Stormy

Chapter One: Princess Rosalyn

I hate rain. I love rain. Nope, I hate it. I sigh as I turn away from my window. The cacophony of rain against glass and the occasional gust of wind rattling all the windows in my tower. It has been raining for days, causing the grounds to become soggy and muddy, and the stream in the forest to overflow to twice its size. The cold doesn't improve things much either. The fireplace in the corner only provides so much heat. My thin dresses are hardly warm enough, so I've taken to wearing a thick quilt around my chambers. I try to think of what a sunny day looked like. It really hasn't been that long, but the kingdom feels old and drab now that the heavy dark clouds have rolled in. It's hard not to feel depressed and gloomy with the grey days and stormy nights. I've been hoping that it will clear up soon so I can go into the forest.

A hollow knock at the door shakes me from my thoughts.

"Miss Rosalyn?"

"Oh! Come in Claudia!"

Claudia. My most trusted and favourite person in the world. She is only the royal cook but she has always called me to meals or whenever I am needed in a rare meeting with my father, and she is always there to just talk to. I like to think of her as something like a grandmother or favorite aunt, even as a mother figure, as I no longer have one. She is kind, tough, and always knows what to do. She was there when mother died, and she was there when father shut himself away from the world after mother passed.

"I've brought some hot tea for you, dear."

"Thank you so much." I reply, taking the silver tray from her and setting it on my desk.

"Gracious it's cold in here! Have you only just lit the fire?"

"Oh no, it's been burning for ages. It seems that the weather is being cold just for me." I joke.

She gives me an odd look but then shakes her head and turns to the tea.

"Is father busy today?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"Oh yes, as always. He's aged years in only a few days, what with all the planning of the Annual Tempestas Ball."

I nod absentmindedly. The Tempestas Ball has been celebrated for hundreds of years in the kingdom of Celest, but for some reason my father seems to be more anxious and stressful about this one than ever before. He doesn't talk to me much except for the occasional "Good morning Rosalyn." Or "Afternoon Rosalyn." but otherwise he locks himself away in his study and sends his advisor, Trent, to give me messages. Claudia and I can't stand Trent, but we pretend to for father. He is always nosy and bossy about one thing or another. Like a bothersome fly that won't go away.

"Do you think the other kingdoms will come? I ask.

"It's hard to say. They've been through some tough times recently, especially after the kings' brother disappeared in Bren. And in Gwen, the farmers have had that drastic drop in the amount of crops this year, and I've heard that they've sent the prince away to the countryside where there is more food."

"It's odd don't you think? All these weird things happening in the kingdoms.

"What do you mean child?"

"Well, the kings' brother disappeared in Bren, the crops aren't growing in Gwen, and we are having non-stop rain here in Celest. It just seems... odd."

"Being shut up in here has really broadened your imagination, dear!" She laughs. Making me smile.

"Oh! You've just reminded me! I have to get working on your gown for the ball!" And with that she bustles out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts yet again.