Chapter 1
The Families
The Finn Family:
The Royals. Those in the country with the most power. The Finn family have ruled over the land of Samaria for hundreds of years. They are known for being tough but fair, and extremely loyal to their country. They are highly intelligent and skilled when it comes to running a country. They are knowledgeable about war and foreign affairs. The Finn family throws grand parties, and holds a high level of class. They are always dressed to the nines, and are extremely glamorous. The key players are King Kirk Finn, his wife, Queen Mariah Finn, Duchess Lucy Finn, her brother, Duke Eric Finn, and her brother, DuKen Finn.
The Maddow Family:
If there is another family that has equal amounts of power in the country- but for different reasons- it is the Maddow family. The Maddow family has a legacy of Political officials, Judges, and Lawyers. They control what happens to who in this town. And they get away with everything. The Maddow family does not care how dirty they have to play their games- they always win. The Maddow family also throws parties- but ones full of drugs, alcohol, and sex. They will get away with it no matter what. They key players are Chuck Maddow, a strong Political figure and Lawyer, Corrine Maddow, a Lawyer, Naomi Maddow, Valerie Maddow, Luca Maddow, and Chester Maddow.
The catch?
The two families hate each other. With a passion.
So what happens when Duchess Lucy Finn and Valerie Maddow form a connection?
“Thank you, Stephan.” I said, stepping out of the car, “I appreciate the ride to school.”
“I hope you have a wonderful first day, Lucy.” Stephan said to me through the rolled down window.
“Thank you. You will be here at 3 PM to pick me up?” I asked Stephan.
“Yes, ma’am.” Stephan nodded at me.
“Thank you.” I said, “I’ll see you then.”
I took a deep breath, and took my first steps onto the grassy campus.
My first day at Samaria College. A place that I never thought I would be going to. But I convinced my parents to let me attend college. I told them that it would be a powerful asset- having a degree. My mother doesn’t seem to agree, but my father does. He has final say, so it worked out for me.
Everyone else on campus lives in the dormitories for two years at the college- even if their parents live close by. That is a requirement- you go to college, you live on campus.
Except for me. I was still going to be living at the Castle, and the college made an exception for that. I hoped that wouldn’t affect any good standing I had with any of the students. I didn’t want them to think I was getting any kind of special treatment, but as Duchess, I had to be at the castle.
I would have at least one person on campus who understood this. My first cousin, Eleanor “Ellie” Wren. Ellie is my mother’s sister, My Aunt Annika’s, daughter. Ellie is the same age as me, 19 years old.
There was one person, however, that I dreaded seeing.
Valerie Maddow.
Valerie is a year older than me, and she is a second year student on campus. Her family could have had the power to let her live at home on their Estate as well- but rumor had it that she wanted to live on campus.
Valerie despised me. And I despised her.
We have our reasons.
“Lucy!” I heard Ellie’s voice call to me, “Lucy! I’m so glad you’re here!”
Ellie ran over, her long, shiny strawberry blonde hair bouncing up and down. She wore the Samaria College uniform- a gray sweater with a white collared shirt underneath and a blue and green plaid skirt. I had seen her in this uniform many times when she was in Prep school.
I was homeschooled- so today was my first day ever wearing a uniform. I was used to fashionable dresses and jewelry- not uniforms. But I had to abide by the rules. Yes, I am a Duchess. But I’m also a student now.
I embraced Ellie in a hug.
“Oh, it’s so good to see you, Ellie.” I said as we pulled away.
She looked me up and down. “I never expected to see you in a sweater and plaid skirt.”
I could see girls staring at Ellie and I as they walked past. They knew who I was.
“Hopefully it doesn’t look too bad?” I asked Ellie.
“You somehow make it look fabulous.” Ellie said to me, “Let me see your schedule. I hope we have all of the same classes together. Some of our classes mix with the girls a year ahead of us. I hope we don’t have any classes with you know who.”
Valerie Maddow.
I took my schedule out of my leather bag. Ellie pulled hers out as well, and we compared.
I looked at her. “We have all of the same classes together. This can’t just be a coincidence.”
She looked at me, her emerald green eyes wide. “Maybe it is?”
“Certainly not.” my brow furrowed, “I’m sure my mother had something to do with this.”
“Well, are you mad about it?”
“No. I’m not.” I said, “It’ll be nice to have you with me.”
“Good. Let’s go to Maths.” Ellie said, linking her arm with mine.
I couldn’t help but think- is she doing this just to get noticed? Being all buddy-buddy with me? We are close. But we don’t really link arms.
I couldn’t help but look at all of the girls on campus as we walked by everyone.
I found that everyone seemed to be avoiding my eyes.
Except for one person.
She was standing with a group of people. Most likely her admirers. She was facing me as I walked by with Ellie.
And her dark eyes narrowed when she saw me. A girl with curly blonde hair was talking to her- but she was clearly not paying attention.
The world blurred out- and for a moment in time it was just Valerie Maddow and I. Our hatred for each other stemmed from our eyes as they locked.
We then walked past Valerie, and the moment was lost.
When I got to my Math class with Ellie- all eyes were on me.
And I despised it.
I know it can make me sound like a privileged brat, but sometimes I detest being born into the royal family. It’s scrutiny wherever I go.
The professor, Mrs. Jamison asked me, “Would you like to be addressed as Duchess when you’re in the classroom?”
“No, ma’am.” I said, “Please address me as Lucy.”
How humiliating.
My second class, Chemistry, was filled with upperclassmen.
Including Valerie.
Ellie and I got to class, and we sat in the back row. Valerie and two of her friends were in the row in front of us.
I didn’t make eye contact with her when I walked past.
Once again, the professor, Mrs. Logan asked me if I wanted to go by “Duchess”.
“No, ma’am. Lucy is fine.” I responded.
I saw Valerie snickering.
Valerie Maddow has an ugly soul. Her whole family does. But I will admit- she is beautiful on the outside, even if she is not within.
The whole Maddow family has the same coloring. Fair skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. Valerie, I noticed, had a tattoo of a rose peeking out from underneath her sleeve and she also had a piercing through her eyebrow. I guess she was trying to look rebellious. Valerie was on the tall side, taller than me. She was slim- and she always had a look on her face that was miserable.
Yet I found myself glancing at her during class.
Brain- stop it. You’re over the whole “gay” thing.
My next class, Sociology, came and went- and then it was lunchtime.
Ellie invited me to eat with her and a few of her friends from Prep school, and that she had met her first week here at College settling in. The students move in, spend a week here, and then start classes.
I felt nervous to eat with other girls, and not just Ellie. Ellie was family, I felt comfortable with her. I wasn’t going to feel comfortable around her friends.
And they didn’t seem to be the most comfortable around me.
Lunch was an event since it was the first day. Roasted lemon chicken was served with crispy potatoes and a nice, refreshing side salad.
Three other girls sat with us. Their names were Helena Stone, Anna Dansby, and Leisha Meyer. Helena was Ellie’s roommate, Anna and Leisha were her friends from Prep school.
“Helena, Anna, Leisha. This is my cousin-“ Ellie started to say as we sat at the table.
“Ellie, we know who she is.” Anna muttered, “She’s the Duchess.”
“Please, just call me Lucy.” I said, “Nice to meet you all.”
Helena and Anna seemed scared to even speak around me. The only one that was animated was Leisha. Leisha was a curvy girl with black curly hair and mocha colored skin. She was kind, and treated me like a person. Not a doll.
By the time lunch was over, and I had to go to my History class- which I already knew Samaria History like the back of my hand- I was over the day. I wanted to go home.
Have I made a mistake- wanting to go to college?
I had my last two classes- and Valerie was in my last class, Women’s Studies.
By the end of the day I was exhausted. But Ellie had even more news for me.
“There is a big party that’s going to be thrown tonight.” She said, “Leisha’s older sister, Maya, is an upperclassman. She is hosting a party. You should go with me.”
“I can’t, Ellie. I must go home.” I said, “Next time. But thank you for everything today.”
Ellie pouted. “Well, if you change your mind- come back by 8 PM.”
“Thank you, Ellie.” I gave her a soft smile.
I was certain I would not change my mind- but it turns out- I most certainly did.
