Eleanor Sophia Rennae Josephine Kunsaker, princess of Mujuca, sat on her bed amongst the heap of pillows, each one softer than the next. She was reading a book on the history of her kingdom, and was supposed to be reading it at her desk, but her bed was just too soft. She snuggled in closer to her pillows and pulled her blanket tighter around her. She looked over and saw her fire dying down. She reached above her bed and pulled the string that would signal her maid to come to her room.

A few minutes later a maid came into her room. "Yes your grace?" she asked.

Eleanor smiled warmly at her. "My fire is dying down. Could you rekindle it a bit?"

"Of course, your grace," the maid replied. "You have to stay warm, it really has been a harsh winter."

"Yes, it has," Eleanor agreed. The maid went over and added logs, moving them around until there was a roaring fire in place of the ashes. "Thank you very much," Eleanor said when the maid was done.

"Of course your grace," the maid replied. She started to walk out the door into the grand hallway, but then turned around. "Oh, I nearly forgot. Your father wanted me to tell you that dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. He said you have guests over, so he wants you to look your best. I can help you get ready, if you would like."

"Yes, I would like that very much," Eleanor said.

"Shall we go pick out a dinner gown your grace?" the maid asked.

"Yes, we shall," Eleanor replied. They went into her closet and searched through her many gowns until they found a dark blue one with silver and gold lace on the bottom, with a silver star pattern on the skirt. It reminded Eleanor of the night sky, something she stared at often.

"This one will compliment your eyes very nicely," the maid said, and she started to get her ready. It was true. Eleanor had the darkest blue eyes of anyone she had ever seen. Along with that she had long, golden curls, a pale complexion, and perfectly rosy cheeks. Many princes had come from many different kingdoms asking for her hand in marriage, and she wasn't even eighteen! She was flattered, but politely declined them all. Of course she knew her father would want her to marry one of them, but she found them all... boring. She liked excitement, and all they wanted her to do was sit around and act like a queen should. Of course if that was what her father wanted from her, she would do it. But life would be bland. She was still hoping that she would find someone who was kind, respected her judgment, and treated her equally. But she wasn't sure if she would ever- "...your grace?" Eleanor shook her head and realized that the maid had been trying to get her attention.

"Oh, yes?" Eleanor said.

"It is time to go down. Your guests have arrived."

"Thank you," Eleanor replied. She walked out and into the hallway and descended down the grand stairway. She looked at the portrait of her family. It was taken 3 years ago, back when her brother Lucas was still alive. She shuddered as she thought of the terrible event that had changed her life forever.

There are gunshots, and blood is everywhere. The actors onstage who had been singing are now screaming, along with the rest of the audience. Eleanor screams. "Mother! Lucas!" she cries.

"Go, hurry!" her mother replies. Eleanor's father grabs her hand. Lucas is standing in front of his mother, blocking her from the bullets that are being fired at everyone. The shooters are yelling that they represent Liaz and they want to end the rule of the royal family. They ask if anyone wants to join them, and keep firing at the balcony where her family sat. "Lucas, please go with your father. I will follow you," Eleanor's mother pleads.

"I won't leave you mother," Lucas yells. Then the bullet enters his chest and he falls to the floor.

Eleanor opened her eyes and tried to force the image of her brother lying on the ground, his eyes open and staring at the ceiling. She shook her head and kept descending down the stairs. She passed the ballroom, the sitting room, the entertainment room, until she finally got to the dining room. Well, the small dining room. They had a grand one for hosting many guests, but when it was just their family and a few others, they used the less formal one.

Eleanor walked around the corner-and smacked right into the cutest boy she had ever seen.

Hi! I have never written historical fiction, so I hope this story is ok! I love and appreciate feedback, so please tell me what you think!
-Anna