Annalise was ushered by two women into the Great Hall, a large room with 3 long, wooden tables which were ordered in rows. A grand fireplace stood before them all. Brilliant fire flickered and scorched, the comforting smell of wood burning surrounded Annalise.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4YfV5zI02
"T-this is crazy..." She whispered. She rubbed her elbow nervously as she was told to wait for the arrival of the king.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEpCsrisJk
She wanted to run but she knew that she was being watched, she rested her gaze upon the brick walls and saw a surrounding of arrowslits. Annalise was smart enough to realise that she couldn't leave anytime soon. She wanted her mother, she missed her dearly. The way she sang her to sleep, the way she told her how to dress-
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ6RF2uTC8
She quickly realized how much she resembled a lady of the night.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kANCK4CR6
"Oh no, look at what I'm wearing..." She placed her hands over her eyes.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11OdKLeR9g
An old woman smiled at her, "Lady Annalise, if you could follow me to your chambers. It seems you're not keen on your ensemble."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDTVB5h2IL
Annalise agreed. She couldn't meet a queen looking like a 4th class citizen. Even though she hates her current situation. Her mother always told her to make the best out of a terrible situation.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LLPWlo8Lo
She followed the lady up a steep stairway. Paintings of figures greeted them as they went along. Annalise couldn't help but marvel at one painting in particular.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjdXQyE436
The man in the painting had short golden hair and beet red eyes. He had sharp features and his pale skin only accentuated them even more.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKlc83Xh5q
"I see you've already taken a liking to King Alexander's son. Prince Nathaniel has certainly bloomed throughout the years." The lady's gaze had become cold.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fFbO0otrN
"Um, may I ask you... How old is the prince?"
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yo8pRmA9h
"His 18th birthday will be tomorrow." Her gaze switched from cold to warm in a matter of seconds. Who knows what is going on in that lady's head. Could she feel bad for Annalise?
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhRatcQRws
She entered her new sleeping chambers. She gasped. The room was gigantic. Her new bed was large and made of soft cotton. The bedding was silk with a cotton pillow. The lady led her into the walk-in closet. Splendid arrays of color flew around.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSAOHc94c9
"I hope you don't mind but I've already taken the privilege of choosing your new clothes. Of course you can pick your own if you want. I don't want to pry."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifTfcyCJQ7
Annalise giggled, "Don't be silly, I'm more than happy to see what you have prepared for me."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxKcl42jnP
The lady looked at her, "I'm glad to hear that. I didn't know you were going to be so thin. We might have to make some adjustments."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9drHFyu6Qw
Annalise stepped into a large, purple ballgown made of expensive fabrics and a golden hemline. Annalise was wowed, she had never seen purple garments before. The dress was pretty big in the waist department. The lady was stumped for a moment.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHntIeYBdU4
The lady muttered, "We might just have to use a corset."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwA6kvM3qM
"I'm completely fine with that. Mother never let me wear corsets!" Annalise was clearly excited to try on her first corset. This purines warmed the lady's heart.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH0PzPESKG
"Just one moment, I have a better idea." The lady pulled out a long piece of sheer, white fabric and tied it around her waist. "You look so beautiful, My Lady."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeBiw8p7PK
"Thank you..." Annalise whispered.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqi4I9ZMV0
The slam of the castle drawbridge closing echoed throughout every room.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DdsxSUVZN
"The prince had returned. Come with me Annalise, we must greet your fiance." The lady turned to exit.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaiKU1pzOz
"I can't..."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVO1RmprFl
"Lady Annalise, I know this is hard for you to take it all at once but believe me. It will get better."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMURmtjmZi
"It's not that... I feel very unsteady in these heels." She wobbled, pressing her body against the wall.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb0YgU3cTe
"Oh forgive me, you can wear these slippers." She handed her silk, house slippers.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSCgq8GCXy
"Thank you... you've been so kind to me. May I ask your name?"
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCY8pGMyWq
The lady grinned, "You can call me Emonie, My Lady."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY112Motpo
"Thank you Emonie."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEywzZ1F0F
Emonie walked down the grand stairway with Annalise close behind. Nerves bundled in her stomach. What do you say to royalty? She is way underprepared. She glanced down at the grand hall below, the man from before stood next to an unfamiliar, familiar man with golden hair. Annalise jolted upward, almost falling into Emonie.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ0pG7Lhgq
"M'lady, get a grip on yourself, will ya? First impressions are important."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYGKeHWVhT
Prince Nathaniel whispered to the man, "So what does she look like?"
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiYZVmubx0
"Your Magesty, you shall see very soon, she's currently cowering behind the banister. Take a look for youself." The man smirked.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZaLbFb53o
The prince's eyes widened. "She's cowering from me?" He asked.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqANsGiUQY
"It would seem so." Emonie frowned.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UX5TDOAQo
Nathaniel strode over to the staircase. There sat, at the bottom stoop, Annalise covering her eyes with her hands as she wept. He froze, the intoxicating smell of honey slapped him in the face.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqp1mzCPjT
"M'lady, your scent is as sweeter as the finest honey. A beauty as you shouldn't be sitting on the stairs. You're weeping because of me no doubt, I am deeply disheartened by this. Please allow me to properly introduce myself." Nathaniel tinted pink.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQxoJj5Pm7
Annalise slowly lifted her head, her emerald eyes twinkled with despair. He was out of words to say. Out of instinct, he grabbed onto her arm and pulled her into a tight embrace.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrMXHT7j4R
"I'm so sorry... Please know that I never asked for this either." He whispered in her ear, "You probably hate me for this, I don't blame you. You've been through so much..."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSDdJfxTpt
Annalise muttered, "Let go of me..."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hq4cwVN2W
"What-" Nathaniel was quickly shoved away by Annalise.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj20DkNHUBA
Annalise snarled at him, "I don't need the pity of a spoiled prince. You have no right to comfort me, as if you really care."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslz7FoDvQo
The man couldn't hold back his laughter, Nathaniel stood silently in embarrassment.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhlWGS1LHA
"I should have warned you, she's pretty scary." His chuckles quickly silenced when Nathaniel let out an ominous laugh.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr56cfgdDE
Nathaniel's eyes burned with anger, "You think you're really something, don't you little Annalise, let me give you a reality check. You are mine. You are nothing but property to a powerful man, if you don't like it... Then you can keep your mouth shut!"
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjfXOL4L1N
Annalise ran upstairs, trying to conceal her tears.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMWVUSXSNM
"M'lady wait!" Emonie followed after her.
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ9eusb6J3
Nathaniel covered his face and groaned, "What have I done?"
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFrXCeYK2X
The man answered, "I believe you told Lady Annalise that she was nothing but proper to a powerful man. You are really good at making a lady feel special."
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFE0VyiVo
"Shut up Dominic!" Nathaniel's face scorched red. "Why did I say those things to her?"
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO3UZPr8vK
"Because you have really bad anger issues and an easily bruised ego?" Dominic teased. "Oh, were you being hypothetical?"
ns216.73.216.8da2 
