Silver & Gold

Chapter 1

I look out the window of my carriage.

The people and buildings outside look quite depressing. The people dress in what looks like tattered clothing and their houses don't look much better. They are built using old boards and are quite small.

"Where are we, Lasswell?" I turn to my bodyguard.

Lasswell has long black hair like most of our soldiers. He wears a long purple coat over grey pants and a light blue shirt. Lasswell has his black boots pulled all the way up to his knees. His sword rests in its sheath on his belt. "They say this place is called the Slums, Princess Alexandria . It is where those with red blood live."

"The royalty of Norta treat their people like this? But this is wrong." I look back outside.

"Princess, Norta is soon to transition to a new king. King Tiberius VI has invited you to witness what they call a Queenstrial. The event will take place tomorrow." Lasswell's words send shivers down my spine.

I am next in line for the throne in Amicitia, but I must marry. I was sent here to find a husband among those from the High Houses of Norta. "Why must I witness Queenstrial?"

Lasswell frowns. "I do not understand that myself. You are to spectate and I assume it's to see which power each High House has to offer. Or at least that's what I think." Lasswell sets a bunch of papers in my lap.

I look down at them. "What are these for?"

"The suitors King Tiberius VI believes are your best choices. Ptolemus Samos and Samson Merandus. He says they have the most powerful abilities of those that are available," Lasswell explains.

"I understand what he means. But shouldn't there be someone from his own house? It seems suspicious to me." I hand the papers back. I am not looking for power. I want love.

Nortan Silvers don't seem to understand that.

Lasswell sighs. "You want love. I know. Your father and I have tried to communicate that to the king, but he simply doesn't see that. I will try again when we arrive." He bows his head.

I shake my head. "No. I will tell him directly— whether he likes it or not. If there is no love between us, I will not marry. Is that understood?"

"Yes, milady."

I stare out the window, looking at the forest we are now passing. I am almost to the Silver town where the summer palace is. Once there I will meet King Tiberius Calore VI, Queen Elara, and the princes of Norta. I am ready for this meeting. I will show them how the royals of Amicitia act.

Lasswell laughs. "They don't know what's coming. I have faith in our golden blood that you will make the right decisions.

"Indeed. Indeed." I lean against the back of my seat and smile.

Norta is nothing like Amicitia and Amicitia is nothing like Norta.

Norta is going to get shaken. Nortans only know of red and silver blood, but not gold blood.

I will have the advantage over the royal family of Norta and they won't know it. I smooth the skirt of my purple dress with blue trim. I slip on my grey gloves.

Lasswell pulls out a brown box and opens it. He sets the box back down in his lap. "May I, your highness?"

I nod and lower my head a bit.

Lasswell fastens a gold chain around my head.

I sit up straight so he can adjust the diamond that hangs down against my forehead. I straighten the loose strands of my long raven hair. "I will show them whose blood is more dominant."

Lasswell reaches over and adjusts my left sleeve. "Forgive me, milady. I merely covered the rest of your eagle tattoo. We can't let them see it just yet." He always worries about what people will think, but this time it's not that reason exactly.

    My family has served as the King's Sworn Shield to the Lucis Caelum family before branching out on our own. My father is Gladiolus Amicitia, who was the sworn shield to Noctis Lucis Caelum. Even though my family no longer bears the burden it once did, we still get the significant tattoo of a large eagle on our backs when we come of age.

Other royals think of it as a sign of secret loyalty to the Lucis Caelum family. They say that we aren't even loyal to our own people.

"I will show them when the time is right. For now, we'll play nice. Nothing will come of being heartless. Just stay by my side and I shall follow your lead."

"As you wish, milady." Lasswell always knows what to do and I trust him completely. When our carriage rolls to a stop, he opens the door and steps out.

I make out small bits and pieces of a conversation.

"Your majesty, Princess Alexandria of Amicitia will only accept attendance from her own servant. Allow me." Lasswell seemed to use his pride as a weapon. From the sound of it, he gets King Tiberius Calore VI to back down.

"Hurry it up, Lasswell. It's getting quite stuffy in here," I whisper.

"My apologies for making you wait, highness." Lasswell reaches his hand out to me.
    I take it and slip out of the carriage. "Thank you for accompanying me. I couldn't possibly think of a better bodyguard nor servant."

Lasswell bows and then straightens to his full height of six feet and seven inches. "Your majesty, we humbly accept your invitation to find a suitor for our precious princess. Thank you for inviting us to Queenstrial."

    A tall man with black hair and a beard smiles. He wears a crown that mimics flames upon his head. His clothes are as black as soot with silver trim. Medals decorate his chest and a cloak is settled about his shoulders. His amber eyes shine with joy. "Thank you for accepting. May I invite you in to meet my family?"

I nod to Lasswell.

"Her highness accepts." He follows me as I walk inside.

Waiting in the entrance hall are two young men and a woman.

The woman has icy blue eyes and ash blonde hair. She wears a navy blue gown and silver jewelry.

Both young men have jet black hair. They wear matching black and silver suit jackets. Their pants are tan. Black boots go up to their knees.

The shorter one has icy blue pools like the woman.

The taller one has amber eyes like the king's.

The king stops in front of them and turns back to me. He smiles. "Welcome, Princess Alexandria, to Norta."

I look up and return the king's smile. "Thank you, your majesty, for inviting me to Queenstrial. I'm honored to be your guest." I don't bow nor curtsy. I will not disgrace my family name.