"Father!" A young child cried as she turned from within her chair. She was pale and thin, her rare golden hair flowing down to her lower back. Her blue eyes were large and contained a depth that could never be seen within any other children. She wore a silky blue dress which was embroidered with pale pink flowers. Her white lace slippers nearly fell off her feet as she excitedly bounced up and down, waiting for her father to greet her as he normally did.
A twenty-something-year-old man chuckled as he made his way to his tiny daughter. "Hello, Elizabeth. How are you?" His voice was deep and his matching blue eyes held many years beyond his age. His hair was thick and dark brown, his skin was pale but freckled. He wore silk and cotton robes with a silver crown encrusted with raw diamonds sitting upon his head. He looked as though he spent most of his childhood outdoors training, but his knowledge made the people who assumed that think twice. "Aren't you supposed to be studying?" His perceptive eyes flickered toward a young maid who bowed her head shamefully.
Elizabeth stopped and looked up to her father, blinking with as much innocence as she could muster. "Whatever do you mean?" She placed a delicate hand upon her heart and pretended to be surprised, "Is that what I'm supposed to be doing?" She then looked behind her, toward the brunette maid who started shaking. "She told me we were to take a stroll soon, father."
The king smiled wider as he looked over to the teenager once again. She had come to the royal court to make money for her family; her mother was a seamstress who was well-known throughout the kingdom for her talents. When she passed away to join their father, the child had no one to rely on. The king hired her as a tutor for Elizabeth in hopes that she'd make a good friend.
"I guess you'll have to work within the kitchens from now on. I'll have the head chef teach you everything you need to know." He whispered to the frightful girl when the young princess went back to reading a book that was written in unknown lettering.
It was difficult to have Elizabeth study since most of what she's learning is something she's always known. Her memorization skills were impeccable and her ability to understand any sentence, no matter what language, was truly brilliant. The problem was her mathematics.
No matter how hard she tried to understand a basic equation, she would complain of headaches and procrastinate as long as she could. Adding and subtracting was easy for her, as long as it wasn't in her head, and if there were some type of memorizing to be done she was fine. Once the more difficult subjects started to appear, it was as though her brain wouldn't function correctly.
Elizabeth's father was also bad at difficult math, but he wasn't as challenged as her. Perhaps the problem could be explained through the genetics she was given. However, that didn't give her the right to blow off her studies. She must learn as much as she can before the time comes for her to take the throne (at least, that's what the vassals believed).
"Princess Elizabeth von Snow," a man had appeared at the entrance of the cramped study. His name was Gale Thomas and he had been the butler for this castle for quite some time. "the carriage is waiting for you outside the gates. Shall I accompany you there?"
Elizabeth smiled, showing her straight white teeth, "Of course, Gale. Allow me to finish my notes and I'll be with you in a moment." She then grabbed a leather bound book and a pencil that had been resting next to her. As she was finishing up her vocabulary and analysis of the history of philosophy, her father began to walk out.
"Are you going to return to your duties, father?" Elizabeth spoke without looking up from her book. She seemed too focused on her work to even let a single second pass.
"Yes, I'm afraid the treasurer had passed away recently. I must find a replacement before the court starts to spend the money we can't afford to lose. I'll be sure to return as soon as possible. Please, return to your studies." And with that, he left the room with a wind of authority.
A few minutes later, Elizabeth finished her work and gave her book to the temporary tutor. She had been shaking for some time now, but since the king had spoken to her, the anxiety started to die down a bit. "I believe it's my turn to leave then. Father had wanted me to get some fresh air recently since I'm usually in my chambers. I'll be in the noble district with my lady-in-waiting if you need anything, Fiona."
The tutor nodded her head and bowed, clutching the book she was given to her chest. "Please have a nice and peaceful day, your majesty."
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, walking away with Gale close behind her.
~~~
Nothing much going on here, although you do get to see what her everyday life is like. Elizabeth is a smart and beautiful girl with an attitude toward everyone other than her father.
Maybe the next chapter will have a bit of excitement for you?
Find out as you read on! From your beloved author, Danielle.
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