Thread: At her side. (greenteapot)

Scarlett had a hard time falling asleep. Her heart pounded hard against her ribcage as she thought about the upcoming celebration. Next week was her 18th birthday and while so many people were excited and praised her menial accomplishment, she felt as if it was a ticking time bomb, ready to set off once she was of age for marriage. It wasnt always like this. At one point in her life, she had been excited to turn 18. She thought itd give her some freedom from the castle life and she could make her own decisions as queen and ruled as liberal as her father did but as she grew up, sat through more etiquette classes, told to sit up straighter, smile more, speak less, she quickly realized that she was walking into a cell cage as the years passed by. Although her kingdom was a happy and peaceful one with vast views, the rest of the world was not and she had to prepare for that. Exhaustion had hit her late through the night, an hour or so before dawn, and when her handmaidens knocked on her door to ready her for the day, Scarlett was hardly in a state of rest. They chided her for the bags under her eyes and gently dragged her from bed and into a lukewarm bath. As much as she tried to keep awake, Scarletts eyes fluttered closed and her maids were left shaking her awake and holding up her dead weight body when she drifted too far off. This is not how a princess should behave! The older maid tsked and ushered Scarlett to her dressing room as she patted her down dry. Gloria was a bit of an old minded thinker and felt that Scarlett was way too old for a princess. She should have been a queen by now with twins and a kingdom. Abbey doesnt seem to mind. Scarlett laughed softly as the younger maid stifled a laugh and brought over her corset. Abbey was studying under Gloria to be Scarletts permanent handmaid and just so happened to be one of Scarletts closest friends. Abigail! You shouldnt be giving into the princess unconventional ways. You are here to help her. Groom her into the perfect bride and-- As Gloria went on a rant, Scarlett did little to stifle a yawn and Abbey giggled as the princess offered her friend a deadpan expression. Unlucky for her, Glorias eyesight was still impeccable as ever and the large mirrors she stood in front of did little to conceal her antics. It earned Scarlett a pinch to her side and an elongated lecture on her very princess-like behavior. Due to the lecture and Scarlett sleeping zombie corpse in the morning, they were still in the middle of dressing when there came a soft knock on the door. Gloria let out a surprised shriek as she heard the knock and tossed the silk material for Abbey to catch as she hurried to the door. She was late. Gloria always went to fetch and put the final touches on Scarletts breakfast long before Theo showed up and as the man himself now knocked at the door, the old maid was in a thistle. Oh Theo!! She has been a nightmare, I say! A nightmare! Gloria opened the door for the knight and bristled passed him, stress radiating off of her old bones as she swished through the halls to the kitchen. Scarletts laugh was cut short as Abbey pulled on a string a bit too tight behind her dress and she held her torso as she spoke. Shes just being dramatic. Dont listen to her, Theo. She gave a nonchalant wave of her hand and then offered him a bright smile in the mirror despite her mild discomfort. Abbey finished lacing up her dress and Scarlett carefully stepped down from her station before going over to sit down by her powers and hair utensils. Abbey set to work braiding Scarletts long, red tinted hair and blushed as she glanced over at the knight. Im so sorry. We are running a bit late today. There was no denying that Theo was handsome. One of the best knights in the kingdom, he had been by Scarletts side since she was born and she had grown more than fond of the man. If he returned her affections, it was a mystery since the man hardly did anything out of the ordinary of his duties. I would like you to know that it is not entirely my fault. Soft lips curled into an unconvincing smile and Abbey laughed softly as she continued to braid the princesss hair. What? Its true! Gloria went on a long, looooong lecture. So, see? Not. Entirely. My. Fault. Finished with her hair, Abbey went to powder Scarletts face. Scarlett had gentle features. Soft and elegant like her mothers but possessed a sense of strength and boldness from her father. Her eyes were crystal blue and her hair a light brown with fiery red laced in between her strands. She stood at a less than average height without her heels at 54 and her pale skin had just a touch of sun to make her glow when she walked into a room. Beauty and elegance in all aspect of the words, Scarlett unfortunately, acted very much the opposite. All a part of her charm, she supposed.