Declared as his

Chapter 5

Calla POV

From Marcus announcement things seemed to happen extremely fast. My mother looked happier than ever when she saw the ring on my finger. I must say that it is a very beautiful ring. It in a v-shape with a grace cut purple diamond, next to the diamonds it looks like vines that shapes the diamond in. It’s unique and I imagine a lot of thought went into the ring when his father got it for his mother. My mother gushed about the ring for 5 minutes and then she was asked to leave. It was so finally like she handed me over and now they didn’t need her anymore. She hugged me and wished me luck then she just left. I felt a bit abandoned being left alone with these strangers basically, but I wasn’t there for to long. Marcus kissed me one last time and then I was taken to a car. He had walked with me and watched me being driven off. Then my journey started. I was taken to a airport where I got on a private plane. I felt grungy when we finally set down. My hair was messy and my dress was wrinkled. I was put in a car again. We drove for awhile until we got to a speedboat. I was escorted on before we took off. It wasn’t long before I saw our destination. In the middle of nowhere there was a tiny island that was covered in a castle and trees. We pulled into the marina and descended the stairs to the front door. They were not joking when they said I’d be isolated for four years. I’m not only going to be locked up in a castle, but on an island as well. The door was opened by older lady she looked me up and down before making space for me to walk in. Even though the outside of the castle was old and medieval; the inside was quite modern.

“I’m Madam Chari, I’m the head housekeeper and I will be in charge of your etiquette training along with guiding you how to run a household. The house is filled with servants that will partake in your training. As for school you will be tutored by Miss Cambry. You will be given a strict schedule that you have to adhere to. As for now I’ll be showing you to your room. Follow me.”

“Thank you.” I said nervously completely intimidated by this woman with her tight hair and perfect demeanor. This is going to be a long four years indeed. The castle wasn’t that big which I was grateful for, getting lost is not something on my to do list.

“This is your room. We’ll start with your lessons immediately. Your lessons will take place every second of the waking day. I’ll be correcting you as we go, so I’ll constantly be by your side, there will be scheduled time for it to where we will focus on certain aspects. Depending on how well you absorb information will we set a reward and punishment system. The first thing I observe is your manner of walking, a lady doesn’t leap like you do she takes even steps, she isn’t in a hurry, she doesn’t catch up to the world the world waits for her. Next give me your cellphone.” She was walking so fast and I didn’t want to fall behind. I took my phone out of my purse and handed it over.

“You will not be needing your phone. For future reference better you know that you aren’t allowed to have social media accounts and under no circumstances are you allowed to post anything. As for the next four years you are isolated and won’t need to talk to anyone other than the girls living here.” No phone for four year, could she just block all the numbers and delete all social platforms, at least then I can play games. She then moved to my bag opening it up, which I find rude my underwear is in there and I do not wish for her to see that. She then started to take things out my bag, she held it up, inspect it and then threw it on the ground.

“As I expected your clothes are all inappropriate for your future roll. Sundresses won’t cut it. You will be queen in four years and as such you are expected to dress the part. It’s a good thing that I’ve already stocked your closet with appropriate items. As for your shoes just know that you are not allowed to wear flats again. Your outfits will be chosen for you by your chambermaid and laid out every day. You should know that at times you will have to change a couple times a day. Certain outfits are meant for certain events. Groomers will be here every second day to groom you to perfection. As a rule you are not allowed to see your beauticians less than 3 times a week.” What? So I’d have to go to a beauty salon or have them come to me at least three times a week, that is rather ridiculous. Everything she is saying seems ridiculous.

“Straighten up, you can’t slouch like that shoulders back hands folded in front of you and smile. As a rule you should always act to find any conversation interesting.” I stood up straight and did as she said.

“Let’s pick out an outfit for dinner. You can take a bath and get ready once you are done then I’ll give you a tour after which you’ll have dinner. From tomorrow I expect you to plan out the menu for the day. Each eating occasion will be formal make your choices according to that.” What? I’m so out of my depths here. Now I also don’t have my phone to research any of this.

“What to you think about this dress, with this coat?” She held up a beige midi dress with a satin corset. It looked way to fancy for me and a lot older than I would prefer. The coat was a warmer brown with fur lining at the sleeves and collar.

“That seems fine, thank you.” I smiled at her.

“No you are wrong. You are not allowed to wear fur under any circumstances.” She then threw the coat on the ground as well. She pulled out a similar one just without fur and some beige high pumps. She asked me just to trick me. I honestly feel lost and very out of my element.

“I will lay this out for you, you can go and take a bath. I will be waiting in your rooms lounge area. Do not take to long.”I nodded which made her clear her throat.

“I understand, thank you.” I told her before rushing into the bathroom. I heard her say ‘no’ from the other room. I shouldn’t have ran.

“Sorry!” I yelled out to her.

“A lady does not shout from one room to another!” I can’t do anything right. Four years of constant correction is going to drive me insane. I took a shower and dried up. While in the bathroom a blew my hair dry because I knew that if I walked out of here with wet hair I’ll never hear the end of it. I put some moisturizer on and then left to get dressed. When I was sure I was done I walked into the adjoining lounge area.

“No.” I failed again.

“Your face is bare, you always need to be presentable that means hair, make-up and nails done.”

“But you told me to hurry up.”

“A lady doesn’t complain, I meant for you to not take hours.” How am I going to remember all of this. She then took me on a tour, the place wasn’t that big. It had a drawing room, a library, a dining hall, a kitchen, servant quarters and a music room.

“Dinner will be served in half an hour. Punctuality is key. You can walk around, but make sure that you are back at least 5 minutes before it is served. The servants will be eating with you to give you the feeling of what it be like to have company during dinner.”

One week later

I’m physically and emotionally exhausted every second of my day is planned out. I have to wake up at 6am to take a bath, by the time I’m done the room is clean and an outfit is laid out for me. By 8am I’m ready for the day. I get myself ready or my team does depending on the day. 8:15 is breakfast. Eating has been weird. One of the rules are that when I’m done eating everyone has to stop it doesn’t matter if they are done or not. Which taught me to eat slowly and consider the people around me. Also every time I get up everyone gets up it’s creepy. I also have to excuse myself with no extra information. I can’t say excuse me I need to go to the bathroom, I just need to say excuse me and leave. Another thing is I’m not allowed to ask for things, I need to demand it I’m the lady of the house so if I want to do something I need to say it. Like ‘I’m going to the library instead of may I go to the library’ because they are my servant not my keepers. My school classes begin at 9am in the library and continue until 12pm. Then I have etiquette lessons until 15pm. From 15pm I’m off until 17pm which is when dinner is served. In that two hours to myself I get to change and fix myself for dinner. I need to be in bed by 9pm. Unless if we have other arrangements like party simulations. I got my first letter from Marcus. I’m so eager to read it, but I need to wait until after dinner.

My dear Calla

I find myself constantly thinking about you and missing you. I feel like this four years will be to long for me at this point. I keep replaying our last kiss in my head, wishing I made it last longer. The thought of not being able to kiss you for four years pains me immensely. Our engagement has been announced and I’ve been receiving so many gifts and congratulations. Everyone wants to meet you and know how you look. We have forbidden your mother of talking to the press or providing them with photos of you. I’m not ready to share you with the world. Any guy that sees you will be keen on taking you from me and that is one blow I would not be able to bare. I hope your training is going well. Mine seems utterly boring and a waist of time. I find myself trying to hold in my laugh at how ridiculous some of these rules are. My father seems to be at ends with me, he claims I’m not taking this seriously. In truth I guess that I’m not, I’m trying to, but it seems so unrealistic to me. I’m sure you are going through the same thing. I heard you got Madam Chari. She is pretty uptight so I fear your lessons will be far more intense than mine. My father is having me catch up on all the close families and their backgrounds. It’s like diving into a family tree you aren’t sure you want to know about. On a more positive side My best friend Bricriu, you say it as Bree-croo moved in with us. He is going to be trained to be a royal bodyguard that way we can be friends and colleague. He is very excited to meet you as well. His father got tired of him and his nonchalant behavior so when he heard that I was getting myself together he send him to my father not knowing that it was a girl that turned me around instead of my father. I didn’t even want to go to that event and now I’m glad that I went and that I met you. All of this just feels so right like somehow it was all meant to happen. Fate has given me you and I do not intend to screw this up. You are my destiny. I’m ending this here before I get more corny.

Yours truly Marcus