Secrets of the Crown

Chapter 1

The death of my father, general Alfred Varnhame, might have been the worst thing that ever happened to me, but it did open up the door to the palace that I had always wanted.

A month after the death of my father, I was adopted into the home of General Leofston Wiltone. All of my family's possessions were sold, including the residence in which I had grown up. General Wiltone was a close friend of my father, whom I had known for many years.

My father's death was a source of great pride for the county of Odrington, as it marked the conclusion of the war. However, it also provided me with the opportunity to investigate the circumstances surrounding my mother's passing.

I may have been the daughter of a distinguished general, but neither he nor the palace would permit me to question my mother's life and death.

That’s why I sought marriage with a royal, especially the second prince. Only marriage with a royal would allow me to see the palace and its people. I know I am placing myself in a dangerous and difficult situation, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

I was sitting in front of the vanity mirror, a gift from my adoptive father, when I first arrived at his mansion. The four maids were working on my hair, my dress, my makeup. Every part of my body should be perfect.

We were invited to attend a ball in the palace. This ball was reserved for royals and high-profile individuals for the palace, those who had contributed greatly to the cause of the country. One such individual was my adoptive father. He led his army with my real father and returned victorious and ended the war.

I, on the other hand, was cordially invited by King Gamel Langeton to pay tribute to my father.

This is the opportunity I have been awaiting. The royals should recognize me and select me as the second Prince Luke Langeton’s bride.

Ivo Langeton, Prince Luke's elder brother, is not a candidate for consideration by me or any other individual. He has already made his choice, even though the palace has kept her identity confidential.

"Your coach is ready, my lady." A servant said from the doorway of my room. "We're almost ready to depart."

Unlike other individuals in similar positions, I do not have a personal caretaker. Everyone at Wiltone mansion looks after me.

As the only lady at Wiltone, I don’t do much. My stepfather wouldn’t let me help with his paperwork. No wonder he and my dad were such good friends. They are so similar.

The four maids stepped back to allow me to have one last look at myself. "That should be all, thank you, everyone."

My father raised me with the utmost respect for all people. Like my father used to say, "respect is a state of mind."

As I walked out the main door, General Wiltone met me, his eyes proud and gleaming. Every movement I made seemed to be a step towards the future I was about to embark upon.

I held out my hand and he took it happily. "You are as lovely as ever, Lady Maud," he said. "General Alfred is smiling in Heaven."

"Laughing, you say, to hide his tears." I joked.

It has been one year since his passing. A year of serenity for Odrington. An ideal time to celebrate our greatest victory. It is no surprise that the king chose this day for the ball. It is truly a day of celebration.

"Shall we?" General Wiltone asked me, wiping a tear from his eye as we walked out of the villa.

The carriage set up was only utilized for special occasions such as the ball, and everything was completed to perfection. This will undoubtedly provide us with an advantage when arriving at the Palace.

Odrington has been at war with its neighbors for nearly half a century. During this time, I have witnessed the destruction and the repatriation of injured men to the capital city of Odringe. After a year, it is pleasing to observe that there is no sign of war. Everything appears to be in its normal state.

I held the golden locket around my neck; it was my father's last present to me.

"I'm sorry father. It has to be done."

When our eyes met, General Wiltone smiled. I had known him for many years, but had never met his daughter. She had been born a year before me, and had been taken from them after only two years of life. She had died of a disease she had inherited from her mother, who had died in childbirth.

I knew that this day was special not only to me, but to General Wiltone as well. I may be Lady Maud, but I know in his eyes that I am his dead daughter.

"You will be proud of me, Father," I said, smiling.

There were carriages lined up in front of the palace, where the ball would take place. People of Ordringe excitedly waited along the street sides to see faces they usually don't see. Status still matters for royalties. Commoners belong to the cities to work and pay taxes while royalties takes whatever they can from them in return for their protection.

The adults and children cheer for everyone on these carriages. The streets were lined with white, half-timbered buildings, and there were smiling faces around every corner. It was a sight my father would have loved to see.

The men in uniform were arrayed before the gates of the Palace. My carriage drew to a halt and it was time to depart. General Wiltone led me down the steps until we reached a room full of unfamiliar faces of grace and pride.

As soon as we entered the ballroom, the room filled with noise and conversation. Rumors circulated that the general had appointed me as his mistress. Unfortunately, there was little the general could do about it, as these individuals held a great deal of influence. The best course of action was to remain quiet. There was no confirmation or denial.

"Ah! General Wiltone! It's been a while," a man in an expensive looking suit approached us.

I let him do the talking. I wasn't instructed on how to act but I knew I wouldn't contribute anything interesting to their conversation.

I tugged on General Wiltone’s cuff to draw his attention. “I’ll take a look around, Father,” he said with a worried expression in his eyes. I smiled and assured him I would be fine.

Although I am not used to this kind of event, I knew exactly what I was going for— the King and Princes. Scanning the place of elegance in which I knew no one, I looked for the Guards of the Crown. Surely enough, the King was somewhere near and so were the princes.

The guards to the Crown were arrayed along the two grand staircases. At that moment, I saw the King and two Princes on the landing, surveying the throng below where I stood. I wouldn't stick out if I kept blending in with the crowd, and I had to do something.

I was walking down the aisle and a server was coming towards me with a tray of glasses of white wine. I didn't want to do it, but I did. I purposely bumped into him and made a scene. The tray dropped to the tile floor and everyone froze. Fortunately, only a tiny bit of liquid was on my dress, but the server put his head down on the floor asking for an apology. He knew how risky it was to make a mistake at a big event like this, so I went down with him to try and console him and tell him that it wasn't his fault. It wasn't really his fault, it was mine.

The guards ran to us and took the server to which I objected. I exclaimed, “It wasn’t his fault! I wasn’t looking, I bumped into him, it was my fault!” I made sure the royal highness could hear me. “If you want to take him away, you can take me with him!” I exclaimed, struggling to get him away from the guards.

General Wiltone emerged from the crowd to come to my rescue. The guards recognized him and allowed him to approach. He inquired, "Maud, what happened?" and his eyes shifted to the server being held in his arms by the guards.

"No, Father, it was my mistake. I didn't see him. I-I got dizzy and bumped into him. I'm sorry."

General Wiltone looked down at my hand and was surprised to see that it was covered in blood. The server didn't have anything on him that could have caused my injury. He looked around at the guards and took out a sword in one of them that had a blood stain on it.

"You i***t! You injured my daughter!" He started to strike the guard when the first prince intervened.

"I think it was an accident, General Wiltone," he said calmly.

"Prince Ivo, I apologize for my rude behavior but my daughter is injured."

"She'll be taken care of by the palace doctor. I'll take care of everything."

Prince Ivo instructed the guards to take away the server and smiled to looking crowd. "Everything is being taken care of. Please enjoy the rest of the celebration."

I was aware of the stares I was receiving. They were probably aware that it was a performance I had initiated. However, I did not care. I had gained their attention, and that was all that was important.

"Let me help you, Miss."

The tall, dark-haired, most sought-after bachelor in all known lands walked toward me. It was him! Prince Luke Langeton, the second Prince of Odrington.

He took my wounded hand and wrapped in a handkerchief. "I never thought General Wiltone had a beautiful but foolish daughter," he sneered. "You're an interesting one."

I was about to offer a smile to him for calling me beautiful, but foolish? Did I hear him right?