The Queen of Dawn

Prologue

Just a quick note. Nearly every single country in Europe at this time were catholic so that is what I am making the religion of this country. I am not a catholic so i do not know the customs, but as every country had their own version of the religion, I am making these countries have their own version too. Hope you enjoy!
*NOT EDITED*
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Dawn.

The first appearance of light before the sunrise.

~~~

Navalia, 22nd March 1509

The usual gloomy church of Navalia, with its Gothic high ceilings and intricate stained glass windows was completely transformed into a white wonderland. Lilies were everywhere, from the roof, to the end of the pews, to around the windows, even braided into Azoras hair, which was in a tight braided bun, and out for the world to see, instead of tucked under a french hood like it usually would and like every single other court lady in the vicinity of the church.

She walked up the aisle in a white gown, and gold sleeves. Pearls were embroidered into the bodice and sleeves, whilst the skirt was just plain gold.

Azora had to admit, she was wearing her dream wedding dress. She just wished she was marrying her dream man. Its not like he wasnt handsome, he was definantly handsome. With his dirty blonde chin length hair which never seemed to stay neat, his captive emerald eyes, his broad muscular shoulders,and his tall stature, he was definantly a treat to look at. He was just not her type.

Azora was hoping that one day a golden blonde haired man, with neat slicked back hair and a clean shaven face would sweep her off her feet and take her away from her arranged marriage on his horse to his castle.

Of course she was never going to find a clean shaven man anywhere, the fashion among men these days was to have a full beard, even The Prince had some stubble on him. She wouldnt quite call it stubble, but she wouldnt call it a beard either. Kind of in the middle.

Azora had always dreamed of that happening, ever since she recieved Prince Kallians portrait, along with a bucket full of rumours about his "expeditions" courtesy of her friend Madeline, who swooned at the sight of the portrait.

Azora never realised that she was actually going to get married until she reached the church. Not even when she met her betrothed for the first time one month ago as she stepped off the boat.

She swallowed and continued to walk. No blonde knight was going to rescue her now.

As she reached her fiancée and the preist at the front of the church, she rotated her body towards the man who was to be her husband. He looked straight into her eyes, his gaze peircing and cold, and she looked down at their adjoined hands, blushing a deep red.

The preist began the service, his voice echoing through the great room, preaching about how their marriage was blessed by the almighty God. Azora sure hoped so.

They were given rings to wear as a sign of our faithfulness and devotion to each other. The preist announced that the bride may be kissed, and she was given a chaste peck on the lips.

"I now pronounce you man and wife!" He proclaimed.
The crowd cheered and clapped, the bells in the bell tower rung beautiful chords, Prince Kallian grabbed hold of Azora's hand in his, and pulled her down the aisle, the both of them forcing grins onto their faces.

It seemed they werent the only ones forcing smiles on their faces though. Many a lady in waiting grimaced at the sight of their union. She guessed they were misstresses of the playboy prince, or wished they were.

A few of them, unsuprisingly, were her own ladies in waiting.
~~~
The banquet held in their honour was gorgeous. The food was never running out and sumptuous. The wine was frequently topped up, as drunken shouts becam louder and louder throughout the large banquet hall.

Azora's husband and her were seated at a raised table, to observe the dancing. She only danced once that night, with the Prince as was the custom.

Anyone who saw them would say they looked the perfect and happy couple, but she knew better. Prince kallian definantly knew how to keep up the charade, he would peck her on the lips every now and then, before grinning and dashing back down to the floor to dance and charm another young courtier.

Whereas the banquet was lively and fun, Azora's wedding night was anything but.

There were so many rituals they had to follow to make sure a child was to be made that night.

Azora was taken off to a seperate room, where she was stripped of all her finery and placed in a sheer nightgown, her raven hair placed in a braid down her back. She was given a wine that she was told had some sort of aphrodisiac mixed in. Her husband that night either didnt drink his, or it didnt work.

They were placed in the room together with the preist. He sprinkled the bed with yet again, holy water. He prayed for a child to conceived that night, and placed them in the bed before turning to leave.

Azora lay in bed half the night, her pulse quickening, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead.
She expected the man sleeping at her side to suddenly flip her onto her back at any time and take what was rightfully his. But that never happened, and soon his snores were the only sound in the room.

Azora was relieved.
She was dissapointed.
She was upset.

Azora felt as if she was to spend the rest of her life in this loveless marriage, and she prayed the King would not die soon so she wouldnt have to produce an heir anytime soon.

It seemed as if God ignored her prayers, and her father in law died one month later.

She was now a queen.
She was only 16.

There it is!
I hope you guys enjoyed the prologue of my new book! If you found it boring, dont worry, it will become eventful soon!
Also I have seen many authors do this, where they put a little cover at the end of each chapter, so if they decide to change their cover, they see which is most popular! I am not really satisfied with my current cover so I will be doing this to see which one you guys like the most. Love you all!!
PhenaPoo 😘