Once Upon His December

Chapter 1 - Offer to Refuse

Kira

Klop-klop-klop went the steady beat of the horses galloping hooves against the fresh green grass. It matched the thump-thump-thump of  my excitedly beating heart.  The wind pulled at strawberry blonde locks sending them flowing freely behind me.  After a morning full of history, etiquette and dancing lessons, a break from the bustling castle was very much needed. 

Finally I reached the crest of the hill that overlooked into the valley of Slovya.  I prompted my faithful horse to stop.  Though only 14 summers, I had shown incredible promise as an equestrian from a young age.  Riding my horse made me feel free.

The sound of another horse's rapid hooves and a faint voice calling my name, broke my sanctuary of silence.

"Princess Kira!" an exasperated voice called. "Princess Kira!"

I rolled my eyes groaning softly knowing who it was.  Still, I faced back over the valley to gaze at the quaint town for as long as I could.  The breeze billowed my shining locks around my youthful, flushed face.

"Princess Kira! Here you are!" Margaret, my nurse called sternly.  She halted her own horse next to mine giving a fierce, scolding look.  "I have been looking all over for you!  If your father found out you were out here alone-"

"He won't Margie," I interrupted, gifting my most innocent smile.  "Unless...someone tells him."

The middle-aged woman sighed.  "Let's get you back to the castle before he finds out for himself. We need to get you ready for the ball this evening anyway."

Hesitantly, I guided my horse around and rode beside Margaret back to the castle.  The kingdom's 300th anniversary ball was tonight.  Though typically too young to attend until officially introduced into society at 16, this celebration would only happen every century.  Father deemed it a worthy exception for me to attend.  In all honesty, I was excited but nervous.  I would be the youngest in attendance and had only been working on my waltz for a few weeks specifically for the occasion of the anniversary ball.  As the Slovyian Princess, and only child of the reigning rulers, all eyes would be on me.

****
Nikolai

Two pairs of eyes intensely bore into each other from across the large, round table.  Two noblemen, at a stand still in a negotiation that had not been going well.

"Andrei, I cannot spare more of our wheat supply.  If I give you any more than already demanded, my kingdom won't have enough left in stores for winter," King Nicholas argued. 

As a smaller kingdom and the victims of a horrendous drought a few years back that crippled their humble crops.  Nicholas turned to his neighbor, the ruler of Odessa for aid.  My father, Andrei, was more than happy to help and did so for three more seasons. Then, Andrei began to demand repayment of what he had so freely given.

My Father's greed for power and control had grown fierce over the last several years.  He had been conquering smaller Kingdoms to the north and south to expand his territory.  Now, Nicholas was figuring, Andrei had his sights set firmly on Slovya.  Throughout this meeting, I watched his anxiety and suspicion elevate.

"Well, " Andrei sighed, leaning back in his chair with fingers steepled.  "If we cannot come to some kind of agreement Nicholas, then you leave me no choice but to take what I am due by force."

Nicholas paled, his pulse racing in panic.  "There is no need for that, Andrei.  What if I promise my army's allegiance to assist you in your next campaign?"

Andrei scratched thoughtfully at short beard.  Just when he was about to answer, a soft knock resounded from the door.  Nicholas mumbled an invitation to enter while still holding his gaze on Andrei.  When he saw who was now entering the study, his face dropped, filling with regret.