Royal Temptation

Chapter 1: Princess Of Lyra

"Can you breathe, Princess?" Sarah, one of the maids asked me as she pulled the strings of the corset tighter. I exhaled before nodding my head reluctantly. I was holding onto the side of the long mirror that was in front of me. I was already out of breath before the event. I didn't know whether it was the corset that was making it difficult to breathe or whether it was the stress and nervousness that was getting to me. "Princess?" Sarah called again as she tied up the corset. She was checking whether I was good or not. 

"What did I tell you earlier, Sarah?" I asked while shaking my head. It was Sarah's first day in the castle today. I could sense that she was stressed. Working for the Royals doesn't seem to be an easy job. 

"You told me not to call you Princess" Sarah told me while she walked to get my dress. 

"Then why do you keep doing it?" I questioned, my eyes moving from the little blonde girl to my own reflection in the mirror. I had naturally wavy blond hair and my blue eyes were sparkling because of the reflection of the sun. 

"Because I don't want to get into troubles" Sarah whispered while walking back to me. She was so petite that the dress really seemed immense in her hands. 

"You won't" I quickly interjected. "Unless you keep calling me Princess" I joked. A small smile appeared on her face. I didn't have much friends growing up. I would always befriend my maids or people working around in the castle. "Just call me Amara" I smiled in her direction. Being the Princess of the Kingdom of Lyra, was pretty intimidating to others: Especially when they were the only people who were trusted with my identity. For my safety, my father, also known as the King Albert of Lyra, had decided to keep my identity a secret till the day of my twenty first. I am twenty one today and It was also the day of my coronation. I was excited to be introduced to my people. The last time they had technically seen me was when I was a baby. It was the day that I was born. It was also the day my mother died. 

"You seem lost" Sarah said suddenly. I blinked several times and tried to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat. 

"I was thinking" I whispered more to myself. 

"You're nervous?" Sarah asked politely. I cleared my throat then sat down on my bed. My hands touched the soft silky fabric while I thought about her question. I didn't know how I was feeling. A frown unconsciously formed on my face but I quickly shook it off. 

"I'm excited to finally be introduced to the people of Lyra" I admitted. "I just don't want to be a disappointment" I added quickly. I stood up, then walked to my balcony. All I could see from my balcony were the gardens of the castle. I couldn't see past the trees. 

"Have you been out there?" Sarah asked timidly as she stares at me. I could feel her eyes on me. With a grin, I turned around and nodded. 

"A few times" I responded. 

"The king allowed you?" She asked while her eyes widened in surprise. I shrugged before walking back in front of the mirror. 

"Let's just say that there are a few things that are better be left unknown to him" I chuckled. I remembered the few times I have blackmailed my maids to let me leave the castle just for a few hours so that I could see how it was out there. No one ever recognised me. I would dress like the maids and walked on the streets so freely. I didn't have any titles. I wasn't scared of anything. I felt safer out there in the streets than in this immense castle. Sarah helped me put my dress on and then proceeded in tying the laces in the back. 

"You look beautiful" Sarah complimented genuinely. 

"Thank you" I said, feeling my cheeks warming up. A faint knock brought our attention to the close door. No one would ever open the door unless I allow them to. One of the perks of being a princess that was locked in a castle, was that my privacy was given a huge importance. 

"Princess Amara" I heard my governess call from the door. Yes. I still had a governess because according to my father, learning is a never-ending process. 

"Yes, Mrs Brown?" I responded politely. She gently opened and walked in the room. Her grey hair was tied up her head in a tight neat bun. Her glasses were fixed straight on her face. She was wearing a long pencil skirt and a white blouse that had the logo of the Kingdom of Lyra. Her heels were always impeccably clean and shiny. She would always wear a red lips stick and that was all the make up that she needed. Her wrinkles on her round-shaped face, made her seem wiser than she always is. When her eyes settled on me, a smile stretched on her face. I somehow knew that, this was going to be the only form of compliment that I would get from her. I was used to that. 

"Have you worked on your speech, Princess?"  Mrs Brown asked me formally. Her smile was still plastered on her face. Mrs Brown has always kept our relationship formal. She has been here since I was born and never once, she complimented me or showed me any kind of affection. I understood her though. She had to be professional. Teaching and bringing up the Princess of a Kingdom must not be easy work. I was pretty sure that my father was not easy on her either. He always have high expectations over everything. 

"I haven't written any" I admitted. 

There it goes. 

The smile disappeared instantly from her face and worry took place. I felt responsible for all the wrinkles that she has gotten so far. That poor lady. She rose her wrist up. Her eyes skimmed her watch that she has always worn. 

"You have an hour before your coronation, Princess" she said. The disappointment in her voice was flagrant. "I am expecting your speech before that. I will come to see you in thirty minutes" Mrs Brown said, then walked out of the room. I blinked several times, registering what just happened. I never had my say on anything. 

"I can write it down for you, Princess. I mean Amara" Sarah quickly corrected. "Just tell me what you want to say to your people" she quickly ushered before running around to get a paper and a pen. I was going to be Queen soon. In an hour, I was going to be Queen of Lyra because my father was stepping down as King. It was high time that I started deciding for myself. 

"Sarah, calm down" I said calmly. "I am not going to write a speech. I want to speak to the people of Lyra with my heart" I simply said before standing up. Sarah was going to object but she quickly shook her head at her own thoughts. She then smiled in my direction. Her smile was very reassuring. 

"You'll be a great Queen" Sarah whispered. I grinned. 

"Are you saying that just to make me feel better?" I asked. She shrugged then rolled her lips in her mouth. Sarah was getting comfortable around me and I was loving it. 

"That's for me to know and for you to find out" She simply responded before pushing a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. 

"I like you" I admitted. Sarah chuckled before motioning me to sit down in front of the immense vanity. The numerous brands of make up adorned my vanity. It was very ironic, knowing that I never felt the need to wear make up. Sarah started by doing my hair. In a matter of minutes, she did a waterfall braid in my hair. This was the perfect hairstyle for the crown to fit on my head. As I stared at my reflection, I saw my mother. 

The Queen of Lyra. 

This was my future. I was going to have to look after a whole kingdom. My father was always going to be by my side. Reassurance was what I was feeling when I thought about having my father advising me. Sarah started applying the make up on my face. I closed my eyes, appreciating the silence and the soft touch of the make up brush over my face. I wouldn't mind climbing on my bed and have a little nap at the moment. My muscles were still sore from yesterday's practice. 

My father had made sure that I learnt various skills while I grew up in the castles. I have been taught six different languages, singing, dancing, playing four different musical instrument and most importantly, I have been taught how to fight. This was one of the skills that my father has always made sure that I had acquired. I was now one of the best fighters in the castle. Training thrice a week for eighteen years, was tiring but it was worth it. I had the ability to defend myself. I yawned, causing Sarah to quickly move the eyeliner pen away from my eyes. When I pop my eyes open again, I saw the panic on Sarah's face. A laugh escaped my lips. She exhaled slowly. 

"That was a close call" Sarah sighed. 

"I want something really simple" I told her. 

"The last touch is the eyeliner and then you're good to go" Sarah smiled. "Personally, I don't think you need any make up. Your skin is flawless" she complimented. I will never get used to people complimenting me. Some people would randomly throw compliments at me just because of my title. But Sarah sounded very genuine. I could feel my blood rushing to my cheeks. 

"Thank you" I said and closed my eyes again to let her finish her art. Surprisingly enough, this was very relaxing. After a few minutes, she was done and a sigh of satisfaction escaped her lips. I opened my eyes to look at my reflection again and I was very happy with the simple nude make up. There was a very thin line of eyeliner on my eyes. It was barely noticeable but it did accentuate my eyes. I put my long earrings on and my small necklace. I was going to be as simple as I could. The dress was already imposing as such. Mrs Brown would certainly not approve this level of simplicity. 

I was supposed to look like a Queen. 

I quickly shook that idea out of my mind. This was my choice. I felt like a Queen at heart. I was a Queen in all her simplicity. I stood up and turned to look at Sarah. She was staring at me, awe in her eyes. She seemed to be proud of herself. 

"You did an excellent job, Sarah. I love it" I admitted with a warm smile. 

Thirty minutes later, Mrs Brown knocked on the door. This time, without waiting for my answer, she opened the door and walked in. To my surprise, my father walked in after her. My father was wearing his royal blue suit. He was holding his crown in his hand. When his eyes found me in this immense room, they softened. My father's grey hair was gelled perfectly on his head. His beard was grey as well. My father had aged perfectly well. His blue eyes carried kindness and reassurance in them. 

"Amara" he breathed while he walked towards me. 

"Father" I greeted. I could see the tears filling in his eyes but knowing him like the back of my hand, I knew very well that he wouldn't dare shed a tear in front of anyone. 

"i can't believe the day is finally here" My father said and took my hand in his. I tilted my head gently to the left while staring at him. I inhaled deeply before shrugging gently. 

"Finally here" I whispered. 

"How are you feeling, Princess?" My father asked me. 

"Nervous" I admitted. 

"Everyone will love you. And they will be proud to have you as their Queen" My father reassured. "Since the day you were born, you have always shown courage, kindness and strength. The people of Lyra have been longing to see their new Queen" he said and while holding my hand, he directed me to my balcony where we could see the whole yard of the castle. Hundreds of people were walking in. All of them were well dressed. I could feel the warmth filling in my heart. These people have always been so loyal to Lyra. It was my duty as their future queen to ensure their happiness and prosperity. 

"Sorry to disturb you but Princess Amara, have you been able to write your speech?" Mrs Brown asked formally from behind us. Turning around, I noticed Sarah rolling her eyes slightly. I wanted to chuckle but I decided that it was best to remain serious in this situation. I gulped then stared at Mrs Brown seriously. I didn't want her to feel that I was intimidated or doubting my own choice. I took in a deep breath and decided to own my decision. 

"No, Mrs Brown" I simply answered. My father didn't seem bothered by this answer. Mrs Brown opened the file that was in her hands and started flipping around the different pages. 

"I have written a speech for you in case you wouldn't have the time to do it" Mrs Brown said. I blinked several times before shaking my head. 

"If I wanted to write down a speech, i would have written it down, Mrs Brown" I responded politely. "I want to speak to my people without something written down. I want all the words coming from my heart" I explained. 

"That's very wise, Princess" My father agreed, sounding impressed by my idea. Mrs Brown was frowning. She never liked when things wouldn't go according to what has been planned. 

"But My King, we won't be able to predict what the Princess will say and hence we won't be able to predict the reaction of the people" Mrs Brown told my father. 

"I trust my daughter enough to know that this coronation is going to go perfectly well" My father responded with finality. "And Mrs Brown, You have worked for us for twenty one years. We appreciate your hard work. Unfortunately, your job will come to an end as soon as Amara becomes of the Queen of Lyra" My father said. I could hear the compassion in my father's voice. Mrs Brown nodded her head. 

"Yes, My King. It was a honour for me to work for the Royal Family" Mrs Brown said as she gently bowed her head to show her gratitude. When realisation struck me, I shook my head then cleared my throat. I didn't want Mrs Brown to stop working. Despite the fact that she was always formal and at times, pushy, she has always been there for me. She has always made sure that I made the right decision. 

"I don't want her to stop working" I interjected. "Father, as you said before, Life is a never-ending process and Mrs Brown has always been around to teach and support me. Even when I'll be crowned Queen of Lyra, I will still need her to be around" I explained. Rare are those times when Mrs Brown would cast a smile. My father thought about this for a few minutes then nodded in agreement. 

"This is your choice, Princess" My father told me. Then he quickly turned to look at Mrs Brown. "Well, This is your decision as well, Anne. You know that you will always have a place in this castle as far as I am concerned. I will forever be grateful for all the help and hard work that you've put in this family" My father told Mrs Brown who nodded. I could see appreciation glimmering in her eyes. 

"I will have a thought about it, My King" Mrs Brown said before checking her watch. "For the moment, I think we should get going to the ceremony room. We have thirty minutes before the coronation starts. I will have to give the Princess a few briefing on how everything will go" Mrs Brown said professionally. My father gave a curt nod before walking out of the room. He stopped by the door, turned around to look at me and smiled. It was one of the smiles that would lift my soul up. It was that one smile that would show me how proud he was of the person that I have become. 

"In less than an hour, You will be Queen, Amara. I hope you are ready for this title and the responsibility that it carried" My father said. 

"I am more than ready, father" I told him in determination. With one last smile, he walked away, leaving Mrs Brown, Sarah and myself in the room. Sarah was standing in a corner, and her head was bowed. "Sarah" I called. She lifted her head up to look at me. "Don't do that again" I quickly said with pleading eyes. 

"This is called respecting the royals, Princess" Mrs Brown quickly said. 

"Many things are going to change around here, Mrs Brown" I simply said before motioning Sarah to come with me. I didn't want to make anyone feel less just because I was present in a room. I had to make some changes in this castles and it was high time that I start taking my own decision. I didn't want to let anyone decide for me anymore. A Queen has to be sure about her choices. She has to trust her instincts. 

And I intend to be that Queen.