The Veiled Princess

Saying Goodbye

I stand at my window gazing at the sun rising in the distance. The dark blue sky has been invaded by perfect swirls of pink and orange. The rays of light stream into the garden making it look almost enchanted. Pulling the thin robe that I have draped over my nightgown tighter, I take a seat on the bench by the open window. The cool air fans my warm and clammy skin as I take in a deep breath in an attempt to slow my racing heart. I had spent the majority of my night pacing the length of my chambers and fighting back the nerves inside of me. My stomach churns again as I gaze at the golden case that takes up the majority of my dresser. The clear glass window on the front of the case reveals my all lace veil that is draped perfectly over my glittering crown. I scan my room taking in its barren surroundings. My things have been shoved into heavy trunks and piled up beside the door. In a matter of hours, I will be traveling three kingdoms over to meet my new fiancé King Peter of Aroc. The idea of marrying a complete stranger is not what kept me up all night, it was the fact that I would be Unveiled. The world will know the face behind the veil for the first time in eighteen years and it terrified me. I have been waiting my whole life for this moment but, for some reason, something doesn't seem quite right. This was turning out to be the most stressful birthday thus far.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Come in." I respond tying my robe closed.

"Good morning Princess." my lady-in-waiting states as she walks into the room.

"Good morning Jenna." I greet as I watch her set a cloche covered tray down on the small table beside my fireplace. The delicious smell of the food fills the room sending my stomach into a fit of rumbles.

"Tesoro, come away from that window before you catch cold!" the old Italian woman squeaks as she makes a beeline for me. "We wouldn't want you to be sick for your trip to Aroc."

I let out a heavy sigh as I sulk over to a chair beside the warm fireplace. I watched in silence as I allowed Jenna to click the window closed. I knew whenever she used her nickname for me she meant business. Jenna is one of the few people I would miss once I was gone. When my mother died she slid into that motherly role without being asked and I loved her for it. She watches me with worry etched into her face as I fiddle with the strings of my robe.

"I would think you would be excited for such a special day," She smiles removing the cloche from the tray. "I even made your favorite birthday breakfast."

"Sweetcakes with blackberry jam?" I question my mouth already beginning to water.

"With a side of sausages and fresh strawberries." She finishes placing the tray in front of me.

"Thank you, Jenna." I squeal cutting into the flat cake before placing it into my mouth.

"It was my pleasure."

I gaze into the roaring fire beside me as I bite into a plump sausage. Jenna begins to float about the room gathering my outfit for my travel.

"What's this?" I ask pointing to a silver mug on the edge of my tray. It is filled with a black liquid I have never seen before.

"That madam is what the cook is calling coffee." She replies as she sets out a beautiful pink day gown.

"It looks simply revolting!"

"She said most people drink it with cow's milk and sugar." Jenna explains coming to my side. She pours in a small amount of milk before mixing in a couple of teaspoons of sugar.

The black liquid turns a remarkable tan color and the strong foreign smell is replaced by a light sweet one. I lift the cup to my lips taking a small sip.

"EHK!" I exclaim setting it down on the tray. I pick up the glass of orange juice it was sat beside and gulp it down in a desperate attempt to rid myself of the horrid taste. I can hear Jenna chuckling from the wardrobe where she is carefully selecting my shoes and jewelry to match the gown on my bed.

"Never again!" I gush pushing the mug to the far side of the table.

"Molto drammatico il mio tesoro!" she laughs.

"I'm not dramatic!" I whine pointing my fork for emphasis.

I finish the food on the tray before making my way over to my vanity at the far side of the room. Jenna comes around behind me and removes my nightcap. The pin curls she had placed in my raven hair the night before were still perfect. I make myself comfortable as she begins to work her magic on me. I close my eyes as she runs her fingers through the unpinned curls relishing in the feeling of my favorite person playing in my hair.

After Jenna finishes getting me ready for the day she leaves to take the dishes from breakfast to the kitchen. As I wait for her return I pace the length of the room picking at my gloved hands. I come to a stop in front of the large mirror that my father had imported from Spain and take in my reflection. My pale colored skin seems to pop in the color and I couldn't have been happier with the results. My pink day dress is made of a soft silk that I'm sure the palace seamstress had imported from some far-off land. The delicate fabric is embroidered with intricate flowers that seemed to accentuate all the right places. The dress is free of a corset since I will be spending the majority of my time inside my kingdoms coach, but it hugs me like a second skin at my chest to accentuate my curves. The sleeves caress my arms before flaring out at the elbows in beautiful bells of lace. I smile as I add my mother's dangly diamond earrings and tie the pearl ribbon that holds my family pendant around my neck. The silver crest falls perfectly between the swells of my breast effectively completing my outfit.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The sound booms throughout the room and I knew such an aggressive knock couldn't have come from my beloved Jenna.

"One moment please." I sang as I made my way over to the gold case.

In one swift motion, I remove the crown and place it atop my head. I pull the veil down over my face so that only my painted lips show. I check my appearance once again before going to answer the door. I pull my large chamber door open to reveal three men standing before me. I recognized one as my father's captain of the royal guard, Jonah, and the other two men are servants that work in the stables. I greet the men with a tight smile as they push past me into the room to collect my things.

"Good morning Princess Annalise." Jonah greets bowing before me.

"Good morning Jonah." I reply.

"The King, your father has requested your presence in his study."

"I suppose he won't be seeing me off then?" I ask searching the man's eyes.

"I was just instructed to fetch you, Madam." He steps to the side ushering for me to exit the room.

The clicking of my heeled slippers echoes loudly through the hall as I make my way towards my father's study. I chew on my cheek as the feeling of dread swelled inside me with every fall of my foot. My father had become a mean and power-hungry man using my status as the only Xania princess born in twelve years to his advantage. He's ignored the threats of the Uleasa clan by promising my hand to another and he couldn't care less whether I would live or die because of it. The man I once adored treats me as nothing more than a bargaining chip and it breaks my heart knowing that our relationship is withering away.

When I finally reach the large wooden doors of his office, I feel as though my feet have become cemented to the ground. I gulp in air as I reach for the handle trying to force myself to turn the knob. With a loud sigh of annoyance, Jonah pushes past me knocking on the wood. My eyes immediately cast at the ground as my father's face comes into view.

"Ah, darling you look lovely." The old man states through gritted teeth.

"Thank you, Daddy." I squeak sinking into a low curtsy. He nods his head in approval before he turns away ushering me inside. He takes a seat at his desk leafing through a stack of papers. As I walk into the room I can feel the tension building around us. I quietly take a seat in the chair across from him placing my trembling hands in my lap. The door closed behind me with a loud slam causing me to jump in my seat.

"Are you prepared for your journey Annalise?" he questions not meeting my eyes.

"Oh, of course, I couldn't be more excited to spend a few days' time in a wooden box," I respond my voice laced with sarcasm. He pries his eyes from his work allowing them to bore into me.

"It would be smart of you to remember yourself." He growls getting to his feet. He makes his way around to the front of the desk. I gulp quietly as he leans up against the wooden frame, his eyes are dark with anger. I can already feel my cheekbone throbbing as I remember the last time I disobeyed him.

"Yes, daddy." I choke looking down at my folded hands.

"I mean it, Annalise! I picked King Peter for a reason, Xania trade routes need Arco's army! You will not ruin this for me! Do you understand!?" He barks pacing the length of the room. I feel my body flinch as he clutches my face in his strong hand forcing me to meet his eyes. "I said, do you understand!?"

"Yes!" I whimper pulling out of his hold.

"Good. You'll send word when you arrive. Yes?" he commands as he pours himself a glass of brandy from the bar chest beside his desk.

"Of course." I curl my hands into fists digging the nails into my delicate skin in an attempt to stop the tears from flowing.

"You may go."

"Goodbye, Daddy. I love you." I croak waiting for him to wish me a happy birthday.

"Close the door on your way out." He groans pulling a set of scrolls from the drawer in his desk.

Without so much as a glance up, he waves me off. I get to my feet and make my way to the exit trying to piece together the heart he just tore from my chest. I could feel the tears beginning to flow as I shut the large door closed behind me. A small cough echoes through the hall making me aware of the presence of another person. Jenna stands at the far end waiting for me with a heavy fur-lined cloak in hand. I grant her a soft smile as she wraps it around my shoulders and fastens it closed with a diamond broach. With a swift motion, she pulls a pink silk handkerchief from her pocket and places it in my small hands.

"I'm going to miss you, Jenna." I squeak dabbing under my eyes with the cloth.

"I'll miss you too, il mio tesoro." She smiles sadly.

I pull her into a long hug before she releases me sniffling.

"Your carriage awaits Princess." She states caressing my cheek. I nod in response allowing the caring woman to guide me down the hall.