No Greater Love

Chapter One

-Hello again dear readers! Yes, this update has been quick but I've been working on this chapter for several days. The next chapter will come slower, but bear with me! I hope it'll be worth it for you. Enjoy!!-

CHAPTER ONE

Dearest Evelyn, though you may see your mother as ordinary, I have experienced much. This I shall compose for you to read when you are grown up. Most stories begin with "a dark and stormy night" or "a slave girl scrubbed against the floor" but this, my dear, is no ordinary tale. It begins with me, once a royal.

As you already know, my full name is Victoria Grace Floyd, former princess of Andalusia. The morning was a typical one. I awakened with my fiery red hair flooding out of my once neat braid. As my eyes groggily opened, Ms. Gresham, my personal servant, sang, "Goooodmooooorning!" as her pudgy self waltzed into my room holding a silver breakfast tray, I could see silver strands of her grey hair fly away from her loose bun. "Happy birthday Tori!"

At this point I was fifteen years old and very different than any other royal in existence. The reasons being: I didn't like wearing fine clothes, I spent most of my days happily tucked away in the gigantic royal library, and I had made acquaintances with mice and my own personal black feline, Peppercorn. Mother had always tried to make me wear frilly clothes. I fiercely disliked them so we made a compromise—I could wear whatever I wanted on my birthday. Not only this, but on that day I could also roam about wherever I pleased instead of being constrained by tutorings and dances.

Normally, I would wish to sleep in till noon. But today I had gained my freedom and therefore leapt out of bed after breakfast and hurried over to my large oaken wardrobe and pulled out my tight grey panteloons, and teal collared tunic with a leather braided belt and gold threads intertwined. Over this I wore my three layer leather pauldron on my shoulders. As for my hair, I instructed Mrs. Gresham to brush my hair and french braid it, securing it with a green ribbon. I then tied a braided blue, green, and golden headband to hold down my "fly-always". To finish it off, I wore my necklace, a leather string with my grandmother's wedding ring, and the royal signet gold ring.

After inspecting myself in the looking glass one last time I exited my bedroom and strolled down the hall and down the long, winding marble staircase. To my right there was a huge oaken door with gold plated hinges. Pushing it open, the pleasing smell of books permeated the air around me. Oh, how I loved that smell. The library was a large room whose sides were lined from top to bottom with books. There was one window on each side of the room letting light disperse throughout the room. There were more bookshelves seven feet tall around the sides of the library. In the middle, there was a large walnut table surrounded by high backed chairs in the middle of the large room. Finally, in one corner there was a red fainting couch and a cushioned rocking chair. Tossing my satchel on the walnut table, I searched for a book to take on my adventure...just in case there was time to spend. Soon the book, the swiss family robinson came to hand. Though the author was german (In england, royals especially, disproved of germans.) I read the description and it intrigued me highly. After thrusting it into my bag I walked through the dining room, ballroom, and made my way to the kitchen. Upon arriving, I was greeted by a meow from peppercorn. "Hello dear!" I said as I squatted down to cuddle her. Eventually I grabbed an apple, some cheese, bread and a bottle of milk for the journey. These I also placed into my bag.

Soon I was ready, and with leather satchel in hand and followed by Peppercorn, I raced down the long corridor (practically running through my servants) and leapt out into the glowing, fresh September air. It felt refreshing to be out of the palace. Strolling down the smooth pebble lane to the stables, I brushed my hand along the tall grassy bushes pondering where I would travel to today. Perhaps somewhere different like Goldbergville, or Johannesburg.

Arriving at the stables I was greated warmly by my golden palamino horse named Golden Dream. I called her Goldie. Goldie was, of course, golden with a white stripe down her muzzle and cream wavy hair that was simply gorgeous waving in the wind. I loved her dearly.

"You ready to go?" I inquired. Her response was a soft nicker as she nudged my arm. Giggling, I saddled her up and led her out of her stall. "Let's warm you up girl." I said as I petted her nose. Soon after I was trotting around in the corral and saw my prim mother walking towards me. Her yellow busseled satin dress was swishing as her matching pointed shoes marched through pebbles. Slowing to a halt, I greeted her.

"Good morning mother."

"Good morning dearest." She said with a slight smile. "How is Golden Dream?"

"Fine. I am going to go on a long ride through town today. I'll be back for high tea."

She sighed with reluctance, "Alright. Please don't go too far. I don't know what I'd do without you."

I laughed, "You are so filled with worry mother, it's a wonder you sleep at night."

She smiled tightly then turned to apparently take a walk through the fading beauty of the garden.

"Tense as usual." I whispered to Golden Dream. It seemed that mother never relaxed...especially around me.

Goldie shook her head as if to shrug it off. I laughed. "I love you sweetie!" I said as I hugged her neck.

I hopped upon her back and we were off, followed by the loyal Peppercorn, down the dirt road and consequently our adventure begins.

(c) doveseyes 2015