The Kingdom of Azov, 1800’s

“Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

“Says the adopted child.” Chuckling, taking up my brush, I threw it at him. Yelping in pain, he looked at me angrily before he burst out laughing.

“Brother, at what point are you going to stop with that nasty joke?” I knew it wasn’t a partial lie but I hated when he says it to me. We both know he means no harm but it is impossible to not feel like an outcast or that I’m not apart of the family. My mom a maiden, had me with her first husband, who passed away shortly after my birth. The story of how her and the king met always amazes me and I had hope to find that love one day when I was growing up. She was walking along the road one night, when a sudden downpour occurred. With me in her arms, she try to seek shelter but unfortunately she was far away from town and no cottages was nearby. Luckily she could hear the sound of horses and before she knew it, a carriage pulled up beside her with the king inside. Inviting her in for shelter, it was love at first sight she stated. He was mesmerized by her beauty and she was taken a back of how handsome he was. Bringing her to the castle, he immediately had the maids dried us both off before running her a bath. They took me from her and proceeded to wrap me in blankets.

He invited her for dinner where it was awkward at first but being one who was full of jokes, in no time he had her laughing. He had instructed the maids to put me to bed and keep a watchful eye over me. My mom and the king spent the remainder of the night talking and dancing and everyday after that he would invite us both to the castle where they would get to know more about each other. He proposed to her after months of courting and of course a lot of the people of the Kingdom were against this but he didn’t care. He loved my mom and my mom loved him and that was all that mattered. After a two years of being together, she gave him a son, my half brother whom I loved very much. We grew to be best friends and he always defended me whenever anyone tried or said anything bad about me.

“Look sister, I know you hate when I say things of such nature, but I don’t mean it. You are my best friend, my world and I would do everything in my power to protect you just like I did when we were kids.” Taking my hand, he guided me through the walls of the castle before steering us into the ballroom.

I was stuck by awe the minute I stepped through those doors. Growing up, it didn’t matter how many balls I attended within the four walls of this castle, the décor never ceases to amaze me. When I had gotten older and started helping with the preparations of the balls, I was still in disbelief that I had created and planned something so beautiful. Being a princess, helping to plan balls was something I did regularly not to mention helping my brother where necessary.

“Well sister, I think it’s time for me to take my leave and can I just say the place looks amazing. Please do mingle and chat with the town folks and other royals that are present and brag about how you made this place look wonderful .” Rolling me eyes, I smiled before shaking my head and unwinding my arm from around his. Walking aimlessly through the crowd, I could hear snippets and tidbits of gossip as the ladies of the town both royal and regular townsfolk chatted away animatedly.

Going to stand in a corner, I watch the smiles on the faces of the people that were at the ball and whilst they were happy, I couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened that my parents weren’t here. Looking at my brother, I saw him waltzing with one of the young fillies. Scoffing, I trained my attention elsewhere. I was not very fond of who he was dating due to the fact that she was a huge gossip and a greedy little witch who is always trying to worm her way in with any royals.

Last week it was the Duke, the week before that the Viscount and now she is dancing with the King- my brother. She really wanted to be apart of a royal family so bad that it was so pathetic. Looking around the room, I saw she was whispering in my brother ear and he was laughing at what she said. My nose was flaring and my temper was rising, she would not set foot in this family and I didn’t want her trying to brain wash my brother with her erotic ways. Marching over to them, I cleared my throat.

“Elizabeth, I believe it’s my turn to now have a dance with the King.” Smiling politely, I waited for her to remove herself from my brother’s embrace. Giving me a face that only, I can see, she bid him goodbye before walking away. Taking my brother’s hand, we began dancing.

“Josephine, I know that you hate her but I was just being friendly. I didn’t want to come off of a stooge.”

“Sometimes you can, you are the king after all Arthur.

“I know this Josie,” he said, calling me by the nickname he gave me before sighing. “It’s just as the King, even when I hate someone or dislike- for a lack of better word, I still have to put on a pleasant face and greet them with kindness.”

“I know you love the people of Azov, but if you hate just one- it won’t hurt.” Chuckling, he spun me around the room and I chuckled as it brought back memories of us dancing growing up.

“Did you mingle as I ask?”

“What did you say brother?” I ask, feigning deaf.

“You heard me Josephine, you need to mingle. The princess needs to show that she cares about her people and she is supportive of them.”

“It’s so draining, pretending to wanting to hear whatever gossip they want to share.”

“Steer the conversation elsewhere, but I am commanding you to go now and do so.”

“Are you asking me as the king or as my brother?”

“As both, now go.” Pouting, we separated and bowed before I walked away and stopped right at the group of gals who were just talking about me.

“Did you see her? The princess” Ms. Caroline questioned. “Or the half princess I should say. She was waltzing through the place like she had some claim to it. Rumour has it that she would need to be bethroed to an esteemed member.” Chucking, she went on with her ranting. “I couldn’t agree more, if she is to be married to a Duke or even a Viscount, then surely her been dubbed as the half princess would surely leave her. “Clearing my throat, the words that were about to leave Ms. Amelia’s mouth stopped dead in the tracks of her throat.

“Princess Josephine, you look lovely as ever,” Ms. Elsie complimented. Giving her a smile, I turned to Ms. Caroline.

“What nasty commentary were you making about me Ms. Caroline? Surely you know I am the princess and my father was indeed the King of Azov. I would keep those comments to myself, as one of what you made just made now is treason and blasphemy and one that the Crown does not take lightly to.”

Nodding her head, she uttered apologies before I moved away, disgusted by what I just heard.

Bouncing into someone, I winced in pain the minute I collided with them. Looking up, I was ready to give them an earful when I saw it was my knight in shinning armour, Sir Cole.

“Princess Josephine, I’m sorry. I am really foolish to not be looking where I was going.

“That’s okay Sir Cole.

“Can I do anything for you to feel better my princess?

Feigning a stern look, I began talking.

“Well you can ask for a dance? Chuckling, he extend his hand and I happily accepted it.

Pulling me into his embrace, the metal felt cold but it’s like the heat of the moment was warming it up. It felt good to be in his arms, in his presence.

“You are so beautiful,” he commented. Chuckling, I blushed a bit before masking it.

“You know you don’t have to pretend around me, I love you just the way you are.”

“So do I Sir Cole.”

“I love you like this,” he breathed out.

“Like what?” I asked acting completely clueless.

“In my arms, like this right now. I wish I was able to have you like this forever. To hold you every night, feeling your body next to mine.” My heart skipped a beat and I leaned forward readily to kiss him when I heard someone cleared their throat. Turning around, I saw it was my brother, he was giving me a stern look and I knew what that meant. Coming back to my sense, I stepped away.

“Sir Cole, I need some ice for my shoulder as it still hurts. Do you mind helping me with same?”

“Shaking his head, he took my hand and led me to a private area from prying eyes. Putting me to sit on a bench, he took my hand in his. Smiling tenderly at him, he rubbed where my shoulder hurt.

“I miss you,” I breathed out. Taking his face in my hands, I looked him deep in his eyes, watching the moonlight reflecting off it. Leaning forward, I wanted to kiss him on his lips to savour the taste of them but I held back and kiss him on the cheek.

I couldn’t, a lady of my stature couldn’t be seen with a knight it would absolutely be a scandal.

Getting up, I rested my hands on the balcony as I overlooked the city. Feeling his breath on me, I leaned my neck to the side where he placed gently kisses.

“Josephine, I know this not what you would have wanted and you can’t be seen with me but we love each other. Isn’t that enough for us to come out publicly?”

“I can’t, I have to marry someone of status.”

“Why not? Your dad did it with your mom”

“That’s exactly my point. He was not my biological dad and even though he didn’t treat me different other people did. You witnessed it tonight. I have to marry someone with stature so I can finally leave those nasty rumors behind me.”

“So that’s it then? You are just going to give up on us?”

“I have no choice Sir Cole, it must be done.” Pulling away from me, he took a step back. I could feel the tears running down my face as I knew what that meant. The man that I have loved since I laid eyes on him at the tender age of sixteen, was someone I could not be together with.

“I’m really disappointed Josephine, I wish things were different.” With that, he walked away leaving me on the balcony to cry my eyes out.

I didn’t know how long I was there but I suddenly felt chilly by the sea air and I was no longer in the mood to be a part of the ball. Making my way to my room, I called upon one of my lady maids to fetch me a glass of water.

Hurrying away, I could hear her footsteps echoing within the halls. Opening the door, I made my way inside and shortly after a few of my lady maids came in helping me to undress before helping me into my night wear.

Turning to look through the window, I could hear the maids shuffling about. Sighing, I felt defeated and heartbroken by what transpired between Sir Cole and I.

Turning around, I saw the glass of water on the night table. Taking a sip, I laid in bed. The sea breeze rolled up the curtain and made it flutter loudly and I felt ghastly cold.

Hearing a loud crash, I slowly open my eyes. I could hear someone crying and blaming themselves. I tried to move but somehow I couldn’t. Closing my eyes for a brief second, I opened them once more and found myself looking at my brother in tears holding my hands. On the other side of the bed was Sir Cole who was also crying looking down at my body.

It was now morning, a snowy morning and I was dead and the two people I love the most was mourning me. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to my brother nor the man I loved. The man who just mere hours ago, I said some nasty things to. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye, a chance to let him know I was sorry - to apologize for my foolish behaviour. Now I was dead, at the age of nineteen.

Feeling a bit weird, I suddenly blacked out.

*** Meanwhile in the states ***

Waking up later to a weird noise, the girl sat up in bed and took in the image that was around her. Getting up, she walked around the room taking in everything that she was seeing. Everything looked weird, looked so bright. There was a picture of something with strings on my wall and a man with hair so wild.

Hearing a knock on the door, she turned around and saw a woman entered she was dressed in black and white and she had a weird device in her hand. Placing it at my ear, she heard a man’s voice.

“It’s Paul,” the person uttered. Listening, Paul was very angry and the girl couldn’t decipher what he was saying. Looking at the maid, the girl uttered the words shower as she was in no mood to hear his noise. Moving the phone from my ear, the maid undressed her before bringing her into a brightly lit room. Stepping into something of a large tub, The girl looked at the buttons and handles. Blinking foolishly, the maid pointed and showed her what to do before leaving. Going under the water, she immediately hiss as the water was cold. Backing away, she heard the maid re-entered with the same device.

“Phone, it’s Paul. Placing the phone back at her ear, she continued listening to what he was saying before he began yelling at her.” Yelping, the maid cast her a weird look before hanging up the phone and walking away.