[u]Annaveya Elizabeth Ranizov IV[/u] - [u]The Price of Royalty[/u]

Rattling along the road in a long trail of the unfortunate, the Princess sat in the middle seat of the rambling carriage in silence with her eyes closed. Accompanied by two handmaidens, the panicked Gemminite women exchanged glances time to time in peculiar confusion over their charge's seeming tranquility. Not a word was uttered by the Princess during the entire venture towards Shadow's Worth, weeping and sorrow could be heard from other carriages; but not from hers, she was a bastion for her people.

Whether she liked it or not was of little consequence. What mattered was how she represented her people, and more importantly, the Royal Family. The Princess would remain to be unflinching and immovable in terms of emotion. 

At least as long as she could stand it. 

Coming to a grinding halt before the imposing fortress carved into the side of a wicked looking mountain, the brilliant aquamarine of the Princess' captivating eyes opened to look at the two handmaidens. The coachman opened the door that bore the Royal Seal, and first came the two younger girls too early to be wed. Then, and only then as they all swept into a low bow did Annaveya finally emerge. 

Before the hungering eyes of the guards and the desperate fears of her people, she remained an ever-resilient and shining gem. A star amongst the darkness in an array of beautiful silks that seemed to shimmer like water in the torchlight. Lightly plucking up the front hem of her dress so that she could walk properly, the long trail of silk behind her was humbly picked up by her handmaidens so that the fine fabrics dared not to touch the filthy Drakken earth that lay beneath her.

With her eyes still closed, she strode towards the entrance of the castle. Other brides to be would pause to grant her entrance first. It was of grave consequence after all, beyond any doubt, a Drakken Noble would pick her to be their bride. A Princess was a rare treasure, after all. A willing Lamb to the slaughter for the sake of her people, Annaveya's eyes slowly opened to look enigmatically towards the two guards at the front gate.

She was without fear, without hesitation. Seemingly before the eyes of all, she was here to do what was necessary for her people. 

Not a word was uttered as the door swung open and finally the hem of the dress would return to the earth as the two handmaidens still trailed a few steps behind their Princess. Reverence continued in silence as she climbed the staircase draped in thick crimson carpets and before long, she arrived in the room that she had been assigned. Even still, a Guard stood at her door and waited while the Handmaidens swept with her behind a concealing veil, and helped her undress. Slender, beautiful skin came to bear as she dipped her toes into a warm bath first, and then finally sunk into the depths. Running lavender scented soap across flawless Royal flesh, she remained in the water as long as she could bear to enjoy it. 

Nearly an hour later, she slipped from the watery depths and was dried off by the handmaidens before finally studying the garb she had been given by the Drakken to dress into in order to be properly [i]inspected[/i]. Wrapped in the soft, warm fabric of a towel, Annaveya looked disapprovingly at the Guard who didn't utter a single word. Nodding to the girls who had accompanied her, the two young ones hurried towards another case and brought to reveal a dress of brilliant ivory hue. Across where her hips began, petals of a colored rosy hue, the color of the Royal Family danced across her legs as if the wind had blessed them.

The nonsensical garment of the Drakken was something she refused to wear. Sadly, her people wouldn't have a similar option. Yet it was still a sign of defiance. Where her fellow brides-to-be might have collapsed, she would remain as strong as ever. For it were simply who she was, and little more. 

Guided by the guard as the girls placed a hibiscus into the wondrous light brown strands of her hair, her Aquamarine eyes settled upon a practically empty room. In spite of all her delaying, there was only one other Gemminite inside the massive room designated for their inspection. Yet despite this, with the slender curvature of her shoulders brought to bear, she held her chin high and regally walked down the center aisle, moving to stand beside the one other Gemminite girl.

This girl, who was likely a peasant, had probably never even seen one of the Gemminite Royal family, let alone a Princess thereof. 

[color=bc8dbf]"Fret not, please."[/color] Annaveya stated softly, benevolently. [color=bc8dbf]"Find your strength, and embrace it. Breathe steadily, do not fear what lies before you. Simply do your best to understand the sacrifice you are making for our people. On behalf of the Royal Family,"[/color] Instead of the other way around, the Princess humbly bowed to the girl. [color=bc8dbf]"I thank you, and am dreadfully sorry. Since formalities are of little use here, my name is Annaveya Elizabeth Ranizov the Fourth. Third in line to the Gemminite Throne."[/color] With a mild reassuring smile, she continued to speak. [color=bc8dbf]"You can call me Anna, if you would like. What is your name, hm?"[/color]