The Kingdom's Collide

Chapter 1

The Beginning

The morning sun was shining bright into Maria's bedroom revealing beautiful high ceilings, paintings plastered all over the walls, big tall windows that open up onto a balcony overlooking the massive kingdom of Casova. A huge bed too, where Maria lies asleep, but little does she know her fitting for the royal ball is in 20 minutes.

"Maria!" A voice echos from outside her monstrous door.

"Maria?" The voice repeats again but with a loud knock.

Maria's head flies up out of her pillow with her hair astray looking slightly confused.

"Who is it?" She yells.

The door opens showing a beautiful woman with long dark brown hair, olive skin and brown eyes, in a light blue gown.

"You're mother? Your fitting is in 20 minutes dear. Were you even up?" She questions.

"Uh... of course I was... I was looking forward to this day all week!" Maria falsely exclaims.

"You and I both know that isn't true. Get up quickly, we do not want to keep the seamstress waiting."

"I'll be right down just give me a second to put myself together."

"I expect you down in 5 minutes." Her mother says as she walks out the door, sending a echo of the door closing through the room.

Maria has never really been excited for big events like this. Ever since she was a child she's thought of them as pointless and unnecessary.

~

The seamstress' room was dark and small with a smell of must. The only source of light was from a window where her clothing is hung to dry. Maria has been there all too many times. She takes a deep sigh before she turns into the room.

"You're late." Her mother sternly says, "quickly, try this dress on and see if it fits. It's the one you picked a month ago so maybe your tastes have changed."

The seamstress pulls out a light cream colored ball gown, with puffy short sleeves, and gold design along the bottom. She definitely hasn't changed taste at all. The dress was breathtaking.

"Oh it's beautiful!" Maria exclaims, "I love it!"

"I'm glad you think so." The seamstress gives a soft smile.

~

"Kinda... having... trouble... breathing here." Maria says in between breaths

"Oh hush. All women have to go through this multiple times in their life!" Maria's mother calmly states, "plus, it's apart of being a princess."

"Almost done, just one more pull... and, there we go! Now it's time to put on the gown." the seamstress says picking it up off the manakin.

As the dress slips over maria's head the two older women gasp in the small room.

"You will be the prettiest specimen in the ballroom my dear! Just look at how the dress fits you, all the princes from the other kingdoms will fall at your feet."

Maria knew her mother was trying to make her feel excited about the upcoming event, but in the back of her mind she thought it shouldn't be about what she's wearing to make the boys fall before her; but, it should be her brain and her witty personality to make them fall. Not for a dress, but for her.

"You really will! This dress is made from the finest silk in the area, all the kingdoms will know just who you are and respect you." The seamstress exclaims breaking Maria from her thoughts. "You really must be going now, with all the planning for tomorrow night."

"You are very right, thank you for what you've created for my daughter. Now take it off quick so you don't ruin it."

"Gladly..." Maria was close to passing out from the corset.

Once the dress was off so was Maria. Of course she had her princess duties but not on a Saturday. This day was for adventure and excitement with her horse Merrick. The two would ride off into the never ending forest, just beyond the kingdom borders. Of course her parents never knew she did this, but nothing bad had happened yet so how could they find out. Maria was no longer in her safe haven past the borders, she was in the middle ground, between another kingdom which made it even more exciting.

As Maria walked through the monstrous halls of the kingdom, greeting everyone she saw, she finally made it to the stables. Her horse Marrick was standing at the end of the long room full of empty horse stalls. He had a silvery white coat with a white mane. He was just as excited to see her as she was him.

"To the meadow of wonders this time? I heard the flowers are in bloom and the grass is lush. Sounds so beyond beautiful!"

Maria knew that there wouldn't be a response but just a small snort. She understood that he wanted to leave the kingdom just as fast as she did though. As soon as they made it out of the stables she hopped onto his bare back and held on tight to his mane as they galloped out to the main street full of townsfolk, they gasped and jumped out of the way, laughing as they realised it was just the princess of Casova. Nothing new.