Heart Of Courage

Chapter 2

The next few days went by as they usually did. At the weekend, I spent my time practicing my hobbies, and then spending a little while with Evangeline. She was the closest thing I had to a friend aside from Xavier, so I tried my hardest to find her during her free time so that I had someone to talk to. On Sunday however, she had reached her limit and had kindly asked me to let her be to finish her duties. And so, feeling more downcast than ever, I shut myself away in my room and planned my escape for the Ceremony of the Lords. No one, nor thing, was going to keep me at that soul-destroying place. I'd known the Lords since I was very young- after all, they helped my father govern the kingdom, so they would often spend time at the Palace. They only cared about the money they were paid, and the luxuries their titles came with; surely they wouldn't even care that I wasn't present at their so called Ceremony.

The dreaded day had arrived faster than I wanted it to. I woke with a headache and a scowl plastered on my face, seeming so bad-tempered that even Evangeline seemed unnerved in my presence. I sat at breakfast with my parents, glowering into my porridge and listening half-heartedly as my parents nattered on about the Ceremony. As usual, they did not seem to even notice my change in mood. I sank lower in my chair as I thought of how awful they behaved towards me.

After Evangeline had placed every hair on my head perfectly into an elaborate up-do, had primped and polished my face with makeup, had battled and fought with my corset and the many garments I had to wear with it, I had not even said a word.

"Your Highness, is everything alright? I fear there is something playing on your mind," Evangeline asked as she exited my walk-in wardrobe, pulling the red, long-skirted, heavy dress with her. Although the skirt was slim, it featured a frenetic bustle at the back, made with bows and lace and flowers made from fabric. I sighed as she carefully slid it over my head and began to lace me into it.

"Nothing is wrong," I said, distracted by my seemingly simple plan that ran through my head. "I just- I just feel I need to be alone for a moment before we leave for the square."

My blatant lie went unnoticed by my Lady's Maid, as she nodded her head then hurried out of the room. I waited until I heard her footsteps descend the stairs, supposedly so she could notify my parents. Then, whilst wobbling in my heels, I hastily ran into my wardrobe, grabbed my cloak, folded it as tightly and as small as possible, then shoved it up my skirt. It seemed unladylike, and I nearly laughed at how ridiculous of an idea it was, but I was hopeful it would work. The many layers at the back of the skirt hid the small bump the cloak created, so I could successfully sneak it out under my parents' noses. Sucking in a deep breath, I stood tall and checked myself over in my mirror. Even though I hated this life, I had to admit some of the dresses I owned were really quite fascinating.

I found that walking with the cloak under my skirt was an interesting new challenge as I wandered the corridor and descended the stairs to meet my parents. They were waiting in the ballroom, standing near the grand front entrance, ready to go. I kept chanting in my head what I would say to sneak away from them as I approached them.

"Maddison, you look lovely!" Mother sighed, clasping her hands together with a smile.

"Thank you, mother," I smiled awkwardly, doing my best to walk as naturally as possible.

"Don't you think red is a little unsuited for this ceremony, Evangeline?" Father turned to her, and she lowered her head.

"I-I'm sorry, Your Majesty. It's a new dress and I thought that today would be a good day to show it off," she whispered. I felt my anger begin to grow at my father, who seemed to always want to control everything. It was a just a dress, for goodness' sake.

He glanced up at the large wall clock, then faced me.

"Take Evangeline with you and change into something a little more suitable. You are not a seductress; you are a princess. Wear something pastel, or white. And do it quickly, you only have a short period of time to change," he sighed. Mother grabbed his arm.