the throne room and father eased the door open with his spare hand. This simple gesture revealed a cavernous stone room decorated by a lone tapestry on the far wall, and two guilt thrones and three ottomans arranged on a platform. Surrounded by courtiers father was in his element. He oozed confidence and importance. While he is sucked in the mob of frenzied admirers I allowed my eye to puruse the crowed. I soon singled out the three men standing at attention in the corner as the visiting princes.

However before I could properly examine them I am whisked toward the platform and on to my stool. The herald stepped forward and announced “ Their Highnesses the Princes. Prince Gradeall of Hunnie.” As his name is called the tall lanky prince stepped forward and bowed. I quickly dismissed him as awkward. I subtly gestured for the next prince. ”Prince Chap of Mendelstine.” He bellowed. Even though I thought the first one was bad this one was worse. He was two head shorter than me and three times my girth. His face was covered in moles and I gesture again.

The name of Liamword of Amonta was anouncced and the most magnificent man I have ever seen steped forward. His dark blonde hair shone in the minimal light and must feel like silk. His light olive skin is perfectly accent by his hazel eyes that, because of the gold flecks in them, are perpetually twinkling.  His face was serious but hinted at a smile just about to bubble to the surface.

“Good morning princess”, Liamford said after he bowed. He grabed my hand and kissed it gently. I blushed and pull my hand away. He straightened and gave me a smile that melted my heart. I mentally kicked myself. What was wrong with me, he had said all but three words to me and already I was ready to fall into his arms. He realized the affect he was having on me and smirked a self-confident smirk.

Unable to sit there staring at him like a fool any longer I stood up and announced “I am leaving”, I walked away and thankfully the only person who had the authority to stop me choose not to. Until the door thuds closed behind me I was painfully aware someone’s stare boring into my back.