The Beginning of Spring {Part 1}

It had taken close to a week for the reports to return of the magnitude of the boarder breech. When they did arrive, it was during dinner the night before the Spring Seasons beginning. There was no doubt that troops from Dreterra were amassing in Karthia, in a quantity that was alarming to say the least. It appeared that even more had arrived since the first wave came the week prior. Although they had yet to get into any sort of skirmish, the threat was growing. Furthermore, Anastasia was informed that Duke Algear had arrived late last night with his party, just in time for the first day of the Spring Season. With him, he brought the Crown Prince of Dreterra.

Anastasia sighed. Although she had her doubts that Duke Algear would be ready in time to join this morning festivities, she had little doubt that he would be prepared this evening to make his first strike. She would have to be on guard at all times, lest they catch her unaware at any moment.

In the meantime, the first event of the day was a The Royal Greeting of those who had traveled to the court for the Spring Season. Directly following the greeting, she would get her first introduction to those who the high ranking royals were petitioning for her hand in marriage.

Considering that this might be the first time she meet her future husband, she took extra care in her dress. Although the fact that her future husband was marrying a queen should be enough, she could not neglect her looks simply for her title. Besides, she had been waiting for an occasion to wear her pale pink gown, that was embroidered with flowers all over.

The pale pinkish crème bodice was fitted and rather plain compared to the rest of the gown. However, the collar that gathered and swooped across her chest, revealing no more than her collar bone, gave it a subtle beauty. The bodice gave way to light and billowing sleeves that were loose around her arms and ended at a tightened bow at her wrist.

However, no matter how beautiful or intricate the top of the dress was, it could not compare to the layers of skirt that surrounded Anastasia. The pale pinkish crème of the dress gave way to a hem drenched in beading that made the dress look as if it were growing a crystal and gold garden of lavender, rose, and daisy. The flowers sprung from the hem of her skirt and each cuff of her sleeve, while small diamonds floated to imitate pollen floated above the flowers.

Shoes in a shade of rich crème graced her feet, but could not be seen from the full skirt around her. A plain necklace with a single gemstone hung on a gold chain around her neck, while studded earrings of a similar stone shimmered on her ears. Her signet ring was placed on her right hand's ring finger, while several smaller more plain gold rings graced her other finger.

While her dressings maids finished tying the huge bow that tied in the back, or finished lacing the shoes, the maids in charge of makeup got to work. Her complexion was almost always perfection, must to the chagrin of her sisters. Because of this, only a light dusting of powder was need to to cover any unnoticeable blemishes. A light peachy blush was applied to her cheeks, while splashes of light pink were applied just over her eyelids, and gold was sprinkled above that to add a shimmer. Her eyelashes were then brushed with a dark liquid to enhance their length. All that was left was for her lips to be painted the warmest soft red.

Then they moved to her freshly washed auburn hair that shined gold and red if any light drew near it. First they took great care to brush out any and each tangle that might be found. They then proceeded to pile the majority of her hair at the nape of her neck, pinning it in a delicate array. They then curled whatever stray wisps refused to conform, including the hairs that framed her face. Taking extra care to get them to lay just right, the maid took several minuets to make sure no hair was left uncurled.

They then finished the look with an ornate crown of real flowers of the same variety that surrounded the hem of her dress. In addition, they pinned similar flowers to the shoulder of her dress. It was a tradition to wear real flowers throughout the spring season, but especially on the first day. With that, the look was complete.

She let out a sigh as she looked at herself. She looked like a queen, but a small part of her doubted her worth. Here she was in a gown that could feed an entire village, while the poorest of her people starved. Never mind that now, she would repurpose everything of value in the gown and give it back to her people, she just needed to get married first. Then her husbands money would become hers, and she would be able to properly serve her people, without any debt.

But there laid another fear. Would her husband be able to save her from the troubled that filled her days and to-do lists. She didn't want to be saved by a marriage, but it was quickly looking like her only option. However, there was no quartet that she would be presented with plausible suitors who could help any how.

Even if she was, would such a marriage force her to become something or someone she did not want to be. Would she become just like queens of the past, someone who was a jewel within the kings crown with no power save for the fashion of the season. So many ifs, what's and unknown lay before Anastasia. She would blame that on the fact she could not escape to her garden this morning due to the continued rains of spring.

However, she was thankful for the rain. It was a sign that everything had its season, and this all would pass as it had done before.