Once upon a time lived a princess named Amelia and on her 21st birthday, she was sent away in a golden carriage to marry the prince of a neighboring land. Amelia had never met Prince Jacob, but she had been told many tales of his family's kindness such as when his kingdom went through a severe drought, disponing taxes until the rains returned. She imagined that he was kind, handsome, and daring, all the characteristics of both a good king and a good husband. Having never been outside of her kingdom, Princess Amelia was intoxicated with excitement for her 6-day journey.
Now that the morning of her departure had arrived, Amelia felt weary of going off on her own, alone. Although that wasn't completely true, she considered, her handmaiden Jessica was to accompany her. Jessica had been with Amelia since she was a child. They had both been children when Jessica came to live at the castle, having just turned 16 herself while Amelia was a mere 11. 10 years later Jessica was still by her side, a steadfast friend and confidant when Amelia needed it.
Being a handmaiden limited Jessica's life as she had known for many years that she would not grow old in her homeland. Like many others in this situation, Jessica had made the decision not to take on a husband or bear children as they would be left behind when Amelia was sent away to be married. That did not mean that Jessica had not love and been loved by others. On the contrary, she had taken many lovers over her years and had tried to educate Amelia in preparation for being a wife.
They left at dawn, their belongings having been packed and loaded onto the back of the carriage. It had been sent by Prince Jacob to receive her and was the first time she had ever seen a royal artifact from his kingdom. The carriage was golden with dark wood accents carved with exquisitely detailed carvings of roses. The interior was adorned in purple fabric with a golden pattern sown into it. Being a carriage, Amelia had anticipated the seating to be stiff and the suspension stiffer but much to her surprise the carriage gently bounced over the large rocks and deep pits in the road.
Although the journey was long the quality of the carriage ride lessened Amelia and Jessica's fatigue, leaving them feeling almost refreshed when they arrived, as if they had been on a short vacation. The last day of the journey was spent navigating a dense forest that reminded Amelia of her storybooks. A dark and dense forest was where the good children and foolish women were lost to evil beings and men. Knowing that this was so close to the castle made Amelia both uneasy and excited. One day she and Jessica would explore these woods with their guardsmen and see if those storybooks were true.
It was midday on the 6
th
day when the carriage made a final sharp turn, and the castle came into view. Amelia could see that the forest thinned here before giving way to grassy fields that extended all along the front of the castle. There was a long, wide path of white stones with lantern posts lining it on both sides that led to the front door and around the side. From Amelia's seat she could see 5 stories with colossal windows wrapping around the front and sides of the castle, an expansive rose garden was in the back dotting the horizon with splotches of red, pink, and yellow. Amelia had come from a wealthy kingdom, but she had never seen any castle as breathtaking as this.
They came to a stop with a jolt, the door to her carriage tore open and a hand was presented to her. Amelia stood to exit stretching her back and taking in a deep breath. A dense smell of roses stained the air with a pungent sweetness that Amelia found refreshing and a wonderful change from the lilac fields in her kingdom. She stood for a moment, taking in deep breaths through her nose, pulling in as much of the sweet air as she could. Clearing his throat, the footman gestured for Amelia to take his hand as she exited the carriage.
As Amelia stepped down onto the graveled path, she felt eyes watching her. Looking up, Amelia saw at the top of the stairs stood a gentleman in a bright red and yellow overcoat speckled with metals. She lowered her head, watching her steps as she climbed, smiling to herself as she climbed the large stairs before her. Her breath was beginning to labor as she finally reached the top and raised to her face to see the man before her. He was slender and tall, with light-colored hair and eyes. His smile was sly but also warm, disarming Amelia instantly.
"Good day, my betrothed." The prince bent deeply at the waist, gently taking her hand into his and giving it the gentlest of kisses. Amelia giggled at the tender tickle of his mustache on the back of her hand. "I am Prince Jacob." He stood to look at her, eye to eye, and she felt her heart skip a beat. She had been promised to Prince Jacob since she was a child and had thusly imagined this moment a million times. No one had prepared her for the realness of him, of his hand in hers, knowing that he would know all of her in the ways Jessica had described. The thought frightened her momentarily, but Jacob's eyes reassured her as he gave her a gentle smile.
"It's wonderful to meet you too, your majesty." Amelia delivered her best curtsy trying hard to hide the smile on her face. She could feel her heart beating hard and fast in her chest, her face felt fire-hot with a flush Amelia had never felt before. Although she wanted nothing more than to look into his eyes once again, Amelia felt herself quivering as she raised her head and then her eyes to gaze up at him once again. He was smiling down at her with a look of both pleasure and amusement, enjoying the bashfulness of his soon-to-be bride.
Jacob looked to his footman and Jessica, "Take her things inside, Phillip, and show the ladies to their dressing rooms. I would like to have lunch with my fiancé on the terrace." He looked back down at her, again gently taking her hand into his and raising it to his lips. She couldn't help but giggle when his mustache tickled her hand, their eyes locked, Amelia felt herself blushing harder, the smile on her face as wide as it had ever been. "I will see you soon, love." Another kiss on her hand and then he was off, his coat gently flapping behind him as he walked hurriedly.
Phillip stepped forward, taking a deep bow in front of Amelia. "It is nice to meet you, Princess, if you require anything please let me know."
"Thank you, Phillip, this is my handmaiden, Jessica." Amelia gestured to Jessica. They exchanged niceties and began making their way into the castle. Phillip stopped briefly to instruct the butlers on where to take the luggage before continuing the short tour of the castle. The interior of the castle was even more impressive than the outside. High ceilings towered over Amelia with dark red drapery accenting the white marble of the floor and stairwell railings. More of the same dark red decorated the mammoth rugs that created a path to the double grand staircase and into both wings of the castle. From here Amelia could see that the halls on either side were exquisitely decorated with paintings and sculptures.
Climbing the grand staircase was a feat, leaving both Jessica and Amelia breathless once they reached the top. Phillip assured them that in time they would grow accustomed to climbing the heights of the stairs as each floor of the castle was 16 feet in height. Amelia's room was not far from the stairwell, with the same tall ceilings and lavish decorations although this room had been decorated in a bright lavender color that Amelia adored. Once alone, Amelia and Jessica turned to each other, smiling and excited.
"This is some castle, my lady. I dare say that your prince is very wealthy and he's a cutie!" The ladies erupted in uncontrollable giggles, hugging each other and jumping around as they did. They giggled and jumped until they both collapsed on the bed, breathless and happy. As their hearts slowed, Jessica broke the silence, "I hope he is as kind as they say. If so, you will have a great life here, my lady."
Amelia raised herself onto her elbows and looked over at Jessica, lying beside her. "Did you see those eyes? He must be the most kind and wonderful man in the world! I can't wait to be married, Jessica! To be made his wife!" Amelia felt herself swooning at the thought of his square shoulders towering over her naked body. "Oh," she exclaimed, "to be made his wife!" Amelia's hands ran over her body instinctively, letting her imagination run wild with the thought of his mustache tickling her body.
Jessica sat up quickly, "My lady! Don't let them catch you touching! You know that is not acceptable."
"Then you touch me," Amelia whispered, raising her hand to the back of Jessica's head and pulling her in for a kiss. Jessica's body responded instinctively by pressing her lips firmly against Amelia's, their tongues intertwining between them, the excitement of the day flooding their bodies with hormones, driving their urge for me. She could feel Jessica's hands reaching down, pulling her silk dress and undergarments up to Amelia's waist. The fabric was so immense that Amelia couldn't see Jessica as she disappeared behind them, making her way down Amelia's body.