Ma Petit Princesse (aph Marie Antoinette fic)

Prologue: Duty to Austria

"Roderich... must I truly leave?"

"Yes, my princess. It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you the marriage contract is drawn. The only thing left is the ceremony and the signing."

The year was 1769. Within the great study of the Vienna residence of the royal Austrian family, Maria Antonia, fifteenth daughter of the Empress, and Roderich Edelstein, the human incarnation of the lands of Austria, sat discussing the important news that had arisen recently. Maria Theresa, Antoine's mother, had arranged her marriage with the Dauphin of France in order to restore a precarious alliance with France which had fallen apart after the 7 Years' War. Antoine sat, her feet tucked under her legs, in a big arm chair, Roderich next to her trying to keep a sophisticated presence in talking of a subject that pained him so.

"But what of my friends? My family?  What will I do without them?"

"Antoine," Roderich sighed, clasping the young girl's hands within his own. "You must do without them. You will make new friends soon enough, and to your family you may write."

"Writing," Antoine scoffed. "is a waste of time. I would much rather have conversation. It's so much more intimate than ink on paper."

"Intimacy aside, it is your duty to Austria. Your marriage is an important, yet fragile one; if failure ensues, France will be at our doorstep once more and he will not be friendly; though, to be honest, I would rather face a thousand French troops than to be met with the wrath of your mother."

Antoine chuckled at this, shifting her legs under her skirts, making them rustle softly. "I am only thirteen, Roderich. I have duty to you, but does it not seem odd to you that I am to be married at so young an age?"

Roderich made no sound, staring simply at the princess's hands for a long while. "Antoine," he said finally, releasing his grip and standing up, walking towards the sizable window of the study, amber afternoon light washing over the room. "It matters little that you are young, though it may seem cruel now. You must become adjusted to life at Versailles and learn how to comport yourself at the French court; it is very different from the Habsburg court here in Vienna, extremely public. There will be much expected of you."

"But why can I not have a say in my own marriage?" Tears streamed down Antoine's face, now red. Her fists clenched, wading up the fabric of her dress in frustration. "I am owed at least that!"

"Antoine!" Roderich snapped. "You are acting like a child! You, my dear, are owed nothing! You are a young woman, and must assume your responsibilities! Would your mother have behaved in such a manner when she was your age?"

"I am not my mother!" Antoine cried, burying her head in her arms, sobs racking her body. Roderich's brow furrowed. Perhaps he'd been too harsh... Nonetheless, she needs to know the dire situation which she has been thrusted into!

Roderich, however, could not keep himself from comforting the little princess, who's life, he realized, was being turned upside down. He crossed the room once more, kneeling before the chair Antoine sat weeping in and embraced her. Her bawling cries grew more fervent as she clung to him, desperately wishing to stay with familiarity.

"I am so sorry, my sweet girl," Roderich sighed, kissing her forehead and stroking her long, golden hair. "If I could stop it in any way, I would. But your mother, the Empress of my lands, believes it best, so we must go along with her, we must be loyal."