I wake up late knowing full well that my father, the king, hates when I ignore him because I am just a useless female to him. All he cares about is finding a ‘prince’ that can actually stand my ignorance. But I plan on upsetting him as much as possible because well I can. I am his only hope at maintaining the throne that way he can just control me. But obviously I am not just gonna let that happen. I get up and go to the bathroom and put on my undergarments, and yell
“What should I wear?” I ask my handmaid.
“There is a new pastel orange dress with lots of layers.” She says back
“Oh! How exciting, I will wear that!” I cheer as she hands me the hoop skirt and corset that I will wear today. I turn around and let her lace up the corset and I hop into the hoopskirt. I love how flowy these new one I got are. And she brought the first layer of the dress over my head. As we put the dress on me I slowly love it more and more. I twirl around and realize just because you are rebellious doesn’t mean you can’t love good fashion.
“Can you bring up breakfast today please?” I beg my handmaid
“Princess Edith, I have direct orders from the king to make sure you go to the dining hall for breakfast” She said looking sorry for me. I never had a mother that I knew so instead I just have handmaids that change too quickly to get to know them. So I just stay detached from everyone I meet.
“Of course my father is being a deluded butt again” I said rather annoyed. The handmaid giggled at how much I really don't care what he thinks. I walk out of my bedroom and slowly make my way slowly walking through the hallways, Partly because it is nice to look at the art in the hallway, and also because these heels that I have to wear are extremely uncomfortable. I look around to see the guards glancing at me, as soon as they realize I can tell they bow their heads. Men are rather disgusting at times. I walk into the dining hall and look at my father. I smile at how frustrated he looks. It’s probably because prince whats-his-face didn’t want to marry me.
“Sit down Edith” he demands pointing to the chair nearest to him. I decided to sit in the seat further from him though, at the foot of the table.
“Father, I have told you many times that I am not interested in finding any sort of suitor. So would you please stop this nonsense.” I am rather annoyed that he doesn’t know when to stop.
“Actually Edith I have started a new . . . project.” He says, sounding a bit too excited “I have set up a competition of sorts for your hand in marriage. BUT! You get to choose who will win by rounds of elimination.” OH NO I will not go on with this
“NO I refuse to go along with such stupidity! If you make me do this, I will just choose none.” I say
“Edith, you will do this. And any eligible man can participate, I get to choose the ones who can actually come to the palace though.” He refuses to listen to me. “You must choose one of them. I do not care what you believe. They will stay here until you choose to marry one.
“You IDIOT!” I say storming off. How can he do this to me! What a jerk. The stupidest, most idiotic of all of them is my ugly father.
“Do not use that language with me! They are all coming to meet you tonight at a ball” I hear as I stumble out of the room. How am I going to survive this? I have made through barely with men trying to lasso me into there stupid beleifs of what a ‘woman’ should be. Now I will be stuck living with multiple men, who all want to marry me! Then I will have to actually marry one of them and be stuck. I have decided to go to the greenery to wash out my thoughts. As I rush through the palace I look down as my beautiful dress flows around. The poor dress will be soiled with invasive looks from strangers at the stupid ball that my father is having. I want out of this life it is driving mad. I sit down on my favorite bench and look at my changing flower bush. I call it that because I ask the gardener to switch it out every now and then so I can look at something new. This time it was white Calla Lilies, how nice. I turn around and look at the little built in stream and smile. It has been there since I told the old gardener, Edwardo, to add some water to the greenery since it was too dry there. I wish he was still here.I hear bells ringing. . . It is already noon! I will go to the kitchen and grab some food and head back to my room I guess. As I quickly head to the kitchen more guards bow their heads down as I pass, how very dreadful. I walk into the chaotic environment of the kitchen to see everyone rushing around, probably getting stuff ready for the last minute ball. I go to the nearest cook and ask for an apple.
“Oh! Of course your majesty.” She messily curtsied
“Oh please call me Edi. It is fine.”
“Yes, yes your. . . Edi” She corrected herself She gets the best looking apple and places it in my hands
“Thank you” I smile. She smiles back proud of herself. I walk out of the wildly chaotic environment and start towards my destination. I go up so many stairs and I finally reach my secret spot. A little detour one might say. I squish my big dress through a little secret tunnel in the wall. As I push myself out of the tunnel into the little room with a small pile of books in one corner, and painted on stars on the ceiling. I remember when I asked the royal decorator to come in by secret and paint ‘magic stars’ on. She came in and secretly painted them on for over an hour. I hope she is doing well now, wherever she is. I sit down on my little stool and light the candle on the other stool that I use as a table. I grab the book nearest to me and open it to the page I was last reading. I quickly read through the chapter and rushed out of my secret room. I need to prepare myself mentally and physically for this ball. I open the doors to my room and quickly ring for my handmaid.
“How may I help you ma’am”
“There will be a ball tonight and I must get ready, can you run a bath for me?”
“Yes, of course” She rushes into the bathroom and starts to pour buckets of water into the tub I have.
“Ma’am the bath is ready, I will get your dress ready” She says, grabbing the dress I just took off.
“Thank you.” I say walking into the bathroom. I love how dressmakers can add onto dresses to make them more fit for a ball. I wash up and get out. I get the towel that she left out for me. I walk out once I make sure I am alone. I grab more undergarments from my wardrobe. I see that my handmaid left my newly perfected dress on the edge of my bed. I didn’t think it could look any better, but the gold accent really does add the perfect touch. I sit down at my mirror and get my gold makeup and apply it to my eyelids. I add some mascara, and a little blush. Now I look like a perfectly disgusting princess. I cannot wait to make all these suckers feel like poo. I mean why not be amazingly awesome and look amazingly awesome if you can right? I smile and move on. The guards I pass eyes widen. I love feeling like this. I don’t per say like the attention I just love how they are impressed because obviously they didn’t expect it. That is going to happen with every man tonight, which will be rather fun. I can just mingle around the food. I really hope I don’t have to dance with them. Because as much as I love dancing, doing it with complete strangers is awkward.
“I am glad to see you are prepared, because our visitors will arrive right about now” I hear from behind.
“Whatever I just want to get this over with.” I groan. Before he can yell at me I rush downstairs to the entrance of the palace to see what glimpses I can get of the outside when the ‘visitors’ come in. I feel as though the term intruders would work better than visitors though.
“Presenting the suitors for her royal highness!” Shouted the announcer at our door
“Umm sir you can just say it you do not have to yell.” I say as he blushes
“Oh uh sorry” He continues “Sir John of Cambridge” As a blonde guy with a tailored suit walks in and stands in line.
“Lord Thomas of Newcastle '' As a man with dark brown hair and caramel skin walks in and stands next to the blonde.
“Sir Charles of Birmingham” A stunning man comes in with dark skin and darker hair.
“Prince Gilbert of Cyprus” As a more distinguished man with warm skin and stunning blue eyes walks and stands. I ignore the ‘intruders’ and pretend not to care about the way they look at me.
“Lord Lewis of Bristol” In came a man or boy who looked like he believed himself above everything and everyone else. He was rather dashing with his black hair styled up and blue suit but definitely not my type.
6“Sir Arthur of Norwich” As a guy with medium brown hair and dark brown eyes came in.
“Prince Matthew of Malta” As a man with the most stunning long light brown hair and beautiful bright green eyes came waltzing in.
“And lastly Prince Francis of France” He announced as the final ‘intruder’ entered with braided shoulder length hair and dark skin looking put together.
“Ahem! Gentleman, welcome!” My father said from beside me as I slowly scooted away from him I heard a chuckle coming from. . . Charles. Well looks like he knows. THE SECRET IS OUT GUYS! RUN! I laugh inside my head at my own joke.
“So there are a few rules you must know. One is acting properly which most likely will not be a problem. Two, do not become romantically involved with anyone else in this castle while you are here. Three the eliminations will happen whenever Edith would like them too but they must be spread out at least by a week” He glared at me, at least he is letting me choose, right?
“Now for the basics you will each get a bedroom and servants. You will have plenty of time to spend with the princess but if you want anything else you can talk to her. You may not go outside unless you get permission from me or Edith. Any questions?” One raised their hand, John I believe.
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“So when is dining time, and how will that go?” He inquired
“Oh of course dinner, lunch, and breakfast will be served daily and you can see me and Edith here everyday there if you need anything.” He said proud of his explanation, how very annoying.
“You may all go to the Great Hall, with Edith of course, and talk and get to know eachother better.” He said walking away. I walked to the great hall and they followed careful of where they stand
“Good afternoon,” I say, “you have all heard the king's rules, but I must add on. If you need to talk to me, try not to interrupt my sleep. Also you can all go outside if you want just don’t mess anything up. You all have servants and maids but please treat them as if they were your friends.” I say taking a breath. “You can talk around now.” I walk to the nearest chair and sit down. They start to chat and help themselves to the food that was placed there for them.
“Your highness” One said to me as he kneeled down and kissed my hand. “You look stunning.”
“Yes my dressmaker is rather talented huh?” I say tiredly.
“So I am Thomas, but you may call me Tom”
“Yes, yes I am Edith, but you may call me your majesty.” I joke around.
“Oh. of course forgive me.” He said
“Oh dear! I am just kidding around” I laugh
“Excuse me but you have the laugh of an angel.” said one, Charles.
“Uhhh, thanks” I say hesitantly.
“Did I just hear ‘angel’, because yes I am one!” Lewis said jokingly and I started to crack up as did the rest of the room.
“Well isn’t this a lot” I say, getting up and walking over to the people I haven’t talked to yet as the others joke around with each other. I am glad these people are all my age and act it, in the young way I mean, I hate those ‘young’ men who act and talk like an old man.
“Ah madmazel, I am Francis” I hear in the most flawless french accent.
“Edith” I nod my head seeing as he is a prince. I move to the next face I see which is Gilbert. I nod my head seeing as he is also a prince.
“Princess Edith, how are you doing?” He asks thoughtfully.
“Well it isn’t the easiest, quite a surprising day, but I will make it through. Thank you for asking Prince Gilbert.” I say thankfully
“Please call me Gilbert”
“And you may call me Edith or even Edi if you would like”
“Which is preferred?” He inquired
“Oh I guess Edi,” I smiled. I move on to find Charles is the last one I must talk too
“Edith, I see you do not appreciate your father very much. How relatable.” He jokes
“Yes indeed” I laugh
“Well, are you excited for the ball?”
“Yes” I say in a very unbelievable way I know because he stares into my eyes asking the truth with his face “No, not really, I am rather tired”
“Well then why don’t you go rest?” He pushes me out
“Wait I have to show you all to your rooms”
“Ugh fine then.” he says
“Gentlemen! You may all follow me to your rooms.” I leave hoping they follow. I go as fast as I can in these uncomfortable heels. And eventually I arrived at the guest rooms.
“You may pick your own, no fighting they are all the same.” I say.
“Where’s your room?” someone shouts as the rest of them laughed.
“If you want to know where my room is then figure it out!” I snap back in a ‘delicate’ way.
“But princess?!!” They whined.
“Wow, if you really must know you can follow me, but then you have to leave me alone” they all squealed in excitement. I walk to my room. And once I arrived I hear
“Let's go in!” and a bunch of yeahs
“NO you are not going in.” as much as I hate them they are hillariously stupid.
“Please???” they all beg.
“The answer is no.” I laugh at how childish they are being.
“She laughed!” one says.
I attempt to get into my room without them barging in and fail
“Wowowowow”
“It’s so pretty” They all look up at the stars painted on my ceiling and my orange walls.
“She obviously likes orange!”
“Someone write that down” They all chuckle
“Alright that is enough. Goodbye!” I push them out and let them figure out their way back. I fall down on my bed and my whole skirt poofs up and I giggle. That’s what happens when you have a big dress I guess! I curl into a ball as much as I can and leave myself with my thoughts.
“Uhhhh, your majesty??” I hear waking up from my half sleep. I get up and look around to find one visitor still standing and looking very lost.
“What?” I say rather annoyed
“I am. . . lost” He said
“And?” I ask
“May you show me back to the rooms” He says nervously. I giggle at how scared he is. I guess I really do look scary when I am tired.
“Sure, one second” I get up and look in the mirror, wow no wonder he was scared my makeup is a mess. I quickly got to the mirror and wiped it all off. I want to go natural for now.
“Follow me.” I say to Arthur I think it is. I walk towards the guys' rooms. I walked down so many stairs and eventually ended up back by their rooms.
“Hey it’s the princess!” I hear it come from one of the rooms, which are all surprisingly empty except for that one.
“Oh calm down, I am just dropping this gentleman off.” I say after they giggle excitedly.
“Can’t you stay?” one says
“No I have to get back to . . . something” I say
“Yeah right!”
“Common’ please we will be nice!” I hear along with a lot of other pleas.
“No and that is the end of it.” I demand. I start to walk away but they all (except for Arthur) get up and follow me!! How very rude. I pretend to not notice and walk all around the castle and up the steepest stairs there, that I have practice on and they do not! Multiple people fell down, and everytime I couldn’t help myself from laughing. Eventually I gave up and went to my room and locked the door behind me. Ha! Suckers! I walk to my wardrobe to see a new dress waiting for me with a note. That read; Enjoy the ball Sincerely, Mary your new handmaid. How nice! It is a fitted midnight blue dress that has a bit of a lower waistline and silver lace accents! It will look wonderful with the new necklace and rings I got. I will change into it when it is time but for now I just want to do something because I am bored. I have an hour until I should start getting ready so I can. . . umm. . . ooo I can write in my journal. Once I write an entry using any and every word I want because, well I can. I get up and call for Mary. She comes up immediately and starts working, first getting my makeup and jewelry ready. Then she works on my dress while I get to brushing my auburn hair out. Once it's all untangled I started to twist it up and around into an intricate design. I love doing my hair because it makes me feel creative. I get up and ask
“Mary, do you think this looks alright?”
“Ma’am your hair is amazing!” She said looking closer at all of the twists and turns that end up in a ponytail that is slightly curly. I move along to the dress which looks even better now that it is darker outside and the moonlight shines on it. But I know that I should start working on other stuff so I quickly put my dress on and start to put on my jewelry while Mary works her magic with my makeup. I never really wear such dark colors so I am anxious to see how it looks. Once we finish getting me ready I choose not to look at myself in fear of making me even less self confident. I decided on some more comfortable shoes since I might be stuck in them for a while.
“I will go now.” I say not wanting to be late but also wanting to stop at the garden/greenery.
“Of course, have a good time!” She said
“I’ll try.” I said and she laughed. I strolled around the palace having nothing better to do and eventually ended up in the garden. How lovely it is here. I start to head to my spot but hear a crack.
“Is anyone here?” I say trying to be confident but failing. No one answers but I can sense something. I keep on moving through straight towards my spot on the bench. And then I scream as something comes flying at me. Think it is some sort of arrow I attempt to drop to the ground but because of my dress I end up flailing around and falling on my face. I am about to shout for help when I look around and nothing is there. So I look even harder and see a squirrel running away. Wow that was all because of a squirrel! How pathetic. I get up and dust myself off, thankful that this dress is dark and I can’t tell that dirt is there. I quickly walk off and pretend that never happened. I laugh a bit as I enter the palace. I nod my head to the guards as a greeting and they do the same. I look to the nearest clock and it says 8:18! I am late! Oh no!!! I quickly ran to the ballroom. Once I am there I can hear the string quartet playing mellow music and the slight chatter. I do believe my father invited the men and other important people, so they can meet them. Maybe he even brought in the men's family. I open the huge double doors (with lots of struggle) and walk in as everyone stares intently at me. Oh dear this is what I hate. They stare at every curve and divot on my body as I quietly walk over to the side and stand near the guys.
“Somebody’s late” Charles said jokingly
“I lost track of time.” I'm still a little embarrassed.
“Well you didn’t miss anything” interrupted Thomas or Tom I should say. I watched as he gazed through the crowd looking rather sad
“What is wrong?” I ask cursing myself for meddling
“Oh it’s fine my family couldn’t make it.” He said
“Are you close with them?” I inquire
“Only my sister, Maria, she’s my best friend.” He said it looked like he just revealed something really big, which I understand.
“Well I am sorry for that.” I say
“Oh it’s fine,” he said, moving away towards the food. I am truly tired and I don’t think I can make it through this. I walk around to the other food table and start munching on some grapes when I hear
“Well look who finally showed up!” I hear my father say in a ‘happy’ but secretly really mad voice.
“Yes I did find myself in a situation on the way here but it was handled.” I say in a monotone voice
“You should be dancing, go get one and dance.” He whispers down my ear. I shiver at this awful side of him and quickly shuffle away from him and near more guests. I walk over to all the guys knowing that he can’t hurt me there. ,
“Welcome to our circle of weirdos!” John said laughing
“I am bored!” Lewis said.
“One second” I said, having a good idea for Lewis. I went right over Elizabeth who was looking in the mirror at herself and said
“Lizzie, it is so nice to see you.”
“Oh! Edith, I meant to tell you I have five bedrooms and people say I am the fairest in the whole country and…”
“Of course Lizzie I just wanted to introduce you to someone…” I led her over to the guy’s and stopped in front of Lewis.
“You guys should dance,” I say as I push them out. I felt bad for both of them honestly because they both really care about themselves and they both need to be known, by everyone.
“Wow someone is daring today.” Prince Francis said in his wonderful accent
“Yeah I guess I just need sleep.” I make up excuses.
“Yeah sure.” He says doubtfully. I walk away not wanting to deal with the truth.
“Prince Matthew, I do believe I haven’t talked to you yet.” I said
“Oh yes, I just don’t like to talk that much,” he says as he slowly scoots away looking miserable.
“Well I know I don’t look the best but is it that bad?”
“No, no I just don’t want to talk. . .”
“To me.”
“No I do, it's just…”
“Just, what?”
“I can’t” He says walking off and out the doors.. Hmm how weird. I wonder why he is like that.