Fall For You

Meeting the Kings

Dresses were laid out for me to choose, that were approved by my mother. My mother, Cora, wants me to look my best for the kings that are to show. I greatly fear that I will not be able to find a king that will suit the standards my mother has for a husband, as with my own standards. Five kings are coming to my castle and all are staying for the week. I don't understand why I have to marry, why didn't mother have to remarry once my father died? 

The dress that I picked  is a simple black dress that has spaghetti straps (above). My hair is pulled into a nice bun. I have a light amount of makeup on with deep red lipstick.  

"Honey, I wish you would've picked one of the other dresses, that doesn't show off anything you have." My mother frowns as she walks into my bed chamber. 

'Then you shouldn't have approved of the dress, mother." I reply back.

She gives me a disapproving look and continues on, "King Leopold should be any minute, he's the first to come. They should be within ten minutes of each other." 

"Okay, I will be out in a second. I am finishing up. Please wait for me outside the castle." I usher her out quickly before she can protest. I go out on my balcony that overlooks our quaint village, I can see my people walking and working; they look like ants on a hurry to get from point A to B. I wonder what their lives are actually like; I long too have simple life like them. They are able to marry for love, unlike me who is to be betrothed to man that I will never love. 

Five kings are to come to my kingdom today, Leopold, Jefferson, Daniel, and Robin. I haven't met four of them. I know Leopold from when I was smaller and he was doing things with my father here in my castle. It is weird thinking of him wanting me to be his wife, when I am old enough to be his daughter; his daughter is only a few years shy of my age also.  I take a deep breath and leave my bed chamber and make my way outside where my mother awaits, with Leopold.

"Daughter! You are late! You were to be out here before King Leo arrived!" My mother scold me in front of Leopold. 

"I am formally sorry, Sir, for my poor time management, I hope you can forgive me." I say curtsying, bowing my head. 

"It is alright." He says, embracing me with an informal hug and a kiss upon my cheek. I fake a smile and we emerge into small talk until the next king shows in his horse and carriage, Jefferson. The king steps out and greets my mother first, leaving a soft kiss on the back of her hand, and he repeats the gesture with my. 

"My, your pictures do not do justice for your outstandingly beautiful daughter." He deems a wide grin at my mother. Jefferson keeps talking too my mother which leaves me in a silence with Leo. 

King Robin shows around the corner and both men frown, which I don't understand. As he exits his carriage, I watch how careful his steps are with every stride. His blue eyes are beautiful. His dirty blonde hair and scruff is adorable. I've never seen a more handsome man in my life.

"Good day to you m'ladies." He says in this enchanting accent and a wide grin that shows these dimples that made me weak in the knees. I smile a genuinely and accept his introduction. "I am King Robin Locksley of the Sherwood Forest." He's the only one that has done a formal, proper introduction, which seems like a good sign. 

King Graham is late, extremely late, which makes mother very angry. We stand outside awaiting his arrival for what seems an eternity.

"We are going inside. If he ever shows up, I will have a guard bring him in." My mother says with distaste on her words. All of us follow her in silently and make our way to the dining hall, where supper will be served.

"Supper look magnificent, Queen Cora." Jefferson says before eating.

Sitting close to mother means that throughout the dinner, she nags about how I'm eating, my posture, I need to smile. "Regina, say something. They're going to think that you're a bore." She whispers.

"I hope you find this place a comfortable setting for the week. I thank you for showing interest in my hand." I smile simply and mother low key shakes her head at me.

By the time we finish eating Graham finally shows up, "I'm truly sorry for inconvenience, but there's was complications on the way to you lovely castle." He smiles arrogantly. His confidence and testosterone levels are extremely high.

"It is quite alright, please, join us." My mother puts on her fake smile. Graham makes his way to an empty seat next to Leopold.

I finish eating and excuse myself, I speed walk to our enormous library and pull out my favorite book of all time Fairest,  it's a phenomenal book, it's an easy read, but it's worth reading a million times. After an hour of being alone, a disturbance shuffles in, Graham.

"We haven't formally met, I'm King Graham the strongest warrior king in all the lands." He triumphs, standing over me looking at my book. "You read? A lady shouldn't read, it fills their heads with thoughts." I can hear the disgust in his voice.

"Reading a great past time for me. It is an escape. I'm Regina. If you don't mind, I'd like to be left alone with my book, please." I grump and turn the page. "Noble ladies, like myself, learn how to read. I am to be queen, and I would like to have a broad vocabulary when that is to happen."

"If you were to be my queen, you wouldn't need a vocabulary to do your duties as my wife. You are to be seen and not heard, m'lady. You're to look pretty and smile." He says.

"You vapid, arrogant bastard." I scold and walk out of the library. I rush to my bed chamber, when I am stopped by my mother.

"What the hell did you say to King Graham." She yells slightly grabbing me and turning me around.

"He was being extremely rude, so I set him in his place." I look at her coldly.

"You are not to speak out like that Regina Mills. You know better. You must go and apologize to him now!"

"I am not apologizing for something I am not sorry for, mother. I don't want these men here, and I will make that known."

"You say anything other than what I tell, you will not like the consequences, Regina. You are to wed, or be close to it before you are 21, and you're half way to your birthday, young daughter. Know your place, you are smile and be pretty; act like you're interested in what they say to you. Nod your pretty little head and pay attention. Now go and get ready for bed. You have a busy day with one of the kings. They have planned a special day with you." She adjusts her posture and walks away.

"Jesus. I don't get her." I say to myself.