The streets of Ruar, capital city of the Kingdom of Zentara, were filthy. At least, they were filthy when you left the well-travelled main streets with the fine shops catering to wealthy noblemen. The back streets, the slums where the common man lived were not so well maintained. The late afternoon sun baked the trash and refuse in the streets, creating a foul smell that lingered in the air and seemed to follow you wherever you go. With her tall, noble bearing, sleek black hair, fine skin, and a vividly colored cotton dress, Jeanette Grennally, Crown Princess of Zentara stood out like a sore thumb. Even still, sometimes Jeanette felt more at home here than she did in the castle.
The people always flocked around her when she came to visit, though Jeanette was savvy enough to realize it was the alms they were primarily interested in. Jeanette believed that they were genuinely glad to see her, though. Jeanette took a personal interest in the people who would one day be her subjects; she did not just hand out coins out of duty or obligation. She knew their names, their stories, and their situations. She was always happy to offer advice, or an opportunity, or perform some favor. She bought goods from the shopkeepers and distributed alms to the unfortunate, spreading her wealth to each according to his means.
At least once a week Jeanette made her way to the slums of Ruar to meet with the people, each time choosing a different street or neighborhood. She always made sure to send out a footman or servant afterward to follow up on whatever promise she made, when she was too busy with another area of the city to do so herself.
As she made her way back to the castle after her visit, she didn't mind that the hem of her dress was stained from the muck, or that her feet ached from the hours of walking the streets. When she approached the castle, one of the footmen came out to meet her. "Your Highness, the King and Queen would like to see you when you are ready." The footman looked down at the soiled dress with a meaningful glance. The King and Queen were sticklers for protocol, decorum, and maintaining a presentable appearance at court.
"Thank you. You may send word that I have returned and will come to them as soon as I am able." Jeanette continued into the castle as the footman bowed, and made her way to her personal chambers to change gowns.
When she was finished, Jeanette hurried down the hall towards the royal apartments in Greenthorn Castle. Pausing before the door to her parent's chambers, Jeanette straightened her raven hair, adjusting the silver circlet on her head and then raising the neckline of her silk dress to help cover her breasts. Fashions called for a lower neckline and with her large bust it was hard to keep them covered. Jeanette's parents, naturally, didn't approve so she endeavored to appear more modest when in their presence.
Satisfied that her appearance was suitable for entering the royal presence, she signaled the footman who knocked sharply on the door, then opened it and announced loudly "Her Royal Highness, the Princess Jeanette Grennally!"
Jeanette swept into her parent's receiving chamber, head aloft. Her parents sat with their chancellor, Sir Raymond Drake, who rose with her entrance. "My Lady, welcome, His Majesty has important news for you." Jeanette didn't like Drake, who often looked at her with lingering, inappropriate stares.
King Rolf Grennally looked up at his daughter with an apprehensive smile. "Please my dear, sit, we have important news for you...Sir Drake has brought us an offer of marriage for you and we have decided to accept it. You're to be married to the Duke of Braden, Gilbert Ousten, brother of King Connor of Heste."
A look of horror and disgust crossed Jeanette's face. "The Duke of Braden? He's fifty if he's a day. Not to mention fat, covered in boils, and a lecher to boot! We've heard even here that not a serving girl is safe in his castle."
"I'm sure those are just exaggerations dear, besides, he's a gentlemen, he knows the difference between a commoner and a lady. You'd be treated with the utmost respect. There are important reasons for this alliance..."
Jeanette tried another tactic, "But father, I am the heir of the kingdom, marrying me to the Ousten's will subordinate us to Heste! Surely you don't want them to take by marriage what they couldn't take by force!"
"The alliance by marriage will ensure peace, my dear. And the crown will rest on your head, not his. Our line will continue, you'll simply have a king-consort. This matter has been decided my dear, you knew that you must marry eventually. With Heste's military support and Zentara's wealth and control of the major trade centers in the region, our prominence and power will be assured for the next fifty years!"
"I know father, but-"
"Jeanette!" her mother, Queen Amarice interrupted, "You will marry the Duke of Braden, and you will do it with the grace, good nature, and poise that befits your station!"
Jeanette's shoulders slumped in defeat, realizing that no amount of wheedling would free her from her parent's intentions. "When must I marry him...?"
"Before the year is out...some final negotiations for the marriage settlement must be agreed upon, and the details of the ceremony settled. In nine months time you'll be wed."
Jeanette's back stiffened as she stood up straight again. "I see. Of course I'll submit to your wishes, for the sake of the Kingdom."
The King smiled, "I knew you would see reason my dear. Really, this is for the best. Now that you're to be married, I think it is time we start expanding on your responsibilities at court. You already do a wonderful job seeing to the needs of the common man, and distributing alms, but it is time you start moving in higher circles. I would like you to begin overseeing the reception of distinguished guests and petitioners in the Castle. Welcome the nobles, and diplomats, and the more important merchants and ensure they are treated well. You need to have good contacts when you come into the throne."
Jeanette nodded along with her father's request. Ordinarily she would be happy at the increased responsibility, but the news of the impending marriage had dampened her mood. "Of course father, I look forward to it. Seeing to the needs of all our subjects is an important role the Queen. If you'll excuse me, Your Highness, I will go and begin preparations, both for the marriage, and for my new responsibility."
"Always so eager, my dear. Very well, we will meet tomorrow to talk more about the marriage. Have a good evening."
Queen Amarice smiled at her daughter. "It will be alright my love, all women feel this way when they face marriage. You'll come around. Do have a good night!"
Jeanette curtsied low, and left the royal apartments to think about her betrothal. With her dark hair, fair skin and shapely body, Jeanette was widely considered to be a great beauty among the nobility of the kingdom. At eighteen, she was old to still be a maid. She should have been married years ago, though the political maneuvering involved in marrying the heir to a kingdom were complicated and created delays. Even still, her sexual awakening had occurred years earlier, and she was eager to be wed and bed...just not to someone horrific, like the Duke of Braden.