Queen of Diamonds

Chapter 1

Mother stands behind me, barking instructions at the seamstress and maids who hastily fasten my corset. "Tighter! Tighter!"

I obediently hold my breath and clench my stomach tight as maids viciously tug at the strings. My breath catches sharply when I feel the contraption bury itself into my ribs.

"That's enough," Mother declares. The maids cease tugging immediately and hurriedly set back to work. An endless swarm of clammy hands grab my arms and shoulders in an attempt to pull the ball gown over my head.

Once the dress is securely around my body, the hands leave abruptly, gone almost as quickly as they had come.

"Well," the seamstress mutters impatiently, "take a look."

I tentatively turn towards the floor length mirror. The gown is stunning. A deep red fabric hugs my waist, fanning out and lightly brushing the floor. The silky material is lush against my fingertips.

"It's beautiful," I whisper. "Thank you."

"No problem dear," the seamstress smiles warmly. "And with that dress on, the prince won't be able to take his eyes off you tonight."

The prince. My face twists into a sour scowl just thinking about him. Prince Edmund II, future king of Hearts. Too preoccupied gazing in the mirror to ever touch a book, much less run a kingdom. He prances around all high and mighty, I bet he's never worked a day in his life.

My betrothed and husband to-be.

I despise the fact that I'm forced to marry him. With Edmund being the future King of Hearts and me being the future Queen of Diamonds, our marriage is set to unite both kingdoms.

But I know I don't need a man to rule beside me. I've spent countless hours settling political agreements; making decisions on behalf of the people.

I don't need some mindless prince standing in the way of my job.

But by the time I reached the ripe age of eight, Mother had already sold my life away to the Price of Hearts. And there was nothing I could do about it.

I've had the pleasure of conversing with my lovely fiancé at the formal dinners I'm forced to attend every year.

I've quickly trained myself to block out his endless self-absorbed chatter.

The first time we spoke, I didn't bother acknowledging him. Simply gazing ahead, my eyes cold and aloof.

But when Mother's piercing stare met mine across the dinner table in silent warning, I had no choice but to nod expectantly and pretend to listen.

The dinner was an agonizing struggle, I would've rather talked to anyone else in the room. Anyone.

Even Lord Skimper who sat across from me, stiff as an iron rod, his cold eyes hardening every time someone attempted to stir conversation.

"Violet" Mother snaps suddenly, breaking me from my thoughts.

I lift my gaze to meet hers and school my features into a neutral expression.

"There are some things we need to discuss regarding the ball tonight," she states icily.

I nod and let my eyes briefly scan the room. The maids and seamstress are gone, Mother must have ordered them away.

"But before we discuss, I have something for you. An engagement gift."

My gaze snaps downward. Her fingers clasp a velvet box, blood red
and heavy. She carefully lifts the lid and takes out a silver tiara with intricate designs engraved around the rim. A deep red stone rests elegantly in the center, perfectly complimenting my gown.

I don't want your engagement gift. I don't want to get married!

I want to scream, shout, say something. Anything. But I know my arguments would fall deaf on her ears.

My eyes meet hers through the floor length mirror and I take a minute to compare our reflections. Everyone always says I look exactly like my mother. The same hazel brown hair, piercing emerald eyes, narrow face and red-tainted lips.

"I want you to deliver a speech when we arrive at the ballroom, Violet." Her lips twitch suddenly. "It's time to finally announce your engagement to the crown prince."

Of course. Of course that's what this is about. I thought Mother was throwing a ball to possibly settle some political agreement, or maybe just as a form of social gathering. I should have known better.

This ball was for me. To announce my engagement.

"Tell them how excited you are to finally unify our kingdoms. How happy you are to marry the prince," she states.

But I'm not happy. Why can't you see that?

"Yes Mother," I mumble quietly.

She places the tiara on my head. "Good. I expect you to be on your best behavior tonight. We have a reputation to uphold."

I nod silently as she turns and leaves the room. The tiara suddenly feels heavy. Squeezing, suffocating. We have a reputation to uphold.

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