Read The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1) Online
Authors: K.T Fisher
The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1)
The King’s Daughter (High Born #1)
Copyright @2016 Kellie Fisher
Cover art @2016: Elisia Goodman at Dedicated Ink
Edited by Elisia Goodman at Dedicated Ink
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any actual persons living or dead, businesses and events or locales are entirely coincidental. This book also has some strong scenes that may cause offence. This isn’t your typical romance
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Thank you to you, the person who has purchased The King’s Daughter. I have dreamt of the day I would release a historic romance. I worked hard for this book, down to the facts and making sure it still has my traditional style. This book is far different from anything I have written before, so be prepared for that and also respect that it is from a different time.
Thank you to anyone that has shared, liked, commented or mentioned any of my books to spread the word. I really appreciate it.
I hope you enjoy The Kings Daughter and fall in love with Princess Grace and the rest of the characters as I did.
Table of Contents
I have just returned from my presentation to the Sovereign and I am really glad it is over. The hall was full of peering eyes, watching me curtsey to my royal parents, declaring that I am now of age to attend court and marry.
Seventeen years ago I was born into the English royal family as the oldest daughter to King Stephan and Queen Maria. I am not the oldest child, Prince George is my older brother and is the future King of England.
My two younger sisters, Elizabeth and Isabella have met me back at the castle and are excited to know how it went.
“At least it is all done for you now Gracey,” Isabella smiles at me.
“Yes, and then it is your turn,” I tease her and she rolls her eyes in return.
The door then opens and Lady Andrews, our Lady Mistress enters. Lady Andrews can be a strict woman but she is like a second mother to me and my siblings. Whilst mother and father are King and Queen of England, Lady Andrews made sure we had the childhood we needed.
“Please leave us,” she declares to the servants who were tending to us and they quickly leave the room. As soon as they do, Lady Andrews holds out her arms and we all run up to her, “You did so well Grace.”
“You really think so?” I ask her.
“I do,” she confirms as she straightens herself, returning to her respectable self.
This is my first glimpse of what is to come in my future now. I have had a privileged childhood but living at court is completely different, people will be looking to me as the Princess and I have to be respectable at all times. However, I will still try to have some fun. Lady Andrews raised us away from court, as the royal children we were to be hidden in the background due to our parent’s wishes and it has been a happy upbringing.
“Now that you have presented yourself, you will stay here,” Lady Andrews informs me.
A wave of excitement fills me and maybe a touch of fear, “I understand.”
Both Isabella and Elizabeth reach for my hands, squeezing hard. Sadness creeps into my heart as I think about being separated from them. I will not see them every day now that I will be staying at the castle. They both embrace me with tear stained eyes.
“Now it is time to meet your Ladies,” Lady Andrews adds.
I know exactly who my mother chose to be my Ladies in waiting and I cannot wait to see them all. Lady Andrews leaves with my sisters to collect my younger brother Julien. Knowing him, he is probably following George around. A guard follows me towards my chambers silently, something that only happens here at the castle so I suppose I will have to get used to it. I open the door and as soon as I see my four Ladies waiting for me, I break out into a huge smile. They laugh and run towards me, their happiness matching my own. My four Ladies are Beatrice, my cousin from my father’s side. Catherine, who has been a good friend of mine for some years now. Louisa, my Spanish cousin from my mother’s side and Jane, who is a friend of mine from France. I met her when I was visiting France for the first time with Lady Andrews.
We gossip as I look around my bedchambers, the girls becoming familiar with each other and reuniting with me. I am sure to be happy with them by my side and helping me through this. After marvelling over my rooms for a few moments, I am interrupted by a knock on the door. Lady Jane goes to answer and my oldest brother, Prince George enters and I’m doubly excited when Arthur, our bastard brother follows behind him.
“George! Arthur!” I cry, walking towards them and hugging them tightly. “I am so happy to see you.”
They both laugh in their boyish ways. George is so handsome, we have all inherited our mother’s dark features from her Spanish roots, but George has slightly lighter eyes making them noticeable against his dark hair. He is a very handsome Prince. Arthur has more of my father’s features, and that’s not surprising. Blonde curly hair and striking blue eyes, he will not find it difficult to find a bride even though he is the King’s bastard.
“Welcome to Court,” George squeezes me. “Now I can have some different entertainment.”
“What do you mean?” I ask him with a smile, I have a feeling I know what he is getting at.
“I have missed picking on someone,” he confesses and Arthur laughs out loudly.
I cross my arms in front of my chest, “Not nice George.”
“I cannot believe you are old enough,” Arthur shakes his head.
“Here I am,” I spread my arms. Words cannot describe how happy I am at this moment.
“Are you liking your chambers?” George asks, looking every inch the regal Prince of England that he is. “Mother sure did select the best for her little princess,” he teases and I see my brother.
“Very much so, you know how she loves me more,” I laugh. “Let me introduce you to my Ladies.”
As I introduce them, I do not miss the way my brother’s eyes take in my Ladies individual beauty. I will not let that happen. I raise my eyebrows at George when he looks to me and his back straightens. Message delivered. I hope. I have heard enough of the rumours about the both of them.
“You need to visit the girls and Julien,” I scold them both. “They all miss you.”
“We will catch them before they leave,” George promises me and I am glad he is taking me seriously on this part. Our siblings really are missing him.
A guard appears at the door, “Sorry to interrupt your majesties. Prince George, your father needs you and Arthur in his study immediately.”
My Ladies have helped me dress for the banquet tonight and as I look at my reflection in the small mirror provided, I am truly speechless. During our time exploring my bedchambers I found that it was fully stocked with the best gowns and jewellery from many countries, and they were all for me. I chose the red dress with gold trimmings. Catherine thought it to be the perfect English dress.
“Fit for an English Princess,” she had said with a smile.
Louisa took control of my hair and managed a perfect half up, half down creation. Beatrice picked out my jewellery for me, gold to match my dress and now Jane is walking behind me with a smirk.
“The finishing touch,” she reveals a gold tiara, it is small but as she places it on top of my head I know it’s the right choice.
“Wow,” I look at my reflection. “Thank you everyone, I look just like a princess.”
“That is because you are,” Louisa laughs and I realise how silly my words were.
“I can’t wait for the banquet,” Catherine grins.
I look down to my shaking hands, “I feel sick.”
I place a hand on my stomach, my nerves taking over. This banquet is a big event for me. Every important person in court will be there and if I mess up they will all be there to see. I do not want to be the Princess who spills her drink or chokes on her food. I will never live it down. I cannot afford to let anything be less than perfect.
“Everything will be fine,” Louisa steps closer.
“Louisa is right,” Jane adds. “The castle is already full of rumours to how beautiful you have grown.”
“You are no longer that goofy child,” laughs Beatrice.
“They say you have the Spanish beauty carried from your mother but with the soul of a classic English rose,” adds Catherine.
“No,” Beatrice shakes her head. “I heard whispers of Grace being the best beauty of them all. No other Princess comes close to her fairness. They say Princes from across the world will be fighting for her hand, no matter the cost.”
Panic settles in my chest on hearing this. I had no idea these things were being said about me. It just makes this feast even more terrifying.
“Girls?” Louisa interrupts and indicates her head in my direction. All three of them look to me at Louisa’s mention.
“Sorry!” They all apologise.
“Ignore the rumours,” Louisa tries to calm me. “Be yourself, and you will do perfectly.”
“Well said Louisa,” comes from my mother, standing in the doorway.
“My apologies, Mother. I did not hear you knock,” I say as she walks further into my chambers with an air of authority. My Ladies stand behind me, making their curtsies of respect to their Queen. My mother opens her arms to me and I fall into them with happiness.
“You look beautiful,” she whispers in my ear.
“Thank you mother,” I reply, embracing the kiss she lands on my cheek.
“You all look lovely,” my mother’s eyes travel to my Ladies, looking them over and smiling widely.
“Thank you for the dresses,” Jane speaks, bowing her head.
“My pleasure,” she answers.
I give my Ladies an assuring smile in support. I know how my mother can be sometimes, she means well, but she can come across as stern and cold, “Thank you mother.”
“And you my darling daughter,” she holds her arms out wide. “You are such a beautiful sight to see! The men will be falling at your feet.”
“Not too many I hope,” says my father, laughing as he slowly steps inside.
Someone needs to close that door.
My father embraces me and I melt into his arms. I breathe him in, his scent has always been my safe place. It reminds me of my younger years. “Be alert now that you are here Gracey. Life at court can be dangerous, every decision could lead to disaster. If you’re not careful you could damage not just yourself, but those around you.”
“I understand father,” I answer but my mother pulls me aside.
“Take your fathers words seriously, Grace. He speaks the truth. Not everyone is who they appear to be and if you are not careful, you could destroy your future,” she stares into my eyes, her face etched with concern and I know this is not just a Queen worried about her country. Right now she is a mother worried for her daughter’s safety.
My Ladies are lead down to the banquet by one of my guards where they will wait for me to join them. I hear footsteps echoing in the halls when George appears. My father wants us to enter the great hall as a family and I, for one, am glad. At least I will not go alone.
“I caught our younger siblings before they had chance to leave,” he says to me, loud enough for mother and father to hear.
“That is wonderful,” my smile spreads wider. “They miss you.”
“I know,” he nods in agreement. “I promised to visit.”
I have to stop the tears of happiness for our siblings. They will be jumping for joy the day he visits them. “I think it is a good idea to take Arthur and Bridget with you.”
“I thought that too,” George ponders and I see from the corner of my eye that mother is now looking at us both. She does not like the King’s bastard children or having them closer to her own children. I do not blame her, I do not like the roles of a King’s Mistresses either. No matter what though, Arthur and Bridget share our blood and I love them like the rest of my brothers and sisters.
My father announces that it’s time to go and we follow him out. The small amount of servants we pass stare at me as we go by, I feel their eyes judging me. I hope that I am walking correctly and that my tiara hasn’t slipped. As we near the banqueting hall, I hear the loud chatter of people filtering out and into the castle grounds. We stop at an arched walkway and I know that beyond that is the main entrance to the hall. George places a hand over mine, and I realise I am clenching my fists.
“Calm down. It’s going to be fine,” he squeezes his large hand over mine. “You have me to lean on.”
I am grateful for George being so supportive, “Thank you.”
As we step inside the great hall the music stops and everyone turns to face us. My father’s voice booming across the large hall.
“Thank you to everyone for joining us. Today we celebrate my eldest daughter, Princess Grace, entering court!” Cheers roar as my father’s voice continues. “Raise your drinks with me and welcome your Princess.”
“To Princess Grace!” They shout. My father takes my hand, kisses it softly and everyone cheers. The music begins again and I am lead to my seat.
“You were perfect,” my father whispers before going to his own seat. I smile broadly at his praise.
I look over the hall, everyone is smiling up at me and having their first looks as they find their seats. I look to my plate and see a huge amount of meats, I will never eat all of this.
“Eat up, Grace,” my mother advices from beside me. “You will need all the energy you can get for the dancing.”
Once the meal is finished, my father stands and the hall once again turns silent, “And now, I would like to ask my daughter, for a dance.”
Servants help to pull out my chair, and I make my way to the space in front of the royal table to meet my father. The royal table looks down at the huge hall, a long table on either side which seats the rest of the guests. He holds my hands high as he walks us to the middle and when they song begins I can’t help but smile. I know this one well. “Do you like my song choice?” He asks.
“It is perfect,” tears fall, and he quickly wipes them away.
“I began to teach you this dance as soon as you could walk,” he smiles as the memories fill both our heads. “Every time we spent together you asked for this dance,” I giggle.
When it comes to an end, father kisses my hand as the guests applaud. I spot my brother George standing to the side whispering in the ear of a girl. She giggles, nodding her head before George leaves her. It seems my older brother loves the attention from his female admirers. I find my Ladies across the hall and I’m just about to make my way over, when my mother stops me and begins on her round of introductions, “It is your duty to know everyone here, Grace.”
The next hour is full of introductions, fake laughs and listening in to my mother’s conversations. Thankfully, I manage to sneak away when I see my Ladies again.
“Grace!” Louisa interrupts. “Genevieve is her,” I turn to see my father’s mistress Genevieve, walking into the hall. Since she gave birth to Arthur she has lived at court and when she had Bridget, she solidified her position and the Kings official Mistress. My mother despises her, and I don’t blame her.
“Why is she here?” Beatrice whispers.
“Will this be seen as an act of disrespect?” Jane asks.
I watch as Genevieve smiles at the guests, “I need to find my mother.”
Arthur and Bridget enter behind her. My half-sister walks right up to me with a huge smile, “Grace, it is so good to see you.”
“Bridget,” I smile back, bending to give her an embrace. “I did not think you would come.”
“I wasn’t going to, but mother said I could because this is in honour of you,” she explains.
Bridget is only twelve, so I am shocked to see her here. I know that she lives at court most of the time, but I did not think she would be allowed to attend a party.
“Princess Grace,” Genevieve greets me. “It is lovely to see you at court.”
“Thank you,” I reply, not quite knowing what I should do. I can feel the eyes of many looking in our direction. My father’s mistress is at his daughters welcome party. I am not sure what the rules are for this.
“Genevieve,” My father approaches, looking very angry. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to celebrate your daughters coming of age party, I didn’t think there would be a problem,” Genevieve smiles.
“You need to go,” he argues. “People could see this as disrespectful to Grace.”
“I did not mean any harm,” she frowns down at me. “I am sorry Grace, I will go.”
I watch as Genevieve walks away, thankful that she is no longer here. Now I can relax and enjoy my celebration.