Post by Belinda Rohan/Adelaide Marx on Apr 1, 2014 16:07:07 GMT -5
Belinda straightened out her skirt, standing up tall and looking at her reflection in the mirror. She had tied her hair back into a pleated braid, with a simple red ribbon tying it at the bottom. The clothes she had chosen were not exactly her style, but she’d have to learn how to live with it, for now. Today she was meeting with Princess Ophelia and her parents to see if she would fit in the role of Ophelia’s handmaiden. The idea of working for the royal family made her a little sick to her stomach, and she took a deep breath trying to wrap her mind around the idea.
This was her opportunity to become something more, to get away from her family and the curse of the name she was born with. Maybe she’d meet a handsome prince and he’d sweep her off her feet. Or perhaps the family would care for her as a daughter and give her money, clothes and riches. Anything could happen and she planned on being right in the middle of it.
Currently she was only 14, but her mind created so many worlds beyond her years. She was tired of being pushed around, looked down upon and treated like a peasant. Her soul was full of wisdom, strength and nobility, something they would never see, at least until now. Belinda was confident in her ability to convince most anyone that she was kind, respectful and most of all, loyal. Pleased with her appearance, she smiled slightly and exited the tent. The sun hit her eyes and she lifted a hand to shield them. It was only a ten minute ride to reach the castle gates. From there she would release the horse (she may not have asked the owner to use it), and walk in. She knew the family would ask why her family did not escort her seeing that she was young, and she was already prepared with a quick and tragic response.
Belinda mounted the horse, making sure to keep her skirt up so it would not wrinkle. She knew she should go quickly, but was afraid the ride would ruin all the work she had put into her appearance. Instead she kept to the back roads and took cover in the trees of beautiful Kildenree. Often she wandered these woods, soaking in the silence. The trees did not judge her; they simply stood majestically above, always communicating with one another. Being alone was tough, especially one a girl at such a fragile stage in her life, but when she was in the woods she didn’t feel alone.
The ride was over before she even knew it, and she quickly halted the horse before they lost the cover of the trees. She petted him lightly on the head and smiled, silently thanking him for his help. Then, with a slap on the ass, the horse raced off. So much for a touching moment. Belinda did one last check of her clothing and headed towards the road that would lead her to the castle. As she approached, she noticed a few guards staring at her. She wondered how terrible she must look to them after seeing royalty all day long. Not allowing it to affect her, she lifted her chin high and continued walking towards them.
“Excuse me miss, you can’t just go wherever you’d like. This is the castle, don’t you know? We don’t just let anyone wander in off the streets here.” A sharp voice followed her, the sound drilling through her brain. She resisted the urge to turn around and meet the owner of the voice’s throat with the tip of her dagger. Instead, she inhaled deeply, plastered a smile on her face and turned around quickly. She started to speak but in mid-turn her eyes fell upon the mysterious stranger behind her.
Before her stood a young man, only a few years older than herself. He had shaggy dark hair, sparkling eyes and a smirk that caused her heart to beat quickly. He was dressed rather handsomely, and she assumed he was a guard. Not realizing that her mouth was still open, it took her a moment to come up with a witty retort. “Oh wonderful, they sent me a junior escort! What is this your first day? I’m so glad you found me though; I’m here to meet Princess Ophelia. My name should be on your list.” Belinda pointed to the parchment in his hands. Leaning forward a bit, she pointed one of her long fingers at her name. “See that’s me, Belinda Rohan.” She titled her head to the side, grinning while giving him a wink.
“Um I…..” The boy who wanted to be a man fumbled with the list, trying not to notice how lovely she smelled when she leaned towards him. Her spark was evident, and he was thrilled that she may be a permanent addition to the castle. “Well then I will let them know you are here. Right this way.” He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. Not only had he assumed the worst about the girl, he had no defense to her insult.
Belinda smirked, following the man-boy as he headed towards the castle. She already knew she was going to like it here. Quickening her steps, she matched his pace and turned her head to look at him. “What is your name guard?” She prompted her tone flat.
Surprised at her forwardness, he looked down at her. “You’re really something else aren’t you?” He responded instead of answering her question. At that very moment, an older man appeared before them, a look of anything but amusement on his face. They stopped in their tracks, and Belinda could tell this man intimidated the young guard beside her.
“What have I told you about fraternizing with the servants?” The man hissed, glaring down at the young man. He shifted his weight nervously. “Sir, she doesn’t work here. She has a meeting with the King, Queen and young Princess Ophelia. I was only assuring that she would not be late and disrespect them.” The spunk that was within the boy was lost as he looked at his feet, afraid to catch an angry eyeful.
The older guard sighed, taking ahold of his arm firmly. “We have servants for that boy.” Hissing, he pointed to a servant that stood near the front doors, and looked at Belinda. Most young girls would be frightened by this man, but Belinda simply stared at him blankly. Her eyes darted to young guards face, and when their eyes she almost blushed. He stared at her intensely, and as he was dragged away he called back to her. “Murphy!” He offered her his name, and one last look as the older man yanked his arm sharply and lead him around the corner.
Before Belinda could react, the servant that had been called so rudely came rushing over to her, escorting her quickly inside. Apparently they wanted the “scene” to end as soon as possible. In her eyes, there wasn’t any issue, but here it seemed even servants didn’t fraternize with the guards. She could feel a burning sensation in the pit of her stomach. To achieve her goals she must pretend to be a handmaiden, and she was to be treated poorly anywhere she went until she had power. Pushing on her stomach, she allowed herself to be led through what seemed like a labyrinth of hallways and rooms.
After a while they reached a large chamber, filled with lovely furniture and decorations. Staring in awe of what was around her, Belinda turned slowly in circles until she realized the servant that led her in was staring. “Um… Wait here miss and their majesties will be with you shortly.” The servant turned on his heels and left the room. Quietly, she walked around the room, stopping to stare at particular pieces of art or jewels. With all this around her, Belinda tried not to look or feel out of place, yet she felt her heartbeat was being particularly loud.
Shaking her head to clear it, she remembered her backstory. Her parents, former servants for King Hubert himself from the Kingdom of Amare, had passed away two years ago in a tragic accident. Belinda, being only 12, was sent to live with her cousin in Kildenree. Though her cousin was kind to take her in, she expected Belinda to earn her own keep and encouraged her to go out on her own. She worked under a few families of lesser class, her dream always being to work for the royal family. Confident with her story, even though not one ounce of it was true, Belinda sat on the edge of a large chair, waiting for them to arrive.
Ophelia of Kildenree
This was her opportunity to become something more, to get away from her family and the curse of the name she was born with. Maybe she’d meet a handsome prince and he’d sweep her off her feet. Or perhaps the family would care for her as a daughter and give her money, clothes and riches. Anything could happen and she planned on being right in the middle of it.
Currently she was only 14, but her mind created so many worlds beyond her years. She was tired of being pushed around, looked down upon and treated like a peasant. Her soul was full of wisdom, strength and nobility, something they would never see, at least until now. Belinda was confident in her ability to convince most anyone that she was kind, respectful and most of all, loyal. Pleased with her appearance, she smiled slightly and exited the tent. The sun hit her eyes and she lifted a hand to shield them. It was only a ten minute ride to reach the castle gates. From there she would release the horse (she may not have asked the owner to use it), and walk in. She knew the family would ask why her family did not escort her seeing that she was young, and she was already prepared with a quick and tragic response.
Belinda mounted the horse, making sure to keep her skirt up so it would not wrinkle. She knew she should go quickly, but was afraid the ride would ruin all the work she had put into her appearance. Instead she kept to the back roads and took cover in the trees of beautiful Kildenree. Often she wandered these woods, soaking in the silence. The trees did not judge her; they simply stood majestically above, always communicating with one another. Being alone was tough, especially one a girl at such a fragile stage in her life, but when she was in the woods she didn’t feel alone.
The ride was over before she even knew it, and she quickly halted the horse before they lost the cover of the trees. She petted him lightly on the head and smiled, silently thanking him for his help. Then, with a slap on the ass, the horse raced off. So much for a touching moment. Belinda did one last check of her clothing and headed towards the road that would lead her to the castle. As she approached, she noticed a few guards staring at her. She wondered how terrible she must look to them after seeing royalty all day long. Not allowing it to affect her, she lifted her chin high and continued walking towards them.
“Excuse me miss, you can’t just go wherever you’d like. This is the castle, don’t you know? We don’t just let anyone wander in off the streets here.” A sharp voice followed her, the sound drilling through her brain. She resisted the urge to turn around and meet the owner of the voice’s throat with the tip of her dagger. Instead, she inhaled deeply, plastered a smile on her face and turned around quickly. She started to speak but in mid-turn her eyes fell upon the mysterious stranger behind her.
Before her stood a young man, only a few years older than herself. He had shaggy dark hair, sparkling eyes and a smirk that caused her heart to beat quickly. He was dressed rather handsomely, and she assumed he was a guard. Not realizing that her mouth was still open, it took her a moment to come up with a witty retort. “Oh wonderful, they sent me a junior escort! What is this your first day? I’m so glad you found me though; I’m here to meet Princess Ophelia. My name should be on your list.” Belinda pointed to the parchment in his hands. Leaning forward a bit, she pointed one of her long fingers at her name. “See that’s me, Belinda Rohan.” She titled her head to the side, grinning while giving him a wink.
“Um I…..” The boy who wanted to be a man fumbled with the list, trying not to notice how lovely she smelled when she leaned towards him. Her spark was evident, and he was thrilled that she may be a permanent addition to the castle. “Well then I will let them know you are here. Right this way.” He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. Not only had he assumed the worst about the girl, he had no defense to her insult.
Belinda smirked, following the man-boy as he headed towards the castle. She already knew she was going to like it here. Quickening her steps, she matched his pace and turned her head to look at him. “What is your name guard?” She prompted her tone flat.
Surprised at her forwardness, he looked down at her. “You’re really something else aren’t you?” He responded instead of answering her question. At that very moment, an older man appeared before them, a look of anything but amusement on his face. They stopped in their tracks, and Belinda could tell this man intimidated the young guard beside her.
“What have I told you about fraternizing with the servants?” The man hissed, glaring down at the young man. He shifted his weight nervously. “Sir, she doesn’t work here. She has a meeting with the King, Queen and young Princess Ophelia. I was only assuring that she would not be late and disrespect them.” The spunk that was within the boy was lost as he looked at his feet, afraid to catch an angry eyeful.
The older guard sighed, taking ahold of his arm firmly. “We have servants for that boy.” Hissing, he pointed to a servant that stood near the front doors, and looked at Belinda. Most young girls would be frightened by this man, but Belinda simply stared at him blankly. Her eyes darted to young guards face, and when their eyes she almost blushed. He stared at her intensely, and as he was dragged away he called back to her. “Murphy!” He offered her his name, and one last look as the older man yanked his arm sharply and lead him around the corner.
Before Belinda could react, the servant that had been called so rudely came rushing over to her, escorting her quickly inside. Apparently they wanted the “scene” to end as soon as possible. In her eyes, there wasn’t any issue, but here it seemed even servants didn’t fraternize with the guards. She could feel a burning sensation in the pit of her stomach. To achieve her goals she must pretend to be a handmaiden, and she was to be treated poorly anywhere she went until she had power. Pushing on her stomach, she allowed herself to be led through what seemed like a labyrinth of hallways and rooms.
After a while they reached a large chamber, filled with lovely furniture and decorations. Staring in awe of what was around her, Belinda turned slowly in circles until she realized the servant that led her in was staring. “Um… Wait here miss and their majesties will be with you shortly.” The servant turned on his heels and left the room. Quietly, she walked around the room, stopping to stare at particular pieces of art or jewels. With all this around her, Belinda tried not to look or feel out of place, yet she felt her heartbeat was being particularly loud.
Shaking her head to clear it, she remembered her backstory. Her parents, former servants for King Hubert himself from the Kingdom of Amare, had passed away two years ago in a tragic accident. Belinda, being only 12, was sent to live with her cousin in Kildenree. Though her cousin was kind to take her in, she expected Belinda to earn her own keep and encouraged her to go out on her own. She worked under a few families of lesser class, her dream always being to work for the royal family. Confident with her story, even though not one ounce of it was true, Belinda sat on the edge of a large chair, waiting for them to arrive.
Ophelia of Kildenree