The Curse Of Violet Wraith

Spoiled Princess

ROSALYN

It was a summer season in the 18th century, year 1765, to be precise. Living in Scotland as a British royal was a struggle. The country had its beautiful landscape, but it was also one of the poorest in all Europe. My people were rarely welcome here, and war between Scottish rebels and English soldiers was an ongoing annoyance. 

As a royal princess myself, I was well protected within the confinements of the stone walls of our castle, while my father, king Cassian Tremaine sent his men to die in the filthy battlegrounds, not to mention the pain of the women who would lose a husband, brother or even son. 

Children who would most likely cry when they never get to see their fathers return home safe and sound while hunger attacks them, killing each innocent soul little by little. 

But, why should I care? They were nothing but mere peasants at our service, and each one of them knew who was the one holding the power in their country. 

I was royalty, and way above them. 

Even my chambermaids had respect and possibly feared me every time they had to come to my chambers to serve me. 

King Cassian was feared by many people as well, with his air of dominance and presence. A strong man, with hair and beard as dark as coal and deep hazel eyes that burned into your soul. 

But, he could also be fair and kind when needed. 

My mother, Queen Grace on the other hand, was sweet and loving. She was gorgeous, her ginger hair, falling down in waves to her lower back, always pulled up in a fancy braid and the natural reddest lips anyone could ever imagine. Green eyes that shone like emeralds under the sun.

Me? I had a tad bit of both. My hair was like my father’s, but my eyes were my mother’s. I was the epitome of beauty and had to make sure everyone knew as I flaunted it every time I walked down the castle halls. 

“Madainn mhath, miss Tremaine. Time to rise!” Isobel, my main chambermaid greeted as she opened my red velvet curtain, the same one who kept the sunlight that was now sneaking into my room. 

“English, Isobel. I am not a bloody highlander,” I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, trying to keep myself from snapping at her. She chuckled, pulling my covers off me as I let out a loud shriek. 

“What is wrong with you?”

Isobel was the only one who didn’t care if I was rude or mean, she still treated me the same, and with that irritating smile on her face. 

“I’m sorry, miss. Good morning! Your father is waiting for you in the dining hall. Breakfast will be served at nine, and you are expected to be downstairs on time. Aye?”

"Fine!" I almost shouted angrily. 

At her old age, she had seen everything. Her white hair showed how wise she was, and maybe how much of a pain I have always been. Her kind, blue eyes were the light of anyone’s day. She also lacked height, but made up for it by being fierce.

But… I didn’t care. She was still my servant. 

“Miss Tremaine, you have lived in this country since you were five years old. You are twenty one, and it is time you learned Gaelic. But your stubbornness keeps getting in the way.”

I scoffed, finally getting out of my bed and making it to my water closet to take a much needed bath before the start of my day. 

“I don’t need advice from you, Isobel. So please, prepare my garments, I will be out in a few.”

I didn’t leave my bath until the water got cold, not looking forward to going downstairs. Surely my father must be upset at my delay. But, this was my time and I was enjoying it to the fullest. 

When I finally made it out, Isobel walked in with a towel, drying my body before leading me to my chambers where my other maids were setting down my dress on the bed. 

They had prepared my favorite blue Brocaded silk gown, made by a famous designer back in the 1730s, and I was one of the few rich ladies to wear it, thanks to my father. 

The silver ribbons on the front made it look fancy and feminine, and it was perfect to attract any possible suitors. Tonight, for our celebratory ball which I did not know what it was about, I would wear something similar, but even more grand. 

Had to look my best. 

As I walked in the dining area and sat on my designated seat, I could feel my father’s eyes on me, the look of irritation on his face. 

“What? I am here, aren’t I?” I grabbed a napkin and unfolded it, putting it on my lap as I waited for my meal to arrive. 

“Are you trying to get smart with me?” He scowled. 

“Not at all, Father. But I was not in a hurry to come down here.”

My mother stayed silent, listening to our discussion.

“I need you to stop acting as if the world revolves around you. You need to show a bit more respect around here, especially with our servants. They are human beings just as you and I.”

I scoffed, looking straight into his eyes, challenging him.

“Stop being a hypocrite, Father.”

“What?” It was as if the veins on his head would burst at any second. 

“You send your soldiers to die every day and you pretend that I act like a goody-two-shoes just to save face? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Rosalyn!” He slammed his hand on the table, making the food move on the plates as my mother and I flinched at the outburst. 

“I am tired of this! Excuse me.” I tossed the napkin on the table, not waiting for my breakfast as I hurried out of the castle, holding my dress up while heading into the woods where I loved to spend my time and relax, away from here.

I reached the end of the tree line, arriving at the river where I enjoyed bathing naked every chance I could get, not caring about who was around to see me. It was exhilarating and fun to have my father’s soldiers stare at me every time they passed by. 

Letting go of the skirt of my dress, I paced back and forth, taking deep breaths to calm myself down. 

“Who does he think he is? Just because he is my father and the king, does not mean he can dictate what I do. I’m twenty one already, what gives?” I muttered to myself, when suddenly I noticed a bright light coming from the bottom of the running water.

My curiosity got the best of me as I took my shoes off and stepped in, lifting my dress once again while I approached the mysterious object.

I could hear a whisper in the air, getting louder with each step I took, but decided to ignore it while I reached for it. 

As the voice kept going, I felt the waters suck me in, my screams drowned by the sounds of the rocks running underneath. The object shone brighter, blinding me as I became fearful of it and tried to swim away.

“Come to me.” The voice said. “It is time you learned your lesson, princess.”

When I finally found my voice and screamed as loud as I could, my entire world got darker. From that moment, I didn’t know what happened to me.