Several months before the first chapter.
This is 1st POV of Jessica Warton on her 15th birthday. This is January of the same year the main story begins.
Setting: Warton main residence.
Allowance for Knighthood
My fifteenth birthday. There's comfort in the day I turn fifteen. I can finally join the knights. Next month, I'll get the chance to join Callie in the entrance exam. It will be the best day of my life.
"You look beautiful. A true lady." Mother offers such sweet words. I really don't care how I look in my party dress. I'm really looking forward to dressing for the knight's exam. Wearing their uniform for decades. Making my way up to the first position in the knights. "Fifteen is such an important age."
"It is. I'll be able to become a knight." It calms me to have the chance. I'm a Warton. I want to always be a Warton. I'm proud of my family.
My father takes my hand to twirl me. "In June, you'll join."
"June?" I refuse his desired twirl. "February...? Why not next month?"
"You should join with the crown prince." My father... What does he meant by that...? "It would be important if you fully accept the future where you are at his side."
"As his knight." I state nodding.
My father's focus on me is not positive nor negative. I am allowed to pick knighthood. That was always the option. "As his queen."
"I don't even know this person!" I step away from my parents. They hold hands offering such a small smile. I'm being forced into this. But they can't force me into this. "Am I being given the option to be a knight? If I pick knighthood it was I didn't have to marry."
"If the crown prince picks you, you cannot refuse."
"Why would he pick me?! I'm going to be his knight not his wife." I storm off. On the second floor, I stare out the balcony doors. It's too cold in January to even step foot on the balcony without proper winterwear. Which this dress is not. My birthday ball is downstairs. People should be about. Callie... Would be there... How do I tell her?
No. I need to...
I sink. I want to cry.
"Jessica?" Callie glances around before coming to my side. Her dress fits her so well. I accept the offered hug. "It's your birthday. Why are you crying here?"
"My parents are trying to make me marry the crown prince." I whisper the words between tears. Callie squeezes me. "How do I get them to stop?"
Callie holds me as I cry. Once my tears subside, she steps back to review me. "For one, I think we need to redo your make up. I'll even fix up your hair."
"You?" I laugh.
Callie pulls me through the various rooms. She forces me to sit in a chair before my vanity. "Let's see."
"This is where you are, Lady..." Rachel inhales sharply upon seeing my face. "What happened? This will not do." She moves in fixing me up nicely. She's done it before. Callie wouldn't really be skilled enough to help. She was only offering comfort. "Was it a boy?"
"No."
"Leave boys alone. Until you are a proper woman and they are a proper man, all relationships should be deemed impossible."
I laugh. "Thanks, Rachel." She's been almost a nanny for me. She was my support since forever. My parents have a lot of work before them.
"So, as much as we say you can cry on your birthday, it would be better if you had grand smiles for your friends and populace."
I whimper over the word populace. What my parents are...? "Do you know the crown prince?"
"Not at all. You've seen him more than I have." Rachel never leaves the Warton house. At least I've been to the main castle even if I can't recall ever meeting the crown prince. I've met the king and queen. That was important.
They must have thought I'd be a good choice for their son. It has me sigh. If the prince finds interest in me... I would have a hard time refusing. Knighthood would save me. I doubt anything else could.
"I haven't met him either." Callie crosses her arms. She watches me in the mirror. "Hellsgate is below Warton in considerations though. Think it's just you're the right age group for the crown? If he doesn't pick, they'll aim to place you with him. I'd be happy if he doesn't show any interest in me. Much prefer the idea of being a knight long term."
"His birthday is in March."
"He turns fifteen like us." Callie shrugs. "You know many of the nobles aim for children the moment the crown prince announces a marriage date."
That's why I exist. Why Callie is only a few weeks older than me. Why there are several royals right in our age range when most are further distant. So there would be other nobles to become friends with the crown. But we're not friends. Then were they trying to create a child to become queen?
Was I only wanted for that reason? I have two older siblings. My parents do nothing to increase those chances. They are only a couple before the public. Close friends without romance.
That's... What they'd expect if things fall to me.
"Jessica?" Callie takes up my hand to squeeze. "You look beautiful again."
I stand up looking at myself in the mirror. Rachel fixed me. "I need to focus on becoming a knight so good that the prince would rather I stay in the knights instead of crowned."
"If it's you, I can believe that's possible." Callie tugs me to the door. "Let's go celebrate. No more moping. No more fearing possibilities. Let's celebrate the fact you are now old enough to become a knight."
"Thanks, Callie." I catch up with her and link arms. We walk together downstairs. Friends really make everything better. "If the prince finds interest in you, what will you do?"
"Don't push him on me. I'm looking to be a knight, too. Let's weigh the other noble girls. Find someone for Thomas to fall for."
I lean on her. Callie is the support I need. We'll be knights together soon.