Living in a marble castle does not mean life is a fairytale, for Annalise it is anything but. It all started with flash backs of the old castle burning to the ground but these flash backs become more violent and frequent leaving Lise questioning abo...
Before the fire, the castle always felt warm. Even during the most frigid winter nights, I was safe from nature's icy blows. That's really the only thing I remember from before the night the castle burned.
Now the castle is made of sleek, glossy marble, a material that will never catch a spark nor emit warmth. My heels click on the floor, revealing my presence to the waiting guards.
When I arrive at the great hall the doors are closed, I take a deep breath and stare at my distorted image in the marble. My auburn hair is braided and wrapped like a crown at the top of my head leaving most of it perfectly curled in waves flowing down my shoulders and back. I reach up and adjust my tiara; a simple shimmering gold piece with an opal dangling from a tier at the top.
I've been preparing for this moment since I was born(or so I've been told).
Seventeen years Six thousand two hundred and five days Hundreds of hours of etiquette classes Months of fitting for dresses Days of anxiety One hundred thirty-six steps from my room One prince, I've never met.
My dress fits perfectly, the emerald silk starting at my right shoulder falls down to my ankles. A white fur shawl hiding my exposed shoulder. The guard on the right looks at me with confusion behind his eyes.
"Are you ready?" He asks I force a royal smile and reply "Yes, of course, I've been ready since the day I was born." He nods to his partner and they push open the doors. Standing at either side they let me through the doorway and I step on to the long velvet carpet. A trumpet sounds and an announcer speaks.
"The princess of Ladennguard, Miss Annalise Kent." His voice bounces of the marble walls. I walk with my head held high down the middle of the room. I take my seat at the Royal table to the left of my father; King Likon.The seat next to me is left empty.
The announcer tells the room why this dinner is special, the crown price of Denkerk will be offering his engagement to me. I scan the room for Joel even though I know he will not be in attendance, stable boys are hardly allowed in the castle let alone the grand hall. The announcer steps down from his stand and the room is enveloped in quite chatter.
I see him before anyone else, the crown prince standing just before the open door. His hands clasped behind his back and he's standing so straight you'd think he'd been starched that way. Dark Dark Dark black hair, ivy green eyes to match. Black dress pants, black jacket with forest green accents and golden brass buttons. A spiked golden crown like the ones in children's fairytales sits atop his head, the entirety of it was engraved with decals to small to see from where I was sitting.
The announcer stood up once more and bellowed out. "The crown prince of Denkerk, Sir Grandon Kern." He stepped into the room and bowed deeply. The low pound of a drum starts the band and the room is now filled with a bright song.
The prince follows the carpet down to the royal table stopping a few steps short of my father. The music stops with the sweet notes of a flute and the great hall had settled into silence. He bowed again and tied his hands behind his back.
"Your majesty." He began his voice even and clear. "May I have your permission to take your only living daughter to be my wife." He asked my father, without even glancing in my direction. My father smiled but it shed no warmth.
"You have my blessing" The prince now turned to me a confident grin on his lips. I know what is coming but my heart is beating in my ears and traveling up my throat. In the second between my father granting the engagement and the crown prince turning to me a flash of almond brown hair catches my eye.
Joel was standing outside the doors peering in, his eyes lock with mine. His mouth forms the words " Am I too late" but I keep my face neutral. He stepped back farther from the door and gives me a sympathetic look. This is what I have been trained for, to say one word when Grandon asks what I know he will ask.
Yes
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I hope you liked this chapter, new ones are coming out soon! I think I'm going to update once a week on Wednesday's but I'm not sure yet. Anyway thank you and keep on reading!
