-Gilded Hearts-

Prologue

Fifty-two crystal chandeliers swayed gently to the strains of jovial music. Hundreds of feet below, elegant gowns swished and fluttered as dainty feet danced their way across the expansive hall. In the midst of all the activity, a diamond fountain spouted a continuous stream of water and the gold-lined basin was filled with white foaming waves reminiscent of the ocean only a couple miles away. To the left of the room, fifteen great tables were covered with delicacies imported from all around the world. To the right stood three thrones.

Meghan felt faint. Steadying herself against the rail gulped and took a deep breath of air. She had never seen so much wealth in her life. It all seemed so unreal, so impossible. She closed her eyes and opened them again, half-expecting everything fade back into the grimy desolate place she called home. But it didn’t. The music—the ball—the splendor, everything was still there. Meghan’s heart raced and a smile flew across her face. Sweet Jesus, she was actually here. She was in the castle, in the Great Hall, in the King’s very own throne room. She, a thief who had been living off the streets for the past ten years of her life, was in the castle! It was all a dream come true.

When the Crown Prince announced two weeks ago that he was choosing his wife from a series of ten tests and balls that all princesses were welcome to take part in, Meghan never dreamed that she would have anything to do with it. But when a freak accident (namely, colliding with the royal messenger in the middle of Town Square) put in her hands an opened invitation that the messenger had dropped in his hurry, she knew that she had just found the key to getting everything she had ever wanted.

That is, if she didn’t get caught.

Meghan’s smile immediately disappeared and was replaced with an anxious frown. She unconsciously reached smoothed out her dress, praying that she would pass for the princess she claimed to be. Her dress (stolen, of course) was beautiful—a lustrous midnight blue, and the silver pendant she had worn with it looked beautiful against the dark blue. She knew she looked good, or at least, better than she had in years. Her gray-blue eyes were at peace, and her dark brown hair cascaded down her back in gorgeous chocolate curls. She was as stunning as any princess in the room…and yet there was something about her that was untamed and uncultivated. Perhaps it was the sharpness behind her eyes, perhaps it was the way she stood—tall and unchallenged, perhaps it was scars on her back and hands that could not be seen, but could be felt…

A twinge of fear flit across Meghan’s face briefly, and she wondered what would happen if she did get caught. Would she be thrown in jail? Executed? She shivered but pushed the thoughts aside quickly. No, there was no use in thinking of such things now. She had made her decision and there was no turning back.

She, Meghan Wallace, was going to become a queen. Or die trying.

A/N: What do you guys think? Was it boring without dialogue? Should I continue? Reviews, please!