Long ago

“Princess Anne Maria, you must get inside at once. The storm is about to start and your mother will be terribly cross with the two of us. It will take to long to make another dress in time for all of the suitors that are to come. Please, Anne Maria, come inside.” I heard my nurse yell from the terrace straight at me. Looks like the tree that I was beneath didn't offer much protection from eyes, damm.

“I’m coming Liza. Give me a few moments to get there.” I yelled back, entirely unladylike like. I tried to pull myself up with all of my petticoats and layered corsets. I seemed to fail at this task as I feel back down on my rear, great.

“Let me help you with that, Miss. I don’t really seem how all of you girls wear as much as you do. Most of you can’t stand or breath without some sort of assistance.” A voice said from above me with an outstretched hand. I took it lightly and pulled myself up to see a beautiful face that helped me up.

“Thank you ever so much. Now if you will please excuse me, I have to get inside before the rain comes down. I wouldn't want to soil a beautiful dress as this.” I said graciously.

“I don’t even get a name, Miss. Seems a tad unfair to rescue a damsel in distress without learning her name” He said

“Only if you tell me yours. And I’m surprised you haven’t been able to guess it by now.” I toy with him.

“Miss, we must be going. We have much to do before the guests get here.” Liza was next to the to of us and eyeing the boy rather suspiciously. I turned about and started to walk when I hear the boy yell from behind me.

“My name is Alexander William Gaskarth. I hope I can see you around even more.” I didn't turn back around to him, I just kept on walking. I felt a bit of blush creep up my face as we stepped along the gardens. We just managed to reach the doorway of the palace when the rain started to fall. I looked slightly over my shoulder to see him, Alexander, standing under the tree still in the spring’s rain.

“And just what do you think that you were doing being outside the close to rain? We are having suitors over soon for dinner and you could of had ruined one of your best dresses. What were we supposed to do if you had ruined your dress?” I heard my mother shrill from the hallway.

“It would have been fine mother. I have a number of other dresses that I could of worn instead of this one in particular. It wouldn't of been all that terrible if it had happened by that way, there are plenty of suitors that will show up.” I said calmly to her.

“Well one of these days, they are going to top showing up for you if you continue on the path of not caring. For goodness sakes, you are almost seventeen and not yet even near engaged to a suitor. You should hear some of the talk that the ladies in waiting say about you. I’m surprised that they have been executed by your father.” she said.

“At least you or I don’t have to worry about toddlers running a muck unlike most girls my age. I still can’t believe that Eva’s parents made her force out two children before she was fourteen with a man that she didn't even know. Now look at her, she is miserable.” I retorted.

“At least she seems like she is a proper young lady with a family and position. She was very lucky to marry as high up she did. I’m surprised that you still haven’t been able to get some man under your finger.”

“Well, we are going to fix some of that quite quickly now. Lets get you going, Anne Maria, and get you ready for dinner and guests. If you will please excuse us your majesty. I will have her down once they come in a perfect state.” Liza bowed to my mother led me on to my dimly lit room. She bustled about to light the candles around in various spots. I kicked my heeled shoes off, sat down on the floor and started to rub my feet.

“Oh Anne, must you really.” she said picking me off of the ground and onto my vanity stool. “You were always on the edge of ruining your clothes.” She started to shove pins into what seemed like randomly selected bits of hair.

“Well, then you should should really stop giving and making me such nice things. We must of course, leave something for my future fiance and husband to spoil. How else will my mother be able to approve of him.”

“Just try and not embarrass the boy that is coming over tonight. If you must, use your family, but leave this poor boy alone. Do you remember the last boy you embarrassed; wasn't his name Bradley?”

“Yes, the cheeky little bastard. I did feel a tad sorry for him towards the end, he could barely string a sentence together by the end of the second course.” A small smile spread across my face.

“Just go easy on this one, I heard that this one is actually a very nice fellow. He is only a Lord, but they say that people really like him. He governs one of our most successful areas.”

“Are you going to tell me his name or are you to leave me guessing for it?” I asked impatiently.
“I have been told that his name is Lord Zachary Merrick. He watches over Evansdale and is said to be quite the charmer on most people. He traveled over to Brinland a few times a well and continues to visit at least once a year.”

“So I guess that is the part of him that mother is bribing me with, trips into a foreign place. So, have you found out anything interesting about him that most people don’t know. Don’t maids and nurses trade off on secrets and tricks.”

“No, he doesn't have a nurse anymore. Although he does still pay for his old nurses expenses so that she can live in comfort. I haven’t ever heard one false thing against him except for girls complaining over the fact that he isn't theirs.”

“Well, then he must be the most perfectly rounded boy in the world. Mother will be extremely happy to meet him and if he falls for me.”

“Why do you phrase it like that? What would happen if you were to be the one that fell in love with him first?”

“It wouldn’t matter all that much anyway. I don’t have to worry about choosing my husband, I just have to worry about getting one and having a child or two with him.”

“Well, I hope that Lord Merrick likes you enough to want to marry you. At least you could get stuck with someone that you might come to tolerate. Now slip your shoes back one, we have a guest to greet.” I huffed a little, but slipped my shoes on and left my room quietly with Liza fluffling the back of my dress frantically. I took my time going down the steps, trying to keep poise and grace. At the bottom of the rolling steps I was greeted by my mother, my father and what I was assuming is Lord Merrick. Well this is going to be just fun.

Notes

Hey everybody. Just wanted to say hello and thank you so much for reading. Please subscribe, rate and comment. I do really love feedback and things that I could do to make the story better. So don't be shy on any of that. I'm warning you now, updates will probably be only once a week. There is no way I could really do the whole new chapter every single day. I dont see how other people can do it. Anyway, I love you all, byz