Damsel in Distress
Claira Brooks is the daughter of a noble family in Pryhaven. When Romana, a wicked Enchantress, escapes from prison and holds Claira's family hostage, demanding theirs lives for the kingdom, the Prince must rescue the family. But how did Romana get into their castle in the first place, didn't it have magic barriers and will their lives ever be the same...
It was a normal day. The sun beamed down on the castle, tinting the world gold. The light lit the white stone bricks. I stepped out of the castle and passed trough the lavish wooden door. As I walked slowly down the white marble stairs at the front entrance, the warm smell of roses in the garden hit me. I inhaled deeply. It was rather cliché, but roses were my favourite type of flower. They were vibrant warm colours and managed to be both romantic and professional at the same time. I strayed from the dirt path that I was walking on and made my way over to blooming red rose bush on the far right of the garden. I reached out and brushed my fingers gently on the petals of one of the flowers in the centre of the bush. It was so soft, it felt like the velvet of my dress. I lightly plucked a rose from the bush, careful not to pinch any thorns, and slid in neatly into my hair. The deep red of the rose stood out against the dark brown contrast of my hair. I flicked some of my wavy locks over my right shoulder and walked back towards the path. I smiled at an old male grounds keeper tending to the daisies as I waked back up the marble steps into the parlour.
The room was deserted, but I could hardly expect anything less. It was too early in the morning to see either of my parents or even some maids. My only company was the faint noise of the kitchen-hand working to prepare my breakfast. I walked through an elaborate stone arch on the far right and entered one of many never-ending hallways. I walked past many dark wood doors not stopping until I came to the right one. I turned to my left and opened the double doors. I stepped in and moved towards the large canter table piled to the sky with books. I quickly began searching busily for the book that I had set down there the day before. After what seemed like an eternity of searching, I found my book, a lovely action-romance about a daring sea captain who sails to distant lands in hope of finding his long lost lover. I sat down in a very large maroon armchair at the head of the overcrowded table and dived back into my book.
I was just up to the part where the main character fights of the giant sea serpent that was blocking the way to his true love, when one of my father's butlers knocked faintly on the library door.
I looked up, pulling my mind out of the book and focusing my attention on the man waiting in the door. I smiled at him and he gave me a small one in return.
"Now, Miss Brooks, you know that your father does not approve of you reading those books. They are far too heavy to be read by such as delicate woman," he told me, entering the room. I had already known my fathers distaste for the novels I read, but the plot was so captivating that I could not tear myself away from them, and much to his disappointment, neither cold he. "I have a right mind to tell your father," He continued. I gasped quietly. I quickly inserted the bookmark and placed my book down on the table. I moved so I was standing in front of Fredrick. I clasped my hands together and looked up at him, my bright blue eyes pleading with him.
"Please, Fredrick, please do not tell my father, he will be so upset that I did not abide by his wishes," I begged him. Father would probably burn my book and I would undoubtedly be punished for disobeying him and I might even be made to sit through those horrid lectures made by my maid about how to be an eloquent woman. I shuddered at the thought. Fredrick seemed to ponder my plea.
"As he should," said Fredrick agreed, defending my father. I could hardly blame him though, my father, was, after all, his boss and he really only want what is best for me. Still, I didn't like it. I looked up at him again, my eyes pleading with his once more. After a long pause he said, "Alright then, Miss Brooks, but if I catch you at it again, I will turn you and your book over to your father," his voice threatening. I nodded, thankful that he agreed to keep my secret and that it was he who found me and not another employee of the house or I would have definitely been in trouble.
"Thank you, Fredrick." I told him nodding again. He smiled.
"Well, now, come Miss Brooks. Breakfast is ready and your parents are waiting," he said. He and I both knew that it was not wise to keep my Father waiting. "Shall we?" he asked me holding our his arm. I smiled and curtsied excessively, and placed my left forearm on his.
"I would be delighted," I told him, grinning from ear to ear. He laughed and lead the way to the dinning hall where breakfast would be served.
The Dinning Hall was extravagant to a point of suffocation. I was by far, not my favourite room, but then again it wasn't the most awful room I had ever seen, yet it may well be the most decorated. You could not look anywhere without seeing gold, silver or marble. Golden drapes hung from the sealing and boarded all the large glass windows. An elaborate maroon Persian rug lay on the light wooden floor. Antique cabinets and cases of polished wood lined the walls and were full of very expensive trinkets. The table was the centre piece of the room. It was long and carved into dark wood. A pristine white tablecloth draped it neatly. It was fully set for sixteen people, which in my mind, was ridiculous as only three of us were eating breakfast. In fact I had never seen the table without settings. My father said that one must present oneself and one's environment like you were trying to impress the King because you never know who may stop by. Candles in gold stands were spotted through the table as were vases of Begonias and White Daisies.
To the far right of the room, my parents were sitting, waiting patiently for me. My father took the position of head of the table, naturally, and my mother sat to his right. I knocked on the dark door frame. My father looked up and smiled. I gave a short curtsy and nodded my head.
"My Lord," I said addressing him by his full title, as I always did when I entered a room he was in. It was more out of tradition and politeness than anything else. My father was not entirely in favour of me calling him 'My Lord' but he accepted that it was tradition and did not object to it.
"Ah, Claria. Please come and take a seat," he told me gesturing to the seat to his left. I nodded again. I turned back to Fredrick and thanked him. He nodded and the disappeared. I walked to the table and took my seat. Father told us we could begin. I looked down to my plate and saw the usual, eggs, toast and sausages. I smiled and began to eat.
Once our meal was finished Father asked me what my plans were today. I did not have any actual plans but I couldn't tell my father that as he would most likely task me with something time consuming and boring.
"Well Father, with your permission, I was planning to spend sometime in the library and possibly, in the afternoon, make an appearance in town and, perhaps, buy a book, that is, if I find one that satisfy's both our tastes," which would be almost impossible I added in my head. I looked at him, studying his face to try and understand what he would think.
Before he could respond, Fredrick knocked on the door frame. My father broke his thoughts and turned to Fredrick.
"Yes, Fredrick," He said, halfheartedly like his mind was somewhere else. Fredrick cleared his throat quickly and shifted rather uncomfortably. He then began to speak,
"Well, um, there is some one, ah, here to see you, my Lord." My mother and I looked up trying to see the visitor but our attempts were in vain as our beloved butler blocked the way. I sighed quietly and turned to my father. He looked vaguely more interested at the mention of a visitor.
"Come now, Fredrick, please introduce our guest," he said formally but still absent. I was becoming rather bored by the unnecessary formalities. My life was a bore and coating it in proper words and silly phrases did nothing to change that.
"Yes, Sir," he stumbled on the words, it seemed that he was nervous. I had no idea why he would be this way, he had presented many high-profile guest to my father, why was this guest any different? "Um, this is, er," he paused and whispered to the guest who was still concealed by the door frame. I heard a muffled reply. "Uh, yes, sorry, this is Mr. Watt, he is the personal messenger for the crowned prince, Prince James Hardling," Fredrick told us, with a monotone and expressionless face. My father's head, my mother's head and my head all snapped to attention at the mention of Pryhaven's Prince. My father was instantly back with us.
"Please, come forth, Mr. Watt and deliver the message from your master," he told the hidden figure. The man stepped forward.
Mr. Watt had dark brown hair that was formally groomed and chocolate brown eyes that reminded of the most delicious creations made by our village's Chocolatier. He had a lanky build much like Fredrick's but he was still fit due to the constant exercise he received from his demanding job. His attire was neat, simple but still classy. He had blown slacks, a matching vest over a crisp white shirt with a blood red tie. He wore a tan cloak and leather shoes as it was still early Spring and a slight chill of winter still hung in the air. He pulled out a folded piece of parchment from his large cloak pocket and unfolded it. He cleared his throat and began to read the letter:
Dear Lord Brooks, Lady Brooks and Miss Claira Brooks,
I write this letter to you as a warning. Romana, the Enchantress, has escaped out detainment facilities on Rockhan Island. We have reason to believe that she may come to your village. Please tell your villagers to lock their doors and apply magic barriers. If they wish, and you approve, they can leave your town as I have set up some alternate accommodation not too far from here in the neighbouring town of Rosenest where they have powerful magic barriers. I only offer this because you do not have one main barrier surrounding your town.
Hopefully she will not show and all will be well. If this is the case, I would be delighted to come and see your new home.
Best Regards,
Yours Fervently,
Prince James Hardling
Well, that was some news, no wonder Fredrick was nervous. We all just sat there in silence, porcessing the information. After the long pause, my father turned to me.
"Well, Claira, it looks as if you will not be going to town today after all," he told me. He only wanted to protect me. I sighed. Oh well, I still had some books in the library that I haven't read yet. My father then sighed and added, "but I might be." I looked over to my mother. She looked exactly like how I felt, scared, confused and worried. I gave her a small smile trying to comfort her. My father then tanked the messenger and told him, to tell the Prince that he would write back soon. Mr. Watt nodded and was escorted out by Fredrick.
As soon as our guest had gone I was sent to my room and was to remain there until some one came to get me. I curtsied to my father and then left to my room. Why did I have to be locked in my room? I was old enough to take care of myself. I wasn't a child any more. I huffed and took an extended route to my room, making sure that I passed the library. I grabbed my book and a couple more ones I liked and two that my father would approve of. I then returned to the parlour and climbed the large marble stairs to the first floor. I walked to my room, clutching my books to my chest. I arrived at the double wooden doors leading into my room. I enter and put my books down on a nearby vanity table. I moved over to my absurdly over-sized bed and flopped on it. I stared up at my ceiling deep in thought.
The room was deserted, but I could hardly expect anything less. It was too early in the morning to see either of my parents or even some maids. My only company was the faint noise of the kitchen-hand working to prepare my breakfast. I walked through an elaborate stone arch on the far right and entered one of many never-ending hallways. I walked past many dark wood doors not stopping until I came to the right one. I turned to my left and opened the double doors. I stepped in and moved towards the large canter table piled to the sky with books. I quickly began searching busily for the book that I had set down there the day before. After what seemed like an eternity of searching, I found my book, a lovely action-romance about a daring sea captain who sails to distant lands in hope of finding his long lost lover. I sat down in a very large maroon armchair at the head of the overcrowded table and dived back into my book.
I was just up to the part where the main character fights of the giant sea serpent that was blocking the way to his true love, when one of my father's butlers knocked faintly on the library door.
I looked up, pulling my mind out of the book and focusing my attention on the man waiting in the door. I smiled at him and he gave me a small one in return.
"Now, Miss Brooks, you know that your father does not approve of you reading those books. They are far too heavy to be read by such as delicate woman," he told me, entering the room. I had already known my fathers distaste for the novels I read, but the plot was so captivating that I could not tear myself away from them, and much to his disappointment, neither cold he. "I have a right mind to tell your father," He continued. I gasped quietly. I quickly inserted the bookmark and placed my book down on the table. I moved so I was standing in front of Fredrick. I clasped my hands together and looked up at him, my bright blue eyes pleading with him.
"Please, Fredrick, please do not tell my father, he will be so upset that I did not abide by his wishes," I begged him. Father would probably burn my book and I would undoubtedly be punished for disobeying him and I might even be made to sit through those horrid lectures made by my maid about how to be an eloquent woman. I shuddered at the thought. Fredrick seemed to ponder my plea.
"As he should," said Fredrick agreed, defending my father. I could hardly blame him though, my father, was, after all, his boss and he really only want what is best for me. Still, I didn't like it. I looked up at him again, my eyes pleading with his once more. After a long pause he said, "Alright then, Miss Brooks, but if I catch you at it again, I will turn you and your book over to your father," his voice threatening. I nodded, thankful that he agreed to keep my secret and that it was he who found me and not another employee of the house or I would have definitely been in trouble.
"Thank you, Fredrick." I told him nodding again. He smiled.
"Well, now, come Miss Brooks. Breakfast is ready and your parents are waiting," he said. He and I both knew that it was not wise to keep my Father waiting. "Shall we?" he asked me holding our his arm. I smiled and curtsied excessively, and placed my left forearm on his.
"I would be delighted," I told him, grinning from ear to ear. He laughed and lead the way to the dinning hall where breakfast would be served.
The Dinning Hall was extravagant to a point of suffocation. I was by far, not my favourite room, but then again it wasn't the most awful room I had ever seen, yet it may well be the most decorated. You could not look anywhere without seeing gold, silver or marble. Golden drapes hung from the sealing and boarded all the large glass windows. An elaborate maroon Persian rug lay on the light wooden floor. Antique cabinets and cases of polished wood lined the walls and were full of very expensive trinkets. The table was the centre piece of the room. It was long and carved into dark wood. A pristine white tablecloth draped it neatly. It was fully set for sixteen people, which in my mind, was ridiculous as only three of us were eating breakfast. In fact I had never seen the table without settings. My father said that one must present oneself and one's environment like you were trying to impress the King because you never know who may stop by. Candles in gold stands were spotted through the table as were vases of Begonias and White Daisies.
To the far right of the room, my parents were sitting, waiting patiently for me. My father took the position of head of the table, naturally, and my mother sat to his right. I knocked on the dark door frame. My father looked up and smiled. I gave a short curtsy and nodded my head.
"My Lord," I said addressing him by his full title, as I always did when I entered a room he was in. It was more out of tradition and politeness than anything else. My father was not entirely in favour of me calling him 'My Lord' but he accepted that it was tradition and did not object to it.
"Ah, Claria. Please come and take a seat," he told me gesturing to the seat to his left. I nodded again. I turned back to Fredrick and thanked him. He nodded and the disappeared. I walked to the table and took my seat. Father told us we could begin. I looked down to my plate and saw the usual, eggs, toast and sausages. I smiled and began to eat.
Once our meal was finished Father asked me what my plans were today. I did not have any actual plans but I couldn't tell my father that as he would most likely task me with something time consuming and boring.
"Well Father, with your permission, I was planning to spend sometime in the library and possibly, in the afternoon, make an appearance in town and, perhaps, buy a book, that is, if I find one that satisfy's both our tastes," which would be almost impossible I added in my head. I looked at him, studying his face to try and understand what he would think.
Before he could respond, Fredrick knocked on the door frame. My father broke his thoughts and turned to Fredrick.
"Yes, Fredrick," He said, halfheartedly like his mind was somewhere else. Fredrick cleared his throat quickly and shifted rather uncomfortably. He then began to speak,
"Well, um, there is some one, ah, here to see you, my Lord." My mother and I looked up trying to see the visitor but our attempts were in vain as our beloved butler blocked the way. I sighed quietly and turned to my father. He looked vaguely more interested at the mention of a visitor.
"Come now, Fredrick, please introduce our guest," he said formally but still absent. I was becoming rather bored by the unnecessary formalities. My life was a bore and coating it in proper words and silly phrases did nothing to change that.
"Yes, Sir," he stumbled on the words, it seemed that he was nervous. I had no idea why he would be this way, he had presented many high-profile guest to my father, why was this guest any different? "Um, this is, er," he paused and whispered to the guest who was still concealed by the door frame. I heard a muffled reply. "Uh, yes, sorry, this is Mr. Watt, he is the personal messenger for the crowned prince, Prince James Hardling," Fredrick told us, with a monotone and expressionless face. My father's head, my mother's head and my head all snapped to attention at the mention of Pryhaven's Prince. My father was instantly back with us.
"Please, come forth, Mr. Watt and deliver the message from your master," he told the hidden figure. The man stepped forward.
Mr. Watt had dark brown hair that was formally groomed and chocolate brown eyes that reminded of the most delicious creations made by our village's Chocolatier. He had a lanky build much like Fredrick's but he was still fit due to the constant exercise he received from his demanding job. His attire was neat, simple but still classy. He had blown slacks, a matching vest over a crisp white shirt with a blood red tie. He wore a tan cloak and leather shoes as it was still early Spring and a slight chill of winter still hung in the air. He pulled out a folded piece of parchment from his large cloak pocket and unfolded it. He cleared his throat and began to read the letter:
Dear Lord Brooks, Lady Brooks and Miss Claira Brooks,
I write this letter to you as a warning. Romana, the Enchantress, has escaped out detainment facilities on Rockhan Island. We have reason to believe that she may come to your village. Please tell your villagers to lock their doors and apply magic barriers. If they wish, and you approve, they can leave your town as I have set up some alternate accommodation not too far from here in the neighbouring town of Rosenest where they have powerful magic barriers. I only offer this because you do not have one main barrier surrounding your town.
Hopefully she will not show and all will be well. If this is the case, I would be delighted to come and see your new home.
Best Regards,
Yours Fervently,
Prince James Hardling
Well, that was some news, no wonder Fredrick was nervous. We all just sat there in silence, porcessing the information. After the long pause, my father turned to me.
"Well, Claira, it looks as if you will not be going to town today after all," he told me. He only wanted to protect me. I sighed. Oh well, I still had some books in the library that I haven't read yet. My father then sighed and added, "but I might be." I looked over to my mother. She looked exactly like how I felt, scared, confused and worried. I gave her a small smile trying to comfort her. My father then tanked the messenger and told him, to tell the Prince that he would write back soon. Mr. Watt nodded and was escorted out by Fredrick.
As soon as our guest had gone I was sent to my room and was to remain there until some one came to get me. I curtsied to my father and then left to my room. Why did I have to be locked in my room? I was old enough to take care of myself. I wasn't a child any more. I huffed and took an extended route to my room, making sure that I passed the library. I grabbed my book and a couple more ones I liked and two that my father would approve of. I then returned to the parlour and climbed the large marble stairs to the first floor. I walked to my room, clutching my books to my chest. I arrived at the double wooden doors leading into my room. I enter and put my books down on a nearby vanity table. I moved over to my absurdly over-sized bed and flopped on it. I stared up at my ceiling deep in thought.
1 Comment
insane!!!! .♥.♥.♥....