Chapter 1
It is after death that we turn to ash, but there are few who live to rise up from those ashes and are reborn anew. May the power of the phoenix never die.
-House Elwood
The air was warm and damp early this spring morning. I had just awoken to the scent of fresh-baked bread, eggs, and sausages. I slipped out of my silky sheets and into my royal silk red robe to investigate. One of my handmaidens, Eliza, was sweeping the hallway when I opened my door to leave.
"Morning, your highness. Would you like me to bring some breakfast to your room for you?"
"No thanks, Eli," I say while waiving behind me. "I'll eat in the hall today."
"Wait, Princess." She dropped her broom to rush after me. "Your father requests that you eat in your room or the kitchens this morning since we are preparing the dining hall for your birthday celebration tonight."
I continued to walk and talk making my way towards the kitchens downstairs.
"I can't believe I'm already eighteen. My father says I am also to pick a suitor from one of our eight kingdoms, but I don't know if I'm ready for marriage."
"You will be fine. I hear many of the lords coming tonight are quite handsome. Understand that you are choosing your future king, so pick wisely tonight. Don't just go off of looks alone." I eye-rolled in her direction. "I'm serious, princess. I want you to pick wisely."
"As do others in this kingdom. Don't worry. I already have my eyes set on one in particular and I'm hoping he shows tonight."
I waived to the staff who greeted me with warm smiles while not interrupting Eliza and me.
"You're not talking about lord Griswald, are you?" She tugged my elbow to bring us to a stop in the hallway. "He's charming for sure, but the Griswalds always give me cause for concern. They've been pining for the throne for centuries and you're about to offer it to them on a silver platter."
"Henri is nothing like his ancestors and besides," I gave her my most confident smile, "his family has made amends with mine."
"But you are about to change the name of the throne for the first time in history. Make sure it's someone who will stand beside you. Not in front. You are nothing to be overshadowed."
I gave her a soft smile as her words sunk deeper into my mind. I hadn't really thought of my name changing until now. Ever since I was a little girl, I had been planning a wedding for Henri and me, but Eliza was right. I should take my options with much consideration for the Shire and its kingdoms.
"I will do my best."
Mrs. Cran came looking for Eliza to finish upstairs with her chores. She was in charge of most of the house staff and kept things in order. Whenever she was on a warpath, Eliza and I would run and hide from her when we were young. Now that we're older, we can't run from our responsibilities like we used to.
She was a wrinkly older woman, but not much older than my father. Work must have aged her far quicker. Her dirty blonde hair was streaked with grey and she mostly kept it pinned at the top of her head. Mrs. Cran's family has been employed by my family for generations and has always done a great deal of work to make sure the castle stays in tip-top condition.
"Eliza, there you are. I've been searching for you upstairs. Your broom was in the middle of the hallway by the princess's room." She caught a glimpse of me before doing a curtsey. "Forgive me, Princess Raya. I did not see you at first."
"It's alright, Mrs. Cran. We are standing in a very unlit place."
"Aye. Tell me, Princess. Were you planning on going the entire day without brushing that unruly curly hair of yours?"
She placed both hands on her hips as Eliza escaped back upstairs.
"I was planning on brushing it after breakfast," I say unsurely. I was horrible about managing my waist-length thick hair and my handmaids spent about an hour a day brushing and braiding it for me.
"Ah...there's my beautiful daughter!" My father quickly embraces me in a tight squeeze and spins me around. Mrs. Cran couldn't help but judge silently to herself. "You burn brighter every time I see you."
"Yes, well. We were just discussing when the Princess should tame that mane of hers. You shouldn't praise poor habits."
"I must say," father gave me a glance, "she is right. How could I marry you off on your eighteenth birthday with such messy hair?"
We both laughed while Mrs. Cran rolled her eyes. This time, I was sure they would finally get stuck up there in her head.
"I will have my hair done once I've eaten. I'm starving and the food smells so good."
"Enjoy, and happy birthday my little phoenix."
He placed a kiss on my forehead before letting me continue into the kitchen. The staff was excited to greet me this morning and offered to make me anything I wanted for breakfast if I was craving anything. I assured them the only thing I wanted was the smell that brought me downstairs in the first place. Maro was our castle baker and he ensured me that my birthday cake would be the best the kingdom's ever tried. My favorite was a raspberry cream cake which he promised to make.
Once I had my fill of food, I went upstairs for the long and vigorous hair brushing and braiding I was about to be subjected to. By the afternoon, many guests had begun to arrive for the celebrations. I stared out my balcony waving and smiling at all who were arriving still hoping to see Henri.
When we were little, his family used to live in the capital and we would chase each other around the castle playing tag. Even Finn, another childhood friend, would defer from his training to come and play with us. The three of us were the best of friends until Henri grew up and his family expected more from him. Everyone expected more from us as we got older and we all grew up and apart. Finn trained with my uncle who was the leader of the royal guard and I began my lessons. Soon, the Griswald family moved to the eastern valleys where they would start producing and trading fine wine and goods. Their family is the second richest family in all of the eight kingdoms which is why many want us to marry.
Finn remains at my side as my personal guard and is now second in command of the royal guard. His bravery is unfathomable. Sadly, he lost his family to a fire in Stonewall and my uncle was the one to bring him back to the castle, care for him, and trained him to be the skilled warrior he is today. Finn and Henri began seeing things differently as we got older seeing as Henri comes from a powerful rich family and Finn didn't. The day we were supposed to say goodbye to Henri and his family, Finn decided not to come. Now, every time I even speak of Henri in front of Finn, he leaves the room. Finn is still my best friend at times even though he's mostly business. I worry that if I decide to marry Henri, Finn would leave my side and would no longer speak to me.
"Evening, Princess."
Finn's voice came as a startle to me. He stood a few paces back behind to not show his face to the people below.
"It's still noon." I gave him a simple smile. "Have you secured the castle with my father's men?"
"We have, your highness," he said bowing. "I am to escort you to the gardens where the festivities are beginning."
I laced my arm through his and allowed him to lead me downstairs. He was dressed in his finest leather and his shaggy dark brown hair hung neatly around his face unlike usual. I laughed wondering who forced him into his formals knowing he hated wearing them.
"Have any of the suitors arrived?"
"A few." He knew who I was asking about without me even saying his name. "He has not shown yet. Give it time. I'm sure he won't want to miss seeing you."
I blushed from his comment. His words also felt a bit dry.
"Will you make me a promise?"
"Depends on what I'm promising."
"Will you remain by my side as my guard no matter who I marry?"
I glanced up at his tensed features and saw him give up the anger he was building inside himself.
"Always. That is my duty to you and your family. I will serve you until the day I die."
My father suddenly approached us in the hallway discontinuing any further conversation I wanted to have with Finn. He bowed before my father as my father reached out to shake his hand.
"I want to thank you for all you do for my family and for protecting my daughter. You have grown into a fine man and I bless any beauty you choose to be your future wife. Tell me, do you have a girl in mind?"
At that moment, I'd never seen Finn's cheeks burn so bright red before.
"N-no, your Majesty. I don't plan to wed anytime soon."
"I see." My father seemed a little displeased by this but soon moved on. "May I have a word with my daughter alone, please?"
"Of course, your Majesty. I shall wait for her just over there."
"Thank you, Finn."
My father placed a hand on his shoulder when he bowed once more before leaving us to talk. I was curious to know what my father had to discuss with me in private and if it were bad news.
"What is it, father?" I asked puzzled.
"Tonight is very special. For you. For me. For the Shire. Your mother passed away only five years ago and I know it's been hard on you not having a mother around for this type of occasion. "
"Papa. It's alright."
"Let me finish," he said. "I have made sure the Shire remains peaceful and have served our people well, but don't let that deter you from our enemies. Because they exist out there and they want nothing more than to see your reign come to an end. I tell you this today of all days because I need you to understand the reality of choosing the next king to rule by your side. Enemies don't always show up in armor with swords yelling threats at your city's gates. Sometimes, they sneak into your life, make you love them, and then hurt you and everything you worked hard for."
"Are you referring to Henri Griswald?" I couldn't help but sound accusatory. "If it is love then you cannot talk me out of this, Papa."
"Listen to me, child. I would never tell you anything that I didn't think you needed to hear. As far as Henri is concerned, I have heard some rumors. Not any good ones and I have decided that you will not choose him. You may marry any of the suitors from any of the other houses, but not Henri. Do you understand me?"
"You can't do this to me father. You know how I feel about him."
Tears burned in the corners of my eyes.
"I can and I forbid it to ever be. His family is still expected to show tonight so you may converse with him, dance with him, and even dine with him. But you will not marry him and that is my final decision."
"You even said so yourself. The Shire has never been more peaceful before and now you speak of enemies and immediately name Henri, the man I love, based on what...a rumor?"
"The Shire is what it is today because of the sacrifices I have had to make. Especially, to protect you and your future. You will understand more when you are older." He let out a deep sigh. "You are my little girl. I do what I do to protect you. I don't want you to be upset on your special day, so for now, can you put a smile on and have some fun?"
I nodded in agreeance even though I had more to say. My father was a kind man and an even more kind king. This was the first time I had ever heard my father speak of enemies being so close and hidden in our capital city. It worried me. I was also upset that he forbid me to marry Henri. I knew Henri when we were little and I couldn't imagine him doing anything to hurt me. My father was just paranoid and scared by a few rumors which I refused to believe. Henri was a good man and tonight I would prove it to my father.
My father turned and left me stunned. Finn rushed to my side to see what was wrong and why I was so upset all of a sudden. I grabbed his hand and led him into one of the castle official's room to talk to him in private before I couldn't get the chance for the remainder of the festivities which would last all week.
"What's wrong, Princess Raya?" He was deeply concerned by the way I was acting. "Did your father give you bad news?"
"Yes," I said while pacing. "It's terrible, really. I mean, how could he do this to his only daughter? All I ever do is work hard to be the best Princess I could be for him. I never ask for anything and the one thing I decide I want for myself, for my future, he's says I can't have him?"
"Him?" Finn asked confused. Then it dawned on him who I could be referring to and what was said between my father and me. "He forbid you to marry him?" Finn meant to ask it as a question, but it was more to himself.
"Yes! And without reason, either." I stopped pacing and crossed my arms. "Henri is a good man. A great man. A war hero even and my father says I cannot have him. 'Why,' you ask?" I didn't give him a chance to respond. "Because he believes that Henri could be a threat to the Shire and only wants me for the crown. Can you believe him?"
"I can."
I was completely taken aback by his quick response and the seriousness on his face. He wasn't joking with me and certainly wasn't lying. I gulped hard as my best friend stared back at me with dark hooded eyes.
"How can you think that? We grew up together as children."
"That doesn't mean he's the same person anymore. The boy you knew is just that. A boy. He's a man now and he's made his mark on the world at the young age of nineteen so don't tell me he hasn't changed. I've changed...we've all changed."
"Still...that doesn't make him evil." I glare back at him with a fierce look of my own.
He stared into my eyes with me never backing down until he sighed and broke contact. Something suddenly fluttered inside my chest as soon as he looked away. I wasn't sure what it was or even why I felt it.
"You have a fiery gaze, Princess." He then looked up from the ground. "One day you will make a great queen."
We stood in awkward silence for a moment before he stepped to my side while still facing forward, wiped my cheek of a stray tear, and opened the door.
"Your father, the king, just wants to protect you. I trust your father for what it's worth and I believe his word. Forget for a second that I have a problem with Henri or that you think you're in love with him. Your father wouldn't have given you this order if he didn't think it was for your safety and the safety of the Shire. Have faith in him and listen to his wise command. Don't choose Henri."
I looked up at Finn with defeat knowing this time, I would not be getting my way. I nodded my head in silence and took his arm for him to lead me back to my party which was about to start.
Most of the houses and guests had arrived by the late afternoon with the last three arriving tomorrow morning. House Agan, Krakel, and Jurri would be the houses that would arrive late. I had never met anyone from their kingdoms before and was excited to finally get the chance to hear their different accents and languages. House Griswald, Rice, Floria, and Bane had finished arriving which started the celebrations of my eighteenth birthday.
Everyone showered me with gifts and kind words as people lined up at my table to meet me for the first time. Finn made sure everyone, especially the men, kept their safe distance from me as he stood strong by my side during the entire feast. I couldn't stop myself from glancing around in search of Henri every once in a while. Once dinner was over, everyone moved to the grand hall where the dancing and music would take place. Everyone dined on wine and spirits that evening getting themselves drunk as ever. Even my father, the king, allowed himself a considerable amount of wine for the evening and was too wobbly to dance.
One by one, each suitor from each of the houses approached me to dance with them as I was forced to take their hands. Every now and then, I would make a face towards Finn if I didn't like the man. Lord Raven Rice was a bit large and smelled of cheese, but otherwise very kind and extremely shy. Lord Hari Floria didn't speak a word of my language and was difficult to carry on a conversation. He also seemed to have two left feet when dancing. Lord Criss Bane was a decent man but quite a bit older than me. His first wife had passed away ten years ago and it left him pretty broken. They never had children, unfortunately. I could tell he was a kind and gentle man and would treat me well if I were to marry him.
Finally. Lord Henri approached me just as the violinist finished and Lord Criss bowed before handing me off. He was so much taller than I had imagined him and extremely more muscular. Finn was correct about one thing. We were definitely not children anymore. His golden hair was trimmed short and his green eyes were seducing. He was everything and more.
"Good evening, Princess Raya," he said while bowing. His voice was so much different than what I remembered. It was deep and smooth compared to the squeaky voice he had when he was nine. "Will you have this next dance with me?"
I accepted his hand with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. I didn't care that people stared at us or that I was five shades of red. My prince stood before me asking me to dance with him and that's all that mattered to me.
"Of course. I'd love to."
