The Marriage Alliance -- Alexin

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Title: The Marriage Alliance
Author: Alexin
Summary: Alternate Universe. In the kingdom of Oakdale, Princess Katie is fed up with playing second fiddle to her cousin Lily. When Prince Simon comes to court Katie, she decides it is her turn to shine.
Rating: PG.
Author's Note:This story is being written as an historical romance using the characters from ATWT. It is my first attempt at fan fiction. Any constructive feedback is welcome. I hope you enjoy it!!!!

“Katie!!! Katie!!!!!” the voice called. “Where has that blasted girl gone off to now?” Queen Susannah muttered to herself. She turned to Katie’s governess and looked at her with imploring eyes.

“You must find her and tell her to come to dinner in her light blue dress, the one I just bought for her in London. Prince Simon will be here tonight and I want her looking her best.”

“Yes, your highness.” Lucy said with a shake of her head.

Princess Katie heard her mother calling for her and decided to ignore her. She was not about to get herself all gussied up for some prince who would only wind up being besotted with her cousin Lily anyhow. Lily, always Lily, she thought to herself. When would it be her turn?

It was not fair that Lily had the love of Sir Holden, the knight that Katie had loved from the first time she had laid eyes on him at the tender age of thirteen. And now they were engaged to be married! Well, not if I have anything to do with it! I will keep them apart if it is the last thing I do, she thought to herself. Now, if she could only find someone to help her in her quest.

Prince Craig saw his sister hiding in the orchard watching the entourage approach the palace gates. He could not blame her for hiding from their mother. His parents had been trying to marry Katie off for 8 months now!

Each time a new prince came to court, Katie became more and more defiant. She would hide all day and then come to dinner in a dirty dress with her hair in tangles. He knew the real reason. She was in love with Sir Holden, his father’s champion knight and also the man betrothed to their cousin, Lady Lily.

He did not think that Katie really knew what love was. She simply wanted what she could not have. And she especially wanted what Lily had.

Craig tried to think back to a time when the girls had not been in competition with each other, and could not do so. Both women were of royal blood and beautiful in their own way. But where Lily was calm and mature, Katie was impetuous and spoiled.

His parents hoped that Katie would settle down with marriage, but he did not see this happening. She was much to head strong to let even the most in-control man hold her back. As it was, she had their father wrapped around her little finger, and it was his mother who had to be the disciplinarian with her.

“Time is up,” he called to her watching her jump at his voice. “Mother has sent me to fetch you for a bath, so come on.” He dragged her kicking and screaming onto his horse and rode to the back door of the castle where he deposited her in the awaiting governess’s arms.

“Now princess Katie, please stop being so disagreeable. The more you fight, the harder this is going to be.”

Katie tried again to pull her head away as her governess, Lucy, brushed her blond hair into a twist on her head. She did not understand why the princess had been causing such a fuss lately. Lucy would have thought that Katie would be excited about having princes, dukes, and other royals courting her.

She looked at the beautiful girl in the mirror of the vanity at which she sat. Her bright blue eyes were stormy with discontent and her cheeks were rosy with anger.

“If mother thinks that I am going to act like I am happy to have some oaf prince here tonight, she will be sadly disappointed.” Katie spat out looking at her reflection and then up at Lucy.

“Oh, stop it with my hair already. Who cares if there are flowers in it! Let me go now. I want to see what all the fuss is over this Prince Simon!”

Simon glanced around the room taking in his surroundings. So, this was the famous castle of the King of Oakdale. He had to admit that he found it impressive. The parlor in which he sat overlooked massive gardens and fountains which led to a lake. He wondered what kind of a dowry princess Katie had coming with her.

“Well, hello there. You must be Prince Simon.”

Simon turned around to find a dark-auburn haired young woman looking at him expectantly. Her dark eyes and ruby lips were a stark contrast to her milky complexion.
He quickly took in her figure which was slim and elegantly displayed in a royal blue dress of raw silk.

“I am Lady Lily Grimaldi. King Michael’s niece. Welcome to Oakdale.” Lily held out her hand expectantly and waited for the handsome man to take it from her.

Simon grasped the soft, white hand that was given to him and brushed it with his lips. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lily. And thank you for your welcome. I have never been to Oakdale and am sure that I will enjoy my stay.”

Lily stared mesmerized by the hot scorch of the lips that had kissed her. She quickly drew her hand away and smiled self-consciously at Simon.

“And it is nice to meet you as well. Can I offer you a sherry before dinner? The rest of the family should be down shortly. I told my aunt that I would entertain you while she sees to some last minute preparations.”

“Yes, a sherry would be fine, thank you.” Simon gazed at Lily appreciatively. Now here was a woman he would not mind courting! Lady Lily was certainly a beauty. Her shiny hair fell in soft waves around her face in a most bewitching manner. Perhaps he might be better suited for King Michael’s niece instead of his daughter, Simon thought.

Katie stood at the top of the stairs watching the scene in the parlor play out. Her face twitched with fury. It was not enough that Lily had Sir Holden! Here she was making a play for the prince who had come to court her!

“Well, we’ll just see about this,” she muttered to herself as she came flying down the staircase.

To Be Continued ....