France, 1829
When the Crown Prince falls in love with a girl from a commoner family, things grow more heated and dangerous.
When lives are at stake, will he choose his own happiness or will his happiness disappear forever?
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
It was a warm summer morning. The sun shone through my white curtains into my face. My grey blanket had been thrown off my bed during the night. My black hair was braided and fine streaks of chestnut gleamed in the rays. I sat up in bed and could hear my siblings.
We were seven siblings in total. Our Governess, Madame Louisa, a music teacher, took care of us since our mother passed away earlier this year. It was tragic, but her end gave a new life.
I sat down at my desk and brushed my hair. The door unlocked and laughing of my younger siblings was heard even louder.
"Good morning Annelise, it is time to rise and shine.", she said. "Good morning Madame. I'm ready in a minute." "Don't worry. How did you sleep?", Madame asked, sitting down at my bed. "Very well. How is Ivy doing?" "Well, cheery as always.
I finished my outfit for the day and walked downstairs to eat some breakfast. Before I walked down, I had a nice overview of the situation. Our house was big, big enough for two families.
We lived close to a lake, to which our backyard was connected to. In the house, I saw all my siblings at the table, except for my father and Delilah. My grandmother put all the delicious food on the table.
We were thankful for everything we had. My father wasn't a big friend of the monarchy but it treated us well. We were aware of all the people that were suffering and starving so we always give something back.
I sat down at the table when Delilah rushed down to the table.
"I'm sorry. I overslept."
Delilah was my older sister. In fact, she was the oldest of all of us. She was 19, nine years older than me. She was pretty. Her blonde, wavy hair shone in the sun like gold. Her emerald green eyes were fixated on Martin, our brother. Her dress matched her hair accessory.
"I like your hair, Annie.", Delilah said. "Thank you. I like your dress." "Girls, stop talking and eat. You look like sticks.", our grandmother scolded.
Delilah and I exchanged looks and laughed. Then we ate in silence.
***
"Madame, have you heard the news yet?" "No, Baron, I have not. What is the news?", she asked. "The Robillard family is doing a vacation." "Those are marvelous news, Baron. But what has this to do with me?" "I want you to accompany us to Paris.", I said.
In all honesty, I never planned on going to Paris. Since Elizabeth passed away, I could not make myself go back to a place, that destroyed my happiness. But I had to, I had to do it for my children.
"I would be honored to accompany you and your children.", she said. "I knew I could count on you." "When are we going?" "Tomorrow morning. Please bring my children to me. I would like to give them the information myself." "Of course.", she said, running out of my office.
The next thing I saw, was her running towards my children. They all went inside the house, not knowing what I would tell them, would change their lives for moments.
"Papa, you asked us to come here. Did something happen?", Delilah asked. "No. But you should sit down."
I looked at my children. Their expressions were a mix of excitement and fear. Annie grabbed Delilah's hand.
"Tomorrow we will be accompanied to Paris by your Governess, Madame Louisa. We will have our first family vacation after some time."
My children gasped. They looked around to each other, trying to figure out what that meant. Delilah and Annie quickly understood and started cheering. The rest of my lads were too young to understand yet. But soon their excitement kicked in.
They were going to Paris. I was kinda scared for them. Who knew what would happen in Paris.
"Are you coming too, Papa?", Annie asked.
I nodded.
"Yes of course. It's a family vacation."
She nodded with a huge smile plastered on her face. That smile that made my heart jump.
***
"We're going to Paris." "Yes, you are Annie. But you cannot go there before you ate your vegetables.", my grandmother said. "Yes, grandmother."
"It is time for bed. We need to be up very early tomorrow."
Soon we were all in our rooms, lying in bed. I turned to my window. I would see the sunrise in Paris. I couldn't wait to go there.
"Aren't you sleeping yet?", my father asked. "I can't." "Too excited?" "Yes, way too excited." "The faster you fall asleep, the faster we will go to Paris. Now go to sleep.", he said, kissing my forehead.
