"I see it! The Pink Palace!"

They'd been riding in the carriage for two hours, but it had seemed longer. They had only just passed the first iron gate and were now within the walls surrounding the royal grounds. The triplets had gone on and on about the Prince once more and what they thought the Queen must be like. The princess was brought up several times, but not as much as Chammielle would have liked. It was all romance in their eyes, and the realization their dreams for themselves might go to their sister beside them or another noble's daughter entirely did not seem to dawn on them.

The white stone walls were in view and covered in pale pink climbing roses. They seemed to be a variety that would bloom continually until the first frost and then a week after the last frost; as expected of the botanists belonging to the Pink Crown. The perfectly white gravel beneath the wheels of their carriage crunched softly compared to the dirt highway or the cobblestones in the towns they'd passed through. They were very close.

"There! Behind the cherry trees!"

"No, there!"

The girls were giddy and certain they were very close.

"Aster, the walls surrounding the palace go on for a while. We should not see sight nor sound of the palace until we are a quarter mile from the entrance."

Her mouth dropped open.

"No! It cannot be so far!"

They drove on a while longer before the girls gave up. The inner gate was nearly two miles from the first gate in the capital city, Rosa. It was the carriage route, so anyone trying to smuggle goods out or assassins in would be cut off by any number of hidden emergency barricades and royal guards. It had to be long for such purposes, but also for the biannual Royal Ball to mark the new year and the height of Summer. The line of nobles' carriages were unending, and it took them all in stride.

Finally she spied the statues of the favorite steeds belonging to King Alderswitch I and King Fredrik II along the walls on either side. She smiled and cleared her throat. The girls looked up, bored.

"I believe we will see the palace any moment now."

They jumped from their seats and hung their heads out the windows. All three of them were the picture of health and exuberant youth. Exactly what Garten liked to see and often celebrated. Healthy and thriving, a good omen for the well-being of the kingdom in the coming year. Any one of them becoming Queen would be worthy of their subjects' adoration.

She pulled at one of her own newly blonde curls.

Her new look had not grown on her since the day before. Daisy had insisted on showing off her softer curls and styled it so she also had framing pieces instead of the usual tight bun. Her curls also tickled the back of her neck as they draped through the knot like chignon and cascaded partially down her back. Fortunately her dress was not off the shoulder today, but had a high back and well fitted bodice. A peachy pink shimmering fabric with pale blue and lavender stitched marshmallow flowers. She hadn't bothered with face powder, but opted for a coral lip paint.

The palace was well within view now, its round towers at each corner, and the windows glinting from every story like gems. It was all thick stone washed with lime and rose quartz so it had a creamy pink hue in the full sun. The roofline was a deep rose pink that loomed high above, and you could see the vast manicured garden stretching out before it making it look impossibly taller. Perfectly squared rose hedges stood impossibly tall and marked the garden maze in all its own glory. It was a place you could easily lose your way in, but not as easily as the palace itself.

Chammielle fidgeted with her gloves at the wrist. The dress had 3/4 sleeves so below the elbow to the top of her wrists her freckles were exposed. They were less prominent now, but she couldn't abide having them on display. What little cleavage was visible also sported the spots and she hated it.

The inner gate opened and the girls squealed as they saw the royal guard in their pale blue velvet coats. The silver helms with pink plumage gleamed in the sunlight and a few of the guards smirked at the girls as they waved to them. Really the triplets shouldn't be flirting when there was the chance of becoming his highness' bride, and Chammielle allowed her displeasure color her face though only the soldiers could see it. They quickly returned to their posts as they rolled by.

"Oh this is simply wonderful! Is it not?"

She turned to Chryssia with a small smile, "It would be more wonderful if the future Queen of Garten did not hang her bosoms out of the carriage to give kisses to other men."

The three rolled their eyes simultaneously and she suspected her reprimand had fallen on deaf ears. They were women now. How would they ever learn?

"Let me put it this way: will you do such things for any man when the Prince is your husband?"

"No!"

"Of course not!"

"Why would you say such a thing?"

She folded her hands in her lap and surveyed them.

"Because one of you is most likely the future Queen of Garten. It's best to act like it now."

The three of them each gave her a look before turning to each other.

"It's not as though we can all marry the Prince..."

They continued to chatter on, not really focusing on what Chryssia had said in response. Did they really not care? Perhaps they were more in love with the idea of marriage than the commitment. They were only seventeen after all.

The carriage rolled into the gravel lot before the grand courtyard stairs. Along either side the maids and servants were standing on each step, wearing dark blue for their uniforms. The Prince stood at the base of the stair, Princess Violet at his side. While his hair was a dark brunette, hers was golden much like Lady Delphi Kuchen's as it seemed paler than the girls'. She stood two heads shorter than her brother. If her memory served her right, the princess was sixteen. The younger one was only ten and probably roaming the halls playing hide and seek. Princess Tulip had such luxuries.

The carriage came to a halt and Chammielle signaled to the girls that they must compose themselves. The squeaking and simpering died down and the put on delighted smiles half the brilliance of their previous fanatic ones. Truthfully she quite liked their enthusiasm, but would the Prince?

The footman opened the door and Ianthe stepped out first. Chryssia gave her a suddenly shy smile and she gave her a nod for support. As she left the carriage, Aster gripped her hand in nervousness.

"Have no fear, Aster. You have a beautiful heart and no one can hurt you for that. Remain true to yourself and keep composed. You may very well be Queen."

Her purple eyes found hers and she saw something in them she'd never seen before. Doubt.

"What if I'm not ready?"

"Then you will always have me to help should you need me."

She sighed and nodded, her eyes drawn down and she chewed her lip. Chammielle put her hand between her shoulders and rubbed gentle circles. She was hardly a child anymore, but this had always done the trick. Aster closed her eyes and smiled.

"Sister, I have always known you have healing hands...thank you."

She would have hugged her but didn't want to upset the pace of the ceremony. Instead she gripped her hand back and tucked a piece of the flaxen hair behind her ear. It was time.

Aster got up and left the carriage.

Now it was time for her to summon all of her own courage to face the other nobles' daughters, to face the Pink Crown, and to face the Prince.

It really was a beautiful sight. The moment her embroidered slippers touched the white stones the procession began. Prince William IV and Princess Violet II walked hand in hand down the stair. Today he wore a pale blue coat and breeches, embroidered at the cuffs and lapel and seams with peachy pink petals cascading down like from a tree. The waistcoat was a matching pink with tiny blue cross stitches along the hems. The princess wore a silk brocade ball gown, a delicate pink with pale blue and lavender roses. They each had lace at the neck and cuffs and looked stunning side by side.

"Ah, the Ladies of Kuchen. Welcome to the Royal Palace Pink. It is so good to see you again, I've been looking forward our week together. Allow me to introduce you to my sister, Princess Violet."

The Kuchen girls all curtsied low and the girls smiled brilliantly, unable to contain their enthusiasm. Chammielle kept her eyes low and her smile content. There was no need for her to draw attention to herself.

"I am so pleased to make your acquaintance...and in the future to become dear friends."

There could only be one meaning to that, and Chammielle paused before she stood from her curtsy. When it came to royalty, there was no need to create close friendships without a natural inclination. Unless of course it was a family tie.

She smiled lightly to herself, Prince William had already spoken his choice to his sister.

"Lady Aster..."

The Prince came up and offered his arm to the brightest gem in the bunch. She stole a glance back to Chammielle, a little hesitancy and uncertainty in her gaze, but she quickly smiled brightly and took his arm. He lead her up the stairs and the remaining triplets followed close behind. She sighed to herself, happy for her sister.

"Will tells me you have many talents."

She hadn't realized the princess had remained behind. Easily, she took her arm and patted at her gloved hand with her own. Chammielle composed herself and kept her gaze at three quarters. It was only polite since they were in such close proximity.

"Thank you your highness. I'm afraid my sisters exaggerate a great deal when it comes to me. I hope your expectations are not set to high, for I am sure I shall fail them."

She laughed and it seemed so genuine.

"Please, call me V. My brother told me about your beautiful poem you shared with him on your walk. It was most instructive. I must say he hasn't been quite the same since."

It seemed so informal, and highly inappropriate. But it was a request from the princess. And paired with the knowledge of her near slander of the crown prince.

"If your highness so desires...but may I call you such when we are in private? I dare not speak so in front of the other ladies."

Her highness's sweetness was momentarily overpowered by a smirk, but quickly returned to that of a delighted young girl. Only she seemed more mature than the triplets. Indeed, more than most young women her age.

"Very well, I'll grant you that. You're very clever... Jealousy and intrigue are rampant in these kinds of things. Will told me there was an instance covered up in our history that the ladies nearly killed the desired bride of Prince Amond III the day before the wedding. He of course has decided to be very discreet in his selection."

Chammielle watched as the Prince and Aster walked arm in arm through the palace doors. It did not seem so discreet at the moment. She guessed he'd done so with one girl from every carriage to hide his preference. He would most likely be charming to all the ladies in turn.

"...I do hope he shows me no false preference."

She'd mumbled it and realized her mistake.

"Not that his highness would do such a thing."

"No, he would. But not without reason. I'll let him know your feelings on the subject. He especially does not want to offend your good sense a second time."

They took the last step together and Chammielle considered her words.

Trying to get on good terms with your wife's family. That was a given. But she was the bastard ginger half sister of Kuchen House. Literally the redheaded step child. He didn't need to be on her good side. Except...no, he wanted to please her sister. He saw their bond. That was all, she was certain.

Someone as illegitimate and ill fitting for such beautiful surroundings...

For such a handsome and powerful person.

She was here only as support.

She smiled at the princess, and Violet held her arm tighter as they walked through the giant double doors. Perhaps she already had a friend in this. Perhaps the other ladies weren't as bad as those who'd tried to murder the bride of Prince Amond III all those years ago. Yet she knew this was a silent competition of smiles and complements and intricately veiled threats. Today was beautiful outside. But as they passed through the first gilded corridor, it was time to face the wolves.