The Noble and The Notoriety

Chapter 1

Rating: E

"Melody, sweetheart? Where are you?"

The lady-in-waiting was looking for her again. The small girl always hid in the tiniest of spaces ever in the castle. Of course, her parents didn't like this but Melody thought this was fun. This would be the only point in her life where she could even call something fun.

"Time to come out now - it's supper time."

The small child finally crawled out of her hiding spot and giggled as she looked up at the woman.

"You couldn't find me. That means I win!"

Amelia nodded as she grabbed the child's hand and led her out of her room and on the path to the supper room where the rest of the royal family was waiting. When they both arrived, the two had different expressions.

Amelia had an eager expression while Melody stood with a questioning one. The king and queen sat with four other people at the incredibly long and expensive looking table. They waited for their child to sit by them as they spoke with the unfamiliar family of four. Amelia led Melody to her seat before bowing to the king and queen.

"Thank you, Amelia."

"It is my pleasure, Queen Victoria."

Amelia then walked out of the room. "Melody," the child's mother spoke, "this is the duke and duchess of Marino and their children, the prince and princess of Marino." The duke had dark brown, slicked back hair and the duchess had short, blond hair. Melody looked up at her mother and then over at the 4 strangers across the table.

"It's nice to meet you, Melody. My name is Ruby," the duchess spoke.

"Hello," Melody replied.

"These are my children, Anna and Leon. You are 12 years old right? They are the same age as you."

Melody looked over at the two kids and saw that they looked very much alike. Both had short, blond hair like their mother and had smiles plastered across their faces. Leon seemed to have a genuine smile, while Anna looked like she was faking it. Melody felt like Anna did not like her and she did not know why until her mother spoke again.

"Later, you and Leon will be getting married. Isn't that exciting," Ruby exclaimed.

Melody stayed silent for a few moments and looked at Leon and then her mother.

"But...I don't want to get married...right now."

"At least not to him," Melody thought.

"No, not now. You will get married when you get older. The wedding will occur right after your 18th birthday," Victoria stated.

"In the meantime, you three can get acquainted with each other. Us grown-ups will be back. We have some matters to talk about," Ruby smiled.

All of the adults got out of their seats and walked out of the room. That's when Anna let her smile drop.

"I can't believe we have to let you into our family. I don't want a sister."

"Calm down, Anna. She'll just be your sister by marriage, not a real sister."

Melody couldn't tell if what Leon said was meant to be rude to her or not, but she did not speak on that matter.

"It's nice to meet you guys. What do you like to do?" Melody finally spoke. The twins looked at each other and giggled. "What's so amusing..?"

Anna looked at Melody and answered,

"You sound like a peasant, talking like that."

Melody's eyes widened at the fact of being compared to a person so low class. Her parents always told her that 'those people' were of little to no importance and were often troublemakers. Even to the townspeople, they are nothing. Peasants are at the bottom of the hierarchy. From most important to least important: king, queen, prince(s), princess(es), generals, knights, cavalry, wealthy townspeople, commoners...then peasants. The ones who are most suspected of being darkened. Melody quickly stood from her chair and darted towards the stairs. "Where do you think you're going?" A tall slender woman stood in front of her.

"Ah, Mother. I was just-"

"It does not matter. Go and get your shoes. We are going to view the town with our guests."

Victoria smiled as Ruby and her husband headed towards their children and the front of the palace. After having her shoes put on, Melody was ushered towards to the front door with her mother and father. Two chariots awaited the two noble families. The children and Victoria were placed in the first chariot and the rest of the adults in the second.

"Are you ready to see the town, Melody?"

Melody made a wide grin and nodded. She never got to see the town other than when she was a baby. This would be an outing that she would not forget, except it won't go the way she thinks it will. Let alone anyone else.