Some say that twenty-one is far too much of an age for a princess to marry; I've heard it said among the common folk that twenty-four or even twenty-five were perfectly suitable ages to demonstrate experience that a girl could work with the best of them. That was all well and good for the non-nobility to take what luxury they could afford in choosing a spouse but I had been raised with the notion that when it came to princesses they should be married off and bearing heirs to the throne as soon as possible in opposition to the possibility that kingdoms would be seized and an infant king would be necessary to stand against legions of darkness. So I really do not know why it took so long for my parents to find me a good husband. Excuse me, I take that back. I knew perfectly well why I could not find a husband.

I think my parents, the King and Queen of Tamenrook, began looking when I was twelve or thirteen (mind, it was not unheard of for a princess to be engaged at thirteen. Mama was and she was well-suited to Father). Princes and noblemen's sons were brought to visit. Some were nicer and charming than others, but the fault was mostly mine. I was a shy and awkward child—girl, young woman. I hid my face when anyone came. My trick was to find an unnoticed corner where I could curl up with a book and avoid visitors altogether. I don't think Father cared one way or the other, but Mama hated when I did that.

"Go show your face!" she would tell me. "Charm them. Dance. And for goodness' sake open your mouth and speak! You're not a mouse."

I had felt like one, back then, and it was a difficult feeling to explain away. As I had said, I had been shy and awkward. My hair had spent its short life in a messy attempt to decide between blond, brown, or copper and for lack of better terms or desire to flatter myself I was not a slender child. I wasn't immensely fat, but I liked eating and the cook happened to be fond of me and always had a specially prepared treat ready for me. To top it off, I went through a rather long phase where I decided that I was above all vain frivolities of fashion. The only problem with this was that I did not have the confidence to be comfortable avoiding the aforementioned frivolities of fashion. This left me as Mama said, the round little mouse in the corner eating a book.

And as many nice and charming princes that came to visit me (or rather, the kingdom of Tamenrook), none were all that interested in the chubby, ugly girl that couldn't open her mouth without saying something stupid.

Don't worry, this is not a tale of how an ugly girl because a beautiful, graceful princess. It's rather a boring story and I am quite positive I'm not the only girl who has gone through an awkward adolescence. Suffice it to say that I grew up. I gave up the tomboy idea and accepted the concept that there is nothing wrong with taking care of one's personal appearance and taking pride in it. My body reshaped itself into curves and my hair decided that it liked being light brown. One day I had the epiphany that it was better to live life rather than read about it in books and I began to make friends and talk. By the time I was eighteen I was not unpleasant to look upon, if I do say so myself.
But that awkward stage had done something. I was a proper, reasonably desirable princess, but eighteen was on the old side of the age scale. Ideally I should have been married at sixteen. My parents weren't upset—they were good parents and adored me—but it did throw some difficulty into the plan of making baby heirs. Mama and Father had married for love (at age fifteen) and did not care much for the idea of arranging a marriage with some strange prince against my will. The sad result was me a year later at age nineteen, still sadly single.

Until Wyatt.

Wyatt was never, strictly speaking, an arrangement. For reasons similar to mine he failed to marry properly early. I think the idea was that his father, the King of Sunelle up in the north, and my father were to discuss possible pacts between the kingdoms and Wyatt was highly encouraged to attend. Highly, severely encouraged. And Father and Mama thought it would be good to observe matters of state. I hate to use the term "love at first sight", but that is more or less what happened among discussions of trade tariffs.

Looking back on it I realize just how impossible and yet certain our love was. I was no longer the little mouse reading books in a dark corner, but nature had made me quieter and reserved than others. Wyatt was no chatterbox himself and heaven only knows how we managed to talk to each other as we did. But we were perfect for each other. That much was evident. We were kindred spirits. During that first meeting of Sunelle and Tamenrook we spent so much time together it was a wonder we weren't engaged by the time King Richard's bags were packed.

Wyatt and I liked to take things slow. I had never been in love before, and his one-time love had lasted only a few short months. Besides, apparently when once passed the desirable age of marriage there was no point in hurrying things, at least according to my parents. Therefore, through every fault of my own I found myself twenty-one, still technically single, and very much in love. Who cared if I were too old?

Two days before the engagement ball found me at the gate of the palace grounds, perched up on the stone wall in a most undignified fashion while the guards stood rigid at the bottom, probably hoping I would not fall. It was amazing I could think about the guards when the procession I knew belonged to the kingdom of Sunelle was visible along the main road of the city. I wore deep yellow—Wyatt said that yellow looked terrible on me and I wanted to infuriate him as much as possible before the engagement ball as I could. Though the dress was getting filthy from sitting on the wall, so perhaps that would cancel out some of his anger.

One guard—Simon, I believe his name was—was watching the procession just as intently as me. "Do you wish me to prepare you a horse, Princess Fawn?"

Me, galloping off to meet my lover? It certainly did not sound like me. I shook my head and brushed hair from my eyes. "No, thank-you, Simon. I'm perfectly fine waiting right here."

Later I realized that his name was Alan and I had no idea why I called him Simon. Bless guards that don't stand up for themselves before their princess.

Besides the yellow, I hoped I looked attractive. I had known Wyatt for two years, but I still felt obliged to make myself lovely for him. No, oblige is not the right word. I guess I just wanted him to see me at my best even when he could love the worst of me. Tragically I had failed to bind my hair back, instead selecting on a wearing it down in curls. The day was overcast and the wind had picked up something rather strong. I pushed more hair from my eyes and focused on the procession. I could imagine I could see Wyatt's very expression now, his strong, purposeful smile surrounded by stubble the same color as his black hair. Wyatt had never been very faithful at shaving. It was possible it was only my imagination indeed, but I had no evidence either way so I would say I saw whatever I saw. Besides, he was coming closer all the time.

Maybe I should have jumped off the wall and ran down the street to fall, fatigued, into his arms, but I didn't.

"Quite the party they have with them this time," one of the guards commented nonchalantly.

"The engagement ball," Simon-really-called-Alan said. "It's a celebration for Sunelle, as well."

It had better be. I was going to be Queen of Sunelle. "I just don't understand why they have to bring half the court with them." If I were to be Queen, I should not say things like that. I just had never cared for big, fancy parties. "The King and Queen are inside, finishing hospitalities." The only reason I was not in there with them doing my princess duties was because I was awaiting my prince. That was my ultimate duty. If I were to be Wyatt's wife I had better start honoring him right away.

My heart pounded. He was getting closer and closer. I could see his eyes now, dark, creamy brown, watching me. We were nearly half a mile apart, but we could still watch one another.

By the end of the year we would be married.

Then, just before the main road turned up hill around the rose bushes, Wyatt kicked his horse into a gallop. I squealed in most unprincess-like fashion and slid as dangerously as I dared from the wall. Wyatt's stupid horse was kicking up dust around me, but I decided to let the guards worry about that. I forcefully shoved my unruly hair behind my ear and forced my way through nothing to Wyatt, who had already dismounted.

"Hello, Fawn," he said softly.

"Hello, Wyatt," I replied even softer. And that was it for conversation. In front of the guards he threw his arms around me and pressed his surprisingly warm lips to mine. He was an excellent kisser.

One of the guards mumbled something about our behavior. Low key, of course, as he was only a guard. If I wasn't so happy I would have blushed and removed myself from Wyatt. But as it was we just continued to kiss. It had been months since I had last seen him. Five solid months of only letters. Wyatt was an excellent writer, better than I could ever hope to be, but those written words paled in comparison of having him with me.

"You look beautiful," he said as he finally pulled away, though our foreheads continued to touch. "Except for the yellow. It washes out your skin."

I giggled. "You don't like the yellow? I wore it especially for you."

"It doesn't suit you at all, but you still look beautiful. You would look beautiful in anything."

"Liar. You are so ridiculously flowery." I kissed him again, one sweet little kiss on his lips.

He laughed as well. It was a small laugh, for my Wyatt never laughed loudly, but that just made them all the more precious. "Aren't I supposed to act this way? We are to be married. We have an engagement ball."

Engagement. Ah, yes. The reason he was here besides to be with me. "I hope you brought a ring."

He nodded, his nose gently rubbing my cheek as he did so. "I brought you a ring. I had the advice and help of the best jewelers in Sunelle."

I felt wonderfully spoiled. Sunelle was a mountain kingdom, near mines. Jewels, I understood, were as common as dust and I could only imagine how gorgeous the finest would be. "May I see it?"

He rolled his eyes and let his arm drop around my shoulder. I snuggled up to him, not caring what the guards or anyone else thought. I was twenty-one and he was twenty-two, after all. "Fawn, I'm sweaty and disgusting and you are wearing yellow. Plus, half the court of Sunelle is behind me."

So I had been right about that. I studied the approaching crowd of coaches and horses as the guards positioned themselves to lead us into the palace. "Why on earth did you bring them all?"

Wyatt shrugged as if the matter did not concern him. "Not my choice. My father's. Apparently they all must be present to attend the ball and see to it that our engagement goes as planned."

"You already asked me to marry you." My hair had come loose again. Hair was so infuriating! Why was it so necessary for women to wear it long? I finally decided to let it do what it would, and the curls tumbled over my shoulders. Nothing romantic; I had worn a high-cut, modest gown to my Mama's approval. Well, I had other dresses to show Wyatt later. In a more private setting. "That was five months ago."

"You know how it is, my love."

He sounded so fake. I laughed. "You really don't need to use all those pet names, Wyatt."

He pretended to pout. He rarely joked, so this was a clear sign he was in a good mood. "I'm trying to be romantic for you. Like husbands. All husbands use silly pet names for their wives."

The guards were groaning again.

"Beside, I need to practice. Minister Evan of my court wants to hear it."

"Evan?" I echoed. We were in the front garden now, and willows were dripping everywhere. Tamenrook was famous for its willows, but they were sure an irritating tree at times. "Have I met him?"

Wyatt moved a willow branch from my path. The guards and gardeners both tried to whack away at the branches every chance they could, but it never worked out well enough. It was my theory that they were alive and ready to attack at any moment. "You might have. Old man. Balding grey hair. Thinks he runs my life. And he'll run yours the moment we are married. He will say it is in your best interest but he really just wants to be in the way. It makes him happy."

"Sounds like a dear." I slowed us down. "I don't want to go into the palace just yet."

"What do you mean? Would you prefer a horseback ride? One of your guards already led my mare away."

I nodded at the willows.

"Mm. Those branches do make good covering."

I nodded again. My guards were ignoring us. Simon-later-known-as-Alan was hopefully on my side.

Wyatt urged off the path. "And Father and the populace of Sunelle will have to gawk at things for quite some time." His hand slipped into mine and we sped off for the furthest willow, snickering like children.

I hit the ground first, kissing Wyatt all the time and much more fiercely than at the gate. The grass was long here and surely my unflattering yellow dress would be stained. So much the better. It would give the servants something to gossip about. I will have it be known I was not a troublesome girl. I just wanted to kiss my fiancé.

In a minute the head maid was screaming at us anyway. Ariel was her name. One of the few people in the household that didn't care that I was a princess. She would boss be around until her dying day, if she could help it. I don't know how she knew we were out there, but the next moment she was standing about ten willows away, her thin face red from hollering.

"Such behavior, Fawn! Like a kitchen girl! And with company coming!"

I giggled as Wyatt helped me to my feet. "It's his company!"

"Even worse," Ariel snapped. "Prince Wyatt, your father would be ashamed. Now get inside and where you should be before someone meaner than I catches you."

"I don't want to meet anyone meaner than her," Wyatt whispered.

We then had a luncheon, sweet and light and hardly suitable for people who had spent a week traveling over bumpy roads. But it was salads and breads—my favorite things. I don't think King Richard much enjoyed it. Apparently Northerners preferred meat. I supposed I could get used to that. I would have to. It brought to mind other things that I might have to get used to. I had never been to Sunelle, in all the years I had known Wyatt. He had told me of it, had praised it near to death. I knew it was mountainous. There were trees. It wasn't quite as misty and rainy as Tamenrook.

Minister Evan was there. He was just as Wyatt had described him and was a dear as I had expected. However at this meal he ignored Wyatt and turned every attention on me with a strange combination of shrewdness and delight.

"What are your hobbies?" he demanded.

Hobbies. I just wanted to eat my nut bread. "I like to work in the garden. And read. I delight in reading. And star gazing."

"Astronomy," he said with approval. "Do you have a favorite planet? The Lady Venus, perhaps? Prince Wyatt enjoys watching Saturn."

"I like Jupiter," I said honestly. "It's big and lovely."

"Excellent." It was like he was examining a horse, only in the nicest way imaginable. "And what do you read?"

Impossible to answer. "Everything."

He seemed more pleased with me all the time. "How do you feel about children?"

"Children?" Wyatt stammered.

King Richard, Father, and Mama laughed. Clearly some private joke out of which Wyatt had been left.

Evan didn't seem to find it funny. His grey eyes narrowed. "Princess Fawn, I'm going to need an answer. Sunelle will need an heir to the throne once Prince Wyatt is out of the way."

"You make it sound like a hostile take-over, Evan," Wyatt said between bites of salad.

"I'm just being realistic, young man. Princess, do you or do you not like children?"

I could feel myself blushing now. I had kissed Wyatt rather wildly in the willows, but part of me still thought it improper to discuss such things. "I'm sure I love them."

"Children are a delight," said a woman three spots down from Evan. I had been introduced to her before the meal. Her name was Lady Melissa. She was a very beautiful woman, a little on the short side, but pale and lovely with a rather curved nose. "We have two daughters of our own."

The man next to her nodded. Her husband, Lord Arnston. "Grace and Amelia."

I truly did like children. I was sure Lady Melissa and Lord Arnston's children were darling. "How old are they?"

"Grace is nine now," Lady Melissa replied. Her golden hair was in the tightest ringlets imaginable. It was all I could do not to stare. They looked like thick yellow sausages. "And Amelia is nearly seven."

Evan did not look impressed. "In the case of Prince Wyatt and Princess Fawn, I was rather hoping they would have sons."

The man was terrible. I smiled and drank my water, wondering why I liked him so much.

"The girls would have loved to come to the ball," Arnston said. "But I just don't dare bring them over this land. It's a hard journey."

"And I daresay they'll have plenty of balls enough when they come of age," his wife continued. "Hopefully. I understand you didn't have too many growing up, did you, Princess Fawn?"

I ignored her and wondered what Grace and Amelia would think of ball upon ball. They weren't as exciting as one would expect them to be, if there were too many. They lost their magic at that point. One ball every now and then was quite enough.

"Speaking of the ball," Mama said. "I understand that Wyatt has selected a ring for Fawn?"

"Shouldn't that be reserved for the ball?" Father asked.

King Richard did not seem to care either way.

Mama just scoffed. "It's a ring! A piece of very lovely jewelry."

She wasn't the only one that wanted to see the ring. "Mama, I am the one that will be wearing it."

"Which is all the more reason the rest of us should see it." Mama could be quite the demanding one when something got into her head. "Does it offend any tradition of Sunelle?"

"We really don't have a lot of traditions," King Richard replied. He was like in Wyatt in many ways. Calm. "It's up to Wyatt to decide what he wants."

I sure hoped he would let me see the ring.

"Do you have it with you, son?" King Richard continued.

We had actually been holding hands underneath the table. He gave me a final squeeze before slipping his hand into his pocket. "Well, I did propose marriage to Princess Fawn five months ago. Don't worry, King Jordan, I will display it again tomorrow night at the ball."

The ring was beautiful. I will admit that part of mind had hoped for something ridiculously gaudy, a miniature mountain of diamonds somehow stuck together on the same circle of gold. But that was a small part of my mind and the rest was much more sensible and tasteful and it much approved of what Wyatt gave me. There was a diamond, perfectly circular, facets flashing faintly blue up at me. Surrounding the diamond were bits of emerald. They were embedded in a band of gold that seemed to glow around my finger. My immediate thought was a river winding through green trees. I gasped, as well did every other female, Mama and Lady Melissa included.

"I think she likes it," Wyatt murmured.

I nodded. My eyes were misting up with tears. I felt profoundly loved and devilishly greedy at the same time.

"Sunelle has many beautiful jewels," Lady Melissa said reverently.

"Thank-you," I whispered.

Across the table Mama gave a tinkling little laugh. "Perhaps we should excuse the young people."

Thank-you, Mama. My eyes still on my gorgeous ring, Wyatt and I left the room.

"I thought of you when I commissioned the ring," he told me when we were out in the silence of the hall. It was like being outside—tapestries of the ocean covered the walls. "I don't know why, you really aren't so much a river person—"

"A river," I said. "That's exactly what I thought of when I saw the ring. And I don't know if I'm not a river person, it's just that we don't have a river around here."

"Sunelle has streams near it. Many, in fact. You'll love them."

"I'm sure I will. What do they look like?"

He paused a moment, thinking. He was adorable when he was thinking hard; someone he managed to look incredibly stupid. "Like rivers."

I punched him in the arm.

"Hey, but a river is a river. But they're beautiful. They come off the mountains and hit rocks. We like to swim in them."

That sounded painful. "Don't you hit the rocks?"

He paused again. "Sometimes."

I punched him again. "I will let you know that I have no desire to get torn to pieces by rocks in a river."

"You like flowers," he continued. "Many flowers grow near the river. You would like them. Wild flowers. Mountain violets, wild rose, sticky geranium, rabbit brush, hoary cress… they're beautiful. I mean, I don't like them, but you would."

I stared into his eyes. All this just to please me. "I love you, Wyatt. I cannot wait until we are married."

He took hold of my arms. "And a year ago weren't we happy just being together and not being engaged? We were idiots."

"Oh, yes." I closed my eyes and breathed in. He smelled wonderful. "But I can't even be with you today! There's so much work to do! Mama insists I help with set up for the ball and I have things to arrange…" It was much busy work, being a princess.

"Tonight, then," he said. "We will go stargazing, just like Evan wants us to. Hopefully it won't be cloudy."

"It's always cloudy in Tamenrook."

Fortunately that night, Tamenrook made an exception. We went to the western tower where there was a high balcony and a perfect view of the sky. Both Saturn and Jupiter were out.

"Jupiter is just a big awkward thing," Wyatt told me. "Saturn is the best."

"Jupiter was king of the gods."

"As was Saturn."

This was no time to argue mythology. I just smiled. "The Serpens Caput is very clear tonight."

Wyatt scoffed at that. "Dull constellation."

"I like it."

"I prefer Aquila."

It was a good time to argue astronomy. "Can you see the stars well in Sunelle, Wyatt?" I asked.

He nodded. "I used to sleep on the roof at night, at least four times a week."

"All year?" I asked, incredulous.

"In the summer," he corrected. "The nights are very clear. Not all these clouds and rain like you have here."

"We should sleep there when we go to Sunelle," I suggested.

"Would you dare climb on a roof?"

I shrugged. "No, but you could help me."

"Don't make a suggestion if you intend on me doing all the work." He kissed me quickly on the cheek. "Oh, Fawn, I can't wait until you come to Sunelle. You'll love it there."

"I know I will." I traced the Milky Way with my finger. "Just as long as I don't have to speak to Lady Melissa all day. I prefer Evan."

"I knew you would like Evan. As for Lady Melissa and Lord Arnston, ignore them. They're both noble blood extending back generations, but their money won't last much longer. They like to pretend they have more than what they do. I can't imagine what they'll leave their girls."

"Ah. So I should pity them because they're poor."

"Exactly." He said it so seriously that we both laughed a few moments later.

Irreverently enough, the joke continued into the next day. It shouldn't have, but it was the day of my engagement ball and the night before had been the eve. I had not slept a wink and was therefore in the silliest of moods. I could only guess that Wyatt felt the same. The first thing he said to me as we sat down to breakfast was a childish "We're engaged!"

"I know!" I returned, just as juvenile.

Lady Melissa passed at that time and looked most irritated with us.

"Poor," Wyatt mouthed.

I snorted into the oatmeal that had just been handed to me. It was good that I was not hungry.

Wyatt watched me as he ate a spoonful. "That is poor behavior, Princess Fawn."

Normally I'm not so silly. But I wanted my ball, as much as I detested them. My official engagement ball.

It was going to be hell getting through the day. Perhaps this was why princesses were encouraged to marry early and quickly. Perhaps it was wisdom indeed. It was just ridiculous waiting for all the pieces of protocol. Guests would spend the day arriving. They would need to be greeted, fed, all-around cared for. I did not feel comfortable speaking to most of them, but it was my duty as princess. Wyatt would also be taking on such duties, but the palace was so huge and there was so much to do that I didn't think our paths would cross much.

Yes, it was going to be hell that day.

I could have my moments with crowds. There were times when I could be the best princess in the world. Smile, laugh, and charm the crowd. After all, I had improved much since my adolescence. It was part of life to please people and make them feel comfortable. It was good and right and I did not mind it.

But it was around Wyatt that I felt most like myself.

They brought gifts, the guests did. Dozens of glisteningly wrapped presents that I could not wait to open. I thanked them all profusely. It was exciting, I had to admit. The ball room looked fantastic. My dress was finished just after lunch. It was a violet blue, the color that looked best on me. I could not wait to wear it. The palace was buzzing and it was impossible to not absorb the enthusiasm. It just became more overwhelming as the hours passed.

I'm not sure how it happened, but after Ariel had tossed a servant boy into the wall I found myself wandering to the less crowded parts of the palace. Less crowded was not even the proper term. Though the echoes of laughter, talking, and the servant boy's screams would still be heard, it was upfront silent. The hall had not been used in some time. No tapestries or mirrors hung just a few suits of armor and a bookshelf whose collection had not yet made it to the library.

I stopped there. I still loved books and I always would. I just had to remember the epiphany I had once had. It wasn't like I had ever wanted to disappear into the books. I loved this world.

Footsteps rang out near me. I stepped away from the shelf. "Hello?" So this hall wasn't as empty as I had thought. How disappointing. Oh, well. I smoothed out my curls and looked around. Not a solitary soul. "Hello?"

The footsteps came closer. Maybe it was Wyatt, trying to sneak up on me. "Wyatt, is that you?"

The footsteps were still approaching. How childish. "This is Princess Fawn. Who is there?"

Then he appeared, rounding the corner at sudden full speed. His face was roundish with a wide nose. One eye was blue, the other green. He held a knife.

That was all I saw before the knife went into me.

Yeah, I love my cliffies. I know this is a lot to put in the first chapter, but this is stuff I would prefer to get out of the way before I hit the main part. Believe it or not, this is a blatant Cinderella story. Tell me if you think it's too much. And that means please review if you have read this!