Veleminis

Suiters

The grand hall leading to the ballroom was lit with fire lamps, as it was a long tradition for the summer solstice party and my hands began fidgeting with my gown as I neared the large doors. I had never liked these awful parties. There was never anyone my age and if there ever were, I fear they would have been too scared to talk to me. That or they were pushed by their parents to befriend me and gain the favor of the crown princess. As you can assume, I didn't have many friends. Or any. I am perfectly fine with it that way, it's safer for both the crown and my heart.

"Princess, are you ready?" One of the guards at the door asked me. One held the door handle and the other stood tall in the official guard uniform, his sword fastened to his belt. I gave them a nod and held my head high. Just how I had been taught to. Loosening my grip on the heavy skirts of my dress, I brush my sweaty palms against the dress and then rest them neatly by my side, desperately trying to keep the nerves at bay.

There is a creek from the doors as they are opened and then I am engulfed by the sounds coming from the party but within a few seconds it drops off. All eyes turn on me. You would think I would finally be used to this but it never gets old. Fear streaks through me but I push it down.

You can't show fear in the fae court, they feed off of it. To them, there is nothing better than being able to make a royal fear them. However, I have never feared them so much as I had their schemes to take the throne. Not all the nobles and court members are out for the crown but it's far to say that many are and while I carry the thorned crown of Veleminis on my head, it would be more accurate to say they are out to get me.

As my name and title are called, it is time to descend the gold trim staircase but as I near the bottom I see my father and mother in the throne seats, speaking to each other in hushed tones. To anyone else, it would probably look like a normal conversation between a married couple, however having known them my entire life I notice the smaller things they do as well. My mother has her hands gently pressing to her stomach, one hand over the other, something she often does when she is furious with my father. The king is tapping his hand on his left leg as he would any other time mother wasn't giving him a chance to explain something.

I wonder what they are arguing about this time? Though I have never met a happier couple, these two were always in some sort of disagreement. I suppose it makes their relationship more interesting because I have heard so many stories of young love dying in a matter of years. I think I've always assumed that petty fights were how they kept their love alive.

Fathers eye catches mine and their conversation instantly diminishes. An uneasy feeling starts to eat away at my stomach because I know exactly what they are talking about.

I begin to make my way to them. People part ways and let me through out of respect. My chair is set to the right of fathers as it had been since I had my coronation as the princess. The left side was reserved for my mother. Fathers chair was far grander and with a far more intricate design. One day I would sit in his place and my husband would sit on my left. The seat on the right would be removed until I had children of my own and then the eldest would be sat right next to me.

Once I reach the set of stairs that lead to the thrones, I curtsy graceful and low as a sign of deep respect and then lift my skirts so I can make my way up the stairs to be seated.

The second I smooth my skirt out and look towards my father, he is already speaking to me.

"Darling Tana, do you remember our discussion last night?" I knew exactly which discussion he was referring to but I feign innocence hoping the subject will be dropped.

"Tana, as the future queen of Veleminis you must marry soon. No Queen can rule without a King by her side. You of all people should know that. You have ten days Princess or you will marry Lord Kluvers, son." He was not in the mood to be subtle at all now was he?

Turning to my mother hoping she would see reason and close the subject or at least give me more time! Ten days to firstly meet someone and then get to know them enough to marry them? This was absolutely ridiculous!

"Father with all due respect, you didn't marry until you were twenty years old! Even though you received the crown at fifteen!" I hope to the Gods that he sees reason. He is being absurd!  I had never even met Lord Kluvers, son, let alone have the knowledge of his name! However, when his face begins to soften I know I must have him!

"My darling Tana, I know it is hard but I am a male, the nobles didn't mind me being on the throne alone however they still made sure I married eventually. I am sorry my dear but this is non-negotiable" Or not.

Finally, my mother added her voice to the conversation. "Tana we have been thinking about this for a while and decided it would be a good idea for you to start meeting the young princes and other nobles children who are around your age, so we have invited them all here tonight."

My eyes widen and my palms begin to sweat again. I give my parents one more desperate look but all I get in return are firm cold faces.  My battle was lost and I had no chance. If only I had been born a male. If only I was second born but just my luck I am an only child.

Just as I had expected, young men around my age began making their way towards us along with their keen-eyed parents. Some of the men I see in the crowd are actually quite easy on the eyes however they don't really interest me at all.

The desperate urge to run surges through me and I have to force my hand to the armrests to keep myself down. One of the first boys makes their way to be directly in front of me, down the stairs of course and orderly line forms. A line of introductions is made.

As the first is formally introduced, I can't resist the urge anymore. I spring from my seat, using the armrest I had been gripping so tightly and run for the doors that lead to the gardens and more specifically the maze. People parted like the red sea and stared at me as I ran but for once I didn't care what the people thought of me. I could hear my father calling after me but I knew he wouldn't make a scene. He is the king and that would be inappropriate.

I was so glad I had suggested we open all the windows and doors because it helped my speedy escape. My shoes made running much more difficult as they were restrictive and had a thin heel at the back but my determination keeps me going all the way to the center of the maze.

There have only ever been ten people who have known the ways of the maze and seven had died. One of the remaining was a gardener who had been with the royal family his whole life and the other I had yet to meet but the gardener had told me about him. The only other living person who could venture through the maze and make it back out was said to be my age or maybe a few years older but no one knew who he was or how he came to be so familiar with the maze.

I had yet to meet this boy but growing up with stories of him and his adventures in the maze had always sent me into awe at his wonderful and free life. Sometimes when I was younger I would try to camp out in the maze to meet him but either he just wasn't there or he was hiding.

In the center of the maze, there was a magical garden with pixie hollows and vines tinkered with spells to keep the darkness from them. I had always loved the pixies but there was no way to communicate with them so I had found it difficult to know when they were just playing with me and when they were furious with me so I often left them alone to not anger them.

I moved towards my makeshift seat that I had made a few years ago and perched myself down, only noticing then that tears had formed in my eyes. Suddenly there was a crunch but I knew it wasn't me. It had come from the far corner where one of the entrances of the mazes was. My first thought was that my father had sent the special guard after me but then I reconsidered realizing that they would've been far quieter.

Making my way towards the sound I was cautious and decided to have my powers at the ready in case I was in danger.

"Who's there?" I say, keeping my voice firm and level.

Having not expected a reply I was shocked when I heard a masculine voice from where the sound had come from.  "Dear princess, that was quite a show you put on out there! There hasn't been this much commotion for a long time."

"Come out from the darkness whoever you are!"

"Alright princess, your wish is my command." The voice returned along with a rustle of leaves. Then there he was. The boy I had heard stories about since I was a little girl. I'm not sure how I know it's him but somewhere in my gut, I knew it was him.

He's tall and muscular as I had expected but his blonde hair and blue eyes I had not imagined.  I had always pictured him with dark hair and deep green eyes to match the garden. This version was far better, though. I am finding it hard to breathe and my hands are getting clammy for what seems like the hundredth time tonight.

"If you would stop your royal eyes from exploring my gorgeous body, I might be able to introduce myself." He says with a smirk. I hadn't even realized I was staring. My cheeks burned furiously.

"I was trying to see if you hand any weapons on you. A princess can never be too careful." I say weakly.

"I am in absolute agreement with you princess but you know who I am. There is no need"

"That may be so but how can I be sure when I don't even know your name?" For some stupid reason my heart was pounding furiously and I couldn't look him in the eye. It almost felt as if I had asked him to undress in front of me. Far too personal.

"Casper's my name and saving princesses is my game!" He replies with a grand smirk upon his perfect lips.