1 The third Princess

Everything was quiet.

Only the lone traveler could be heard through this deafening, lonesome castle. At this midnight hour, only her heels could be heard. The night never bothered her. It was quite the opposite, she loved it!

The cool, refreshing scent of the night lingered everywhere. Tickling her nose and let the corner of her mouth rise and her lips curled beautifully.

Delving deeper in this unique feeling of peace and silence, she closed her eyes. This was her time and all she could ask for. Like always, she let her nose lead the way. Recognizing every bit lingering scent of the day.

She saw the events of last night in her mind.

It was a special night for her eldest Sister and for Eleonora.

'It was really a wonderful wedding.'

She began to hum softly, while entering the palace garden. The princess let this rhythm get the better of her. Her nightgown swayed with her slow movements, and let her dance through the soothing night. The wind caressed her, played the role of her dance partner. The scent of tuberose and roses envelop her like a soft cushion.

Eleonora stopped herself suddenly. Her eyes widened in surprise, and dry saliva stuck in her throat. She swallowed hard to fight this itchy feeling. Biting her lower lip, she couldn't ignore it anymore.

The smell still lingered here in the garden of tuberose and roses, and made her heart skip a beat. Her cheeks reddened as her memories rushed back.

It was a faint scent, but her memories were vivid.

She could still feel his touch on her sensitive skin. How his finger traces the outline of her collarbone. The thought sent shivers down her spine.

His strong arms that draw her near, the scent that made her lose control, the low voice that could be heard even through her risen heartbeat.

She stretches out her hand, caressing the bark of the cherry tree, on which he leaned. Her head resting on this sturdy tree, she wished time would stop. Eleonora wished her soul would be so at peace like that night. Even if the thought of her lustful body tinted her cheeks in an embarrassed pink. Sending a lively color to the usual white skin.

"Hah... what have I done..."

She didn't even know his name.

Blinking with her long eyelashes, she met the night sky with her hazelnut colored eyes. After a moment of silence, her lips parted again and spoke what was twirling in her mind. Convincing herself in the process.

"No... I shouldn't think about him... I don't even know if I ever see him again."

He wasn't there before. Not in this Palace nor in her life. It was her first time noticing him at the wedding. But that was why their action was so surprising, to him and her alike.

She had still this taste in her mouth. This unique taste... Shuddering, she walked hasty to the castle, to her chamber.

Denying her own thoughts and fleeing from this feeling.

The door closed behind her, and she shook her head in bewilderment. Disheveling her black curly mane more and more. Trying to forget everything she felt.

But this was easier said than done.

**********

After some days, she could finally rest her mind. Hiding this memory in a far away corner of her mind.

"Father want's to see me?"

She asked her lady-in-waiting tending to her. Setting her teacup aside with quiet click.

The lady bowed and confirmed her message.

"His highness the emperor wishes to have lunch with the third princess"

Eleonora was silent, her eyes sinking to the beautifully curved teacup. It wasn't a hard request, but it wasn't normal. Not in the way normal families converse with each other.

All the time her father, the emperor of Darwian, tolerated her but never got out of his way to strike a conversation. Seldom seeking her out of his own accord.

"So be it, I need to get dressed for this rare occasion."

Standing up from her seat, she instructed her ladys-in-waiting. It wasn't right to let the sun of Darwian wait. Even the princess has to heed his command.

Like always, she made her way to the dressing table. Sitting before this own piece of art, she closed her eyes, and let the magic rush over her. After all these years, the lady's knew what they have to do to tame her voluminous, silky, black hair.

This hair, her white porcelain skin and her bloodred lips, are the reason for her cruel pet name.

'Snow White or the fake Snow White'

Some might say it is wonderful to be named after a fairy-tail princess, but it wasn't that sweet to her. She was never like her name giver. The real princess never had a high clear voice, delicate features, an innocent mind and never was always well-behaved.

"You look beautiful, princess Eleonora, his highness will be delighted to see you!"

The lady clapped her hands in excitement, seeing her princess in a wonderful red velvet dress. Contouring her womanly body, and accentuate her thin waist, betraying every hope of en delicate lady's body from the beginning. Her hair was braided in an updo with loose curls flowing out like water. The rubies and jewelry made her look like a fine carved treasure chest, from ebony and ivory.

Swallowing a sarcastic comment over the heavy decoration adorning her, she took her leave.

The same corridors in broad daylight were the hell for her. At night the refreshing feeling soothed her, and the lingering scents telling her a bedtime story with lulling voices. But at day it was a war, every corner screamed at her and fighting for her attention. Adding more and more to her nausea.

She closed her eyes and laid the back of her Hand over her lips. Fighting the dizziness that nearly overwhelmed her. Taking her time to acclimate.

After a short while, she gathered herself and continued her long walk.

Out of the star palace, where she resides, to the sun palace. The main residence for the emperor and his empress.

With her head held high, she walked toward her destination. Always careful not to make a mistake. She can't let any mistake happen, because everyone was watching her. That wouldn't be only a disgrace to her. It would tarnish the reputation of her Empire. Even a small blunder could be exaggerated to a national gossip. Adding more to the list that weights her down.

Arriving in the dining room of the main palace, she did a curtsy.

"The princess greets the sun of the empire."

"You're late. Take a seat."

For a moment she hesitated, feeling his eyes wander over her whole body, but after that went to her chair.

The table was overloaded with food, and nothing would be missing if she desired more. But nothing appealed to her. Alone in this room with her father and this heavy air, her appetite hit rock bottom. All she could do was trying to swallow some small bites, hoping that would be enough to appease him.

After an hour in silence that felt like a Year, her father raised his voice.

"Eleonora, I have decided to organize a marriage for you. You need to learn the language and mannerism of Bellevare. Lord Estian will come in a month and decide if you're worthy to become his second wife."

He took his goblet and moistened his lips with the wine.

"I don't have to explain why, I suppose. Don't disappoint me, I have great hopes in this alliance."

It was clear to the eyes what her father wanted. Bellevare was a rich Kingdom on the eastern continent. With remarkable craftsmanship and endless natural resources.

So her own hopes weren't high as she tried to change his mind.

"Father... why do I have to marry someone I Don't know and love? I mean eldest Sister-"

But she couldn't even finish her sentence.

The goblet hit the Table with a loud noise, spilling wine over the whole tablecloth. Adding more to this nauseating stench.

Her Father's huffed, cursed at her in the meantime. Not new to her, she closed her eyes.

Everyone already knew that she wasn't loved, she, herself, could even understand why. Like in the fairy-tail, her mother died giving birth to her. After this ordeal of losing his wife, the features of the newborn where abnormal for the Royal family. No gold colored locks nor emerald eyes. Infidelity was in no time the gossip spreading around the nobles. Something she was confronted with since childhood.

But all this wasn't heard at this very Moment by the princess. Her eyes opened wide in surprise, as a unique odor tickled her nose. This scent that was so hard to describe if she had to. With a racing heartbeat, she turns to the door.