I'm Sorry, Who Are You?

Chapter 1

"Can you believe that Domonic?" I asked, "4 days until I'm sixteen," I explained, reluctantly turning away from the waterfall to face him. Domonic just gave a blank expression, eyes burning into my soul. "For a horse," I said, "your eyes still terrify me." I faced back to the serene setting that was in front of me. There were trees plotted to the far right and left and a loud, thunderous waterfall crashing down into the river below the cliff in which I was seated on. 

I attempted to look up at the Sun. Of course, it was horrible for my sight, but there were no clocks around here. Normally, in the town, we used the clock tower that was positioned in the centre of town, nearly visible throughout the entire city (So long the weather was clear). Out here, however, I had to revert back to the original way that my ancestors used: The Sun.

 My mother made it very clear, 'be back before the early afternoon, we have preparations to make for the ball'. Why were we preparing my celebratory ball four days prior? Because everything needed to be perfect apparently. I couldn't care less about anything. What I wore, how I looked, what was being served, who arrived, the invitation colour. The food is being presented today, so 'I can choose' what I have for the ball. Although I won't really be choosing, it'll be my mother. Even though my mother is only the queen, and my father is the king, the common people have a joke. They like the question who is actually in charge. The king, or his wife? When I was younger, I used to turn my nose up to those jokes, ones that picked on my family. Who do they think they are? We provide for them and give them someone to admire. They should be thanking us every spare minute they have. But, as I grew older, that snooty side of me extinguished. Sure, being a young child in royalty was fun, but being a teenager was horrible. All of my commoner friends would sneak out on their horse and ride away for the night, either to gossip about boys or meet up with some. It's harder when you are already engaged to someone and even if you attempted to sneak out, guards or maids would notice as soon as your feet hit the floor of your bedroom. Sometimes, I feel like the staff have some sort of sixth sense, that allows them to know whenever I'm doing something out of line. 

Which is why I'm surprised no one has come to retrieve me from here. I'm allowed outside as long as I tell my mother. But, I'm not allowed outside the kingdom walls. It was dangerous out here. Assasins, thieves, rabbits. The whole lot could terrify anyone. Of course, there are none of these things (except for the rabbits, there are a lot of them here). We are always told that blue blood or not, that outside the walls are dangerous, but no matter how many times I take a step through the gates that separate the two different worlds of civilisation, nothing bad has happened. Of course, I don't want to say that out loud. The gods could be listening and decide that I'm too cocky for my own good and start sending bandits in my direction. So, of course, I won't even try to persuade my mother of anything rather than her own thoughts. 

It always appears that the gods are on her side, instead of the new heir. If I ever meet one, I'd like the tell them that when I'm queen, they better start giving me some good luck, or else the temples are going to get demolished. 

I take one final glance at the waterfall. There would be no way I would be allowed out after this, before the party, and I doubt Victor would appreciate a wife who is never around, so this is most likely my last chance to soak in all the sights. The calmness. The serenity. Before I'm back to the bustling streets of Ceadan. I look over to Domonic. Asleep. Of course. I lightly nudge him in the torso with my boot. Domonic slowly starts to come to, but he'll probably be quite slow when I ride him. I quickly brush my fingers through my hair, trying to make it look less like the wind decided to ruin it. I quickly throw myself on top of Domonic and nudge him again. He starts galloping at a pretty slow pace but soon he began to quicken. It wasn't as fast as when we first came down here, but the breeze was still humming into my ear and my simple white chiffon dress flowing out behind me like a river. There were, of course, bumps along the way, which ending up hurting my groin area. Soon, we were zipping through the forest, the trees all becoming one big blur. I leant forward trying to focus on the dirt path in front of us. I could see the wall which divided the outside world with my little prison of hell. We soon reached the gates. I made a quick glance at both directions seeing if any guards were on duty. After the coast was clear, I unmounted Domonic and took him by the reins, leading him into the town. The first time I did this, there were stares piercing me from all directions, now, I guess they're used to their future queen coming back covered in dirt, twigs and leaves. I wouldn't blame them if they're relying on Victor to turn this kingdom around. I make my way to the palace, not giving anything a second glance. One of the maids, who I presume was going to harvest something, considering the wicker basket in her hand, saw me. She ran over and pulled me by the arm. 

"I'm not late right?" I ask, nervous that I was thinking for a lot longer than presumed.

"No, but the dress arrived early and her majesty was desperate for you to try it on!" She explained. 

I normally get along well with the staff (Except the guards. They hate me). Unlike my parents, I see them as normal people, friends even, instead of untouchables who simply do my dirty work for them. I always try to pick up after my self (Sadly, the maids beat me to it) and try to assist with the cooking or harvesting (The butlers roll their eyes and chuckle to themselves).

I was guided up the stairs where I was met with my mother staring intently at a dress. 

My mother, the queen, is a very beautiful woman. Her hair is like mine, dark, soft and wavy. However her's is always styled into a midlength doo with bouncy curls, and her crown sitting gracefully and oh so perfectly on her head. My hair wakes up in a mess of curls and knots and after some of my maids rake a comb through my hair and style it around my tiara, I end up pulling it out, stuffing the crown in my satchel or dresser and let my hair flow freely. This doesn't sit well with mother. Her eyes are slanted (A trait that did not carry down, I received my father's almond mahogany eyes) and her skin is rather pale. He eyebrows are perfectly arched and her lips are always with a slight pout. He rouge is barely noticeable but enough there to give her some colour. In short, the person she wants me to be. Me, on the other hand, I possess most of these features (Eyebrows excluded. Mine are very unkept), however, I don't focus on them and try to show them off as much as my mother. I simply just have them. I don't try to hide them or make them more noticeable. I couldn't care less about how I look. That's where my mother's disappointment stems from. I bet she's glad she is marrying me off to a prince, just so she can be sure the kingdom won't turn against them for having a terrible ruler.

"Alexandra! Good, you're back. I received the dress early so you can try it on today!" She exclaimed, sending one of the maids off to retrieve it. I held my breath. She hadn't turned around yet. Sure, the townspeople are used to seeing my covered with dirt, but I always manage to bathe before presenting myself in front of my mother, but today, I was pulled off. She turned around to face and a look of shock spread across her face. She pursed her lips and sighed loudly. Her eyes closed for a couple of seconds before blinking her eyes rapidly. 

"Luckily, I was about to send for you to bathe," she said. "I'm hoping you were out in the garden in the town instead of past the wall. I'm going to hope for the best. Off now," She commanded, shooing me. I quickly scurried up into my room, dropping my satchel off. Normally, a maid would accompany me, but I'm nearly sixteen, so I can bathe myself. I quickly undressed myself and ran my self a bath. 

After soaking for a while, I remembered the reason I'm bathing. I quickly scrubbed the dirt and grime off, before hopping out and dressing myself in a dusted pink slip dress that was placed on my vanity, obviously placed by the maids prior. I ran my comb quickly through my hair and made my way downstairs, meeting my mother again.

She was holding up a large dusted rose pannier dress. The cleavage area was nearly entirely shown and the hips were extended. Not as far as some that I've seen, however. Luckily, it wasn't that extravagant. 

"For your waist, you'll also need a corset under this, but when the tailor presented it to me, it just screamed Alexandra. It's perfect for you! You also don't need to try it on, we have exact measurements, so it will fit. How do you like it?" She asked.

To be honest, it was beautiful. It was made from silk and had lace sewn on the trims. The colour was similar to white but had the light mix of pink in there. It wasn't too protruding at the hips and looked more comfortable than some other dresses I've worn. I do still prefer dresses that don't lock me up, but I think I could make do with this one. 

"I love it, mother. Thank you," I thanked, curtseying. 

"Good," She said, nodding her head. I could tell that my opinion on this has actually been stressing her out for a while. "I'll have a maid bring it to your room three days later," She explained, before walking off back down the stairs, presumably to find father. 

I turned to one of the maids, "Do you like it?" I asked with sincerity. I know my fashion sense isn't always the best, so I wanted another opinion.

"Of course, it's lovely, your royal highness," The maid said with a curtsey and a gentle smile.

"Good, good," I mummbled, walking back up to my room, getting ready for the next day. Soon, there will only be three days until I'm wed forever with my husband, whom I've never met. The stress will most likely only increase from here.