My name is Ellie, I'm a lady in waiting to her highness, Princess Flora. Each day is the same, I wake at the crack of dawn, before the royal roosters even wake.

All is quiet in the castle, I like it that way. It's the calm before the storm. Her highness is a not the friendliest of sorts, many would call her spoiled, and many do although they dare not be caught saying such things.

I slip into the princesses quarters with her breakfast tray, she'll be quite angry when I wake her but today is an important day. It's her courting day, suitors will line up for miles to try and win her hand. mostly for access to the wealth of the kingdom, it helps that she is absolutely beautiful. Her fair skin, blonde hair, and slender frame how can a man not love the sight of her? Quite a contrast from my curvy frame, wavy black hair and olive skin the most attention I've gotten was from the stable boy, Eric.

"Good morning your highness" I call out as I pull back the heavy velvet curtains.

" Ugh! Go away Ellie!"

"You have an early start today m'lady."

"Ellie I swear..."

"I have your bath drawn and some breakfast, please hurry your suitors will be here shortly."

"Hmm? Oh yes.. Suitors...."

I leave her to her breakfast, I have other chores to do this morning. As I approach the kitchen I hear the familiar bustling front the maids and cooks, everyone is excited. It's not often we get so many visitors, Flora is the king and queens only child. The king is, unfortunatly, even crueler than his daughter. If I'm lucky I can avoid his wrath today.