Court of love or hatred

My name is Evangeline, Eva for short and this is my story. I am princess Evangeline I am 15 year old and daughter to King Theon and Queen Tessa and I am officially next in line to get the throne. I have been raised in the kingdom of Palmerton a place of great crops and kind hearted people all my life. It has not been easy growing up in the palace I have always longed for a different life one where I can run free in the village not worried about whether my dress gets muddy or my hair gets knotted and a mess. I want to be in the village with the other children laughing away and having fun with them. Unfortunately for me this was a life I would never get. I was sitting at my vanity unit as my maid Mary was finishing the braid to my hair in preparations for the upcoming feast. Just as she tied the last piece of my hair into place there was a knock at the door and in entered my mother Queen Tessa. My mother turned to Mary and said "that will be all Mary I will help my daughter get dressed for the feast" Mary spoke softly "my lady" respectfully she bowed and left the room shutting the door behind her. As mother came closer I notice a breath taking green dress in her arms with beads placed delicately around the bodice of the dress. "Mother that dress is marvellous" she turned to me with a smile on her face "sweet Eva the dress is lovely but you will make it beautiful" I smiled at the way mother spoke to me so affectionately she was always showing me her love in the things she did and said reminding me each day of her love for me. As she helped me into the dress and began to lace up the back of my dress she began to speak in a serious tone "Eva tonight is very important for your father. I need you to remember everything we taught you growing up, about manners and proper etiquette within the court. A special guest is coming to the feast tonight and we must show respect" I turn to mother with a look of astonishment on my face "Mother I always remember to be the perfect princess when with company I don't want to disappoint father, Who is this important guest? you have never given me a speech like this before" She pauses for a few moments then finally speaks up in a quiet voice "it's King Edgard of the Kingdom of Arcadia, himself and some of his court have arrived in the palace and will be staying tonight for the feast" I jump in before she can say anymore "but mother he is our enemy why is he here? We are at war why have we allowed him in the castle? What is happening?" She gives me a warning look for my outburst which silences me immediately "she speaks in an even tone "Eva the kingdom has been at war for 3 years now and its taking its toll we can no longer afford to lose any more soldiers and neither can King Edgard he has come into our kingdom as your father and him have decided to end this war peacefully through an alliance" I turn to mother wearily "what kind of alliance?" She avoids eye contact with me and says "I am not sure what kind, your father and him have been discussing it all day but I am sure we will find out at the feast". "Now you need to remember to be respectful Eva we can't afford to disrespect him our kingdom survival depends on this alliance we must all play our part so it goes smoothly" Just before I can ask her what she means by that the trumpet sounds alerting us to the beginning of the feast. Mother suddenly ushers me out of my chambers and along the hall way to the grand ball room where the feast is being held. Just before we go to sit beside father on the throne she hugs me and whispers in my ear "sweet girl know that me and your father love you dearly and know you will do the kingdom proud" Before I can reply the trumpet sounds welcoming a royal guest I stand to greet our guest as the herald announces the arrival of King Edgard and Prince Keaton of the kingdom of Arcadia.