A soft kiss of an ocean breeze brushed against the rose of her cheeks. The ocean was one of her most favorite places to go as a child, and being there brought a sickly nostalgia she could not shake. Clouds of foam glided across a fine powdery sand, white with sun-bleach and years of baking. Her feet were bare, as anyone’s would be. She could feel the coolness of the ocean, the salty brashness of the air that filled her lungs.
“Marie,” The girl’s gaze reverted from the darkness of a swirling ocean, “I’d like to stay here forever, please.” Her smile was faint as her gaze once returned to the brilliance before her.
“I am truly sorry that we cannot, Simone, if I could keep you here I would,” Her deep, melodic voice rolled in like the deep curling waves themselves.
“Ahh, I figured as such,” A sigh escaped Simone’s lips as she dragged her feet through the silky sand, “But, y’know, It wouldn’t hurt to stay for another week or so, right?”
Marie’s soothing laughter rang in Simone’s ears as they soon began to walk beside each other. An overcast of wispy gray clouds washed over the once blue sky. The dullness of such clouds didn’t distinguish the excellent glow of the sand, though. As the two tread across the beach, Simone’s head perked up and her posture fixed.
“Marie?” She spoke with a question in her voice.
“Yes, Simone?”
“Was there not something important today? Like- uhm, hrm. . .”
As Simone fell further into thought, the overcast illuminated. Sand began to drip away off an undistinguished edge. Like an hourglass, the sand began to reveal underneath was a marble floor. Dread filled her chest and Simone looked around, “Marie?”
There was no reply; rather, a violent wind kicked up a gust of sand towards Simone. She felt no fear, but the slow burn of agony as she realized she was fading into full consciousness.
Her eyes shot open as the pale sunlight streamed through her stained glass window. Such a window having a symbol of the All-Mother, a brilliant purple, gleaming bright and trickling splotches of purple about her room. Of course it was nothing more than a simple dream, something so minor, yet left an impact on her sleepy mind. This impact only lasted for a few minutes before sitting up, her lifelong long friend and maid sat beside her.
“Finally awake?” Her maid spoke, her silky voice sending waves of calm over Simone.
“Ah… Unfortunately, I am.”
With a chuckle, Mariella stood with a soft grace, it was as if she floated with each step. But, she was perfectly placed on the ground.
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“Another lovely slumber interrupted I suppose, dear?” Marie made her way to the curtains, fluffing them gently before pushing them open completely. Now the sun cast light upon the room with a joyful brightness.
“Lovely? Mm… I did dream of you— we need to visit the beach again!” Simone smiled as she recalled the wonderful waves of the ocean. But it was unlikely they’d ever have such a trip. They rarely had time to themselves anymore.
“Ah… The beach is quite lovely, luckily Forvonia has many.”
Simone couldn’t help but roll her eyes, right, Forvonia. Mariella put all her efforts in to cheer her up about the engagement, if you could call it that. Engagement in Simone’s eyes should be joyous, exciting… Consensual. But this was not the case for her own. Despite her pleas to her father, she was to be married off to Dominiq Marc, Prince of Forvonia, in 4 months time. As anyone in their right mind, at least to Simone, would be absolutely depressed, or enraged as she would say. When it was first announced by her father on what was meant to be a celebration of her 18th birthday, turned everything into chaos as she stormed out in complete and utter anger. She had refused to come out of her room for two days. Now, such rage had dulled down to annoyance and spite; but, she didn’t forgive her father. In his own words he could not “keep her forever”. But as a child that’s exactly what was promised, so why the change of heart?
“Funny, Marie, hilarious even,” Simone’s voice fell flat.
“Do not be that way, I will be accompanying you… so, think of it as a good thing. You know, you will hardly see him after the wedding.”
“Doubtful, he’s most certainly a pervert.”
“Simone!” Mariella sighed with exasperation.
“What! It’s true, you know it’s true! Have you seen the way he looked at me when we first met?” Simone gave a shudder, the way his lips curled into a smile made her stomach twist in discomfort.
“Bah, do not remind me… I was just as displeased as you,” With another sigh, Mariella adds, “You do know he is coming today, as I’ve reminded you oh— Twenty-seven times this week?”
Simone flopped back onto her pillow, a hand gently placed across her forehead. She let out a drawn out groan, “I refuse, my fair lady!”
Mariella resisted a roll of her eyes, and with a playful grab of Simone’s arm, she yanked.
“Oh get yourself up now, come on! It will reflect on me after all! Come on now!” Her relentless little tugs made Simone let out a snort.
“My l- Fine! Fine. Only because you asked of course. . . And, I’m hungry.”
“As usual, I’m sure there will be a wonderful breakfast served at his majesty’s arrival.”
“Wonderful,” Simone slipped out of bed with the enthusiasm of a funeral.
Mariella gazed upon Simone, her eyes tracing the figure of what was one of the most beautiful creatures she’d ever met. Despite all her loose and curled strands of hair that fell out of a braid she wore to sleep, or the dried dirt over her rose-kissed cheeks, the sleep that Simone desperately rubbed from her eyes… Mariella felt a smile creep upon her lips.
“Ah yes, how are we feeling attire wise my dear? Dark? Bright and bold? Or shall I tell his majesty his soon to be wife would rather die?”
Simone smirked softly, her arms crossed as she pretended to think, “Well, Let’s see here…”