Once Upon Many Times

First of Many

Sixteen Years Later

“Brielle Aria, you come back here now, young lady. Brielle! Your father wants you back in the palace. Do not have me get your father’s guards!”

The governess holds her skirt as she chases after the young princess. Brielle was supposed to be in her room doing her studies, but the young girl hated having to learn the rebec, a bowed, three-stringed pear-shaped instrument that creates a nasal-like sound when played. She hates how it sounds and the fact that her father makes her play it. He believes that this will temper her and make her more lady-like, not something she feels she is entirely. Raised with her two older brothers, they did almost everything together. Climbing trees, roughhousing, rolling around in fields, there wasn’t much they didn’t do, unless, of course, their parents found out.

With her pale unblemished skin, rose-colored cupid-bow lips, large peridot-colored eyes, and waist-length fire-red hair, Brielle is quintessentially a beauty, whose father wishes to hide away as a form of protection for his one and only daughter. Her mother had a very hard time carrying her, far worse than her older brother Stephen. Placed on bedrest almost from the beginning, her father doted on his queen, no request turned away to satisfy his love’s desires, and sometimes demands. Fearful for both mother and unborn child, the palace had a dedicated section in the palace to help them both in their time of need. On occasions, her belly, swollen, full of life, makes her smile when she feels the tiny flutters, giving her hope everything will work out the way it should. At other times, Queen Amberleigh had a hard time retaining any food and liquids periodically throughout the day. A specialized healer had created a concoction to help her retain the necessary nutrients. Though the queen would make a face EVERY time she had to drink it, the greenness of the drink and smell were just a bit much for her, but she dutifully complied.

Running as quickly as she can, a small laugh escapes as she dashes between people around her, hoping to blend in with the crowd. She had to cover her hair with a white hairdressing, just to give her a chance of being overlooked by the governess, an old woman known for being strict and domineering, who was in fact her father’s governess as well. Lady Chamberlain enjoys telling her current charge how she had a hand in shaping her father to be the King he is today, and it was her job to do the same for his children.

“Excuse me. Pardon me. Coming through please,” she said loudly, her hands gently pushing those in her way, still trying to keep herself moving forward, yet not wanting to be caught by Lady Chamberlain. Feeling a sense of urgency, Brielle feels as if she is almost free, the taste of freedom so dear to her.

A new face has shown up in the village near her home, piquing her interest, and even creating a feeling of butterflies loose in her stomach. She wants to get a better look at the male, who she thinks is older than her by a few years. When she finally sees him, she notices his appearance, soaking it in, wanting to remember every little bit.

Standing at 6’3”, he has dirty blonde hair that is shaggy and full-bodied, his skin lightly kissed by the sun, a strong, manly jaw with slight stubble that shows a little tension. His eyes, the color of warm hot chocolate, were checking out his surroundings, sharp and inquisitive, watching the people milling by him, undisturbed, almost as if he were invisible. As he continues watching the village folks, he suddenly has an urge to turn around. Slowly, turning around, he searches the crowd, trying to find the source of the uncomfortable feeling, locking eyes on the shocked expression of the most beautiful maiden he has ever seen.

The young man moved away from where he was standing, heading towards a set of buildings, an alleyway offering a desired shady area as he awaited for what he assumed would be the maiden who was staring at him intensely. As promised, a figure walks past his hiding spot, searching for him, he supposes, walking with purpose. When she has walked a bit further, she stops, peering into buildings when she feels a hand on her shoulder. Turning quickly, she gasps as she stares into a pair of chocolate eyes, her pink tongue flicks over her bottom lips before she starts to nibble on it.

“Hi there,” he says to her, his eyes taking in her beauty, stunned at how beautiful she actually is before him.

“Hi,” she responds, a shyness she has never experienced before overcoming her.

“I’m Adam Jacobsen, Alpha heir of the Blue Lake Pack. My father and part of our pack are here for the Princess’ coming-out party. He’s hoping we can make an alliance with the Royal Family and their allies.”

“Oh, that must be fun, to go to the palace and celebrate with the Princess. Do you know her? Have you seen her before? I bet the party will be a lot of fun,” she says coyly, trying to keep her laughter within herself.

“No, I don’t. To be honest, I’m not interested in the princess. My attention is actually taken by a rather beautiful woman before me, who I am finding, has yet to tell me her name. Wish to rectify this, Milady?” he asked, dipping into a low bow.

Blushing, Brielle tries to continue keeping her identity hidden. She wants to see where this could go before she has to give up the ruse of just being a maiden of the village.

“My name is Aria, Alpha Adam, it’s my pleasure to meet you.”