Chapter 1

"Allisara?!" Groaning awake as someone calls out my name, I grab the pillow that smell's like Sky and pull it over my head. Last night was spent dealing with the aftermath of the nightmare and right now I am in no mood to deal with the sisters – Clarice and Millia. Today is my coronation day. I will be crowned Queen in just a few hours but the feeling that something will happen today makes me want to reschedule and hide away for the day.

"Up you get Allisara!" Suddenly the blanket is pulled off of me, making me squeal in protest and sit up, using the pillows to cover my naked body. I couldn't fall back to sleep after the nightmare for a long time and Sky made it his mission to tire me out.

"Give me the blanket back!" I demand, glaring at Millia who lets out a giggle as she backs away.

"It seems like you and Sir Sky were busy making future royals." She teases, a blush forming on my cheeks from her words.

"It's not like that." I protest, looking away from the Maid as her sister rolls her eyes and opens the window curtains, allowing in the late May sunlight.

"Millia, leave our soon-to-be Queen alone. Allisara, go shower. We only have two hours to prepare you for the ceremony." Ordering us about, Clarice comes to shoe me from my bed. The sister will be coming with me to the Cathedral and are already dressed in their outfits for the day, two finely tailored dark plum dresses that Lidia's new stylist helped design.

I sigh in defeat, knowing with these two around I will not have a quiet moment. Climbing from my bed, I quickly shuffle into the bathroom and slam the door shut. Some times I miss when the sisters were professional and always listened to what I wanted. Ever since Ellisia started training them, Clarice and Millia have found it amusing to order me around. Especially on days when I have a function – like today.

Deciding I am bound to my fate for the day, I pad towards the shower and take this time to myself. I have a feeling I only have twenty minutes to myself before Millia or Clarice comes in expecting me to be ready for hair and make-up.

Allowing the hot water to flow down my body, I think back to my nightmare and wonder just what I am going to do. Juden has been at large and a Kingdom wide manhunt has been going on since his failed execution. Taylor and Kolten have sent reports about small skirmishes in the Provinces, especially near the border towns, and all of them were cause by Juden's men. Each report I received added to my stress. Each picture of his crest being flown on the town's flag pole reminding me that that man is still out there.

"Stop that." I mumble to myself, slapping my hands to my cheeks. I need to stop thinking about Juden and his family. Today is about me and if I show worry and fear, then my people will see it and start to worry and fear even more than they already are. Today is a day that will show them I am strong. That I will bring us all to an age of peace. With my thoughts clearing, I focus on showering and cleaning my sore body. Sky really did a number on me last night and from what I can see, I count five love marks that I hope the gown covers. Feeling refreshed, I take another moment to just let the water run over me, reminding myself that today will go smoothly. That it has to go smoothly.

"Allisara, are you okay?" The door to the bathroom opens and Clarice calls out to me. I groan, not ready to be dolled up, and rest my forehead against the tiled wall.

"Give me five more minutes." I call back, getting a muffled okay before the door closes. I have five minutes of alone time before I have to face the music. Five more minutes left of being Princess Allisara. When I leave this room I will be preparing myself to become Queen Allisara. Shutting off the water, I step out of the shower and quickly wrap a towel around my body. Clarice and Millia are waiting for me. Exiting the bathroom I am instantly ushered towards the vanity chair. The sisters quickly work on drying and styling my hair, telling me to close my eyes and rest while they work their magic.

Their gentle yet confident movements lull me into dozing off and on, the two so focused on their task that no one speaks. I used to dread preparing for events when I first returned to the Palace, but after meeting these two I grew to love it.

"Are we too late to join?" A voice calls out from my door and I open my eyes in time to see Liz and Grandmama walk in, the two wearing long lavender dresses and kitten heels.

"Not at all. We are just starting her hair." Millia answers, curtsying to my two grandmothers. I wave from my seat, deciding to stay quiet as Clarice puts the hair dryer down and take out the curling iron. Talking while someone works on my hair with a hot object has lead to the back of my ear being burned many times.

"Good! We can impart some grandmotherly wisdom to Little Sara." My Grandmama states as she takes a seat by my desk. I sigh, already fearing what lecture I will receive before I am to be crowned.

"Anyways, I was there when your parents were crowned." She begins. I look at Clarice through the mirror reflection and roll my eyes, watching as my Maid stifles her laughter. She continues to curl my hair, taming my natural curls into coils and pinning them into an updo – a low bun so that my new crown can sit on top of my head - at the base of my neck. My Grandmama then goes on to explain that I am to walk slowly to the orchestra music as soon as I step off from my carriage. I am to look forward and smile gently. I already know this information from the crash course in etiquette I received two weeks ago but I humor my Grandmama. She is doing her best making up for the missing fourteen years.

"The most important thing is just to enjoy this moment Alli." Liz cuts in. By now I am no longer facing my vanity, Millia wanting to keep my make-up a surprise until the dress I am to wear is on.

"I will. I have all my loved ones with me and I plan to make sure today is the best day with all of you." I reassure her, giving her a wide smile. I can see the love in her eyes for me and I pray that today goes off without a problem. That I will be crowned then dance the night away with those I love.

Millia tells me we can do my lipstick after the dress is on and I sigh with relief. I am excited to see the work that Lidia has put into my coronation gown. For the last three days since it was delivered, I have been banned from my closet with Clarice and Millia locking it at night after I turn in for bed. My Grandmama and Liz come to take my hands, telling me to close my eyes. Thankfully Clarice helps me into a satin robe before I stand, my towel falling to the floor instantly. It is one thing to be naked in front of Clarice and Millia. It is another thing in front of my grandmothers.

The two ladies lead me towards the closet, their excitement of wanting to see my reaction when I see the coronation gown. The only thing I know is that the gown is a champagne colour to help show off the crown that was designed for today.

"Stop right here." Liz giggles out, making my grin grow as I stop walking. I can tell from the scent of vanilla that we are in my closet. All of my clothes smell like vanilla laundry detergent as a way to distinguish who I am in a crowd.

"Can I open my eyes?" I question, ready to see what I will wear today.

"Not yet, give me a second." Clarice calls out, the sound of fabric ruffling following her words. I feel my excitement grow, ready to sneak a peak but I hold back. These ladies have worked so hard for today, they deserve to see my genuine reaction.

"Okay, you can look now." Clarice's voice rings clear, the Maid letting out a giggle. Without needing to be told twice, I open my eyes and gasp at the sight before me. Hanging on its own rack is a champagne coloured ball gown with mesh sleaves that makes me wonder how they will look around my arms. The sequins, gems and glitter sparkle under the light and as I step closer, I realize that the dress is embellished with three-dimensional floral appliques going from the base of the skirt to the top, the flowers scattering the closer they are to the waist line.

"Ready to try it on?" Millia asks excitedly. I nod, too speechless to talk as Liz and Grandmama find their seats. It takes both Clarice and Millia to lift the dress from the rack, the fabric rustling with it's movement. My excitement at wearing something so beautiful ebbs slightly at the realization that I will have to wear something so heavy for the next twelve hours, give or take a few. Stepping into the open bodice of the gown, Millia and Clarice shimmy it up my body. Once it is loosely in place, I remove the robe and throw it to the side before slipping my arms into the sleaves. Millia is fast as she moves from my left side to behind me, working the strings to the corset until finally the heavy gown is secured.

"Is it heavier than it looks?" Liz asks, watching me take a few tentative steps.

"I feel like a doll." I dead pan as my answer, watching her face split into a grin as she laughs.

"You look like a doll." She agrees, getting a playful smack from Grandmama.

"You look like a Queen, Little Sara." Grandmama cuts in.

"Please tell me I don't have to wear heels?" Deciding to ignore the two old women, I turn and face my Maids, letting out a sigh of relief when I spot a pair of silk flats in Clarice's hands.

"No. Lidia sent these with the dress." She places the flats on the floor and helps me step into them. The final touch to my outfit is a simple gold choker that my Grandmama helps me to put on, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Perfect." She whispers, placing a kiss on my cheek. I smile, resting my head carefully on her should and breathe in the scent of her perfume. Everyone from the Blanchard Estate will be in attendance. They will watch me be Crowned Queen like they watched my Mother. The clock chimes the hour and I sigh. We finished just in time.