"Lady Alienor." A voice behind my door interrupted my writings. I inhaled deeply and set my quill down on the parchment that I had been writing on, splattering drops of ink all over my work. I exhaled in exasperation and stood from my desk, pushing in my chair as I made my way towards the door.

The wooden floors creaked softly as I walked to the doors of my chambers. I opened the door and quietly peeled out into the hallway. It was Elder Brisin. "Elder Brisin." I started, respectfully bowing my head to her and averted my eyes. "Please, come in." I made room for her to enter.

Elder Brisin was a very short, stern woman with a long nose and paper thin lips. She was wrinkled head to toe and had a nose comparable to a beak. Her hair was tied back into a tight bun, exposing her comically large ears. "Lady Alienor, we must speak." She hobbled across the floor on her short stubby legs. "Are you well?"

"Absolutely." I responded quietly, again looking away, "what brings you to my chambers tonight?"

"Your father sends me with news." She cleared her throat and handed me a letter.

I fumbled with the letter quietly, turning it over to reveal my father's seal. A cursive M for house Macchius. "News of what if I may?" I asked, opening the seal.

"Prince Vivian Keene Belridge of Highmayne asks your hand in marriage."

"Highmayne?" I struggled to piece my thoughts together, "Is this a joke?"

"Lady Alienor, you know me very well. I never jest."

"I don't understand." I quickly unfolded the note. It was just as I was told. The prince of Highmayne had asked my hand after all.