"Patience, patience my jewel, we would have a ball to celebrate your twentieth birthday and your title as the Crown Princess of Grendel" her father said with smiles written all over his face.
Dawn thinks to herself again " Phew" she sighs. "I'd thought he wanted to say marriage. Thank goodness he didn't. "
She smiles and look at her parents "thank you dad, mum."
"That's not all Dawn" her mother replied wiping the corners of her lips with a handkerchief and putting it on the table. She signals for the table to be cleared, two different maids came and clear up the dishes and left.
Another set comes with some fruits and plates. There were grapes, strawberries, blue berries, apples and pear. Elsa serves Dawn, as did the queen's lady royal Gracie.
Isabel sat there rather impatient, tired of her mother's silent torture. But none of these emotions showed on her delicate face. She gently ate her fruits, as she out a grape fruit into her mouth using her fork, she almost choked at the words that fell out of her mother's mouth.
"Your marriage has been arranged" her mother said calmly, quietly eating her fruit as though she didn't just hear her daughter choke at the words she just spoke.
Elsa quickly fills the princess's cup with water and passed it on to her, she bowed her head and took some steps back. Dawn nods to her.
"Mother, did I just hear you say my marriage has been arranged? " asked Dawn.
"Yes you did. As a matter of fact, an Ambassador from the other kingdom would be visiting today to plan all the necessary matters. You should be happy, your marriage would unite our kingdoms together. "
"Father, why? I don't even know this person" Dawn said loosing her cool.
"He is the Prince of Starrynight kingdom. He is handsome I must say. He'll make a good match for you" her father told her putting a hand on her left hand.
"I don't love him, I don't even know him dad".
"I didn't know your father when I married him. But we ended up falling in love. " her mother spoke with all calm befitting that of a queen.
"Don't do this to me father, please. I'm not even ready to get married" she looks at her father with pleading eyes.
"I'm sorry my jewel, but its for your own good" her father said whilst rubbing his palm on her hand.
"There's no need to cry, as a princess your duty to your country comes first amongst other things. By noon, the Ambassador would arrive. Be ready before then" she looks at Elsa and spoke "I trust you would do a good job Elsa, make spectacularly stunning ".
"Yes your majesty " she curtsied to the queen.
"I can't believe this mum. I've lost my appetite" she gets up and leave the dinning hall with Elsa behind her, Elsa slightly bowed and curtsied to the king and queen and hurried after Dawn.
********
In her chambers, Dawn is on her bed crying. Elsa stands near her bedside and watches her.
"Tell me why, I just want to marry for love, not to be sent off to some kingdom to marry a prince. " she said to no one in particular in between sobs.
"Your highness... "
"Why can't I choose whom to marry. I don't even know him. I should spend the rest of my life with someone I don't know".
"Usually, that's how tradition has been, for the parents to choose their children's life partner and most of these marriages be used as an alliance " Elsa said to her.
"Tradition be damned" she cursed.
"Now now, come princess. That is no way for a Lady to talk. Your mother.. " she is cut short by Dawn.
"My mother what.. I'm tired of her controlling my life. I would never be the perfect daughter she wants. I just wished I could be free like you".
"Hmm don't wish for my life your highness. "
Dawn stares at her.
" I am just a lady in waiting. You have it all.. "
"Yes I do, including an arranged marriage. Oh God why is my life taking this shape. " she looks up as she continues crying.
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Two hours later, her maids work their magic on her face and hair once more. She is dressed up in a beautiful dress once again. It was an off - shoulder type of gown with the neck a little bit low to the too of her breast, the gown hugged her shape so well with the fled starting at the waist and ended at her toes covering her toes. It was a beautiful light blue gown which matched her necklace, a pearl light blue in color adorning that beautiful neck. She stepped into her shoes, a four inch black heels which raised her gown a bit off the floor. And her hair was packed up and held with hairpins having blue pearls on them. Her lips were painted with a pink lipstick. This time she wore gloves, with flowery designs and light blue in colour, covering her fingers up to her elbows. And a crown was placed on her head completing her outfit. Everything fit so well, it made her beauty more pronounced.
She was a sight to behold. Any man would definitely fall for this beauty. Especially those blue eyes of hers, which looks so much like the sea's colour. She was simply breathtaking.
Unlike other times when she smiled to compliment her outfit, this time, the owner if the pretty appearance was sad.
She looked at herself in the mirror, forced a smile out, not showing her perfect teeth, just a small smile to grace her lips.
Satisfied, she straightened her back, tummy in, sighed having an emotionless face, she tried once more and the all too familiar small smile that graced her lips appeared again.
She mentally applauded herself. Satisfied with her performance, she turned to her lady in waiting, a simple nod and the doors were opened.
Graciously, she walked out of her chambers with Elsa following behind her as usual.
She got to the throne room, the guards announced her arrival and opened the doors, she walked in and curtsied before the king and queen, as did her lady in waiting."Your majesties"."My princess" her father stretched his right hand in front if him to her, she walks closer to him, takes his palm in her hands, held her gown with her left hand and curtsied to him. He lightly kisses the back of her palm and she goes to sit at his left hand side near his throne.She turns to her head to face her mother and with a bow of her head she spoke "Mother, you are stunning as usual"."Thank you dearest" she gave a slight nod to her daughter.Her mother was dressed in a beautiful light purple gown, with the sleeves at her elbow and a similar gloves in design to that of her daughter but light purple in colour to cover her fingers up to her elbow. Her gown hugged her breast and fled do
Dawn gets to her chambers and was so happy. She had a big smile on her face as she sang. Meanwhile Elsa just stood by the door looking at the princess."Come on Elsa, sing with me, or dance with me"."I thought you didn't like to dance". Replied Elsa."I like it but I love archery and swordsmanship more. ""So what now? The Ambassador would still come, this evening or tomorrow morning your highness. ""Well yes, tonight at dinner, would try to convince my parents once more"."And if they don't agree? ""Well then, I would cross that road when the time comes. For today, I'm going to enjoy my freedom. Tell me what should I do? I feel alive, but something is missing. " she ponders in her mind."You can go for archery lessons"."Ummm, no, I'm not feeling it" replied Dawn."You
"You, you are going to pay for that bread" the baker said in anger.The enraged baker walked close to Dawn glaring at her."Me, what has this got to do with me? " asked Dawn."You had that scoundrel and you let her go with my bread. " he grabs Dawn by her collar hard, making her hat fall off."How is that my problem, I only helped her get up" explained Dawn."Perhaps you are in this with that brat"."That's ridiculous, I don't know them".Elsa who was admiring the goods turned and saw someone holding Dawn up."Oh my God, this is bad" she hurries to meet Dawn."You either pay for the bread or I hand you over to the soldiers.""I don't have any money". Dawn said trying to free her shirt from his grip."Then soldiers it is." Just then some soldiers passes and the baker
The royal physician talks to the queen "Your majesty I'm sorry, but she is still not responding.""What? Do something, my daughter had Ben unconscious for three days. Don't let her die"."She is having a fever, and if this persists there may not be away to.. "The door suddenly opens and a small girl runs inside surprising the queen and the royal physician."She would survive," the little girl said cutting the royal physician short. "Dawn will survive, the princess is a fighter. She won't die, she would wake up soon" the small girl was crying heavily. "Right? Dawn would survive and play with me, she would be okay".The queen smiles and pat the little girl's head."It's all my fault, I wanted to eat some apples, she offered to get some for me, I should have stopped her. I didn't.""You didn't know she couldn't c
They continue running as the soldiers chase after them. The girls both run up to a house top, Dawn jumps to the next house and she gestures for Elsa to follow her lead and jump but she hesitate."Come on El, you can do it, just jump.""I'm scared Dawn. I can't "."Sure you can, come on the soldiers are on their way" persuaded Dawn."Stop right there, in the name of the king halt". Shouted one of the soldiers."Elsa, jump, take a leap, hurry, they are coming"."No I can't, I would take the long way down. Go on without me, I can manage, I would distract them" she smiles at Dawn."What nonsense are you talking about, come on El, you can do it"."No, that's you, you are brave. I would meet you at the forest. Go on Dawn. I would be fine. Bye"."You better not let them catch you El. P
"What was that for?" the young man complained."For calling me a psycho, not believing princess"."I'm getting it wrong, you are a psycho, not trusting, terrible, unreasonable, hard to deal with young lady".His statement infuriates her and she launches with the stick straight at him, but this time around he holds the stick and spun her around, with the stick in her hands, now close to her throat as he holds her in place."There, there, easy there. Steady"." Steady?" She scoffs. "Do I look like a horse to you dimwit? You're impossible ". She struggles and breaks away from his hold.He only laughs after looking at her for some time."What's funny? " Dawn asked him."You are," he said and took several steps forward, getting closer to her."What are you doing?" Dawn asked, already in a fighting stance."I think I should be asking you that, you're in a fighting stance." He arched his brows at her, gesturing at her stance.This girl was simply unbelievable."Well you are coming close
Nick and Dawn continued talking for a long time."I feel happy, I don't know why though"."Well Diane, I think it may be because we are both here together. I have always come here alone. This is the first time enjoying this serenity with someone else. And you are a nice company ". Complimented Nick."Thank you, that was a nice thing to say. Well I guess you are right, although I do come here with my m... I mean my friend. ""That's true, where is she? ""She decided to lure the soldiers away and told me to go on without her". Dawn said sadly."Why are you saying it like that? . You are sad. What is the matter? ""Its nothing, its just she sacrificed her time for me to relax"."I can see, she's a good friend."."My best friend actually. Well time has gone. I've got to go".
They arrived at the palace, changed their outfit in Elsa's room and snuck into Dawn's chambers."There you are Dawn," the queen said.Dawn and Elsa were shocked."Mother""Greetings Your Majesty," Elsa greeted."I came by your chambers earlier, your attendants said you were not so sound, that you said you wanted to rest and no one should disturb you.""Yes mother, I'm sorry they didn't notify me of your arrival.""No, its all right, they were doing their jobs. I'm just glad you are better now, seeing you are strolling the palace grounds"."Yes, mother. Thank you for your concern.""Ohhh, lest I forget, we would be having dinner with our guests.""Ohh I see, all right mother, I'll be on time for dinner.""Very well dear. See you soon". The queen and her Lady royal and attendants all leave. Da