Chapter One

“I don’t see why I must go.” Sadie said calmly, staring into the mirror. King Basil’s face began to take on a purple tinge. He pulled at his graying beard, slightly more aggressively then he meant to. He swallowed his anger and looked down at his daughter once more.

“Sadie, you are Princess of England! If you are not married soon I doubt you ever shall be!” He fumed, “My time is running out and it is one of my duties as King to make sure the kingdom is in good hands when I’m gone.”

A moment of silence hung in the air as Sadie studied herself in the mirror. After a while she sighed and said, “I still don’t see why I have to go to this stupid ball.” Eyes bulging slightly, Basil thrust his fists stiffly beside him.

“You shall go no matter what!” He bellowed, his temper searing, “Not only are you to find someone tonight but we are to make peace with the neighboring countries! Most of all France! Do you understand me?”

Nodding, Sadie quickly stood from her bureau and stood before her father, eyes down. She sighed once more before following her father into the corridor towards the already bustling ballroom. Lord, how she was dreading it. Never once had she enjoyed a ball and she could tell from the sound that this one would be no different.

“Remember your manners! Remember to curtsey and offer your hand! Oh, and for God’s sake, remember to introduce yourself properly!” Bernard fussed as he and Armelle made their way up the main staircase towards the ballroom.

“You are the representative of the King of France!”

“Bernard, I know!”

“Do not forget that tonight you are in fact, a princess! Not lady, not maiden, not mademoiselle, nothing! You are Princess Armelle du France!”

“Of France, Bernard, is it not?”

“Oh, that’s right! Princess Armelle of France! Speak English, no French whatsoever!”

Armelle smiled and rested her hand gently on his thin arm.

“Please relax Bernard.” She said quietly. She patted his old elbow gently before taking her hand back. He replied with a pained look of worry and a slight groan.

They came to the Doorman who asked their names. “Princess Armelle of France and her Butler Bernard.” Bernard said, his nose raised slightly. The doorman sniffed and looked them over before turning to the large crowd and announcing, “Princess Armelle of France.”

The crowd paused momentarily and a few looked up with bored expressions at them. Bernard glared at the doorman. Armelle giggled and quickly pulled him away before he could protest about not being announced.

“It was nothing!” She said and flashed him a small smile. She broke free from his arm and began to make her way through the crowd. It was her first real ball and as she looked around at the sea of unknown faces she began to feel somewhat disappointed and out of place. She gave everyone a small meek smile as she passed.

Continuing through the crowd she began to notice a pattern in the faces. The men were smiling slyly at her, one eyebrow raised and eyes passing over her. The women all had glaring eyes, and looked at her as if she were a parasite they would like to crush beneath their foot. Staring at the floor she quickly made her way to the quietest corner of the large room, almost hiding herself beneath the stair case.

“Oh…” She cried quietly and clung to the wall slightly. She knew this would be a mistake! She didn’t fit in here and people noticed. It was a while before a tap on her shoulder made her turn to see a young man dressed up in a suit of blue with golden tassels. He grinned.

“Hello, your Highness. I am Prince Clovis of Spain.” He flew into a sweeping bow, “Might I have this dance?” He offered his hand and sheepishly Armelle took it. He was rather handsome but she knew what most men (especially royalty) saw in her. Simply a pretty face that linked them to her father’s riches.

As they made their way about the ballroom floor, Clovis spoke about Spain and the ball and asked her questions about France which she answered rather quietly.

“I didn’t know that France even had a Princess.”

“Not many people do. I was kept a secret for a while.”

“And why is that? You are beautiful! Or is that the reason?”

“No…”

Dropping his hands, Armelle began to turn to leave. Clovis grabbed her arm and spun her around to look him in the eye.

“I have offended you.” He said, “I apologize, please do not leave.”

“No I-“ Armelle began to protest but was interrupted by a sudden array of trumpets and other horns. The door man stood on a separate balcony now, beside an even grander staircase then before that went up into the castle.

“Their Royal Highnesses, King Basil, Queen Jada and Princess Sadie!”

Armelle gasped as the Royal Family emerged at the top of the staircase. Her eyes immediately fell on the princess. She was beautiful and had an air of stubbornness about her. Her face clearly showed that she was not enjoying a moment of the spectacle.

As everyone stood in awe Armelle slipped away from Clovis and made her way towards the foot of the staircase. When she was finally out of his sight she looked back up at the staircase and froze suddenly to find the princess staring at her, her jaw dropping slightly.