Order (Book One)

Chapter One

Chapter One.

The silence woke me. It was eerily quiet, the kind of quiet that sent shivers up your back. I looked around, the moon casting a hazy light over my luxurious bedroom. Everything was in the same spot it was when I tucked myself in a few hours earlier. I swung my legs out and placed my feet on the cold tiles slowly standing myself up and walking towards my door and opening it. I don't know what i was expecting to see, everyone in the house was asleep but my mind still allowed fear to creep in as I walked crept out of my room. I made my way down the stairs, flinching every time they creaked under my weight. I made my way towards the kitchen, the lamp that usually illuminated the room was switched off and I made that my first goal, to turn it on.

"Princess Cara?" a voice whispered, i jumped and turned around fast to face the voice

"Finn! You scared me!" i said rising my hand to my chest as if it would stop my heart from pounding out of my chest

"Sorry, its just too quiet..." he said ruffling his messy brown locks, even in the dark his face was beautiful, i mean it had to be, that was his job after all as a companion, but something about his tired face was particularly lovely this night, maybe it was because he looked so natural, the first time id seen him without his formal clothes and his hair slicked into a dressy style.

"Yeah I know, its weird isn't it?" I said finally flicking on the lamp, I noticed Finn squint as his eyes adjusted but it didn't last long, he was trained not to show his own discomfort. "Would you like a drink?" I asked moving to the fridge across the room from him

"I shouldn't, I have a big day tomorrow"

"Oh right..." I replied looking down at the two cups id pulled out of the drawer, how could i forget? Tomorrow was a big day, it was my day, my wedding day.

"Are you anxious?" he asked putting his hands into his pant pockets, the question threw me, of course i was, I didn't know who i was marrying, the Order picked my perfect match for me, the one that would be so compatible for me to produce the best offspring for the future royal generations.

I shrugged, "I guess" I paused before a small smile broke onto my face "Of course I am." I stated looking up at him "I don't know who they've chosen for me. It could be anyone. And then i have to leave this place, start new wherever the Order have chosen for us..."

He nodded, as if he understood, "If it makes you feel better, I will be coming along with you." It did make me feel better, Finn and I had been together since we were 6 years old, he had been my companion for 15 years, the Order figured an orphaned princess needed a friend, someone who could keep an eye on me, he would be the one familiar thing id have with me for the rest of my life, my planned out and 'perfectly moulded life' or so they said.

"It does, thank you Finn" I smiled "I hope he's nice..." I said softly before putting the cups away and heading for the door "Goodnight." I said before turning towards the stairs again.

When I woke again the silence was gone, and the moon was replaced with a bright sun. The palace bustled with noise as everyone prepared themselves for the biggest even of the decade: 'The Royal Wedding!' or so thats what every newspaper headline read.

It wasn't long before Dessoray, my lady in waiting entered the room with a giant grin.

"Please not this early Dess." I said softly shaking my head with a small laugh, covering my head with my pillow

"Oh come now Princess, you must get up, the day is blossoming as you will!" she said sounding professional before she broke into a laugh and jumped on me, i giggled and tried to kick her off. Dess was the closest thing i had to a sister, she had seen me at my best and my worst and unlike Finn she had chosen to become a close companion.

"Ok ok I give up!" I laughed sitting up, i took in every feature of my dear friends face. She wouldn't be accompanying me to my new home, she would be reassigned and put in a different palace. It wasn't long before both our smiles dropped, into sad expressions.

"Dont forget me Dess." I said to her before pulling her into my arms

"Of course not silly" She said trying to hide the pain behind her eyes, she grinned again, this time fake and pulled away slowly "Come now, lets make you the most beautiful bride. Retta is making you a light breakfast to bring up" she grinned helping me out of my bed and leading me to my vanity.

I studied my face while Dess went to work on combing my hair, I was deemed the most beautiful woman in the Order, but I didn't see it. My face was heart shaped, with my long chocolate brown hair framing it, my all too big eyes were a soft green which made me think of grass and my lips sat plump underneath my small nose. Dess on the other hand was truly stunning, her light blond hair hung loosely down her back in a braid and her bright blue eyes shone whenever she spoke.

I watched as Dess spun my hair in all different directions until it finally sat beautifully pinned in a half up-do before topping off with a small but elegant silver crown. I smiled as she nodded approvingly at her work before spinning me around to start my makeup.

Within an hour i stood in front of my floor length mirror in a white gown covered with lace and diamonds. Even I had to admit i looked stunning. Dess squealed with excitement and clapped her hands together "You look beautiful!" she grinned, masking her sadness as she stared at my dress, i knew what she was thinking, she wished it was her, not out of jealousy but because she couldn't marry. It was law, Lady and Lords in waiting we not permitted to marry or have children, they were to serve the Order until they were 60 years of age when they were released of duty and sent to live in a retirement village outside of the centre. I sighed "I'll make it happen Dess" i squeezed her hand "As soon as i have a say, ill make it happen."

She nodded, squeezing my hand back "Lets go Princess." she said softly leading me to the door.

I stood straight and took a deep breath in, this was it, my last day of freedom. I fought the urge to look back at my room before the doors were opened.