Princess

    I heard a carriage outside. I made my way toward the window only to be yanked back roughly. A huge fuss was made as the prince from the neighboring kingdom arrived at the castle courtyard. I was changed from my usual attire into a gown. A wig was put on onto my just brushed hair. Makeup was applied to my just washed face. All of the servants were quiet while they got me ready, only talking when necessary. I sat perfectly still, knowing the consequence if I struggled against them. When they finished, I was grabbed by the arm and ushered to the commons. I had to fight not to trip on the gown or on my own feet because of the high-heeled shoes. The door was still closed, so they did not see what happened next.

            My mother and father came rushing to me. My father seized my shoulders and shook me harshly. “Keep your mouth closed and do not even think about talking and blowing your cover. You do, we can kiss this treaty good bye.” He released me.

            I nodded. “As you wish, Father.”

The doors opened as I was announced to the party inside. “Presenting Princess Atena.”

Hello, my name is Aten, prince of Quire. I know, I was just introduced as Princess Atena, but this is all just a charade. You see, the Quire is a peace-loving kingdom, even though my parents are not. Our military is weak so we would not be able to survive an attack. My parents decided to make an alliance and peace treaty with the neighboring kingdom of Belzoni. It was supposed to be done by marriage. The only problem being that both kingdoms only had sons. Belzoni did not know that, however. I am an only child and I can pull of a wig and a dress. It is sad but true. Since I am sixteen, I have banned from talking to him and it was announced to him that I was a mute. It also did not help matters for me that I really did look like a girl. The only reason why I have to do this is because both kingdoms believe that I piece of parchment with words could easily be misread and could be forgotten. With a marriage, it’s shown that a treaty and alliance were made and could not be looked over.

I entered the room and Prince Jared; my…husband-to-be stood and walked briskly to me. He brought me into a hug and held me tightly. When we first met, I knew that it was love at first sight for him. He was in love with someone that did not exist. He released me from the embrace, took my hands and looked me over. It had been three weeks since we last saw each other. It was a short time, but for him it was eternity.

“I have missed you so,” he said to me. I smiled. He smiled as well and placed a small gentle kiss on my cheek.

Jared was nice and careful around me. Within the first week of our forced engagement, he tried to actually kiss me, but I couldn’t bring myself up to it. I had backed away and simply wrote on a piece of parchment that I was not ready to share something special like a first kiss with someone that I hardly knew. He understood and kept his affection toward me to a minimum. That pleased me greatly. With his hands still holding mine, he led me outside to our usual spot under the tree in the back of the castle. That was the most private and secluded area in the entire castle. There was a blanket and a basket already under there.

“Why don’t we have lunch out here today? It is nice out after all,” he said, as he looked me in the eye. I smiled and nodded in agreement. We both sat down and had our little picnic. I have to admit that it was pleasant. “Our wedding is in just three days,” he smiled. “Are you excited?” I had to work to nod this time. Whenever he brought up the wedding, I had to fight to keep from cracking. He noticed that I stalled. “What’s wrong? Are you nervous or still not ready?” I put up two fingers as I looked at the ground. Whenever he gave me more than one choice, I would put up the number in which he had placed it. “Still not ready, huh?” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “It will be alright,” he said taking my chin. “If you want, we could postpone the wedding to give you more time?”

I violently shook my head and snapped my fingers. I only did that whenever I wanted paper and a pencil. He looked in the basket and handed them to me. I took them and wrote: It is all right. I do not want to delay the wedding. I might get cold feet. The sooner the better.

I handed it to him and he read it. He smiled at me as he said, “Wow, you are amazing.” I smiled back. We had known each other for three months. He loved me, but I only liked him as a friend. The wedding was going to be awkward.

“Princess Atena!” I looked away from Jared and looked at one of the castle guards. He was breathing hard like he had run the whole way. Knowing him, he probably did. “You are going to be late for your fitting.”

I nodded and looked toward Jared, giving him an apologetic smile. “It is all right my love,” Jared smiled as he stood. He offered me a hand, which I took, and helped me up. “I am probably going to late for my fitting too.” He laughed. “I have to go to the guest building, so I will see you later on.”

I nodded and headed toward the guard. He extended a hand toward me. I placed mine in it and he wrapped his arm around me. “Did you have a good chat?” he asked. I heard a threatening note in his voice. I ignored him and freed my hand from his grip. He was merely a castle guard and I was still royalty. He had no right to talk to me the way my father did. He must have realized his mistake because he cut in front of me, took my hand, and kneeled. “My apologies my princess.” I wanted to groan for being called a princess, but I knew that he was doing it for safety purposes. I placed my free hand on his shoulder. He looked up and I smiled. He knew he was forgiven. He stood and we made our way back into the castle.

 I don't know if that's a very good starting part, but it does get better!