For the Crown (PREVIEW ONLY) Formerly Prince Gallant

CHAPTER 1: GUESTS IN THE KEEP

The cupboards of Princess Lena's mind were filled with mischief, the drawers with wisdom, and the exposed shelves, composure. Beneath everything was the ever-constant reminder that she simply wasn't good enough. How could she be? Being born a female automatically disqualified her from gaining the throne on her own. Yet it was this disadvantage that made her different, unique, quite unlike those who had come before her.

It wasn't because she enjoyed playing nasty tricks on the patrons at court, like leaving frogs in Lady Hoffman's vanity, or letting goats into Lord Norton's chambers to chew up all his books. They deserved it, after all. Nor was it because she had a knack for sorting out her father's political problems when he needed a creative mind. Hers could conjure up the most elaborate solutions—fixes he'd never considered. They always seemed so obvious once they were out.

No, Princess Lena was unusual because she was the first Princess of Dragonwall to reach the age of seventeen. Moreover, she was only the second princess that Dragonwall had ever seen. That made her special. She wouldn't have agreed. Being a princess left her disqualified from the crown unless she could find her male counterpart. That alone was enough to make anyone feel inadequate. Thus, she considered her title of princess awfully close to a curse.

Today that curse had come to fruition. In the lowest courtyard of the Great Keep of Kastali Dun were a number of guests, all waiting for her. These weren't simply any guests. These were hopefuls who desired to become Dragonwall's next king. Making them feel welcome was the last thing Princess Lena wanted, so she decided to give them a welcome they would never forget.

She raced through the keep, carrying out her most mischievous plan yet, but she was not unhindered. "Lena!" A breathless shout came from behind her—from her handmaidens. They were chasing after her, begging her to stop. Instead, she ran faster. Her heart hammered in her chest, spurred on by the excitement. Passersby laughed. They were used to her silly antics. "Oh, that's just Princess Lena," they said, "up to more of her tricks."

"Lena, come back here!" Voices continued to echo down the stone corridor. Snickering at their discomfort, she threw herself down another set of stairs, trailing her fingers along the smooth rock wall of the stairwell. "Please Lena! You are already late!"

"Then I must hurry," she cried over her shoulder. She burst into another corridor. The south wing of the castle led into a courtyard with a fountain at its center. She doubled over to catch her breath, placing her hands on her knees. What fun she was having! Too much fun.

The irritated cries of her kenna closed in. Kenna Margaret was too old for this exertion, but that did not deter the woman. "Princess Lena! I insist you cease this at once!" Margaret came to a stop beside her.

"Stop what, Kenna Margaret?" She turned to face her tutor. "As you said, I am already late."

"All...the more reason...to go and...get dressed," said Margaret. She took hold of Lena's arm, attempting to pull her away.

Lena pulled her arm free, smiling sweetly. "Oh, Kenna. You are being too serious, just like Mother. See here? I am already clothed."

Kenna Margaret's eyes bulged. "Princess Lena! You cannot greet your guests in that! The queen will find out."

"So much the better." Lena stood erect, her shoulders squared. Her three handmaidens caught up. They were breathing harder than Kenna Margaret, with red faces.

"You take this rebellion too far, Princess." Kenna Margaret also squared her shoulders, placing her hands on her hips as she scowled. "Think! Think about what you are doing. You will embarrass us all."

"My dear Kenna. You let me worry about that. In the meantime, I intend to go the rest of this alone. The four of you must wait in my apartment."