"Aurelia Lord Famin is on his way!' Violet rushed into the library while Aurelia sorted through piles and piles of papers from the villagers all proposing new ideas. Her hair was tangled from running in from the gardens and her yellow dress has mud spots all over and she had a large tear at the bottom of her dress.
"Violet! Heavens look at you! When did you receive the news?" Aurelia's mind reeled trying to find a way to calm down.
"Just five minutes ago. We should have...15 minutes. Jessina is getting the girls from Layla to Gretel cleaned up and in presentable dresses. That leaves you everyone from Kaclen to Robin to get taken care of and the rest of us can get ready ourselves." All this Violet said in one breath and when she was done she had to gulp in several breaths of air.
"Very well then have everyone meet in the entrance hall when they are ready so we can do introductions."
"Awww Aurelia! I hate introductions." Violet said her lower lip sticking out a bit.
"Vi it's tradition you know that. If I don't do everything by the books right now I could loose any chance of getting to become queen. You know that Lord Famin can take away everything in a snap. Since you 11 have never met him then you need to do introductions. Yes that means names and ages."
Violet rolled her eyes and sighed but went to do as she was told while Aurelia raced down the hallways to find the other girls.
In a flurry of colorful dresses and a few protests from the younger girls everyone made it into the entrance hall before Lord Famin walked in.
"Alright all in a straight line he should be in soon! Kaclen please stop chewing on your hair ribbon! Layla lady's don't slouch." As soon as she finished talking she heard the large oak doors leading into the castle opened sending in a blast of cold winter air.
Lord Famin an unattractive man in his late 50s walked in. His hair slicked back so it looked like he just came in from being in the river and his eyes emotionless and cold.
"Well well hello Princesses! I see your lined up for introduction. You may proceed!" His voice was almost slimy in a way. It reminded you of a cold wet fish.
"Why he didn't even get escourted in!" Violet whispered to Daisy.
"Of course right away." Aurelia said sucking in a deep breath.
She stood in the back of the line of girls and started with Jessenia.
"Lord Famin this is Princesses Jessenia Moral 15 years of age, Carissa Moral 14 years of age and Felicity Moral 13 years of age." All three girls curtsied and moved to the end of the line sending up the next four girls.
"Your Lordship Princesses Violet Moral 12 years of age,Daisy Moral 10 years of age the then the twins Princesses Sarah and Genvieve 8 years of age." She stifled a yawn and stood to the side while the girls curtsied and sent up next three.
"Princesses Robin Moral 7 years of age,Sophia Moral 6 years of age,and Corine Moral 5 years of age." The girls curtsied and Aurelia snapped held back a gasp as Adella tripped on her way down the line but was grateful Lord Famin didn't say anything.
"Now sir the last two. Princesses Alana Moral 4 years of age and Gretel Moral 3 months."
She curtsied with Gretel in her arms and all the girls looked at Lord Famin.
"Wonderful,wonderful Princess Aurelia but your father gave better introductions. As a future queen you must improve this skill. Now we have some business to discuss don't we?"
Nodding to the girls the signal they may go she showed Lord Famin to the library hoping the visit wouldn't last too long.
"Right this way." She said opening the library door inhaling the scent of pine wood and the forever lingering smell of her fathers cigar.
Lord Famin took a seat at the chairs by her fathers old desk and she took her place. The place of a ruler at the large chair behind the desk.
The only time she had sat there was when she was five years old and she was playing queen with at the time 3 year old Jessenia. Now it felt strange and foreign. She felt as if she shouldn't sit there as if the chair was still waiting for her Father to return.
"Now about your corination Princess." He said his slimey voice that made her want to run out of the room.
She froze. What was wrong?
"Yes?" She kept her voice sweet and calm free of worry.
"Well..Princess the thing is your not married. Not even engaged. Tradition requires the leader of the country if female to be married. I'm sorry Princess if your not married within 6 months time we will have to give the throne to someone more worthy. Your cousin the king of Cammer has already said he will step up and take the throne and still allow you girls to live here as...well....workers. Servants of the king."
Aurelia stood up. Stuggleing to keep calm. It wasn't fair! A slime like Ralph could run the country but yet she couldn't all because she wasn't married!
"Sir I can run this country. I have been doing so as well as raising the girls for the past 3 months. There has to be another option." She moved towards the bookshelves her temper flaring inside.
"Well there is one more option." Famin said moving towards her an odd look in his eyes.
"Princess you are a very pretty girl. A dark version of your mother. If you could tone down that temper of yours....I would marry you in an instant and be a proud king and your sisters wouldn't have to work as common servants." He reached a hand out and touched her face stroking her chin.
She backed up and moved to the other end of the room.
"No I am sorry but that is NOT an option. I will figure it out on my own thank you. Now if you may leave I would be very much obliged to show you the door." Her blue eyes were as cold as frozen water.
"Princess I could give you my hand right now. Just be a good girl now and say yes. He pinned her against the wall his breath on her neck.
She pushed against his arm and pushed out from the small trapped area.
"Your Lordship you best leave now. I will not accept your hand and if you lay one more hand on me then God help me from what I will do." She opened the library door her dark curls falling out from her hairpins. Her tone was as serious as ever.
"Of course Aurelia. Until we meet again. I shall give you some time to think it over."
"It's Your Highness to you Lord Famin." She walked into the entrance hall her red skirts grazing the floor. She opened the large oak doors and took in a deep breath.
"Good day Lord Famin." She shut the doors behind them and let out a small cry.
Six months was hardly anytime to figure things out. She had no choice. She would hold the Christmas ball in a month and then Carissa's coming of age ball the month after and the first marriage proposal she got she would take.
She couldn't let the girls work as common servants while her cousin Ralph rule her kingdom. She wouldn't let that happen.
