The Princess of Roses

Prologue part 2

        Dawn had many "mothers" during her life. Five to be exact; some lasted longer than others. Currently she had none, but was expecting to get one real soon. Hopefully after her twelfth birthday.

       The rain was pouring down outside her room. Once rain started it seemed to never end. She sighed and stepped outside of her room. A curious eleven year old she was, with a large world outside the walls she was kept behind.

       She heard small quick footsteps coming down her corridor. Kingsley entered the corridor. Dawn smiled when she saw him carrying the rose bud. Ever since she was born, he had planted a rose plant every year on her birthday. In some ways, he was more of a dad than her own. Kingsley was also the reason she was alive.

         "Morning" She chirped. Kingsley simply nodded his head as he walked passed her. The young girl continued her way down the hallways and around corners. She grit her teeth and started to pick up her pace. If she was late one more time her tutor was going throw a fit.

         Schooling was boring! Sure she could easily learn and comprehend but she always fell asleep halfway through the lesson. Most of the time she wondered out loud why would she need some of the things taught to her. 

          "That is out of the question!"She heard one of her father's advisor's shout. Dawn paused as she came closer to her father's study. The door was shut but not for Dawn. A long time ago she had found a small hole peaking into her father's study. Whether he knew about it or not was beyond her.

           Driven with curiousity, She stepped closer and peaked inside the room. Sitting at his desk was her father surrounded by a few of his court. She bit her lip. Dawn, You were suppose to be on your way to tutoring!  She scolded herself.

            "This may lead to more than simply a fuss" One of the men said. "If this gets any larger it may come as an attack on Seren itself". The men were all in the same room,but each one's thoughts was faraway from the earth.

            "I have already decided, counsilor" King Rupert interrupted him." Which is why we must rush in finding one".  Dawn felt that tug in her head telling her not to listen anymore. Her tutor by now was probably furious.

             The conversation was what she feared. King Rupert was going to the borders of the kingdom to help stop a ruckess dealing with Gareth. He wanted to rush in finding a wife, one that would give him the male heir he desperately wanted. 

               There was little time to find "another mother" however. King Rupert couldn't delay on attending the people around the border. The day after Dawn's twelfth birthday, he left with plans on returning to find another wife who could give him a prince as soon as he came back. The two were engaged right before he left; he was engaged to a fair lady, a daughter of one of the guards.

                Dawn knew little about the lady, only that she was very beautiful and promising in having a son. The others were also promising in having a son, but the only one to ever had a child was Dawn's mother who disappeared a long time ago.

             It always seemed to rain on her birthday. For her thirteenth birthday, She helped Kingsley in planting the next rose. The two were soaked and covered in mud by the time the rose had been planted.

             "Look at yourself, Miss" Kingsley laughed. Dawn scowled and continued to play in a small puddle near the rose garden.  She stopped splashing when one of her father's soldiers stood in the garden's gateway.

             His face was solemn. It was as if he wanted to be anywhere but here. His face was red, as if he was choking on the words he was going to say.

           "Princess Dawn" He gulped. "Your father was killed in battle". Dawn felt her heart sank. She glanced over at Kingsley who was even more shocked.

             "What will happen to Seren now?"She asked. Kingsley stood up from the ground.

              "You are the only heir; You will have to be Queen" He stated.

                Dawn let the words sink into her mind. She was only thirteen. She did not know how to govern a country. Everything was going to change; For her, For Seren. Everything.