-Gabriella-

I walk through the halls of our golden palace. Well it seems that way for the public but the whole family can see it's tainted in blood.

Being a Princess is not for the faint hearted but you have to seem faint hearted. Or slutty. Either one, but you can't be both or none.

Being a King or a Prince though, you have to seem brave. But truth is most princes are the opposite, they are lazy, arrogant, and narcissistic.

Adrienne and Saybelle are the perfect targets. My childhood was ruined the moment Adrienne came along, bronze skin, brown hair, deep blue eyes and all. I had suspected of the affair for a while. But she was the truth my dad was looking for. He wanted a divorce, my mom convinced him to stay. For me. And Saybelle. He pretended Adrienne was his child, but mom and I knew we were just waiting for him to crack.

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My hands touch the soft fabric of the dress. It glides and gleams as it moves. Twisting, and twirling like a snake. The ball to celebrate my father is tonight. I am wanted to wear a sky blue dress because he always said i looked amazing. This dress is not exactly sky blue, more teal. But it is too late to change it and Scarlett just looks so excited.

"Do you like it Princess Gabriella?" Her smile is evident even as she tries to regain her posture.

"It has seamless execution Scarlett." I twirl for her, the open back of the dress showing my pale skin. I take after my mother, pale with blonde locks. Saybelle looks like a perfect mix of my mother and father, pale skin, but glistening straight black hair. Adrienne's bronze skin may have resembled our Fathers but no one in our family for generations has had that shade of straight brown hair. It was too silky, not thick enough, but still quite thick. All of our family's hair was very thick. My eyes are green, as are Saybelle's, however Adrienne's are a dark blue, almost black, but the farthest away color from black there ever was. She is beautiful but I had never been close to her. She destroyed my picture perfect life in one second, just by being born.

"Has Adrienne or Saybelle found a dress yet?" Scarlet says hopefully.

"I'm sure they have. But maybe next time." I smile hesitantly, Scarlet designing a dress for either of my little sisters would be huge. Tang Icon the magazine, showcases each of our designs for ball and parties. The designers we use become famous in a matter of days. Scarlet is new to the design industry, but her name has been seen in minor magazines, but this is her big break. I always choose designers who are not well known. Everybody needs good fortune sometimes.

Scarlett shrugs and helps me get out of the dress. "It was a pleasure working for you Princess." She bows and scurries away with my dress.

I slip on a knee length raspberry spaghetti strap dress. I twist to the door and collide into Henry.

"Hello Princess, looks like you are going somewhere in a rush." Henry slides his hand around my waist and kisses me.

I smile and lean against him. "Just to the library."

"Let me escort you." Henry leads me down a hallway.

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I scan the shelves. Where is that book? Henry is sitting in a red armchair. His eyebrows scrunched up in concentration. He is reading Advanced Taxes of Wyona Kingdom.

Our kingdom of Wyona may be advanced in some ways but the laws for princesses suck. Princesses can only date Princes and by the way most princes suck. There are tons of ridiculous laws besides that as well. Henry is a prince and he is pretty amazing as far as princes go but he would be devastated if he knew and the kingdom would be as well. Perfect Princess Gabriella, they would not believe it.

Surprisingly it seems to be fine when a man does it though, but a woman. Not to mention a Princess, it's like putting your head on a chopping block.

There it is! I grasp the spine of a book. Dirty Secrets of Wyona's Royal Family, From Affairs to Smuggling, it only has the history of the first 400 years that Wyona was a kingdom but still quite interesting. The title is rather long though.

I walk over in my black heels to an armchair right next to Henry's.

"Quite a heavy read." Henry points to my book. "Are you immersing yourself in Wyona's history?"

"Your talking? Your book is like twice the size of mine. And yours is about Taxes! Taxes! Mine is about the scandals of my ancestors." I point out.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I wasn't implying you are stupid or boring. Just every other Princess I've ever met either doesn't know what a library is, or reads steaming romances." Henry uses his free hand to ruffle his blonde hair.

"I'm sure they know what a library is. But everybody has different interests, mine is history." I recline into the plush of the armchair.

"Fair." Henry settles back in his chair and continues reading.

I smile and open my book.

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Daylia the maid stands behind me adjusting my homey blonde hair. She pulls is up into a bun and lets the rest of it curl and fall down my neck. She pulls at it and makes a complex series of twists and turns. Daylia then adds a few Bobby pins and ties a ribbon the same shade of my dress into the mix. She takes a step back and smiles at her work.

"Is is acceptable Princess Gabriella?" Daylia clasps her hands together nervously.

"It is beautiful!" I gaze at my reflection in the mirror. It looks stunning.

She applies some lipstick and mascara on me, then steps out of the room. I could have done that myself but Mother insists.

Scarlet comes into my dressing room, holding my dress from a hanger.

"Here it is your majesty, all pressed and ready." She bows and takes it off of the hanger. She undoes the clasps and helps me step in. Once I am in, she slides the dress up and clips the clasps close.

"Have fun at the ball Princess." As she goes to leave I call after her.

"Scarlet, excuse me, designers get to go too." I say.

She turns around and looks shocked. "Really!"

"Yes! Go, have fun! Mingle!" I answer.

"Well I can't, I don't have anything to wear." Scarlet looks down at her feet.

"Then wear one of my dresses!" I stand up and go to my closet.

It is a big room full of dresses, shoes, and handbags.
I pull a short fancy sleeveless golden bushy dress. The color will look great with Scarlet's darker complexion. I grab a pair of black heels and head back to Scarlet.

"I think we are the same size shoe. And I'm pretty sure this will fit you, it is a bit small on me." I hand her the clothes.

"Thank you so much Gabriella, I mean Princess Gabriella." Scarlet bows and takes the clothes from my hand.

"No worries, you can call me Gabriella." I smile. "Now I must go put on some heels. See you soon."

"Oh, right, see you soon." She waves and leaves the room.

I put on simple teal heels and head out the door to meet my Mother and sisters.

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I stand next to my mother, she is wearing a long sleeved black gown, to respect my father's death. My sisters however are wearing some of the most seductive dresses I have ever seen.

Saybelle is wearing a dark purple dress with a thigh slit almost to her hips with no straps. Adrienne wears a spaghetti strap top that stops at her belly button then a short tight skirt both a matching white with glitter thrown about.

The heavy curtain in front of us opens and we head down the ballroom grand stairs to the balcony half way down.

The crowd goes wild. I can see the designers standing away from the crowd. Scarlet sitting with Lance Vanciotto (Adrienne and Saybelle's preferred designer) and Mae Rux (my mother's.) I see Adrienne's eyes flicker on Scarlet's dress. I know she recognizes it. She keeps track of all of our clothes. She slides next to me.

"Did you give a designer your only Femogocci?" She whispers.

"Maybe I did maybe I didn't. Just trust I have my reasons." I whisper harshly back.

"Whoa, no need to get aggressive. That's fine. I don't care." Adrienne replies slipping back to her old spot.

I wave to the crowd and blow a kiss at Henry. The crowd cheers extra hard. Henry waves up to me and smiles brightly. I've got to admit the teal suit he chose to match with me makes him look especially dashing.

Suddenly I notice a big curtain folded up against the ceiling. Secured by ropes.

"Mom, what's that, is that a special effect you've planned?" I whisper gesturing to the ceiling.

"I have no idea darling, but just keep smiling and waving to the crowd." Mom waved at the audience.

"This ball is to commemorate my darling husband and your king who sadly passed away last fall. I hope you all have a wonderful time and visit out portrait room we set up outside of the ballroom. Dance, mingle and most importantly enjoy some of the kings favorite snacks. Let this ball begin!" My mother raises her hands to the sides as she says the last part. As soon as she finishes the curtain on the ceiling, drops and unleashes its cargo.

The cargo seems to be white birds at first but quickly I realize they are not birds but in fact pieces of paper. I reach out to grab one, I gasp as I read it. No, no. Please. World, Henry is going to see this, this is going to ruin my life.

Breaking News:

Your princesses are secretive but wouldn't you love to know their deepest darkest hidden truths! We'll go one by one, let's start with the eldest.

Princess Gabriella. She seems to be picture perfect and in love with her perfect boyfriend. Apparently not though. She cheated on him with a lowly soldier!
Sorry not sorry.

The crowd has started to pick up the paper and starts looking at me. Henry starts going for one and I do the only thing I can think of, he will not know my secret yet! I pretend faint and throw myself of the balcony.

I hear faint screams of the Princess is falling and oh my god she is going to die. I think I am screaming and then strong arms wrap around me. Henry. I know, I recognize his smell of pine. Then he drops me. I hit the cold stone ground, then blackness.

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I hope you liked the first chapter! Please read the next one too, and comment why you liked it, and any tips for future chapters.

Bye!
Lemon!