CASSY
Grandfather's death feels so fresh in my memory.......it looks as if he just passed away yesterday but it has been a week.
Grandfather was all I ever had.
He was my source of joy, my happiness, my all, he was everything to me but he was snatched away all of a sudden by the snares of death.
He was the father I never had, maybe I do have a man who brought me into this world but he's not worth the title father....he's not worth it at all, likewise the woman who birthed me, no wonder they say birds of a feather, flocks together.
I don't know what I did to them but I started to see hell in their house when I was four years old. What could the little me do?
It was insults upon insults, injuries upon injuries and beatings upon beatings. What did I ever do to them?
Tears ran down my cheeks as I remembered grandfather's dying moments.
I stroked his cheeks tenderly as he smiled weakly, showing me a rotten tooth.
"Now, you look sick, Cassy!"
"No, grand dad.......I'm not sick!"
I snapped out of my thoughts.
That memory was too painful to relive.
He took me away from those people when i was five years old and I've been living with grandfather for thirteen years.......so, right now, I'm eighteen.
"Welcome to Starline Palace!" I read aloud as I fixed my gaze on the board at the entrance of the palace gate.
"Is this what you really want for me, grandfather?"
"To be betrothed to a man who probably hates me for existing?"
"You actually don't know until you try it out!"
I closed my eyes for a while, pushing those thoughts out.
Fine, grandfather!
I opened my eyes.
I'm gonna try it out, since, that's what you want me to do but I'm pretty sure life at the manor would be way better than whatever awaits me at the Palace
"Lady Lasserville, we are here!"
I took in a sharp breath before exhailing as I waited for the door to be opened.
He stretched out his hand to me and I took it before stepping out.
I looked around and my head felt like bursting......
The palace grounds and buildings were too elegant and sparkly for my taste.
The buildings looked similar but they had different functions, that was obvious because I saw tags on each of the buildings. They seem connected to each other as well and, the roads and leg paths were neatly adorned.
"Wow!" I breathed. "This is beautiful....whoever designed this, did a great job!"
"Come, my lady.......Princess Bianca awaits you!"
My chest started to rise and fall as I heard her name.....
The princes' mother!
I've heard tales about her.
She scares me!
I followed him meekly and as elegant as I could..
I wouldn't want to cause trouble on my first day here.
The grand doors to the princess' chambers were opened and I opened my mouth in awe as I stepped in.
"So beautiful!" I murmured as I looked around, from the walls to the ceiling, to the window and then, back to the ceiling.....
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
I jumped as I heard that unfamiliar voice.
The princess!
I bowed totally. "Your Grace!"
"My dear!"
I raised my head and she gave me a cheeky smile.
"This place is indeed beautiful, that's what I love about staying in this palace, especially this side of the house. It gives me a greater view of Lake Joy."
I smiled.
"It really is beautiful, Your Grace!"
She frowned suddenly but it vanished as soon as possible, a smile replaced it, which made me wonder if she actually frowned.
"Come with me!"
I followed her into an open area, flowers and antics were almost everywhere and I looked at her strangely.
She loves flowers and antics?
"You must be wondering........'
She looked at me and I smiled shyly.
"Yes, I do love flowers!"
She placed a palm on my cheek and I was taken aback.
"I'm sorry about your grandfather!"
She wiped something off my face and that was when I knew I was crying.
I miss that old man
~•~
OLIVIA
"Father!" I called out of anger. "How can you just say this to me?"
"Watch your tongue, young lady.....you don't speak to me, the count of Heroch Manor that way!"
"I'm sorry, father but one of the princes would be betrothed? Who could that be? You know I've had a crush on one of them all my life and my dream is to become his wife but, why am I just hearing about this......?"
Father sighed.
"See, Olivia, I'm sorry......I didn't know about this until their grandfather told us in court yesterday.....I'm really sorry, my child......."
I pouted. "So, who is this girl? How beautiful is she? How old is she? I want to know everything about her!"
"I don't really know anything about her but I know her name......Cassy Lasserville, grand daughter of the late head of Lasserville Manor!"
"You mean that ugly girl?"
Father looked at me. "You've met her?"
"Yes, Father.....we attend the same high school with prince Alan and I really hate that girl!"
"You know what, Olivia?"
"What, Father?"
"I wouldn't want the opportunity of being in-laws with the royal family pass me by.........."
I smiled suddenly........
That's the spirit!
I'm very sure Father would do something about it.
~•~
LIAM
"You all are bunch of fools!" I screamed as I pulled out the table cloths. Everything on the table landed on the floor, the servants and maids squealed as they scrambled backwards.
"Who cooked my meal today?!" I growled and they all jumped.
"I said..........."
I saw someone raise her hand and I smirked. I gestured for her to move closer with a crook of my finger.
She came closer and I hit her hard across the face, she stumbled to the floor and those gathered gasped, I don't care!
"I want a breakfast befitting my status, not this thing you call food!"
I kicked her aside with the tip of my shoe and I walked out of the dining hall.
I am Liam Roe, the first prince of this palace........I am twenty-three years old and I love being who I am.
Well, I've heard talks about my personality and character, but, who cares? Because I don't!
I'm actually tired of hearing this betrothed thing all over the palace.
Why did grandfather give birth to a son in the first place? And, why did that son give birth to just two boys?
I don't want to get married at this age......no!
I still have enough time ahead of me.
But, who is this mystery girl?
How beautiful is she?
Why does she have to be betrothed to one of us?
Can't she just stay in the palace and live like royalty?
One thing I've come to know about my grandfather, once he makes a promise, he fulfills it, he never goes back on his word unless there's a hidden and true meaning to it.
I spotted Alan looking like he had nothing to worry about and I shook my head.
Is this the time to be so happy and jovial, dear brother?
He was busy on a phone call with someone because he was looking at his screen and his ear was plugged, I believe its a video call.......
He passed by me and I pulled him back by the ear, I tucked his head under my arm and I ruffled his hair.
"Arrrrgh!!" He screamed as he jumped around and his phone fell to the ground.
I smiled in contention as I pulled away from him.
"What did you do that for?" He asked as he ran his hands through his hair.
"Don't you feel scared or worried?"
He shrugged as he picked up his phone. "About what?!" He straightened.
"Don't tell me you don't know?"
"Know what?!"
~•~
ALAN
"There's a girl in the palace!"
"A girl? There are many girls in here!" I said
"You're so dumb, aren't you? I mean a girl different from every other girl, either your betrothed or mine!"
My mouth opened on its own will.
"Are you serious, Lee?"
I've been calling him that since I was little.
"Have I ever said anything like this to you?"
"But, I don't want to get married now.......I'm still young!"
"Being young is the best time to produce fruits!"
We turned to look at the source of the voice.
"Father!"
We screamed.
"Shhhhh!" He placed a finger on his lips as he came towards us.
"You guys are old enough to start bearing children, especially you, Liam!"
"Father........."
"Say no more about this.......but, I do wish she's yours!"
He walked away and I looked at Liam.
"I also wish she's yours, whoever she is......."
He frowned at me. "I'm way older than her, you know, so, it may be.........since you're older than her with just a year, you're the sure bet!"
"Don't be too sure, Lee!" I wriggled my brows. "You don't know what goes on in grand pop's head!"
I walked away from with a mocking laughter.
I am Alan Roe, second prince of this palace and I'm nineteen years old.
Whoever you are, I'd welcome you as my brother's bride but never as mine.
~•~
CASSY
After my time with the princess, I was taken to my quarters and by my quarters, I mean a whole building.......maybe I'm the only one here or I'm not, I don't know but this place sure lacks life except the servants, maids and guards walking about.
I opened the door to my bedroom and I glanced at the glamorous furnishings before walking in. I closed the door quietly behind me and I moved closer to the bed. I looked at the beddings and tears ran down my eyes as I continued to look around.....this is too glamorous for me.
Is that why you wanted me here, grandfather?
I wiped my tears suddenly as a knock came at the door.
"Please, come in!"
I said elegantly.
This is unlike me!
I'm not that polite, I know that much but this life is about to turn me into what I'm not.
The door creaked open and a girl about my age or so, walked in.
She came towards me and she bowed, I cringed, I'm not an old lady like the princess, I didn't say that out, right?
I looked at her and she looked at me warily.
"You did!" Was the first thing she said and I smiled ruefully, she smiled back.
"I am May and I'd be your personal maid starting from now!"
"Personal maid? I also have to have one?"
"Its compulsory in Starline Palace!"
"Okay, well, I'm........"
"Lady Cassy Lasserville, grand daughter of the famous Lord of Lasserville Manor!" She bowed again and I sealed my lips, not wanting to say anything further that might land me in trouble.
"I'm glad to know you know me!"
She smiled again.
"But," I bit my lips. "Can I please ask you for a favour?"
"Sure, my Lady!"
"Can you please drop the politeness........?"
She smiled. "I'm sorry, my lady, I can't! I'd be killed straight away if I do that!"
Oh-oh!
"Then, let's leave it at that!"
She gave me a remote control and I collected it.
"What's this for?"
She brought out something that looked like a receiver, I don't know what that is but it does look like a telephone.
"Its a receiver......if you need me to do something for you.....press the red button on that remote control and I'd come running.....right now, I have to go prepare dinner for you, since you have to meet the king tonight!"
"I'd meet the king tonight?"
"Yes, my lady!"
She bowed before going out and I collapsed on my bed angrily, the bed bounced me out angrily as well and I landed on the ground.
I looked at my bed in horror.
"You hate me?!"
