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Sorry, i ramble sometimes. :) Now, you may read :) ---------->

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I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my door. My tired body refused to get out of bed to answer the door so I murmured a “Come in.”

“Good morning miss. I am Amelia. I am your personal assistant from here on out. Now, today is the 3rd so the Royal Ball is in exactly 2 weeks. That means that you need to start learning how to live like a real lady. And tonight is your birthday party-” She rambled on before I cut her off.

“Birthday party?” I questioned.

“Yes, your birthday party. Even the prince is attending.” She looked at me with a grin. “We need to get you ready for today…”

“What? I have to start getting ready for the party now?” I asked, shocked.

“Oh, no, no silly. You have other activities today as well. First you have breakfast downstairs, then you have a lesson with one of the duchess’s who live here at the castle on manners-” Amelia started rattling off things in her mind.

“I have perfect manners, thank you very much.” I stood up and moved to the bathroom to start getting undressed. She continued talking as she handed me a simple green dress.

“Then at ten o’clock you have ballroom dancing practice, then at eleven o’clock you learn side saddle, then at twelve is lunch. You get three hours for lunch then at two o’clock you have dress fittings for your birthday party and the ball. Then finally, your birthday party is at six o’clock until ten this evening.” She smiled at me while I simply stared at her in astonishment. That was quite a lot to do in one day. I sighed and she motioned for me to sit down. I hesitantly did so and she grabbed a boar bristle brush and started brushing my long blonde hair down. It felt nice and relaxing but it ended too soon. In next to no time we were already on our way down to breakfast. It actually felt nice not having to wake up and prepare it for myself and occasionally another person. I chose a seat near the wall in the mess hall since I didn’t know anybody here yet. There was a group of knights who looked like they had been training all morning and a group of ladies over in the next corner. They didn’t seem to notice me which was fine. I didn’t need anybody judging me quite yet. I ate quietly and once Amelia saw that I was finished, she practically dragged me to the manners lesson that I had to attend. Thankfully, the morning passed quickly and I only had side saddle lessons before lunch. She led me to the stables and I went about tacking up my horse while I waited for the instructor. I brought my horse out to the pasture and noticed it was right across from the knight’s practice yard. My instructor came out a few moments later and before long, let me leave after I showed him that I was perfectly capable of riding side saddle.

Relieved that I was done with the horrid morning, I wandered into the castle asking where the library was. I eventually found it (with lots of help) and picked myself out a book before heading back outside. I roamed the castle grounds before coming up near the same pasture I had had my lesson in a few minutes ago. I crossed between the pasture and knight’s training yard before finding a rather shady tree a few feet back in the woods. I settled down and was immediately lost in my book.

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Mama is so beside herself that she’s not slept since papa died. The doctor dosed her with laudanum that she might have healing rest. I mourn with her for papa and Hans-

SNAP!!

My head jerked up at the sound of a twig breaking to see a relatively handsome young man. I had seen him over in the knight’s practice yard but he had changed out of his armor and was now wearing a thin challis shirt with a pair of tan breeches. His hair was dirty blonde and his eyes were the deepest blue I had ever seen.

“I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He said giving me a smile while leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree.

“Oh, that’s alright.” I said oddly confidently. I went back to my book not paying him much attention but I noticed he was still standing there watching me intently.

“May I help you?” I questioned him.

“What’s your name?” He answered back.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to answer a question with another question?”

“You just did it yourself.” He chuckled walking towards me and sitting down against the tree trunk. “What’s your name?” He repeated.

I brought my book back up to my face. “Victoria.” I sighed.

“I’m afraid I’ve never seen you on the grounds before.”

“Yes, well I moved here yesterday. My grandmother died so I had to come here to live with my father… and why am I telling a complete stranger this?” I questioned myself giggling. “Care to introduce yourself?”

“I’m Alex.” He said simply, looking up through the trees.

“Do you have a last name?” I chuckled again.

“Marvin. Alex Marvin.” He looked at me waiting for some sort of reaction.

I just gave him a smile and got up, grabbing my book.

“Well, good day Alex Marvin. Will I see you at my-” I stopped not wanting to sound spoiled.

“Will you see me at what?” He questioned.

“Nothing, nevermind. Good day.” I curtseyed and started walking back through the woods.

“Wait! Are you talking about the big birthday party?” He asked.

“Yes, it’s silly. Sorry you have to come.” I muttered feeling a blush creep up my neck.

“Is it yours?” He questioned again.

“Yes. I didn’t ask for it-”

“Then I’m sure it will be marvelous.” He gave me a grin before bowing and walking off.

I could still feel the blush sitting on my cheeks as I walked back through the grand castle doors and eventually being pulled into a room by Amelia for dress fittings.

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I got fitted for five dresses in only 4 hours. I was exhausted from standing so long but thankfully next was getting ready for my party and I would be able to sit down for an hour. I was still wondering why I was getting a party in the first place.

“Amelia?”

Amelia mumbled a “mhh?” while putting my hair up into delicate curls that framed my face.

“Why am I getting a party anyways?”

“Well, my idea would be that it’s because your father and the king are very good friends. I heard that the king had always planned on throwing you a birthday party if you ever came to the castle, but I could be wrong…” She rambled on.

When she was done with my face and hair I slipped on my gown for the evening. The king and queen had paid for all of my dresses so I had no say in the materials. I had never felt softer fabrics against my skin. My gown was made up of browns and tans and it fitted my body rather well. I was radiant.

“It’s time my lady.” Amelia breathed helping me up from the chair.

I crossed the room to the door. I insisted that I arrive on my own without Amelia’s help considering I had already found the ballroom before. I could hear the hustle and bustle of guests that had already arrived. I was met by a servant who led me up a staircase leading to the head of the ballroom where the King and Queen sat. They both gave me a smile.

“Thank you so much your majesties. You really didn’t have to go through all trouble.” I told them.

“There was no trouble my dear.” The queen said gracefully. “You are already like a daughter to us.”

“Now, our son should be joining us any minute now.” The king spoke. “Aw, here he is now.” He gestured to the prince walking up the staircase.

A breath caught in my throat when I saw his dirty blonde hair and intense blue eyes. It was the boy from the training yard that I had spoken with. I gave him a curtsey and said a small “Your highness.” without making eye contact. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Happy birthday Lady Victoria.” He smiled and handed me a box. I opened it to find the most exquisite silver necklace I had ever seen in my life. I looked up to find him smirking at me, finding pleasure that I liked the gift.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I beamed at him.

“Well, I’m glad you like it. May I help you with it?” He reached for the box and I handed it to him, turning around. He slipped it around my neck so that it caressed my collar bone and a shiver went through my body. “May I join you in your festivities?”

“Yes, of course.” I hesitantly took his arm as he led us down the staircase to the dance floor.

We started up a classic waltz and I gave him a look.

“What?” He asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were the prince?” I whispered timidly.

“I didn’t want any special treatment.”

“If you had asked I wouldn’t have treated you differently.” I said matter-of-factly.

“I’m sorry Lady Victoria. Will do next time.” He smirked at me and I looked away hiding my blush.

The song ended and I was getting more and more stares and little to none ‘happy birthday’s’

I looked around uncertainly.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked me concerned.

“Nothing, umm, I think I’ll call it a night.” I started to walk away towards the door but he grabbed my wrist and spun me back onto the dance floor.

“But you just got here.” He smiled. He twirled me around and grabbed my waist once more causing me to stumble. I felt his firm grip tighten around me and I blushed even more. “Here” He pulled away. “I’ll go get us some refreshments. Be right back.” He smiled leaving me standing alone on the dance floor.

“You look beautiful tonight as always.” A familiar voice spoke. I whirled around to meet the eyes of the man.

“Thank you Sir Edward. May I ask what you are doing here?” I gave him a quizzical look and he slowly made his way to me.

“Why, for your birthday party of course!” He chuckled.

I gave him a half humored laugh and tried desperately to find Alex in the crowd. Where was he?!

“May I have a dance Lady Victoria?” He held out his hand expectantly but thankfully, Alex walked up right in time.

“Your drink.” He handed me a glass of wine and led me off not even acknowledging Edward. I giggled to myself as we walked off.

We eventually made our way back up to the thrones and Alex told his parents a quick something then preceded in grabbing my hand again and dragging me down the staircase out of the ballroom.

“Where are we going?” I questioned curiously.

“Just follow me.” He replied.

We soon arrived in front of my bedroom door.

“What are we doing here?” I questioned again.

“I thought you were tired…” He trailed off. He chuckled uncertainly. “Sorry, we can go back if you want.”

And see Sir Edward again? No.

“No that’s fine.”

“Your gifts will be sent up later. Goodnight my lady.” He gave me a small bow and a smile and he walked back down the corridor.

My hand still tingled from where he had held it. I blushed to myself and walked inside my room. I slid off my gown and buried myself in my sheets once again, subconsciously thinking about the boy with the blonde hair and blue eyes before drifting off into sleep.