She hath abjured the company and sight of men
Princess Willow of Rosenberg sat upon her jewel studded throne. She sighed as her tiara slipped again, lifting her hand to fix it for the thousandth time. She had been sitting there for hours, with suitor after suitor being presented to her, and her looking disdainfully at them all.
When the day finally ended Willow had not chosen a suitor, leading King Ira and his wife into to a panicked state. With Willow being their only child, she was to inherit the title of Queen after her Father’s death.
“What do we do?” Queen Sheila whispered quietly to her husband after Willow had gone to her bedchamber.
“We must find her a husband, soon. I’ll write to some of the more distant Kingdoms and find someone suitable.”
This did not calm either Ira or Sheila, both experiencing a restless night of worry.
Princess Tara of Maclay was writing in her journal while her older brother, Crown Prince Donald of Maclay was practicing his sword skills indoors, despite their father’s opposition to the act.
“Did you hear that I received a marriage proposal from one of the far Kingdoms?”
“Really? What about Ingrid?”
Donald looked uncomfortable at the mention of Ingrid, his long-time sweetheart and Tara’s maid. He said nothing.
“Have you not told her?”
“Father does not know about Ingrid, nor would he approve of our relationship. I feel I am trapped into marrying this foreign girl.”
Tara thought for a while, and began formulating a plan that could benefit the both of them.
“I propose,” she began, “that I take your place.”
Donald interrupted Tara with a shocked “What?”
“I will ask father if I may go travel, because he cares little about me he is sure to agree. I will ask to take Ingrid with me. Then, when we both leave to go our separate ways you may go with Ingrid and marry her, perhaps you could buy her a title so she seems more respectable. I will go to this foreign Kingdom disguised as you.”
Donald found himself unable to speak. He looked at his sister.
“You will need to cut your hair…” he was cut off by Tara, who hugged him tightly, giddy at the chance of leaving the castle and having an adventure in an unknown land.
Tara sat in a carriage, dressed in her new menswear with her hair suitably shorter. Ingrid had helped her get ready that morning, teaching Tara how to fill her brows, square her jaw and bind her breasts. Tara would miss Ingrid terribly while away, with her maid being her closest friend. In normal circumstances Ingrid would have accompanied her, but for a Prince to have a female serve him in his chambers would cause scandal.
Tara felt terribly anxious as she was directed through the large doors of the Rosenberg Castle. She became aware of how feminine her movements were and how exposed she felt in her new clothing.
“This way Sir.” Gestured one of the two men guarding the throne room.
Tara walked into the room and found herself looking directly at Princess Willow.