Chapter 4

Gabriel, Annalise, and Arya sat in the garden, discussing the next steps to take since their father died. He had been dead for a week already, it couldn't wait any longer. His funeral would be in two days time, and Gabriel's coronation would be the day after. Bridelia couldn't go without a king for too long.

Arya was secretly planning her escape. She would tell her brother, but for now she kept it to herself. She would stay until her brothers coronation, and secretly slip out during the after party. She would head east, towards the ocean, and board a boat to another continent, she didn't care which. Once she was there, she would find a home and then send her brother a letter regarding her safety.

She would pack her things tonight.

"Arya, what do you think?" Annalise said, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Huh?" She hadn't heard a single word her sister-in-law had said. She chuckled.

"We're talking about flowers for the coronation. I was thinking carnations, what do you think?" She said with a smile.

"Oh, I don't know, carnations are beautiful. I think they are a good choice." She replied.

"I was thinking sunflowers" Gabriel said suddenly, looking at his sister. Her face lit up. He knew that sunflowers were her favorite because he used to always give them to her when they were younger. He smiled right back at her.

"I think that's a wonderful idea" she said with a wide smile on her beautiful face.

'She really does look exactly like mother'

He didn't remember much about their mother, only that she was kind and had the most beautiful smile. The same smile that was plastered on his sisters face at that very moment.

"Sister, you should get your portrait done before the funeral" he said suddenly, with a look of loss and desperation in his eyes. He knew she would be leaving soon, but he wanted to be able to see her. To be able to see his mother through her. To see them both every day even though they're gone.

She looked at him in confusion for a second and then she understood. She looked at him apologetically before responding.

"Good idea Gabe, I'll schedule the painter for tomorrow." She said with a sorrowful smile. She didn't want to leave her brother, but she knew he would be fine, and she knew if she stayed she'd have to marry someone she didn't love. So she was going to leave and find her own happiness. The happiness she would never find here. The least she could do was leave him something to remember her by.

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The next day Arya woke up early to get ready for her portrait session. She wanted to make sure she looked her best. She called Marie and Evelyne to come help her, and they rushed in the room.

"How would you like to dress for your portrait miss?" Asked Marie, excited to finally be able to use her full knowledge of fashion to make the princess look her best.

"I don't want to look boring. I want this portrait to stand out. I want to look ethereal. Like a goddess." The princess replied with a determined smile on her face. The maids looked at each other and squealed in delight and got to work.

Marie went to pick out a dress as Evelyne started on her makeup. She dabbed some blush on her cheeks and put some gorgeous red lipstick on her. She began to brush her hair when Marie came back.

The dress she had picked was stunning. It was brand new. Arya had never even seen it before, and she made a point to know what was in her closet. The dress was a creamy off-white color, and it was covered in tiny flowers and vines. It was so intricate, she wondered who had made it, as it must have taken them months to make this dress. She nodded at the maid excitedly and turned to the mirror to see that Evelyne had finished her hair already. Her maids were amazing at getting her ready for events in record time, she was amazed every time. She would have to make sure to tell them goodbye before she left.

The top half of her hair was done in a beautiful, intricate braid with other braids laced throughout it. The rest of her hair flowed freely down her back. It looked incredible.

She stood up to get dressed and Evelyne helped her out of her clothes. Marie was suddenly nowhere to be found but she didn't worry too much, as she would most likely be back soon. Evelyne helped her put on a small petticoat, and then helped her put on the dress. She then helped her put on a matching green corset with cream flower details and tightened the strings in the back.

She was admiring the way the dress hugged her every curve, but was still acceptably modest, when Marie rushed back in with a basket in her hands. She looked at the maid questioningly.

"What's that in the basket?" she asked.

"I had to go get you some accessories to go with your beautiful dress your highness" she replied with a proud smile on her face. Arya smiled back at her. She was so kind to her. She had known Marie and Evelyne for as long as she could remember. Both of their mothers had worked in the castle, Marie's as a seamstress, and Evelyne's as a cook, and they had been best friends when the were younger. They weren't as close as they used to be, but they still all cared for each other deeply.

"Marie, do you know who made this dress?" She asked, genuinely curious as to who had the patience to make such a beautiful dress. Her faced turned red in response. She began wringing her hands as she started to speak,

"I made it myself miss. I was going to give it to you as a birthday present, but I figured this was the perfect time"

Arya's eyes widened in surprise. How did she have time to make this dress in between working at the castle all day?

"It's breathtakingly beautiful Marie, I might just have to get you promoted" she said with a wink and a wide grin. The girl smiled shyly and looked away before starting to put the jewelry she had made on the princess. There was a lot of it. A neck piece of golden vines, along with a matching armband and ring, earrings that went around her entire ear, and the most beautiful piece of all, the crown. A dainty golden crown that looked like vines wrapping around her head, with pearls as the leaves and gorgeous butterflies on top.

"Marie did you make this jewelry too?"

"I did your highness"

Her jaw dropped. She had never seen an outfit as beautiful and intricate as the one on her body right now. She truly looked ethereal. She looked like a real life goddess. The princess turned and gave Marie a tight hug.

"Okay you are definitely getting a promotion" she said, grinning from ear to ear. Marie smiled alongside her

"And don't think I forgot about you Evelyne, I know that you picked up your mothers amazing baking skills" she said, looking back at the stunned maid. Arya waved her over and hugged her as well.

"Princess you must be going, you don't want to be late now don't you?" Said Marie, and with that Arya nodded and left to go meet the painter.