Nyn Asari: Trials of the Throne

Chapter One

     A warm breeze brushed the elegant, pearl-colored drapery to the sides, exposing the delicate framework of the stain glass window. Light in various colors streamed into the room, decorating the ivory makeup of the room. The paint on the walls seemed as if it had recently been done, as there was not any peeling. 

    A gentle knock was heard against the wood door, "Princess!" a female voice called, "I hung up your dress, hurry and get ready, we are going to have guests soon!"

    This was the voice of Emilia, a descendant of a family of maids that had been working in the palace for centuries. They served the royal family with loyalty and in return, lived in the palace without the need to provide for themselves as the royal family took care of all of their needs.

    All that was to be heard in response to Emilia's call was the shifting of sheets, and a heavy-eyed princess's yawn. Rubbing her eyes with her fists, Nissa reluctantly sat up, slowly climbing out of bed. Stumbling over to her closet door, she opened it with a sigh, snatching the designated dress of the day. She slipped on the delicate aquamarine fabric, which draped over her petite body, and embellished her elvish ears with silver cuffs. Her wavy blonde hair cascaded down her back and her aqua doe-eyes darted back and forth searching for the final addition to her outfit. She glanced over her vanity, dresser and desk before finally spotting it on her bedside table. She rushed over, grabbing the silver moonstone circlet and carefully adorning herself with it. 

   By this time it had been about a half hour, which meant it was about time to receive the day's guests. She slid into her shoes and shuffled out of the door to her room, putting on the face that was expected from her. Reaching the bottom of the stairs to the foyer, she got an unsettling feeling, remembering what the main purpose of today was. Her father, as an attempt to achieve personal gain, had arranged a meeting with various suitors that promised vast riches. 

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   "Nissa, I would like you to meet the Prince of Adral, Aradhelon." King Mhaor declared, gesturing to the young prince. She feigned a smile, giving him a slight curtsy while recognizing the Prince of Terror, quite suitable to his name. He had jet black hair, not quite styled in any particular way. His face was jagged and rough, but his clothes were of the finest quality, almost contradicting his appearance. 

"It's nice to finally be in your company, Princess." He gave a smile, though it seemed to her that it was more threatening than anything else.

"As to you, Prince Aradhelon." She reluctantly uttered. "Unfortunately, I believe I have important business matters to tend to, so I will have to take my leave, but it was certainly a pleasure, Your Highness." 

    Giving a slight bow of her head, Nissa rushed off to find a matter to busy herself with, though she was only a figure-head with no true purpose to serve. Aradhelon glanced at the King with an expression of moderate anger, signaling King Mhaor to hastily apologize for the Princess's behavior. The scheming king then escorted Aradhelon around the palace, displaying the inner workings as well as introducing him to the procedures and politics of Nyn Asari, as though he had already been decided to wed Nissa.

  Nissa decided it was best to venture to a more secluded area of the palace, hidden deep in the forest. Bending and ducking to avoid the branches she hurried to what looked like ruins of what could have been a garden at least a century ago. There were pillars ridden with cracks, some had pieces that were broken off and crumbled on the ground. There was a simple circular fountain in the center of these pillars with minor chips and cracks, the water still flowing out from the top. She sat on a fallen pillar and looked at the sky, contemplating what she could do about her father's plans that were unraveling in front of her. It was then that she felt a hand grip her shoulder, her heart almost stopping as she turned around to see who managed to find her here. Was she followed?