The Sea, The stars and The Void

Chapter 1

Her name is Princess Athena Aerwyna of Cardemey, She has long, dark, curly brown hair that falls in ringlets down her short but thin frame. She has eyes as bright and blue as the ocean. Her lips as pink as coral. She is the very definition of beauty.

Ever since she was a young girl, her mother Queen Gieselle Asherah and her father, King Alexander Cirdan have tried to set her up with countless royal princes, earls and nobleman. Her entire life, Athena has been treated as a delicate porcelain doll, who's only worth is to look pretty and make a rich man a wonderful wife and family.

Today is princess Athena's 20th birthday and the entire kingdom is bustling with preparations for the big celebration that is coming this evening. Geiselle and her daughter Athena have been busy for hours with the maids trying to lace and dress the princess for tonight's party.

"Mother, please! We have been here for hours, if one more sparkling barrette goes into my hair I will simply scream. I need to step outside for some air, it is awful stuffy in here, don't you think Miss Yasmine!" Athena says as she stands up and turns back to look at her maid and mother who is behind her.

As she stands up, her full length dress gently touches the floor with a soft thump and swishes as she walks towards the glass double doors that leads to the balcony in her bedroom.

"Fine. Five minutes Aerwyna, and no more. We still have to tighten your corset and finish powdering your face. Your father is downstairs greeting the guests. You had best be polite to everyone you meet tonight. And please, try to keep your eyes open for a suitable young man. This is the year you must get married, your father and I won't live forever Aerwyna. I would hate for your father and I to have to choose your husband for you...I'll meet you downstairs shortly. Miss Yasmine, please escort her down once the final touches have been complete." Giselle says to her daughter as she walks out of the room, her attendant Lauraine at her heels closing the door behind them.

Athena and mother have always fought and not seen eye to eye about pretty much anything. Her mother refuses to believe that her daughter can be a scientist. Because to many people, women simply can't have the capacity to learn. Athena has a talent for the stars and the sea.

The moon and all the stars are her best friends and she has always felt a deep connection with herself and the stars. They call her to the ocean. Athena excels in math and spends much of her time drawing and reading scientific scrolls and books about the sky and the sea. If only her mother could understand her...

To Athena, there is more to life than just starting a family and ruling a kingdom. There are people to meet, places to see and adventures to be had! There is so much Athena wants to do, but her mother will have none of it.

Finally Athena thinks to herself as she pushes open the heavy curtains and double doors and walks to the edge of the balcony.

The ocean is clearly visible from this side of the castle. The deep blue water shimmers under the late afternoon sun. Athena looks out at the small merchant ships that dot the waters and smiles.

For as long as she can remember Athena has been in love with the ocean. Everything about it makes her heart soar. The bright colors, the salty smell, the soft white sand beneath her feet. If she could only spend more time by the shore....Her mother strongly disapproves of her love for the ocean and will not allow her to visit often. But still her mothers disapproval doesn't stop Athena from sneaking out of the castle at nights to run alongside the shore.

Athena stands there for several minutes with her eyes closed and the wind blowing her dress lightly. It seems like only seconds have passed when her maid Yasmine gently places her hand on Athena's shoulder and tells her it's time to come back inside.