Killian Jones

Part 2

I woke up the next morning to Clarabelle opening the curtains. I throw the blanket off and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I stretched my arms over my head then stood up, my pale red night gown falling to my ankles. I turned to Clarabelle who was holding a baby blue dress and a corset. I saw one of the other maids as well, she had short black hair and green eyes. She and Clarabelle wore pale yellow maids dresses. I sigh.

"Do I have to wear the corset?" I ask. I despise wearing them, I mean how can anyone breath in those things?

"With this dress, I'm afraid you do Princess." says Clarabelle. I sigh.

"Alright." I say as I remove my night gown. Clarabelle and Nicole help me put it on and they started tightening the strings on the corset. Once they tightened it Clarabelle tied the strings and picked up the dress. Nicole and Clarabelle helped me get into the dress then they sit me on a stool and fix my hair and makeup. Clarabelle did my makeup because she knows I don't like too much makeup while Nicole did my hair, she always impresses me with how she does my hair. Nicole put my hair into a fishtail crown.

"There. You're all done Princess." says Clarabelle. I stand up and look in the mirror, I smile a little.

"Thank you Clarabelle, Nicole." I say.

"Anything for you Princess." came Nicole's soft, quiet voice.

"Come along Princess. The suitor should be arriving any minute now." says Clarabelle. I nod and follow Nicole and Clarabelle out of my room and down the stairs to the foyer. I see father talking to a black haired male, he was wearing a white long sleeved shirt, a blue vest, a black tie and black slacks. Father looked at me and smiled.

"Ah there you are Darling. This is Joshua Godfrey. Joshua this is my daughter Desiree." says father.

"Good morning Princess." says Joshua while bowing. I giggle making stand straight up again.

"There's no need to bow. And call me Desiree." I say smiling at him. He smiles at me.

"Alright. May I?" he asks holding his hand out to me.

"You may." I say placing my hand in his. He brings my hand to his lips and gently kisses my knuckles. Then he gently lets go of my hand.

"Why don't you and Joshua walk around the palace until lunch is served?" asks father. I nod.

"Follow me Joshua." I say. I give Joshua a tour of the palace like all the other suitors, but something is different with him. I can't put my finger on it, but I can feel that he's not like the other's. I lead Joshua to the courtyard and over to the fountain.

"You have a beautiful place Desiree." says Joshua.

"Thank you Joshua." I say as I play with my locket.

"What a pretty locket. Where did you get it?" he asks. I stop playing with it and look at it.

"My mother gave it to my father and told him to give it to me on my sixteenth birthday."

"Not to pry or anything, but... what happened to our mother?" he asks. I look at the ground.

"She died after I was born."

"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that." he says. You would think that everyone would know that the queen died, but it has been eighteen years since she passed away.

"It's alright Joshua." I say looking up at him and trying not to cry. The next thing I know Joshua is hugging me, I was shocked at first, but I hugged back.

"If you ever need to talk about anything just let me know and we can do whatever you want and talk." he says as we break away. I look up at his face and we lock eyes. Up until now I hadn't noticed that he had beautiful blue eyes. I smile at him. This one was way different than the other suitors.

"Thank you Joshua." I say.

"Darling lunch is ready." says father making Joshua and I look at him. "Joshua would you like to stay and eat with us?" asks father.

"I would be honored to." says Joshua making me giggle. We followed father into the dinning hall where the table was full of food. As we ate we talked about different things. Father seemed to like Joshua and I think I do to. Joshua and I took one of the carriages out for a ride around town and continued to talk and get to know each other more. He also stayed for dinner, but he had to leave a few minutes afterwards.

"So Darling how did you like this one?" asks father.

"He is different from the others for sure. I'm actually happy to meet him." I say.

"So you would like to see him again?" he asks. I smile.

"Yes I would." I say. I excuse myself from the table and walk upstairs and into my room. I undo my hair, take off the dress and corset and I put on a night gown and get into bed.

   A/n: I hope you're enjoying the story. The next chapter skips ahead a year and a half. So don't get confused.
      ~Zo