We Were Both Young

We Were Both Young

Quick A/N This is a "historical fiction" , "romance" short story based on Taylor Swift's song: Love Story.

Each chapter will be titled after a line in the song & the story will be based on the lyrics of the song - although the characters and dialogue, all the "meat" is completely original. (The basic plan at the moment is about 13 chapters long - I am going try and fill them out as much as I possibly can & possibly extend it too).

This story is under COPYRIGHT. Any infringer on these copy rights will face consequences.

You have been warned.

Synopsis:

Isabella VonSchmoot is member of the royal family and next in line to the throne. Recently having turned 17 she is believed to be of marriable age, her father wants to set her up with Prince Paris, whom she is not at all interested however as a masked ball she meets a stranger, Leonardo.

A relationship develops between the two, although it's forbidden.

The whole town is up in arms. The royal family is divided. Will their bond survive? Will she turn on her family? Will they accept her choices?

____

That's just a very basic idea of what this story will entail - it's a Romeo&Juliet type love story ... although I havent fully decided yet how I want it to end - we'll see where I feel like taking the characters.

(Read on for a bit of a prologue or Prelude)

PROLOGUE/PRELUDE

Miss Isabella VonSchmoot,

On this, your seventeenth birthday, we wish you the greatest happiness.

We are proud to announce that you are now legal heir to the throne and formally Princess.

In order to satisfy this role, we must encourage that you find yourself a suitor. Your king is getting no younger and would hate to leave this earth knowing his daughter is alone.

The formal ball for your choice of suitors is soon to be arranged. We wish that you comply with our wishes & marry a man capable of royal duties. 

with love and kindness

your King & Queen

VonSchmoot House

"This is an OUTRAGE," Isabella screamed wiping the sleep from her eyes.

She read the letter once more ensuring she'd seen correctly. She couldn't possibly marry right now. It wouldn't happen. She'd refuse. They could drag her to the alter, but never could they force her to say yes. She would not marry, especially in these conditions.

She was barely finished with here classes & was by no means ready to be ordered around by some brute of a man. Nevermind, child bearing. Her little sister about half her age was plenty proof that she didn't want her own children just yet.

"Everything okay, Miss VonSchmoot?" asked her maidservant, Anne, bringing in a tray of breakfast.

"Not entirely," Isabella answered truthfull, sitting up & propping herself up against the pillows, reaching out for the tray.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Anne said, handing over the tray and sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Well, read this" She handed her the letter and started on the crystal glass filled with some fresh berries & chopped fruit. She watched Anne, who read the letter in silence. . . "So?" she said as soon as Anne looked up from the page.

"What is troubling you?"

"What do you mean "What is troubling me?" ... Are you absoloutely insane? ... I can't possibly get married! I don't want to. Definitely not any time soon. Maybe not EVER!"

"Unfortunately, Madame Princess, this is your duty. Your duty to your family and to the people of Aldenhauf'

"No," a tear streamed down Isabella's  cheek, " I know, Anne. But I'm still a child. I can't do it. I don't think I could be a wife or mother just yet. I've hardly lived life"

Anne came over, and wrapped her arms around the princess, "I know, Isabella. I know. Speak to your father about this he will know what to do. It's been the law for the past 100 years. The princess (or prince) next in line to the throne should be married before she (or he) turns eighteen years of age to a suitor deemed suitable by the reigning king and queen"

"Why did I have to be born into royalty?" she asked no one in particular.

"I've drawn you a bath," Anne got up , removing the breakfast tray and placing it on the dresser. "Go relax a little, Im sure you'll feel much better thereafter"

A bath, Yea Im sure that will solve all my problems. Isabella thought to herself bitterly.

Despite the bitterness, she undressed and slowly stepped into the bath. She looked at herself accross the bathroom in the mirror, those sad, lost blue eyes staring back at her.  She analysed that young girls face. Pale, peach in complexion, light salmon coloured lips, soft , untouched skin. The girl staring back her was but a child. No where near ready of the responsibilities of starting a family. The girl staring back at her had never been touched by anyone other than her mother or maidservant, she'd never felt true love, she'd never experienced heartache. How would this girl be able to face what was lying ahead of her? 

A rollercoaster of a ride was fast approaching, and little did she know that soon her life would be turned upside down by the meeting of a stranger....