As I looked at myself, in the mirror I noticed my left hand. A ring would be there today, our agreement would be sealed. It was just a week ago we met. Now, we'd be together forever. I felt confident outwards but not on the inside. I'd be lying if I said I didn't regret my choices. I love my upbringing and I admire royals and I know most people would die for this but this wasn't what I want. I closed my eyes softly, I prayed every ounce of my worries to Caesus, the creator of the world, the one who made us all feel at peace, the one who was always there even when we couldn't see him and I felt tears slowly drift from my eyes. ''Please.. help me to know this is right!" My voice getting weighed down more and more. "I'm scared..." I wept, and my voice was shaking.

                                                "Excuse me?" My maid Emilia knocked.

    "Just stubbed my toe!" I couldn't even obtain eye contact with her. "Alright-" She said in a cryptic tone. "Is it broken?" She puzzled me, "Quite fine- just its my wedding day and I'm feeling quite anxious!" I shook off my anxiety and wiped my tears. Time to be a queen.

     Emilia left the room,"Josephine will be in shortly!" She nodded quickly, letting her light brown hair move swiftly.  "What's wrong?" Josephine led me to the bath to clean me up. Taking my nightgown off, brushing my hair and resulted in me brushing it in the long run. ''I'm okay-'' I told her for the hundredth time. ''Whatever it is-'' she tried to encourage me to speak up, ''I am stubborn you know! I teased her not putting my guard down.
''I am too!'' Josephine slightly smirked, and turned the faucet on. I turned away from her doings, and gazed out the window, through the blinds. A ice sculpture was being prepped, flower arrangements were carried in vases. ''Is it because Margot's coming?'' Josephine said untying my white cotton nightgown. Once, I was in the tub I finally responded, her fingers through my wet hair. ''Of course not! I don't need her!'' I scoffed, I felt my stomach sink. Margot wasn't the problem, I hated the pressure I was put at to be her. She was successful, she has a daughter with her own Island, her life was all planned out, she had every accomplishment a young queen could have.

   My hair was washed with lavender rose soap, and my body smelled like french vanilla cake and rose petals. A silk pink robe was hanging on my body. My face was washed, my nails were painted a light pink color that had a sheer tint. Heading to my vanity, a hot iron was forming soft ringlets in my hair. My soft curls were put into a low bun,with loose tendrils hanging down onto my highlighted cheeks, and my ringlets hanging down very elegantly, with a gold, silver, rose, crystal embellished hair pin. My makeup was done. My eye makeup had flecks of silver shimmer in my eye with cool toned brown eyeshadow.
                   Finally, my dress. Josephine finally tightened my corset. My dress was made out of white satin  and the bottom was big and fancy. Feathers were placed a little bottom on my skirt, with fabric roses.
                                            Last but not least, my grandmother's necklace.
              Father walked in on this moment. ''Beautiful!'' He put his arms on my shoulders and pressed a kiss to my cheek as I was, sitting on my vanity chair. ''Could you put it on?'' I asked in awe since I knew his mother's necklace had meant the world to him. He put the clasps together trying to find the right place to clasp it together. He turned around placing his arms on my shoulders. ''The two best Queens wore this necklace on their wedding day!'' He blushed as he looked into my hazel eyes. ''Margot didn't-'' I couldn't even finish my sentence, ''This isn't about Margot! It's your day! Your mother loves you, she did this to Margot as well!'' He comforted me, which made me feel slightly better.

''Are you ready?'' Josephine said clutching my hand, ''I'm never prepared!'' I laughed at myself. ''You will be!'' She blushed, I could see tears welling her eyes. Josephine is two years older than me. She is mature for her age since her family wasn't wealthy, which pushed her too work. She finally raised enough money to afford boarding school in Sutton, which is only two hours away from Tamsin where she originated. She became the top at her class and was able to visit Orfridia's palace. It was a trip to teach etiquette, how to act a royal, home economics, seamstressing, baking, and royal traditions, and Orfridian history. Josephine's worked for everything she has. When she came here, I instantly bloomed a relationship with her. She had manners of an upper class, she spoke authority like a true royal. She just belongs here, and we promised her an opportunity. Her parents are now flourishing in Ruelle.

I could hear the sound of cars resonating in the distance, guests were arriving. I wondered Lance's thoughts right now. I wanted to know if he felt scared, unprepared, or just anxious. Margot had arrived, I could see her walking in the distance. Her dark hair in curls, half up and half down, with a gold embellished diamond leaf chain. Dmitry arrived looking as pompous as usual, his attitude still was over the top. He had good intentions but it was always overshadowed by his egotistical statements. Adelaide wasn't here, which wasn't a surprise. Aunt Imogen, and Uncle Bradford of Sutton. Dad's sister. Sutton is smaller than Orfridia but the economy isn't so great, lots of poverty. Everyone arriving to the ceremony, Josephine's dark hair in a big pouf updo with white feathers, purple tulip petals, chiffon, and babies breath. Spiral ringlets in the front of her face, her lips tinted in a dark plum shade, with bronze and gold eyes. Her dress was a light purple, strapless, fanned out dress, and a black diamond necklace.

''I'm gonna be socializing with the guests!" Josephine made her way down the cascading, cream staircase. The crystal chandelier was spinning causing the crystals from the chandelier to reflect on the tile of the castle. I didn't go down the stairs. I waited till father would come and get me. I stared out off my window, I walked out on my balcony, letting the spring breeze swirl throughout my body. I could hear the Orfridian waterfall spewing out water, I stared out at the glass sculptures.

"What am I doing? Do I really deserve all of this?'' thoughts swirled through my mind. I don't want this. I'm not being queen. I heard footsteps approaching, it was father. ''Seraphina- I'm coming in!'' His voice resonating throughout my door. ''One minute!'' I frantically scrambled.

      I'm leaving.  I opened a suitcase, I spewed all my random dresses in it, I had nothing else, currency was thrown, and shoes. I'll be waiting down the staircase. ''Alright- my voice cracking. I quickly zipped the suitcase, and ran. I ran down the cascading staircase, once more.

I had to think logically and strategically. The main entrance was my only way to plot an escape. ''Ahh-'' A sharp shriek left my mouth. Everyone was in the garden, I ran out the corridor gates adrenaline coursing through my veins, losing my shoes. I wiggled my way behind a bush off lilac, roses, tulips, peonies. Another, scream made its way out of my mouth. Adrenaline coursing through my veins again, I ran faster than I ever could before, deep breaths escaped my body, my heat pumping wildly then it ever has before and tears ran down my face.
I pushed open the metal gate, that was probably 8 feet tall, with moss overgrowing it. Running into the Orfridian village, my dress brown, muddy, and stained, my eye makeup semi- smudged. My hair was  a tangled mess.

I walked the cobblestone streets, I gained odd glances from everyone! I needed to clean up. Where would I be staying tonight? Carriages were driving around frantically, everyone working, and exploring everywhere. A ship dock was in view, sail-boats, and ships were in port. Manufacturing was being shipped from Gindlin, and Ocarina. Ocarina was known for its tea, and foreign exchange. Gindlin was very good at foreign exchange, and its architecture was the most captivating thing. Poverty rarely happens  around Orfridia,not too many were badly off. We made sure everyone had the opportunity to free education, but not college. A scholarship or good funding was required. Orfridia was known for its opportunity of freedom, Mother and father made sure Orfridia was a free country, adjustable, and able to allow certain rights because of hardwork. Orfridia was a place to have the opportunity to work when as before you couldn't. My stomach growling, I had to eat. I scanned every possible place to eat, not one came in sight. Lebleu's, I walked in, looking a mess.

The atmosphere wasn't as bad as I expected. It had nice pale blue walls, with white crown molding, and a chandelier.
  There was a staircase, I gave a puzzled look. "Hi" a woman with blonde hair, hanging loosely on her shoulder, with a ruffled, long shirt, with a black skirt on. She was a maid. "Hi-" I looked at her obviously puzzled.
"Oh- this is a hotel!" She giggled in a peppy voice. "Oh!" I got very excited, "I actually need a room!" I practically yelled. "Alright- how long?" She looked at me confused. "Two days!" I had no idea, I will have to find work.  "Name please?" She smiled, revealing her cute freckles more. "Camille!" I hurried, Camille had a nice ring to it. "Alright!" She led me over to a table, and a chair of wood. She handed me a menu. "What's this?" I held the menu puzzled, I had never been out before. "A menu? It shows the prices, and the food item!" She looked at me as if I had multiple heads. "Right- had a moment! Can I get a lemon spritzer?" I requested.

  "Lemon water, sure!" She corrected me, and moved on.  It wasn't that I was stupid, everything was a little different. Lemon Spritzer was lemon water? I stand corrected. She returned, I took a sip from the glass cup. It didn't have mint in it but I wasn't going to fuss. "I'll have the vegetable soup!" I ordered. "Alright-" she wrote it down.

  I felt so alone, I had no one too talk to. No one here to comfort me.  A fireplace was lighted and I suddenly felt more at ease.  I finished my meal. It wasn't nearly as much as I usually had, but for me it was enough. It actually tasted good. It was more simple than what I was I was used too. Grabbing my brown leather suitcase, I headed up the cream, chipped, staircase. I looked at my room key. Room 365.

    Opening the door, it was a quarter of the size of my room. I like it even more to be completely honest. It was more homey. It had a homier feel, vases of flowers. A gold tray for fine china, and a sofa, and a desk. The bathroom wasn't my favorite, the bathroom was enough for me. The walls were not painted. The floors were a dark oak, and the shower/ bath had a floral shower curtain. I never have been on my own. I let my hair fall free against my shoulders, my dress was a mess of mud and dirt. The dress wasn't even white anymore, it was more of a beige. I turned the faucet on. The water didn't get hot as quick as I was used to but it wasn't too much of a difference. I untied my corset, which I knew would be a bit of a struggle, but nonetheless I survived.

The moment I got into the shower, the steam from the heat hit my skin causing me to sweat, sending chills up my spine.  The water pressure wasn't so great on the common ground as it was at the castle but it felt like an accomplishment, something I gained, ''All.On.My.Own...'' Those words murmured in my head, sending waves of emotion through my body.  Would I ever come back? Did I want leave it all? Could I be both? I felt conflicted. I gazed around the shower, the tile was a creme color, and the tile was shaped like a diamond, running my fingers through the cracks of the tile amused, ignoring the mildew stains that were in view. I had no idea of what I was supposed to rinse with.

There wasn't any of the liquid  soaps I used at the castle, no rose, lavender, or almond scented soap for my hair and body. I did catch sight of vanilla bean homemade soap bought imported from Sutton. Sutton was known for its Merchandise, all around Sutton was corner shops people set up, little markets made by the commons, and here in Orfridia that was rare, never seen except when my  great, great, grandfather King Edmund Chancellor of Orfridia was in rule. 

              I poured the content of the vanilla bean soap into the palm of my hand. I have never really washed my own hair, all of this is from watching Josephine. I wasn't most girls who had their mother teach them how to sew, pamper, and  prepare food for themselves. I was handed everything which I feel guilt for, I always wanted to have my own opportunities. The consistency of the product wasn't as bad as I expected, it felt a little oily but not too off. I placed this on the top of my scalp to the ends, I scrubbed a little bit with my fingertips pretty lightly since my lack of practice. I saw a little block on the side of the porcelain tub. I didn't know what it was, I had never seen it before, I picked it up it slipped right out of my hands.  It created bubbles, and was slippery. What was its purpose? I rubbed it against my skin, it made it feel softer and cleaner yet.. Was that it's purpose? To clean? It had a very faint scent, almost no scent was there. I rubbed it on my scalp, it made my hair feel rubbery. I slipped on a baby blue silk robe after I dried off from the shower. I brushed my hair with a wooden brush, which irritated my scalp. It wasn't late at all, it was 4:00. I waited for my hair to dry, and tied it in a loose chignon in its natural soft curls. I then wore a grey silk chemise dress, with puffed out short sleeves. I wore white velvet gloves that went up to my elbow.

                                     Alas, I was ready to explore Orfridia in my new attire.

                        As I walked along the musty orfridian cobblestoned streets, I felt so adventurous. The air was muggy, and cold. It was always really foggy here, but the temperatures could get warm. I had no idea of what was to come. I'm living everyday free and just following my heart. My eyes caught hold of something. A fabric store. My insides swirled with joy, and my stomach fluttered with excitement. I was ecstatic, I could feel the judgement being cast on me but I was free from that now, I won't let it bother me. The little shop had read, "Orfridian custom fabric and upholstery!" The name was pretty bland but who knew what would be beheld on the inside. "Est in 1860" was imprinted on the copper door. "Imported from Gindlin" the window had read. Mannequins were in the storefront, metal sewing machines, textiles, silk, lace, and velvet,satin, chiffon,tulle, and lace were in sight. I finally let myself explore this dream.

             The first step I took made me realize how magical this whole world was. This is where seamstresses, maids, or mothers came for their children. Fabric was placed on wood and you could cut as much fabric you needed, or you could buy it in bulk. A measuring table made out of wood was in view, I could hear the resonance of fabric being cut while I was admiring the arrays of fabric. Chiffon, textiles, silk, satin, velvet, lace, organza. I slid my hand against sheer  emerald satin fabric, I was in desire of this fabric.

"Hmm!" I took a deep sigh contemplating purchasing this fabric, I didn't even have thread with me. "That fabric is worth every penny!" A middle aged woman flashed me a charming smile.  "You can tell! It's cultured a matter of fact, it's from Gindlin. The emerald color isn't to bright yet not to opaque it has richer tone!" I spouted information.  "Impressive- even though I am aware of that! Ambrose!" She winced, introducing herself. Accepting her compliment, I shook her hand, "Camille-" My voice shook from my nerves, "You are a seamstress?" I bit my lip out of the obvious answer. "I own a business- I'm making a dress for a princess actually!" She informed and just remembered her purpose.  "Oh- Not shocking!" I felt chills radiate through my body, what if she knew of me? The royals aren't recognized just known of, fingers crossed. "Flatterer- are you?" A blushed coursed through her cheeks.

"Oh- no! That's a dream!" I shook nervously, "You're quite educated on fabrics! Did you go to school in Tamsin?" She gave me a puzzled glance. "No- My mother taught me! I guess i'm gifted!" The lie pierced me a little since my mother and I's relationship has been faltered most of my life.  "Study- I suppose! Well, a young girl like you deserves an opportunity!" Her fair skin now a red tint.
               "Thank you! I'm overjoyed but I don't know! I'm all alone!" I over- informed her.   "Thank Caesus for this talent! Don't let Saezan tear you down! Why don't you come visit me tomorrow? Ten' O clock on Burberry lane, 6 stores down!" Ambrose said deep in her thoughts, causing her to look as if she were daydreaming.  "I'm honored! Of course!" My eyes felt as if they were too well, a smile formed on my face.      "Also- that emerald satin is yours! You need something to work on tomorrow!" Her tone was very rigid but all in the right places.  "Really- I don't!" I looked down nervously on the ground. "No, no! My pleasure!" She placed an arm on my shoulder, I've never felt this before. What was this feeling? I questioned myself.

   "I need some help- Victoria and her mother Corlyn of Adlea are coming. Corlyn has hazel eyes, and Victoria has green. Victoria has chestnut hair, Corlyn had darker hair!" That information sent a whoosh of relief course throughout me. The Orfridian kingdom didn't have any relations with Adlea, it wasn't that we were in opposing rule, but more of that Adlea's kingdom is more of a newer kingdom that isn't yet established, its still being reformed but it was discovered from the amount of jewels being mined and found. Gold mining was a common occurance there.."Skin tone? Frame?" I puzzled her. "Spot on- not sure!" She gave a huge look of confusion. Personally, I can't say the eye color, hair color, skin tone or frame reference was a genius move. Most people are aware of this but it's still so important even though it's always misshapen. "Adlea is colder- it takes two days to travel to Gindlin, Ruelle is right in Gindlin and the sea  of Ruelle is bordering it. It's distant from Tamsin. Ruelle is significantly cold it's rarely warm, Tamsin has very brisk winds, caused by the winds, since the Orfridian bay is so close!" I rambled on with my knowledge. "You travel lots don't you?" She stifled a laugh. "I've migrated almost everywhere!" I laughed, "Cultured, I must say!" She sarcastically remarked.  Which made me laugh.

           "Why are the royals of Adlea coming here? What a way away?" I added. "Quality- Adlea lies so close to Gindlin- yes! Yet- Orfridia has the product imported from Gindlin!" She stated.  "Makes sense!" I agreed.  "What about this chiffon gold sheer satin fabric?" I suggested. "Option!" She smirked slightly. "Amethyst organza?" She recommended. I nodded briskly. She placed it in a cart. "Grey silk?" I crossed my fingers on this. She nodded.    "Thank you so much!" I gazed into her blue eyes, my voice cracking, becoming way to emotional. "It's alright love!" She wiped a tear away from my cheek. "I couldn't be more appreciative! I don't-" before I could finish she interrupted me. "Yes you are very worthy of this! Now- go home and get rest!" She smiled softly waiting for the fabric to be cut.

I followed her instructions and left. This day has been more than what i've prayed for. I truly have always believed in miracles but now I truly do. Thank you Caesus, I murmured over in my  head.