ROYALTY • saleb {au}

CHAPTER 1

THE DAY HAD STARTED OFF LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY.

The beautiful birds- known as Blue Jays- had been chirping. It was the first day of Summer, and Syd couldn't have been happier.

Sydney Herz, more commonly known as Syd, was a princess. Her family the Herz family, rose into power about 350 years ago. A war had become the center of everyone's lives, each independent country fighting for itself. The first to fall was Australia, the next was Mexico, soon followed by Canada, after many years there were only three countries remaining, The United States, Great Brittan, and France.

After almost ten more years of fighting, the three countries decided to make uneasy peace treaties. It was decided that The United States would have a third of the world, Great Brittan would have another third, and France would have the other third.

So, on the 14th of December 1867 the world was split into three. Many families made their own kingdoms within the three major countries, but there were always three that would hold the most power.

In the United States, was the Leblanc family. In Canada was the Donnellys. In Great Brittan was the Herz family. After the war, almost all the technical advancements made had been lost, along with the creators of each thing.

Syd had been awoken by her lady in waiting, Olympia Lyndon. "Sydney, there is a very important meeting, between your father and King Leblanc today. Which means you and your mother shall entertain the other members of the Leblanc family." Olympia said, walking into Syd's closet, and returning a minute later with a purple dress that Syd often wore.

Syd sighed, gazing out the large window in her bedroom. She flinched, as Olympia pulled the strings on her dress. Out of everyone in the castle, Syd closest friend was Olympia. The two had grown up together as Olympia's mother had been Syd mother's lady in waiting.

Walking out of the room, Syd and Olympia walked down the first staircase that would lead down into the main area of the castle. "Who all is coming today anyways." Olympia smiled hearing Syd's voice, she had heard it less and less every day since the passing of Syd twin brother, Luke. Syd voice had a slight English accent, and it was soft and anyone who heard it could hear the innocence she often let slip into it.

"Well, I know the King and Queen are coming. I believe they are bringing their eldest and their youngest, but I can't seem to remember their names." Of course, Olympia did indeed remember their names, but she knew the princess did too, and Olympia loves to hear the princess talk.

"If I recall, their names are Caleb, and Hayley." The princess said softly. The two girls walked into the main hall, right as the King Mike Herz, and his wife Paula led the Leblanc family along with them. Walking over, the princess caught all eyes. "Good morning mother, father." She smiled softly at her parents, who were surprised to hear their eldest daughter speak.

"Good morning sweetheart, and to you as well Olympia. I'm glad you are here, I would like it if you showed Caleb and Hayley around the castle," though it seemed, and sounded like a request, everyone in the hall knew it was more of an order. The fifteen-year-old princess nodded, and then the parents were off.

"Well princess, shall we get going?" Olympia called, causing Syd to move her gaze from the floor, and nod.

And thus they were off, on an exploration of the castle.