HOUSE OF STORMONT: A Renaissance Story

Caroline, Your Highness.

After my routine, I stepped out of the tub and stood aside, watching as the maids began to drain the water. Once the tub was nearly empty, I stepped back into the freezing cold water. A girl whose name I did not know knelt beside me, holding a sponge.

I looked at her closely—her eyes bright, lips a little full, nose straight and pointed. Her blonde hair was braided into a neat pigtail. She was beautiful.

“What is your name?” I asked.

She lifted her bowed head just enough to meet my gaze. “Caroline, Your Highness.”

I said no more. Lying back, I let her begin her task. For fifteen long minutes, she scrubbed my skin with the sponge, her movements steady and careful.

When she finished, I stepped out of the tub and made my way back to my chamber.

Claudia instructed me to stand still. As I obeyed, a girl rushed to fetch a cloth lying on the bed. She returned swiftly and began drying my skin with gentle strokes. When she finished, another girl appeared with jars of scented oils.

By the time the oils were applied, my skin glistened softly under the chamber’s light. I dressed in my inner garments—a long, loose silk skirt and an armless top to match.

Once clothed, the maids stepped ten paces back, joining Claudia, who remained standing silently.

I stood there, a mixture of confusion and surprise swirling inside me, wondering what would come next.

Back in Ravenland, preparations were nothing like this. Whether for a ball, a simple day, or tea with the other female courtiers of Timberyard Palace, the mornings were always jovial—full of laughter and teasing with servants I knew by name. We were more like a family.

Here, everything was different. With everyone so serious about their duties, there was no room for familiarities. After just a few hours at the Stormont Court, I was already beginning to miss Ravenland.

The girls stood ten paces away, Claudia twelve. Suddenly, Claudia thundered two sharp claps, and the door to my chamber flew open.

My eyes fixed on the entrance, curious about who would appear—and without hesitation, they did.

A woman stepped in—older, perhaps in her late thirties, her face marked with the first signs of wrinkles. She was followed by a line of ten girls, each holding something in their hands.

As they entered, Claudia clapped loudly again, and the maids attending me filed out of the room in single file. With them gone, the chamber door closed behind them.

Confusion swirled inside me—I had no idea what was happening or what to expect next. It must have shown on my face because the older woman turned to me with a broad smile. I managed to return a polite, if forced, one.

Then, bending her knees and bowing her head, she curtsied deeply. As if in unison, all her girls curtsied alongside her.

"Good to meet you, Your Highness. I am Madame Juliette Dubois, and I shall be your dressmaker for tonight.” she announced.

My eyes quickly searched for Claudia—and found her standing at a distance.

“But I brought a dressmaker all the way from Ravenland. Where is he? Where is Sebastian?” I asked.

“The King requested Madame Dubois to dress you for this evening only, Your Highness." Claudia replied with a curtsy.

Madame Dubois added, “I will be dressing you just for tonight. Afterwards, Sebastian may attend to you.”

My gaze flicked between the two women. “Fine." I said reluctantly.

Almost immediately, Madame Dubois’ girls came rushing in. In no time at all, I was dressed in a magnificent red court gown.

The outer layer was rich red velvet, while the inner fabric was a softer, lighter shade of red. My corset was tight, hugging my waist firmly.

The long sleeves fit snugly down to my wrists, with the distinctive Everian pointy flays extending from the elbows downward.

Once my gown was in place, Madame Dubois’ girls turned their attention to my hair. They dried it, combed it carefully, oiled it, combed it again, and finally tied it into a large elegant bun.

Next came the jewelry. A gold necklace with an LR-shaped pendant was delicately placed around my neck.

“The King specifically requested this be given to you.” Claudia informed me as the necklace settled against my skin.

My fingers instinctively brushed the pendant, tracing the letters. The initials became clear: Lillian of Ravenland. A small smile played on my lips.

***

"You look gorgeous!"

My brother’s hoarse voice echoed through the chamber as he entered to escort me to the dinner.

Madame Dubois and her girls had left just moments earlier, their work done. I expected Claudia’s maids to return, but they never did. So, I was left alone with Claudia for quite some time.

Not many words passed between us. I was busy admiring myself in the grand mirror that stood at the center of the room — my gown, my makeup, my hair — while Claudia remained in her place, ten paces behind, hands folded neatly behind her back.

I turned when I heard his voice. His eyes were fixed on my dress, a proud smile tugging at his lips.

When our gazes met, I smiled too. He walked quickly toward me, stopping just before me and taking my hands in his.

"You look so beautiful, Lillian. Mother would be so proud if she were here to see you now." He said, his voice low and thick with emotion.

My smile faded. A wave of sadness swept over me at the mention of our mother — Lillian of Castel.

I was told she died just ten days after I was born. All of Ravenland had mourned her, for she had been one of the realm’s most beloved consorts.

"Oh, don’t be so sad." My brother said softly, squeezing my hands. "Be happy. You’re making Mother proud — and most of all, you’re making me proud."

With that, he offered me his arm. I took it, wrapping mine around his. Together, we walked out of the chamber, arms locked. Claudia followed, ten paces behind.

As we stepped out of my chamber, I began to notice the palace in greater detail. Everything looked far more grand than when I first arrived. The staircases seemed endless now.

The pillars reached even higher, towering like giants carved from stone. The walls shimmered with majesty — more regal, more intimidating.

We descended stair after stair, our footsteps accompanied by light conversation. First, we talked about home. Then, our mother. Then, Everia.

However, every time I tried to steer the conversation toward the King, my brother gently deflected. It was as though he knew nothing about the man.

But that wasn’t strange. Not really. Being thrown into a new world, expected to marry a man you’d never met — save for a tiny portrait — wasn’t unusual.

I had known this was my path. I had been taught, groomed, and raised for it. This was royalty. This was my life.

Once we reached the second floor, David turned to me. “Come,” he said, and I followed him through the hallway, now buzzing with guests.

He told me they were here for the dinner. Faces I didn’t recognize. Eyes that glanced but never lingered.

Soon, he led me into a large sitting room — sparsely occupied by furniture: a few chairs, some cushioned stools, and a table or two, all arranged with careful elegance.

The door closed softly behind Claudia, and then David turned to face me, his expression unreadable.

“You’ll stay here until I return.” He said.

My brows furrowed. “Stay here? Why?”

“I won’t be long,” he replied. “I just have something to take care of.”

A wave of anger surged through me, hot and sudden. My heart pounded, and beads of sweat prickled at my forehead.

“You shall not leave me alone again!” I snapped, my voice rising before I could stop it.

David froze. His eyes widened, darting from me to Claudia — who I only now noticed had moved to stand silently behind me — then back to me.

The shock on his face quickly gave way to something more cautious, more calculating, as if he were carefully choosing his next words.

“You’re not alone." David said slowly. “She’s here with you.”

I turned slightly to glance at Claudia, then faced him again.

“I’m going to meet the King and finalize your introduction. I’ve been working on it since the moment we arrived.” He said gently. “Everything I do, Lillian, is for you — for your best interest.”

I inhaled sharply, my chest rising as the air filled my lungs, then released a long, heavy sigh. I knew he meant well. He had always acted in my best interest — from the moment I was born, really.

Still, all I wanted right now was his presence. He was the closest thing I had to Ravenland here, and I wanted him by my side.

“Fine. You can go now,” I finally relented.

He stepped closer, his face soft with affection. Then he leaned in and placed a light kiss on my right cheek — brief, barely there.

His lips departed as quickly as they came. And just like that, he turned and left the room, the door shutting quietly behind him.

With the room now silent, I turned to find Claudia still standing where she had been. Formal as ever, her hands folded behind her back, posture rigid.

She, too, wore a court dress — simpler than mine, yet beautiful in its own right. A soft brown that, for a fleeting moment, made me wish I were a commoner like her. How easy life must be, having no expectations, no throne, no arranged marriage.

“Is there a gallery in this palace?” I asked suddenly.

She hesitated before responding. “His Highness instructed us to remain here until he returns, Your Highness.”

“I am not deaf and I want to believe you are not either. I asked where the gallery is!" I pressed, my tone firmer now.

Claudia remained silent — likely debating whether to obey her prince or her princess. But I didn’t give her the chance to decide.

With a decisive turn, I strode toward the door. My fingers curled around the knob, and I looked back at her.

She was staring at me, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Coming?” I asked.

She took a reluctant step forward.

I cracked the door open and stepped into the hallway. Together, we walked.

The gallery was on the third floor. So we climbed. We walked past corridors filled with unfamiliar faces, down endless hallways echoing with the sounds of distant conversations and music.

Finally, we reached it.

Two palace guards stood on either side of the grand gallery doors. Towering in height, broad in build, they held long spears in their right hands, swords strapped to their hips — a striking presence. The entrance to the gallery was clearly under strict watch.

We halted before them.

“Her Royal Highness, Princess Lillian of Ravenland!” Claudia announced.

The guards stepped aside immediately, pulling open the tall gallery doors in a single, fluid motion. I walked slowly into the room, nodding graciously at each guard as I passed. The heavy doors closed behind me with a soft thud.

The portrait was not hidden. It was not tucked into a corner or crammed amongst dozens of others. No. It stood alone, proudly occupying the vast wall at the far end of the gallery. The moment I entered, her eyes met mine.

Without hesitation, I walked toward her.

Her dark eyes sparkled with the kind of intensity that held you captive. Beauty radiated from the canvas — refined, regal, haunting. In all the hours I'd spent in Everia since my arrival, I had not seen a single woman more beautiful than the one now staring back at me from this painting.

Catherine de Calonia.

The name returned to me easily, as if it had never left. Claudia had told me about her — Regent Queen of Everia, Princess of Calonia, and aunt of the current King of Calonia, William III.

How long I stood there, I cannot say. Time seemed to slow in her presence. I was mesmerized.

Until Claudia’s voice tugged me back.

“We have taken too long, Your Highness. Shall we head back now?”

“No. Not yet.” My reply came quickly, defiantly, as my eyes remained fixed on the painting.

I continued to study her — the arch of her brows, the elegance in her poise, the softness of her lips. Every detail drew me deeper.

“She is beautiful, isn’t she?” a hoarse voice asked from behind.

The words struck me like thunder, snapping me back to reality.

I spun around, breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding violently within my chest. That voice… it was not Claudia’s.

A man was in the room.