Beginning

Chapter 2- April 19, 1242

A maid opens the curtains, letting the last few minutes of the sunset's dull light in. A ray of light falls upon a young girl's sleeping eyes, immediately waking her. As her eyes open, they narrow and flash a dull red, "What the hell," she groaned, "Lady Margareta, when are you going to learn to stop waking me up before the sun goes down?." The young girl pulls the silk sheets over her head. "Close the damn curtains," muttered the sleepy girl.
"I see you're still not a morning person, your highness," said the maid, tying the curtains up.
The girl sat up in bed and looked at her with a spiteful grin, "Is that supposed to be a joke? Because if it is, it's not very funny."
"No pun intended, but really, a little light won't kill you."
"But a lot would," she said as she stretched.
The maid sighed. "Let's get you dressed, then you must go see your mother and father. They will be in the Dining Hall soon."
"I doubt they are even out of bed, seeing as the moon isn't even awake yet ," she said as she layed back down, trying to bury herself in her sheets. Margareta shaked her head and started the pointless game of tug-a-war again this night.
"Princess, I would love nothing more but for you to continue resting, but I've been told to get you ready early this night, the Queen has sent word that you are to be very busy this evening." The princess stops pulling, which sends the maid hurling towards the floor.
"Are you serious? I am very busy every evening. What more could Mother possibly want from me?" The princess has grown quite a customer to her bustling schedule, from sorcery lessons, to etiquette and history lessons. She had some time to spare, on a good day she could possibly have a few moments to herself, in which she would stroll the garden, visit the grand library, or socialise. This rare free time was very precious to her, and she did not want anything more to waste it before it became to light outside to do anything else but sleep.
Ah sleep, it still whispered to her, to come back to it and away from the dull, vicious light.
"Princess, do not dozy off while I'm speaking to you." Margareta shook her princess's shoulders, waking her further.
She swiped her hands away, "A hell, fine I'm awake. Get me something to drink."
"What would the princess like?"
"Wine."
"Raspberry?"
"Yes."
Margareta went to fetch the the bottle that she already brought into the room. She poured a drink in a cool, gold metal cup for her lady. After passing the cup to her, the lady takes a drink, and then another.
Two cups late, and the lady sighs in relief and smiles. "Much better. Never truly feel awake without a cup or two in the evening."
"Always in a fowl mood without one or two, as well," Margareta said speaking in a much more playful, almost sarcastic, tone with her now that she's downed her drinks, knowing it's safe to now.
The princess doesn't mind, but gives her an impish grin, "Watch it Margareta. Get me dressed already," said the lady as she waited at the edge of her bed. As her legs hang over the side of the large bed, her feet manage to touch the stone ground. A shiver runs all over her body, but she does not move them away.
"What would you like to wear today, princess?" The maid started for the closet.
"What indeed. Hmm," she said in an uncertain tone, but then smiled mischievously, "Something red."
Margareta smiles to herself, from inside the closet, shaking her head, "I knew you were going to say that." She then started to search, and mere moments later, pulled out one of the many red dresses from the closet. In fact, almost all the dresses were red.
The dress was simple; a deep red, with a silver embroidered cyclas. Simple enough, but yet the embroidery is enough to set this dress apart from the others.
The princess smiled, and started to examine the dress. "Exactly what I wanted. Can you really read me that well?" she cocked an eyebrow.
Margareta smiled, "Well, yes, your highness. After all the years we have spent with each other, one would hope so."
The princess started to play with an embroidered bean on the dress, and studying all the small details in silver. "You know your mother made me this dress almost 30 years ago. She was such a talented semesters."
Margareta nods approvingly, "Yes so talented. I only wish I had such talents, so I may follow in her footsteps. And you've have taken care of the dress so well, it looks as if mother has sewn it but yesterday."
"Yes this is one of my favorites. And she was one of my favorite handmaids. You remind me much of her."
Margareta's small grin blossomed into a full fledged smile, "Honestly, Princess? Do I really?"
"I have no reason to lie. Now hurry up. It is cold in just my under clothing."
"Of course, your highness," Margareta seemed to move with more merry in her step. The princess will never understand why beings, that are not lamias of course, are so easy to manipulate.
Margareta helped her into the dress and laced it together in the back. The maid couldn't help admire the lady's skin, and how ivory white it was. "Your skin is so lovely, princess. I envy you."
She smiled knowingly, but knew she must volley, "Lady Margreta what are you talking about? You work inside, in the dark everyday. Your skin is almost as pale as mine."
"Yes almost, but it could never be as yours. Or as flawless. And it will never last as long." Margreta sighed and finished lacing the back. She then said to herself, "It was always the very pretty ones who get picked." Of course with her lamias hearing, the lady heard her.
She knew exactly what she was talking about. Getting picked was a privilege, the highest reward for all the services do. The male lamias usually picked more than the females. Not that it was looked down on if females did or not. The females just usually didn't want to ruin their dress with the mess that picking usually comes with if one is not careful. This is why the lady is more than happy her family colors are the darkest of reds. She never ruins a dress.
Margreta placed the matching head piece on her lady's head. "There, you are all done. This is the last time I shall dress you as a child. Tomorrow I shall dress you as an adult."
At the mention of her birthday, the lady smiled. How could she almost forget her own birthday? Especially her coming of age.
She walked up to the full length mirror, twirled, admiring herself, and was quite smitten with what she saw. Margaret watched grinning.
"Can you believe tomorrow night I will be full lamia?" She falls back on to her bed giggling like mad. "Finally I'll be old enough to inherit my throne," she rolls onto her stomach and rest a hand on her cheek, "That is, of course when mother and father step down from it first." She remembers something and scowles, "And if that rat Vincent does not try anything foolish."
"Yes of course. I doubt there is much Vincent can accomplish after tomorrow. But I think you'll make a wonderful queen. Queen Titania has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
Titania smiles at her maid, "Yes. Yes it does. But for now I am only Princess Titania."
The young maid nodded, "Yes for now. Now then princess, you must hurry. I'm sure your parents are already waiting for you in the Dining Hall."
"Yes I should hurry. Mustn't keep mother and father waiting to long. I might get into trouble."
Margaret laughs, "Trouble? You never get in trouble. You're much too clever for that."
"I am, aren't I?" Titania smirked, then left the room.