1825
"Grandma, read for us, the tales of the blue eyed prince," a girl lying on her stomach said with a bright smile on her face. Her dark rich hair was packed in a loose bun with some fringes dropping down from the corner of her face. A pink dress adorned her slender yet curvy body, which was prominent because of the manner she was laying.
Few giggles rang out behind her as the other girls blushed in front of their grandmother. One with auburn hair and the other with brownish-blond hair. At the far end of the luscious feather bed was another girl with vibrant red hair like burning coal. Four of the girls were putting on similar dresses but in different shades.
"Permit me ladies but it's time I retire to bed. This old body needs rest," the old woman said and stood up from the chair she was sitting on. Her hair has turned completely grey, showing the age of time she has spent. Wrinkles marred her pale white face with chicken feets at the corners of her mouth. Behind that old face, one could see that the woman was a beauty to behold in her youthful days.
After taking deep breaths, the old woman finally stepped out of the exotic room which was decorated in a grand princessly style. Four beds were placed at each corner of the rooms with different colors of tent curtain above it. The walls were painted rich blue and the floor was covered in white fur carpet.
A sweet fragrance filled the room as the black-haired girl burnt a pink paper fragrance. "Sighs, I really wanted to listen to that tale tonight." She gracefully stepped down from the bed and marched towards the opposite one.
"But we've been listening to it ever since we were kids!" The girl with brownish-blond hair scoffed at her sister. "I see nothing fancy about that story,"she drawled and looked towards the red-haired girl. "Isn't that right, Lysandra?" Malice clearly written in her eyes as the other girls turned to look at Lysandra.
Lysandra who was setting her pillow immediately felt she was pushed into a tight spot. "I suppose not Pandora. The tale of the blue eyed prince is quite interesting." She replied with a low voice. "I heard he got married to a black haired princess too," she added and a soft smile graced her lips.
The black-haired girl blushed heavily as her face turned pink in color. "Heard that Pandora? Oh I wish I was the girl he got married to," she swooned, twirling on her feet like a swan.
Lysandra smiled even more widely. She had always had a soft spot for Riona and seeing the princess happy made her happy.
Feeling a cold gaze on her, Lysandra turned to see Pandora glaring daggers at her while Albertina stared at them in silence.
"Don't forget your place, Sandra. Always remember that even though you're part of the royal family of Flynn. You can't be part of us. You've no right to tell me what's right or what is not, bastard." Pandora spat and immediately drew her tent curtain.
Riona was now staring from Lysandra to Pandora's tent. She knew Pandora likes picking on Lysandra but that was harsh to begin with. "Don't feel bad Sandra. You're one of us."
"Of course you are one of us!" Albertina replied from her bed with a soft gentle smile.
Forcing out a smile, Lysandra replied. "It's alright. I'm not sad about it, see," she grinned to show her sisters that she wasn't hurt. Deep down, it hurts. To know that she was the bastard of the royal family of the Flynn. It was a stain that even a downpour from heaven won't be able to wash away. As she drew her tent curtain, Pandora's words kept echoing in her head.
***
Next day at the King's table
While the royal family were quietly having breakfast, tension and malice kept brewing in the air. Mothers glared at fellow mothers in contempt.
The king, a burly man who seems to be in his early fifties with slightly black hair, dropped his spoon on the table. "What's this tension I feel in the air!" He growled angrily, sending fears down everyone's spine.
A woman with blond hair immediately answered, "my love, I heard from the servants that your dearest daughter was pushed in the shower room by Albertina. Punishment should be melted out on such recklessness!"
"That's a lie! I didn't do anything!" Albertina yelled from across the table. Her auburn hair swaying to the morning breeze.
"Calm down Tina," her mother warned. Lady Catelyn is a strict woman who the other ladies feared except the Queen, Remi.
The king then looked towards Albertina who was shaking in anger. Then back to Pandora who was looking pale. "Did you do it, Albertina?"
"Your Highness, do you take the servants' words to that of your daughter?" Lady Catelyn questioned with fierceness blooming in her eyes. "I know what Tina can do. At least she's not stupid enough to cross Pandora."
Chair scraped on the ground as Queen Remi stood up from her seat ungracefully. "How dare you cover up for your child's wrongdoings? Pandora would never do awful things to the girls!"
"But she called Lysandra a bastard last night," Albertina whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"What's awful about that Albertina? I think your dear mother didn't teach you what it means to be different from royalty and lowlife fellow–"
"SLAP!"
"Don't you dare say such things about my daughter, Remi!" Lysandra's mother snapped in anger and the table immediately turned quiet. Everyone was now staring at Lady Victoria in shock mixed with surprise.
"You—" Queen Remi was about to start yelling.
"Enough! You all are dismissed!" With that, everyone walked away with grudges in their heart.
After his wives and daughters left the table, King Owen Flynn ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. His family members always find a way to give him hard times.
A man in his late sixties then entered the king's dining room. On his way, he saw the king's sulking wives and children and knew that a fight must have happened. "Your Highness, a letter from the Eastern Kingdom."
"What does it say?" King Owen asked.
"Ahh, let me check Your Grace." The king's hand then broke the seal and brought out the letter.
"Your Highness, it says that the Prince of the East would be visiting Asta to choose a bride amongst the four."
Sighs. "Then he should come quickly," the king mumbled.
The king's hand pressed his lips together in unease. Although the Eastern Kingdom were wealthy people, he didn't like that the Prince would come to Asta for a bride. Especially after hearing horrible things about this prince.
When the king saw that his hand was still standing across the long table with a conflicted expression on his face, he asked. "Is something bothering you, Caspian? You look nervous."
"Ahh, Your Grace. Forgive me for what I'm about to say. Do you really want to give out one of your daughters to the Eastern prince?" Caspian asked.
Owen Flynn's eyebrow drew together at the question. "That was a tricky one, Caspian, but yes. One of my daughters will marry the Eastern prince. It'll further make us good allies with the East."
Caspian bowed, "as you wish Your Grace." He then rushed out of the room.
Caspian knew why the King would want that for one of his daughters. It isn't just about being allies with the East but something that the Eastern Kingdom possesses.
He made his way towards the South wing where the royal wives and children of the Flynn family reside. Caspian looked back and forth, making sure no one saw him here before knocking twice on the door.
Silence came from inside and he was about to knock again when the door was pulled open. A stoic glare scorched him fiercely as he came face to face with Lady Victoria. "I'm sorry My Lady but this is urgent. Mind if I come in?"
Lady Victoria who was stitching a gown with her daughter Lysandra scanned the King's hand from head to his toes with a questioning look. "Why do you think I'll let the King's man into my abode?"
"Because the King didn't send me My Lady. As I had said, it's urgent."
Lady Victoria pulled the door open and allowed the man to enter, yet suspicious. Her dull red hair was packed into a tight bun. The front was woven and used to round her head like a crown. Her skin was cream in complexion, manning a fiery red dress. After shutting the door, "what is this urgent matter?" She asked.
Lysandra stopped what she was doing when her eyes fell on the King's hand who was staring at her.
"Mother, why is he here?" She asked with a frown.
"That's what we are about to find out," Lady Victoria replied with a cold voice. The king and his men were not to be trusted.
Caspian cleared his throat to speak. "Lady Victoria, I'm sorry. I should have told you earlier but I was hoping for it not to happen."
In his words, both ladies stood up from their seats. Mother standing in front of daughter protectively. "What is that about Caspian? Don't waste any more time."
"The king wants to give away one of his daughters to the Eastern prince. At first when he sent the letter through a raven, I was hoping the Eastern prince wouldn't accept the king's proposal."
"But it went otherwise, is that right?" Lady Victoria asked. Her eyes scan Caspian like a hawk. Realization of what he was yet to tell her made her blood run cold.
"Yes, My Lady." Caspian swallowed. "He chose Lysandra as the bride, My Lady. I'm sorry, I could've told you sooner."
Lysandra went into shock upon hearing what the King's hand said. The Eastern prince? What was her father thinking?
"No. My daughter would never marry such a prince. I'll go to the King this instant.
"No!" Caspian caught hold of Lady Victoria's hand but immediately dropped it. "You can't change his mind. Find a way to snuggle Lysandra out of the castle tonight. There are two horses loaded with supplies at the back gate. The guards have been taken care of."
Lysandra turned pale as goosebumps rose on her skin. She looked to her mother who was still standing regal. "Mother."
"We leave, Lysandra. Right now." Lady Victoria said harshly with no room for arguments. Take all my jewelry and golds and silvers. Be quick."
"Yes, mother." Lysandra immediately rushed into the closet and did what her mother told her.
Left with Caspian in the room, Lady Victoria stared at him in doubt. She couldn't grasp how severe the situation was but if the king's hand could come to her room to warn her, then it must be serious. "Why should I believe this is not a trap?" She asked.
"The Prince is already on his way. It'll take him two days to reach here. The King's road is smooth unlike that leading to the Northern kingdom. Here," he pressed a paper into her hand. Use this when you've gone far from the castle." He added and immediately left the room.