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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj9qOu8rhQ
"T-this is crazy..." She whispered. She rubbed her elbow nervously as she was told to wait for the arrival of the king.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEVeHep6be
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-
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3anlyHPzO
She quickly realized how much she resembled a lady of the night.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5uP59Roar
"Oh no, look at what I'm wearing..." She placed her hands over her eyes.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaiHIxpQfy
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."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWxQemaz3U
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd8poipjcf
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeBr7zrWzI
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghQXn8YEzG
"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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx1XirneSU
"Um, may I ask you... How old is the prince?"
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGbdfXQxOn
"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?
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRvOssiUFQ
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpIMll7qMA
"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."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOsHhUu18K
Annalise giggled, "Don't be silly, I'm more than happy to see what you have prepared for me."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pLK3Q1vM3
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."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6buUNv2Hs
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnhN6Xoy0H
The lady muttered, "We might just have to use a corset."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPZBDfTmLb
"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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVDdvtP5qt
"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."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy5pgJM1dg
"Thank you..." Annalise whispered.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySUHE6ZNN5
The slam of the castle drawbridge closing echoed throughout every room.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNezzNBnUvb
"The prince had returned. Come with me Annalise, we must greet your fiance." The lady turned to exit.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Kvgvlzo1
"I can't..."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsbVAWXMlH
"Lady Annalise, I know this is hard for you to take it all at once but believe me. It will get better."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSKG3RvAlp
"It's not that... I feel very unsteady in these heels." She wobbled, pressing her body against the wall.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXDQTUE6Wh
"Oh forgive me, you can wear these slippers." She handed her silk, house slippers.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Gn5i5CND
"Thank you... you've been so kind to me. May I ask your name?"
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e2YhvDMky
The lady grinned, "You can call me Emonie, My Lady."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K6B79r43y
"Thank you Emonie."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI6169M4NK
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirB1S2WNWZ
"M'lady, get a grip on yourself, will ya? First impressions are important."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTrR5iEy1L
Prince Nathaniel whispered to the man, "So what does she look like?"
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKXbCmHq0b
"Your Magesty, you shall see very soon, she's currently cowering behind the banister. Take a look for youself." The man smirked.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkYfGzc2Za
The prince's eyes widened. "She's cowering from me?" He asked.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOj8zBoFXH
"It would seem so." Emonie frowned.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheMPY5n5il
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdzAup1PZy
"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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCFZ3Tztd0
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.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OGVqFFJL7
"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..."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0h8x9DIAx
Annalise muttered, "Let go of me..."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQamv29Xj7z
"What-" Nathaniel was quickly shoved away by Annalise.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEH1pEP1WV
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."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvvQI3pulj
The man couldn't hold back his laughter, Nathaniel stood silently in embarrassment.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRSqVBjmNo
"I should have warned you, she's pretty scary." His chuckles quickly silenced when Nathaniel let out an ominous laugh.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9bvtXR6BU
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!"
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z1uQvWjQU
Annalise ran upstairs, trying to conceal her tears.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NiNwoiSAE
"M'lady wait!" Emonie followed after her.
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49HZACyaya
Nathaniel covered his face and groaned, "What have I done?"
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVDgFC5J7o
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."
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8REXoyj5R
"Shut up Dominic!" Nathaniel's face scorched red. "Why did I say those things to her?"
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVXvCIiadN
"Because you have really bad anger issues and an easily bruised ego?" Dominic teased. "Oh, were you being hypothetical?"
ns 15.158.61.46da2 
