Born to Rule

Prolouge

On the dresser sat Bella my best friend, after Jane that is. She always wore the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. She had a big puffy ballgown and the most stunning details on her corset. Her red locks were always in perfect corkscrews. She was gifted to me on my fifth birthday by Edward, he said they had her specially ordered and made with real porcelain.

I pretended she was one of the ladies downstairs, a princess from a neighboring kingdom on a diplomatic mission. I straightened my back and curtsied before I went back to the mirror, trying to look as presentable as she did.

I thought it would be best to start with something easy to fix, I grabbed my hairbrush but before I could begin fixing it there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," I said. I tried to think of who it could be, but everyone who would visit me were busy now.

The door slowly opened and a maid walked through carrying a wooden box.

"My lady," she said while curtsying.

I had never had my own lady's maid; Jane's maid was usually kind enough to help me too since I almost lived in Jane's room anyway.

She must have seen the confusion on my face. She walked toward me with a warm smile, "I am here to help you get ready for the ball, my lady."

"I am sorry I was not aware I would have someone helping me," I explained.

She put the box down on the dresser, walked over, and gently took the brush out of my hand.

"If you would allow me," she gestured toward the chair in front of the dressing table.

I obeyed and walked over to sit in the chair. She brushed my hair with careful and controlled strokes. When she was done, she started braiding it.

"What is your name?" I asked her to fill the silence between us. I could feel her freezing up at my question. "Is something wrong?" I had never had a maid before I didn't want to mess it up, it was nice to have someone helping me.

"Nothing dearest, not many lords or ladies ask for a maid's name that is all," I turned to look at her. "I am sorry I did not mean to offend you," I said, worried.

"No, my lady it is fine. My name is Delia, thanks for asking," she slowly turned my head straight to continue her braiding.

"Am I to have an updo, like the other women?" I asked a bit too excited.

She laughed a little at my question. "No, my dearest, you are not old enough for that but I admire your eagerness. I shall put braids in your hair to help fasten your headpiece."

I could not believe my ears. "A headpiece?"

Delia put the brush on the table and walked over to the wooden box. She opened it and I was on the edge of my seat looking at her bringing the most beautiful headpiece back.

It was like a necklace for your hair, covered in gems and pearls and the silver was so shiny it almost glowed.

She put it on the top of my head and intertwined it with my braids letting the ends fall with the rest of my hair.

She laid some of the loose locks over my shoulder and down my chest. "Raven, just like your mother," she said under her breath.

"What?" I turned to look at her again. Her face dropped as she realized what she had said.

"Nothing dearest, now stand so I can fix your dress," she sounded scared. I stood up still looking at her. "You knew my mother?"

She did not answer and continued fixing the dress. "Please I just want to know," I pleaded.

She slowly stopped and looked at me, "Yes, I did," she said finally.

I had so much to ask her but before I could there was another knock at the door.

"Is she ready Mrs. Delia?" I looked over Delia's shoulder and saw King Edward in the doorway.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she said and curtsied to us both before leaving.

King Edward walked into the room. "You look beautiful, my dear," he said as he kissed my hand.

I smiled at him. "Thank you for everything, King Edward." I looked at myself in the mirror and admired my blue dress with pretty small ribbons, "I do not think I have ever worn something so beautiful."

Still holding my hand, he led me to the foot of the bed where we sat down. His expression got serious.

"My dear child, to you it is just Edward. You are a part of the family, and we all love you dearly," he took hold of both my hands, squeezing them gently.

"You are all so dear to me too, I am forever grateful to you all," I tell him, not sure if it is enough.

He took a deep breath and looked at me again. "I had thought on this for a while, and I have made my decision. I want you to marry Frederick."

My jaw dropped and I am sure my face looked horrified; I marry Freddy? My head was spinning trying to make sense of this.

"It will not happen until you are both of marrying age, of course. I want to make sure you are well-treated when I am no longer here," he explained softly.

That meant none of this would matter until years later. "So, we are to be betrothed?" I asked trying my hardest not to freak out.

"Nothing will change for now. I will declare it on your 18th birthday, as I said it is not for many years. I just want you, both of you, to get used to the thought," he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Blair, this is all for your protection, to secure your future. You are already like a daughter to me-"The words made my head spin and I started fidgeting with one of the ribbons. Edward raised his hand to my chin and turned my attention back to him. "I do not want you to worry about this now. You enjoy today, let me worry about the future," his sincere words ushered away my panicked thoughts.

He stood up and reached his hand out. I took it and we walked off together, heading to the ballroom.

Laughter and music echoed in the halls as we walked to the ballroom. We rounded a corner and arrived in the main halls, which were now empty of guests. In the middle of the room were Jane and Freddy.

Jane looked impatiently around her but started to smile when her eyes met mine. She went to her brother and took his arm. "Finally, can we go in now?" she said leading her brother towards the grand ballroom doors.

"Hold on Janessa! I would like it if you'd walk in with me. Blair can walk with Frederick," Jane looked confused at her father then at me, and then at her father again.

He let go of my arm holding his hands out towards Jane. "It is your first ball after all." She smiled again and took her father's arm.

I walked over to Freddy, standing uncomfortably beside him, unsure what to do.

He took my hand and gently placed it on his arm. "There is nothing to worry about. We will walk in together and open the floor with a dance," he said while leading me to the front of the doors.

"We have waited long enough have we not Jane?" Edward said jokingly to his daughter who made a loud impatient grunt. "Open the doors," he ordered.

My very first ball was just one door away. All the nerves and insecurity faded, and I felt excited about what was about to come.

The doormen opened the doors, the music got louder and the guests quieted down. It felt as if time had slowed down. I was looking through the doorway mesmerized, warm light emerged from the room. Every guest was looking in our direction, many were smiling and others looked curiously at Jane and me excited to see our first official step into high society.

I was brought back to earth by Freddy whispering in my ear.

"I know what he told you. That is the reason why you are at my side, the reason he let you both out early."

My heart stopped for a second. I could not say anything back before he continued, "I will not have a peasant's daughter at my side when I am to be king."

The air left my lungs and I was stunned. My body felt numb as I looked up at him. He looked straight ahead and started to smile as we walked in.