Betrothed to Trouble

Chapter 13 - A Letter and a Surprise Encounter

A/N: So sorry for the really late update! I’m having major writer’s block, school’s started, and my laptop broke, all that sh*t... Senior year is sooo tiring! Anyway, enjoy! I know it’s short and probably weird... Don’t hate me! (hides behind Giselle)

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Ansodria, 18th May 1777

Dear Marie,

            How are you? I am deeply sorry that I have not written to you sooner. I was immediately swept up into a  chaos upon my arrival home. Father has kicked up quite a fuss ( I will elaborate later). Being back in Ansodria after two long years is lovely; do not get me wrong, for my stay at the Versailles had been a most pleasant one. I especially miss our afternoon walks around the palace’s beautiful gardens and our gossip sessions over tea. How are your dogs? Still as spoilt as ever?

            First of all, I have some shocking news for you. I am betrothed. Yes, I am getting married! Can you believe that? I certainly didn’t when father first announced it. I am sure you are curious as to whom am I marrying. You would never believe it, even as I write this letter spelling his name felt so foreign and disturbing. I am marrying Prince Sergei Nikolai Markovich of Freyrgard! I am sure you are puzzled since Freyrgard and Ansodria have been on bad terms for years now. Apparently, our betrothal serves to unite this conflict and restore peace between our borders. How noble of me. Our wedding is on the 24th of May. Barely a week away. Oh, Marie, this is all so rushed and so very wrong! I do not wish to marry him (for reasons you perfectly understand), but I have no choice as my this is ‘my duty to the people’.

            Second, father is so upset with me right now. He caught me and you-know-who a few days ago. I think one of the stable hands ratted on us. It doesn’t matter anymore anyway, does it? He found out about my betrothal and now everything is ruined. Also, last night I threw wine at that Prince in the middle of a banquet (serves him right!). He heard about the rumors and called me a whore. What a rude jerk! I cannot believe I am marrying him in a few days time. You can imagine father’s reaction. Father even threatened to kill you-know-who if I so much as make one more mistake. Can you believe it? I am so sick of everyone right now. I can’t even look at the Palace Advisor without eyeing him in disgust.

            Enough about me. How are you coping with all the royal drama over there? Any new gossips? Tell me all about it! I miss having someone to talk to.

 

 P.S. Will you be able to attend my wedding on such short notice? It would be an honour and a great pleasure for me and my father if you were to grace us with your presence.

 

With love, your dear friend,

Giselle

 

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            “Your Highness! Where are you headed?” called the royal head seamstress in horror as I stalked out of the door of the fitting chamber in a huff after pulling off the different shades of white draped over my shoulder. I mean how many shades of white can you have?

I have had enough of people continuosly poking me with pins and needles so I could look ‘breath-taking’ for my ‘wedding ceremony’. I snorted derisively at those two words. What a farce! The seamstresses constant gushing about how handsome the prince was did not help lighten the mood either.

            “Princess! Please,” she panted, trying to keep pace with me, her measuring tape dangling around her powdered neck like an obnoxious instrument of torture.