The Royal Bride

Ephene.

I open my eyes slowly gaining recognition of my surroundings.

As with every day I wake up, I take note of the curtains.

Soft pink with gold stitching, it perfectly mirrors my person.

Each morning, I look to it in hopes that my mother would be by its side.

Yet always, I am sorely disappointed to find a maid ready to tend to my needs.

It is what I get after all, for being my mother's accursed child.

The result of her misfortune and her sole reason for being tied to my no good father.

Their marriage was a scandal that swept the nations, as word got out that the young heir to the throne of Niarciss, wedded to cover the growing evidence of his darker desires.

That's me.

Pale, raven haired, and green eyed.

More importantly, a haunting reminder of the troubles of my mother's youth -having only come freshly into womanhood when she became with child.

Still I wonder why I do not receive a sliver of her love.

She had been infatuated with my father since little girlhood.

It makes no sense, but I accept some things in my life never will.

The attendant was not there.

So my gaze travelled from the curtains to my bedside, sure I would see her then.

The young palace maid steps aside and curtesies deeply.

I nod and make to speak, but the words die in my throat when I realize she had moved away to reveal my mother, standing in all her regal essence by the edge of my curtain.

I take in a deep breath, unsure of what to say as her grey orbs pierced mine.

"Mother." I finally say, but this comes out as a mere whisper.

"Is that the best way you can greet the woman who brought you into this world?" she says a cynical smile playing on her bright red lips.

"No Mother, I suppose not."

With as much reverence as I could muster for the woman, I curtsied and gave a more befitting response.

She only nodded and said no more.

I try my best to remain complacent, but a shameful need makes it's way through me.

"Have you come to see to my birthday preparations Mother?"

My feet slide over polished floors, leaving my bedroom slippers behind.

"No. I have come to see you become a woman fit to be queen one day."

Dismay and confusion settle over me, but still I trail behind her ornamental skirt.

"What ever do you mean by that Mother?" I say, gently clasping my tiny hands together.

"Oh, you will see soon enough. Now let Agatha get you ready for the day." she says, before her overbearing garments leave a trail of gloom.

The young help merely smiles sheepishly, and tries to lift my spirits.

I ignore the stubby woman's words, rather stretching my hands so she can strip me.

I need no pity.

_____________________

My birthday festivities are in full swing by the time I'm in royal regalia.