CHAPTER 1
Long ago when knights and chivalry still existed, in a place called Fool's Hope, there lived a beautiful princess by the name of Celeste Luna Casteo. She had bright green eyes and honey golden hair that fell to her waist. Her parents were Marco and Jasmine Casteo, the King and Queen of Fool's Hope. The land was in turmoil as it took an onslaught of war effort from the land across the sea, a place called The Island of Despair. It mattered not to Celeste for she had lived a life of torment since she could remember. Fool's Hope had never truly been known as a safe haven. Her parents had tried to shield her from the truth. Despite their efforts to keep it from her, she knew who and what she was. Little did she or her parents know, their lives as they knew it were about to become more of a mystery then they could ever imagine.
As Celeste's 21st birthday drew closer the entire kingdom was alive with activity as its occupants began to ready themselves for the celebration. Jasmine entered her daughter's rooms as the last handmaiden finished placing the last diamond in her daughter's wheat colored hair. "You look amazing my Little Princess." Celeste smiled at her. "Thank you, Mamma. It's just hard to think that in a few months I will be a married woman with a kingdom of my own to run." Just at that moment a handmaiden entered the room. "Pardon me, your Highness'. The King has asked that you grace him with your presence in the throne room." Jasmine nodded. "Thank you, Eudora. Please inform him we will be there momentarily." They stood linking arms and began to head to the throne room. Just then Jasmine stopped in the hallway. "Oh, Drat! I'd forgotten I need to go down to the kitchen and see Amira." Amira was the cook to the royal family and had been for as long as Celeste could remember. The old Brazilian woman was stubborn as an old mule but Celeste loved her like she was family. Celeste kissed her mother's cheek before taking a small step back. "Okay Mamma. I will go and pacify Poppa until you can make an appearance." With that she turned and headed towards the throne room.
Upon entering the room she could see that the castle staff had already been through. There were beautiful flower arrangements of black and white roses from one end of the throne room to the other, and across her throne laid a beautiful cloak made of gold satin with red undertones. She crossed the room to it and ran her small porcelain-colored hand along the fabric. Just then she heard her father's familiar voice. "I hope you like it Little One. it was brought here especially for you from that little dress shop in town.." He paused a moment as if trying to recall the name of the shop. "Lady Cora's?" Celeste chimed in. Her father smiled at her. "Yes, my child. You are as quick witted as an adviser to my court yet as gentle as a rabbit. These virtues will do you well as Queen." At this she hesitated. Fighting with herself she couldn't hold back any longer. "Poppa, please don't make me marry him. I don't love him. I want to marry for love like Mamma and you." Just then Jasmine entered the throne room and walked over placing a hand on her husband's shoulder. Marco took Celeste's hand in his. "My Princess, I know you want to marry for love but sometimes as royals we have to do things we don't want to do in order to assure that our kingdom thrives."
Celeste looked at her father in disbelief. "You promised you'd never force me to do anything I didn't want to." She jerked her hand away from him and ran from the throne room. She didn't stop until she reached her chambers. Upon entering, she slammed the doors shut and crumpled upon her large four poster bed.
What seemed like hours went by until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes to find Amira standing there with a tray filled with something that smelled delicious. "Your Highness I didn't see you at dinner so I brought you something to eat." Then she crouched lower to Celeste's ear as if someone might be listening and whispered, "If you truly do not want to marry Prince Christian of The Island of Despair, I can help."
Celeste sat up in bed and took the tray from Amira. She began to chew thoughtfully on a piece of venison. "Amira, you must go. We will talk more about this when the time is right."
As the golden sun rose over Fool's Hope, the princess' birthday celebration jumped into full swing. She was woken by three very excited and talkative maids in waiting. "Come Princess. We must get you ready for your birthday ball." She followed them to her dressing table and listened to them gossip about a new guard her father had just hired into the ranks. From what she could gather he was this muscular man who stood 6'3" in stature named Fenrir. She smiled as they wound her hair into intricate braids and knots. Then she stood allowing them to help her into a beautifully crafted golden dress with red embroidery at the waist and bust. Sitting once more the maids in waiting would adorn her hair with beautiful rubies and butterflies fashioned from the most slender of golden strands. Just then her mother entered the room and smiled. "You look like a portrait, my dear Celeste. I have something for you." She held a golden oval shaped locket out to Celeste. On the outside it said "Ad Tua Propia Sit Verum". Seeing the look of confusion on Celeste's face her mother smiled. "It means 'To Thine Own Self Be True'. Something I believe you do well enough already though it never hurts to be reminded." She stepped around her daughter holding the slim gold chain out, allowing Celeste to stand in front of her while she clasped it about her slender neck. She turned to her mother after she had finished and kissed her mother's cheek. "Thank you, Mother. It is beautiful."
As Jasmine left her chambers Celeste looked in the mirror once more before sighing with a smile. Turning to the door she left her chambers and headed for the party which had already begun in her absence. As she ascended the stairs horns blared loudly announcing her arrival and then a deep baritone voice to her left announced her by name. She entered the room, spoke and nodded to a few faces she recognized before moving to the refreshment table, taking a drink from one of the stewards. Sipping the drink she smiled as she looked around the room. All of a sudden one of the guards her father had placed all around the perimeter of the party tackled her to the ground and then, leaving her there, grabbed a gentleman dressed in black from head to toe, fighting with the man. After successfully restraining the would be attacker, he stood up and straightened himself out as a few other guards took the man to the dungeons below. Quickly turning to her, the guard knelt beside her and helped her to her feet. "Are you okay your highness?" Standing on her own very unsteady legs "Was that man trying to kill me?" The guard still holding on to her looked down at her. "I am afraid so, your Highness." Very soon afterwards Marco and Jasmine approached them. Marco looked at the guard with confusion and anger in his eyes. "What in God's name is the meaning of this, Fenrir?"