(((((MY DEAREST AND ONLY HUSBAND has lovingly been pestering me day in and day out to update this. So fine. I am.)))))

(Julianna)
I gazed around the older men who called themselves my suitors, ignoring the stone in my stomach that got bigger with each passing second until its presence became nearly unbearable. I did not want to marry any of these old men, but I had to. No way in hell was I going to let my selfishness destroy what my parents worked so hard to build.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke to the men one in all as I said, "Please excuse me for a few moments, I seem to have the urge to do a bit of business before this meet continues. In the middle of the night. Right before I was headed to bed." Before any of the men could reject, I turned on my heels and walked back to my room in silence.

Once in the confines of my room, I closed the door and let out a deep sigh. I was in an emotional battle between what I wanted to do and what I knew was right. Hence there the major problem with being Queen of Telania.

A knock sounded on the door, followed by a sing-song masculine voice that called out, "My Queen, are you in there?"

"Charles?" I replied, unintentional hope filling my voice.

"Um, no ma'am," replied the voice, "my name is Prince Argo Amidei, I'm the representing suitor for the Godia Empire, since my father is too sickly to attend." I cracked upen the door, staring over the shimmering black curls on his head, each curl ending in an erect line with the bottom of his ears.

His green eyes pierced into my dull brown, causing me to let out a gasp of shock. He smiled down at me gently, saying, "Does my appearance shock you, ma'dam? I apologize, I was not given a long-enough time to prepare for this meeting."

I gulped and shook my head, smiling back with flushed cheeks as I said, "N-no, don't worry at all, Prince Argo! You look fine!"

"That's good to hear," he chuckles, small dimples forming on his cheeks. Something inside me melts.

Before I get the chance to lose my sanity over this man, I cleared my throat and said, "If you'd give me a few more minutes, please, I just need to change from my night gown." Argo nods respectfully, turning away and walking down the hall. I closed the door again, walking over to my closet doors and swinging them open.

As I reach for a dress, another knock sounds off at the door. It opens a second later, Nurse Mirabelle striding in. "Do you need any help, my Queen?" I nod and smile, gesturing to the dresses.

She giggles a bit, walking over and looking in. "I believe you'd want something bold, ma'am, something that says 'I am Queen, you don't want to mess with me'! Am I right, my Queen?" I laugh softly and nod, watching as she scans through the outfits in my closet. "How's this one?" she asked, pulling a dress from the rack.

I stared at the dress in awe, whispering, "I didn't even know I owned that dress!" Nurse Mirabelle winked at me, leaning in and whispering in my ear, "You didn't."

"Pardon?"

"It was my mother's," she chuckled, smiling at me. "She made it with her bare hands. But being part of the lower classes, she was not allowed to wear it in public. And neither was I!"

Mirabelle held the dress out to my, and seeing the uncertainty in my eyes explained gently, "Sweetie I've raised you since I could remember, you're like a daughter to me. My mother made it for herself when she was about your age, and she was your size. You can have the dress dear, I've gotten too big for it years ago."

I feel my face blush a bit, smiling in gratitude as I take the dress from her. "Thank you," I whisper gratefully, watching as she nods and leaves the room for me to get changed.