Kingdom Of Spades

Tears start to well Amber's eyes as she just received news that upset her. "But mummy!" She begged. "No buts! It is time you learn your place and marry into another royal family. Your wedding date is set to be a week after you turn 18 and I don't want to hear another peep until then. Prince Marcus will be here tomorrow morning to spend the day with you," Amber's mum said before walking out of Amber's room. Amber stood in front of her mirror, staring at herself. 'Why must I be the one to marry?!' She thought. Her eyes were red and puffy when only a few tears fell down her face. She wiped them as best she could before standing still, pitying herself. "So unfair!" She raised her voice so people outside her room could hear her. She grabbed her hairbrush and started brushing her hair to calm her nerves. A knock sounded from her door, clearing the silence in the room. "Come in," Amber allowed whoever was outside her door, in. "Amber, why are you crying?" Amber's 5-year-old sister asked. "It's nothing! Don't worry about it Melissa," Amber said, opening her arms for a hug. Melissa ran to Amber and gave her a hug before sitting in Amber's criss-cross lap. "I heard mommy... do you have to marry?" Melissa asked, curiously. "Yes I do," Amber smiles, starting to brush her sister's medium-length, brown hair. "Will you be leaving me?" Melissa said, sounding quite upset at the thought. A small smile played on Amber's lips that her sister would miss her if she left, then frowned as she answered. "I don't know Melissa," She whispered. "I'm gonna miss you, please don't go!" Melissa begged. Amber hugged her pleading sister. "Go put on your nightgown, how about you sleep in here with me tonight?" Melissa nodded and ran out of Amber's room at a fast pace. Amber closed her door and sifted through her closet for a nightgown that wasn't dirty. When she came across her blue silk nightgown she grabbed it from the hanger. She then removed her dress and slid into her nightgown just before Melissa walked back in. "I'm done!!" Melissa said in excitement before racing to the bed and jumping on it. Amber quickly joined her sister on her bed and both of them started jumping together. Amber and Melissa were giggling when their mother walked in and glared at Amber. Amber and Melissa quickly fell to their backs after a final jump, still giggling when their mom closed the door once more. "Mommy saw us," Melissa said in shock as her hands covered her mouth. Amber giggled a bit more before looking at her sister lovingly. "Time for sleep Melissa," Amber said in hushed tones. Melissa looked at Amber and yawned, closing her eyes. "I love you, Amber," Melissa said before falling asleep. Amber kissed Melissa on the forehead as her heart throbbed at the words her sister spoke. Amber rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, soon falling asleep. Amber woke to the sound of her door creaking open. The light was shining through her thin curtains and the window was slightly open allowing the gusting wind to push the curtains. "Princess Amber," one of the maids curtsied before Amber's bed. "The prince will be here shortly. Your mother, the queen, told me to get you and tell you to get ready." "Thank you," Amber yawned, rubbing her eyes. The maid leaves and I slowly nudge Melissa to wake her. "Melissa," Amber whispered as she responded with a small grumble. "There are cinnamon rolls downstairs," Amber lied to get her sister up. "Really!" Melissa sat up almost instantly. "Mhm." Amber smiled. Melissa stood on the bed and jumped to the floor. She almost immediately started to run out of Amber's room and down the stairs. Amber got up from her bed and walked to go close the door. She walked over to her closet to pick one of the deviously tight dresses her mother insisted she wore. Amber picked out a nice, elegant light blue dress and changed into it. A knock sounded on the door. "Who is it?" Amber asked. "Your mother," The queen said, opening the door. Amber quickly finished putting on her dress. "Your hair isn't done? Come here and sit down." The queen scolded. Amber walked over to her mother and sat on the corner of her bed. Her mother picked up the brush and started brushing Amber's hair gently. "The prince will be here soon. I expected you to be fully dressed and fully prepared!" The queen scolded, tugging on the brush to get it through a knot. "Ow!" Amber said through gritted teeth. Amber's mother continued to brush Amber's hair. When Amber looked in the mirror she saw the loose braid the mother was putting in her hair. She smiled as she looked at her mother. When the queen was done she motioned for Amber to stand up.  "Don't forget your tiara. I know how much you don't want to do this but you must. I love you, sweetheart." The queen added. Amber walked to her crown stand and grabbed her tiara, placing it properly on her head. "Mother, I very much do not want to do this. I hate him! He's so annoying! I would love anything more than to marry him," Amber poured her mind out to her mother. Amber's mother glared at Amber with a smile on her face. This only made Amber scowl. "Let's go," The queen said, motioning for Amber to follow her. Amber linked her arm with her mother's arm and walked with her. They walked down the hall, then down the stairs. They paused on the stair platform for dramatic effect as the prince waited at the bottom of the steps. When Marcus saw the princess and the queen, he bowed. "Good morning, your majesties," The prince greeted, standing tall. "Good morning, Prince Marcus," Amber greeted back, walking down the rest of the stairs. The queen stayed on the stair platform. "Have a good day you two, and enjoy yourselfs'," The queen smiled.