Torn

Chapter 1

The curtains swayed in the open window, the night's breeze blowing them gently. I sat up in bed and looked around the dimly lit room.

It had dark burgundy walls and mahogany colored furniture. A plush black rug lay in the middle of the room with last night's gown splayed across it.

I blinked and rubbed my eyes trying to remember the events that occurred last night at the party. I remembered dancing and drinking the sweet red wine the Lord of Brovik brought us. The sweet taste of the sea berries and honey made you feel all fuzzy inside.

I pulled the sheets off of my body and got up, carefully walking around the gown on the floor. I picked the emerald gown up and patted the dust off.

It's a shame it got so dusty, it was a gorgeous dress being made of fine emerald silk with black lace sewn into the bodice and sleeves. I had gotten it along with a cream colored one with lace flowers sewn into the hem of the skirt.

There was a quiet knock at the door. I quickly opened it to reveal a servant girl holding a tray. She looked at me, her gaze roaming my body from head to toe. I looked down and felt the heat rising to my face. How had I not noticed I was lacking any sort of clothing?

I began to apologize, when I looked back up the girl held a smirk on her face, her eyes locked on something behind me.

I turned to follow her gaze and saw the figure laying under the covers. I groaned and hazily tried to remember the events that led to him being there.

   After trying to collect my memory. To no avail, I turned back to the servant and spoke slowly, "Please allow me a moment to gather myself." I closed the door before she could reply and walked back to the bed.

The boy stirred in his sleep, tangling his legs into the blanket around him.

I wrapped myself in a robe, sat on the bed next to him and finally looked at him. He was around my age with unruly black hair and sun kissed skin the color of fresh honey. He was a beautiful stranger.

I reached out my hand and brushed it softly against his head, brushing the stranded hairs out of his eyes as they fluttered open to reveal a deep grey the color of storm clouds right before it rains.

They stared back as I ran my gaze over his face. He had a strong jaw with full lips. My gaze shifted up to his deep set eyes and dark eyebrows. His hair had fallen back into his eyes and he was looking at me intensely.

I looked away from him and quickly got up. I was in no mood to be swooned by this stranger. Again. I gathered my dress off the ground and walked out of the room without a second glance at the boy that was now sitting up in the bed.

I walked down the hall to my room and silently opened the door to reveal the tray that the maid had brought me not even moments ago.

I noticed the new dress on my bed along with the undergarments and corset. I turned on the holographic lamp and sat on my bed, the slight buzzing sound of the generator filled the room.

I suddenly heard the water in the bathroom running and the door opened. I looked up and there stood the same servant as before, carrying a tray of oils and soaps.

"Your Highness." She bowed. "I've prepared a bath for you when you're ready." I nodded and followed her into the bathroom. I slipped off my robe as she closed the door behind us.

   I slid into the bath as the sweet aroma of rose and lavender engulfed the air around me. I let myself relax and closed my eyes as the maid started to wash my hair. Her fingers gently running through the navy strands.

   I began to think about last night. About how the charming foreign boy caught my eye and then ended up in my bed. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I ran my hands down my face. I needed to focus on today and forget about what happened the night before. Not that I can even remember anything anyway.

After the maid was done washing and rinsing me, I got out and wrapped a towel around my body, following the maid out of the room. She led me back to my room, my bed now vacant. Good. I hope I won't be seeing him anymore.

"If you'll stand there I'll go ahead and dress you, Your Highness." the maid said and she walked over to the bed, picking up the new dress.

I stood in front of the mirror as she slid the silk chemise over my head followed by a corset. The cold ribbing of the corset dug into my actual ribs as she pulled the strings. I felt the air escape my lungs as she tied the ribbons in the back.

She didnt give me a chance to breathe before a petticoat was being shoved over my head. I rolled my eyes, annoyed. She could try to be a little more gentle when dressing me.

She grabbed the dress off the bed and walked back over and pulled it over my head. As she was tying it, I took a chance to look in the mirror. The dress was the colour of the sunrise. A perfect peachy colour with beautiful lace trimming. Lace design covered the bodice and the hem of the skirt.

I stared in awe at the dress, not even noticing as the maid started running a brush through my hair, styling it how she saw fit. Pieces of hair overlapped each other as she pulled my hair into a half bun with the best of my hair cascading down my back in perfect curls.

She applied blush, lined my eyes with black powder, and applied lip tint. Once she was done she took a step back, almost as if she was admiring her work.

   I took another chance to look in the mirror, staring at my reflection without any recognition of who the girl staring back at me was. I looked beautiful, powerful even.

   I looked like a Queen.