Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Lavinia and any alterations to the storyline plot her presence provides to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss Prologue

In a far away land long ago there lived a King and his fair Queen. Many years they had longed for a child and finally their wish was granted. A daughter was born.

They called her Lavinia.

Lavinia, sweet Lavinia.

Yes, they named her after one of the Great Queens of old in hopes she'll grow up to be a wise, noble, and beloved ruler just like her namesake.

A great celebration was declared throughout the kingdom on that very day so that all of high or low estate might pay homage to the Princess.

Since birth Lavinia has been put in training so she'd be the one to rule Edelweiss with a just and fair hand. Their efforts have paid off big time.

Now that Lavinia is sixteen she's taken on far more responsibility in the kingdom.

One of the new royal duty's she's tested on is how to handle irate citizens that come into the palace on a regular basis. Her father had insisted that she be present whenever he gave a royal audience. He told her it was best to start learning how to govern a vast kingdom like this one earlier on rather than later. The Kings reason for this is no one ever knows what day will be his or her last. He wants her to be prepared for all versions of scenarios.

In fact Lavinia is on her way to the great hall right now in order to receive that days petitioners. On the way there Lavinia is reviewing written petitions submitted by citizens that choose not to make the trip to the palace. During this carefully thought out process Lavinia is most likely to send the replies by messenger to their owners.

As per usual a mixture of them will emerge from this satisfied or vexed with whatever they get on the receiving end.

Hey you can't make everyone happy. It's a matter of life.

"…proposed rod improvements will reduce the current transportation time and provide safer, less hazardous trade routes'. Margrit, deny this petition. Please make a not on it that Edelweiss doesn't have much of a trade route because they lack goods, not because of poor road conditions. Before I even think of suggesting to my father that Edelweiss that we stoop to spend money on the roads, they must first come up with an export or crop others countries actually want. And to please consider options that will benefit Edelweiss in all aspects," said Lavinia, pacing up and down the palace hall on the way to the throne room.

Lavinia pauses long enough to pass the petition off to one of her handmaidens that, also, acts as a secretary from time to time.

"Benefit Edelweiss in all aspects…Done, said Margrit, her quill flashing as she scrawled on the paper.

"Thank you. May I have the next petition," asked Lavinia, fussing with her dress and tiara.

Lavinia needs to look her best for this session. She doesn't want the petitioners to get a wrong impression of her.

"You have reviewed all the petitions we have brought with us today," reports Margrit, checking over the papers carried by her and other handmaidens accompanying them.

"You have my thanks, Margrit. I don't know if I would've managed to get through all of them on time if not for your help. You are incredible," said Lavinia, appreciative.

Her voice warm with affection, basically glowing from the praise, Margrit said "Your welcome, Your Highness. I am happy to be of service."

It's time for Lavinia to prove her worth. The throne room is just ahead down the hall.

Smiling broadly in a delightful mood Lavinia is eager to get this started.

.

Royal decision making

Hey

I was born to do it

Yeah

Sure

I'm slightly faking

But there's no that much to it

Bring it on I'm ready

'Cause I got this

I've got this

Just watch

.

The guards bow opening the doors wide for Lavinia to enter. Lavinia then marches to her throne on the right side of her fathers and sat in all regal and distinguished.

Outstretching an arm towards the throne room doors, Steward Nigel said "Princess Lavinia, may I present, your most humble subjects!"

The doors swung open, the citizens pouring in with their petitions.

Up above keeping a close vigil in the gallery are King Stefan and Queen Brianna. Normally they would be sitting down there receiving the petitions one by one. Today they are to be mere spectators in the Royal Court, parents observing their child take the reins for the first time. Both subtly grip the others hand praying she can handle this test.

None of the people held back where it pertains to their complaints.

.

He won't let my sheep graze next to his without a fight

.

"Hmm," hummed Princess Lavinia, contemplating over it.

.

How can I cut hair with this guy fiddling day and night

.

"Yes, that's a problem," said Princess Lavinia.

.

Lately half the city's overrun by cats and kitties

Eating everything in sight

.

Rising from the throne to deal with these petitions accordingly, Princess Lavinia said "Right."

.

Pasture land is public

I decree you'll have to share

Mark your sheep accordingly

Earplugs will do wonders

You'll receive a royal pair

.

"Thanks," said the Barber, accepting them.

.

Musician, you must be mindful of your neighbors

Watch the clock and play around the barber's affairs

.

"Yes, Your Highness," said the musician, put in his place by the gentle admonishment.

.

Henceforth

It is written

Every cat and kitten shall be turned into an industry

Monitored to keep the rats and mice at bay

Fair

.

The people erupt in cheers at her combined verdicts, pacified for now.

.

Folks the line starts there

.

The King and Queen look on proudly at their heir as she handles the petitioners like a pro as if this wasn't her first time holding Court in the throne room.

.

She's got a knack for reigning

So far she's holding steady

But folks are still complaining

So lets not throw confetti

Nonetheless

I guess our girl has got this

She's got this

No problem

.

King Stefan is particularly pleased that a new industry might just be made today. All country's, not just theirs have vermin problems everywhere. He's always noticed the cat populations have exploded, but could never think what to do about them. Perhaps breeding these felines and trading them to other kingdoms while keeping a proficient amount in Edelweiss can help economically.

The remainder of the petitions goes off without a hitch with the exception of an occasional skirmish between a few handfuls of disagreements here and there. Nothing she couldn't handle.

Finally the final person leaves the throne room and today's session comes to an end.

Steward Nigel sees to that.

.

No more interviews

.

Princess Lavinia is then left alone feeling incredibly satisfied although not overconfident. Today may have gone fine, but that doesn't mean the next one will or the one after that either. She must bear all this in mind for the future.

.

Gosh

So that's one way to prevent disaster

And everybody knew it

I had one job to master

And I did not blow it

I was so darn certain that I got this

But still I'm not this

Not yet

Who would've thought how far from getting this far could get

.

Footsteps echo in the grand space as King Stefan and Queen Brianna make an approach from the gallery.

By the delighted smiles on their faces the King and Queen are delighted with her performance.

Meeting them in the middle, Lavinia said "You approve?"

"You were definitely born for this," said King Stefan, softly.

Lavinia beams.

"You have done very well, Dear. And now that you are 16 it's time for a most important milestone in your life," said Queen Brianna.

Tilting her head to the side in curiosity, Lavinia said "What is that, Mother?"

"Marriage," said Queen Brianna, hoping this would ease her gently into it.

"Marriage," repeated Lavinia, making sure she heard her mother correctly on that note.

Nodding, Queen Brianna said "Yes. Marriage."

"Lavinia, you are the Crown Princess. One day this entire kingdom will be yours to rule and protect. But no one can do it alone. Take me for example. I came into my throne at a very young age. Like you I was taught and prepared to take on the responsibility. But I knew I couldn't hold it by myself. So I searched for the woman who would be the perfect Queen. That woman was your mother and from that union an alliance was forged between two kingdoms that cannot be broke," said King Stefan, proud of what he accomplished back then.

"Your father and I were lucky. Arranged marriages where the two barely know each other rarely come out happy. But that doesn't mean that all will fail. Nonetheless it is our duty," said Queen Brianna, gently.

Passively, Lavinia sighed "So who have I been paired with?"

"That has yet to be decided," informs King Stefan.

Confused, Lavinia admits "You lost me there."

"You are aware our neighbor the Kingdom of Granzreich has five princess, correct," said King Stefan.

"Yes, I do," said Lavinia.

King Victor who has five sons rules the Kingdom of Granzreich.

"Out of the five princess King Victor has three the perfect age. He has agreed to a royal visit where you can meet the Princes Eins, Bruno, and Kai," said King Stefan. "King Victor has assigned a Royal Tutor to his boys and has offered this mans services to us to further your education, too. Going by King Victor's word alone this new Royal Tutor has very good credentials to his name. As far as we know the Royal Tutor hasn't arrived at the Granzreich capital yet. So you should get there before him. After a sufficient time has passed the decision will be left to you to decide which of the three elder Prince's will be both a suitable husband to you and a fellow ruler for Edelweiss."

Submitting in reluctant acceptance, Lavinia said "As you wish, Father. I defer to you and your infinite wisdom. When do I depart?"

"You leave tomorrow at dawn," announced King Stefan.

So the King and his Queen watched with heavy hearts the following morning as their most precious possession, their only child, disappear into the horizon.

Authors Note:

September 11th has come and gone once again. I was very young when it happened. Don't know about all of you, but I certainly was really scared. One minute I was at elementary school in class and the next my parents are pulling me out, taking my little sister and I home. That's when we learned the truth. The Twin Towers we'd see all the time whenever we traveled outside the city limits on road trips would no longer be there. We were stunned when we'd seen them destroyed on TV. Those trips were never the same again just like the lives of millions. In honor for the people that fell that day and to those still struggling to survive from the aftermath I suggest a moment of respective silence. I think we all can use that.

Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

I've been meaning to put up this one for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. I'm very satisfied and happy about it.

Incase anyone is curious edelweiss is actually the national flower of Switzerland. So I thought it'd be fitting since Germany and Switzerland are in such close proximity with each other. I simply thought that kind of culture is a good match.

As you can probably already tell the cover image for this story and my OC character is an anime version of the Disney princess Belle. I debated a while between her, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. In the end Belle was chosen. If any of you have different opinions on which princess should represent Lavinia then place don't be afraid to share with me. I do take this stuff seriously.

Another thing that's not giving me peace of mind is who to pair her up with in the long run, Kai or Bruno. What do you think? You know I value your opinions on the subject matter.

Big time heads up! Article 13 is on the move again. Our freedom of speech is seriously on the line. Find a legitimate petition that is fighting this decision and sign onto it. Every signature counts to keep what we love alive.

I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Secret Of Bristol Cove, Predators Redemption, A Revolutionary Romance, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D