The Spine Matters Most || A Fantasy Novel

A 16 year old partying. I know how absurd. How absolutely horrid. How dare a teenager go out and party.

" Your spouse to be a role model for the citizens of Dec Nora" Nagged my mother, Queen Lithona.

"I'm allowed to go out and enjoy-" I was rudely cut off by my father saying,

"With permission."

" That you never give," I argued.

" You turned 17 last night. It's time you start behaving like an adult. You'll be queen soon, so start acting like it. Understand?"

" I never asked for this" I shout in retaliation.

" It doesn't matter!" My father King Randon was shaking with frustration.

" You need to get ready; today you'll be finding a suitor to rule alongside with." She was trying to avoid a screaming match that often occurred between my parents and I.

" Really I had no idea I thought today was taco tuesday"

"Go get dressed, they'll be here any minute" Translation: I'm done arguing with you ,so I'm sending you to a place where I don't have to look at you.

"Yay, can't wait"

I exited the room. If you could call it that. The ceiling was at least Twenty feet high, if not more. The ginormous rug was laced with golden fleece surrounding a satin inside. The 'statement chandelier' (name patented by me) was as ornate as it was obnoxious. The chandelier itself was fine but, the fact that my parents had taken the liberty to hang it from a sold gold chain,and place it in the center of the room as if to say,"HAHA look we have sooooooo much more money than you I bet you couldn't afford this''. It seemed that was the theme for most of the castle's decor. When I get crowned queen that'll be the first thing to go.

I made it back to my bedchamber and found Ella, my personal servant waiting for me. I'm supposed to have at least five but, I convinced my parents that 'oh but that would be such a waste of money, and she such a good worker'. The real reason I didn't want to have multiple servants was because I had had a very small,insignificant,undetectable romantic attraction to her. THAT DOES NOT MATTER AT ALL.

"So, I heard about last night's events." she smirked with her hand on her hips. The stance reminded me of the way a teacher would look at a kid who always eats playdough.

" I have no idea what you're talking about." She chuckled at my response.

She gestured to the chair next to her with the hairbrush in her hand. I happily trouted over to the chair. As she brushed my hair I admired her through the mirror.

Rosy, red cheeks contrasted perfectly with her bright orange freckles. I could spend all day ogling at her.

"So, uh I hear you have to find a suitor today," She asked.

"Yup, how exiting." I did sarcastic jazz hands.

She spun the chair around. It was very unexpected. I shut my eyes in surprise. When I opened them again, she had bent down to be at my eye level. She was close enough for me to hear her heartbeat.

"So what type are you looking for someone old or young? Someone skinny or chubby? Green eyes or blue? Maybe brown?" There was a pause.

"Who do you want to be your suitor?" you.

"I guess you'll find out." She spun me back around and continued brushing my hair.

How dare she tease me like that. Now my heart was racing, and my cheeks were burning. She is so aggravating.

"You, okay?" she seemed genuinely concerned.

"Yeah why?"

"Well, you kind of fell silent" I spouse I had gotten lost in my thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm fine I was just thinking."

"About?"

"About what?"

"What were you thinking about?" She was brushing out a particularly tough knot.

"How annoying you are" I mean it wasn't a total lie.

"Oh really." she ripped out the knot.

"Ow!" Note to self: Do not insult the person doing your hair.

"So, you really don't know what type of suitor you want?"

"No, not really why? Got any suggestions?" I expected her to just shake her head instead she said," Hmm, blond hair probably green eyes."

"Have someone in mind!"

"Oh yeah, they have freckles and pale." I caught on when she said freckles.

"Well, I'll make sure to pick them." For a second, I thought she was being serious; I didn't realize how scared I would get should she find someone else. I could only image what she was going through being forced to watch me her lover since childhood, pick some else to marry.

"I hate when you joke like that." I gave her a look that was a cross between annoyed and worried.

"Well at least I'm just joking" She mumbled it softly, but it was loud enough that I knew she wanted me to hear it.

"Oh, come on don't be like that you think I want to do this?"

"No but, ... I- "she sighed, "- Look I just don't want whatever this- "she waved her hand back and forth between the two of us. "- to end."

"Well, what do you suggest I do?"

"Get a doppelganger, fake your death, runaway you have some options," she joked.

"Hurry up in there" A knight called from outside the door. No doubt on orders from my mother.

"That's my cue." I left the room for a total of ten seconds before Ella through open the door and yelled," Wait your clothes!" I hadn't noticed still had on my party clothes from yesterday.

"Hurry" The knight repeated.

"I will" I called back to them as I ran into my room.

Ella quickly picked out a dress that consisted of a red and purple floral print, with a lack backing.

Not exactly my fist pick but, it'll do. I quickly throw on the dress and slipped on my black flats and raced down the stairs.

Once downstairs I noticed that my parents already had a fake smile pasted on their faces. My father had on his finest robe paired with way too much jewelry. My mother didn't look much different just exchange the robe for a tight-fitting gown. I knew they would be annoyed I was underdressed.

"So, where are they?" I didn't mean to sound as enthusiastic as I did.

They looked at each other as if to say, 'maybe she's coming around?'

"Well?" I just wanted to get it over with.