Steph's Curse

Chapter 1

" Princess Stephanie. Its morning." Penelopy, my lady in waiting since I was very young, was waking me up. I didn't like mornings one bit, but this one got me out of my bed and to the curtians quickly. I ripped them open and looked out the huge window. The palace gardens spread out as far as I could see. So many flowers were in bloom this time of year.
" Hey Penelopy?" I asked.
" Yes, Princess." She replied.
" Okay, two things. One don't call me Princess, call me Stephanie. And two may I wear a short green flower dress with a pair of breeches?" I asked.
" I'm sorry Stephanie, but today no. Are you forgetting something?" She spoke with a stare in my direction.
" Um, could you give me a hint?" I gestured towards her.
" Well, thirteen years ago, a princess was born. Her name was-"
" Stephanie!" I cut Penelopy off.
" Yes. Now I have the perfect dress for you." She walked over to my closet and pulled out a beautiful white dress with green lace around the waist and floor.
" How about this instead of that garden outfit. Here, follow me to the bathing chamber." Penelopy finished and getstured for me to follow her. Even though she was my lady in waiting, I still listened to her when it came to princess-ing.
When we arrived at the bathing chamber, Penelopy shut the door and helped me undress. I got into the bath Penelopy already made. There was rose petals and ginger in the bath, it was warm.

Finally after my bath, Penelopy dressed me in the white gown and brought me to my bedroom. Penelopy guided me to my vanity and sat me down. As she put my emerald earings in and began doing my hair in elaborate twists and curls I looked into the mirror. My eyes match the earings and the dress perfectly, My dark hair which Penelopy was playing with contrasted beautifully with the white dress.

After I was done, my mother knocked then opened the doors.
" Hi mum" I said with a smile printed on my face.
" Well, I guess my little girl is all grown up?" She said. I always wished I could be like my mother, her voice was always gentle and her blonde hair was in a beautiful bun sitting on her head. And her dress was beautiful, it was ocean blue and had black lace around her waist and her neck. The dress matched her eyes. I always wondered how I got the emerald eyes.
When Penelopy finished I got out of my chair and did a slow twirl.
" Mum, its beautiful isn't it?" I spoke with a smile.
" Yes, its beautiful for a beautiful girl. Or should I say young lady?" She said.
" I prefer Stephanie." I said with pride.
" Well Stephanie, are you ready for your 13th birthday? Maybe Prince Alex wth show up..." Mother gave me a sly smile.
I blushed. I began to walk towards my door then I glanced behind me, Mother was standing next to Penelopy. But Penelopy was crying... Was it because I am thirteen and we grew up together, or was it that she might lose her job cause I am getting older? I will never know because I hate to see her cry so I will never bring it up...

I walked out of my bedroom. As I walked down the hall, I realized how amazing this castle really is. The roof is extremely tall with about a million candles on the chandalier. The walls have painting after painting of my relatives, including mum, dad, Charollette and I.

I walked down the hall until I reached the main set of stairs that lead to the first room, with the main entrance.

" Stephanie! Come here!" My father yelled for me.

" Coming!" I yelled back.

Since the castle was so large I couldn't just pin-point where he was so I asked some of the servants where he was, many said the study.

When I fanally got to the study, my father was reading.

" Father, you wanted me." I said.

" Yes, why did you grow up so fast? Can you just be my little girl for a few more years?" My father joked.

" And not rule my own kingdom!" I stuck my tounge out.

He took my hands and gave me a hug. I saw a tear stream down his face, but he quickly wiped it away hoping I didn't see.

Dad and Penelopy? Why all of the tears? Is everybody going this emotional during my thirteenth birthday, if so this will be the most depressing birthday ever.

After the hug I made my way down to the dining hall. Charolette was in the dining hall barking orders for my party.

Charolette finally spotted me and rushed over.

" Wow! Stephanie, you look amazing! Then there's just me in this plain dress." Charolette looked at her dress, it didn't look bad. I think she wanted something with more pizazz. Her dress was a deep blue with white lace, in fact I would have prefered that than this cream puff of a dress, but it suited her. She has deep blue eyes like my father so the dress made her eyes show. This time in her eyes I could see jealousy.

" Well you dress goes perfectly with your eyes. Just like mine." I stated.

" Well I guess you have a piont" She said glumly.

Charolette began barking more orders and soon forgot about me.

I walked back to my bedroom and sat on my bed. Penelopy walked in and saw my boredom.

" Well Stephanie looks like you are a little bored." She joked.

" Yes I am. What kind of gossip is going on in the kitchen?" I asked curious for gossip.

" Well for starters, Samantha the cook heard from the king that your cousin William will be here today." She told me.

" Really?" I asked.

" No, I am lying to you." She said sarcasticaly.

" Yes! Maybe I will have some fun today after all!" I jumped of the bed.

" Presenting Prince William, King George the fourth, and Queen Amelia the second." Our butler yelled.

" Yay!" I ran out of my room and to the main entramce.

" Well, well. If it isn't little miss queen." William joked.

" Haha, if it isn't mister princey" I joked back.

William ran over and gave me a hug. I hugged him back, of course.

" So miss queen, what will your first decree be?" He asked jokingly.

" For you to get me my jacket so we may go out." I said.

" Oh no!" Mother said, " That gown will be ruined! You will stay inside."

" Aw, wht if I am careful?" I asked.

" No means no." Mom told me.

" Fine." I pouted.

" Well I am going to the dining hall" I said, leaving the room.