The floors were a solid marble texture, the light complimenting each curve and crease in the fine mineral. People danced to the lovely ballads of the baritone singer that persuaded each movement of the crowd. That is, except one, she sat her back toward the festivities and her face toward the starry night sky. Her custom made dress looked plain compared to the many extravagant gowns that seemed to be skirting across the room that evening. This girl, in fact, was the life of the party. Her dark brown hair in a rose bun and a small curl touching the right side of her face. The light pink dress touched her brown sugar skin with the ease of a swan gliding across the water. But, she only looked out into the night gazing at the glistening stars.

“Dear?” Said a voice behind her and she turned to see her mother behind her. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you enjoying the party?”

She looked at all the people, smiling, laughing, having a few too many drinks in honor of her birthday. The gentlemen swooning the young ladies in a night of courtship or the duke talking to her eldest brother about politics within their kingdom. She nodded to her mother and got out of her daydream and began to enter the floor.

As she stepped up to her royal chair, she heard whispers and comments and low giggles. Was her corset out of place? Was she unfit to be royal? All these questions swirled in her mind but nevertheless she made her way to her seat by her brother and sat down.

“Your choosing your wife tonight?” She whispered to her brother, who in a couple years had filled out the very sturdy handsome profile of a young prince.

“Yes, Gail I am” He whispered and smiled his million dollar smile that made the ladies fall backwards over. “You know that those are the rules”

She frowned and folded her arms. She knew exactly what her brother was talking about. The ancient rules of Gerbelt. The Royal offspring must marry when they are 18. what a ridiculous rule! She thought and sat frowning at every woman who came up to her brother asking for a hand in marriage.

After what seemed to be several hours, her brother decided on a small rock kingdom past the river aways. Her father was displeased at his choice but gave him the sum of money and her brother and his new bride left. Her brother kissed her cheek, shook her father's hand and kissed his mother goodbye. The party had ended after one’ o clock and everyone left. Yawning and bowing to the king as each of the guests left in their carriages and walked home.

“Abigail!” Her father bellowed as the guards locked the door. “ Come here”

She slumped over to her father and looked up at him, waiting for his command

“Yes, father,” She said putting on her best smile for him.

“You are to choose a husband in no less than 2 years,” He said smiling and grinning from ear to ear “ That will be the day, won't it?

“Yes father it shall,” She said forcing a smile and kissing her father goodnight. Swooping her mother up in his arms, her father headed upstairs.

Frustrated. She sought out her family's library. Walking down the hall, she looked at the familiar faces of cousins, great grandfathers, aunts and uncles who all proved themselves worthy. Opening the door to the library she kicked off her shoes and went barefoot inside the carpeted area. She ran up the staircase and looked for her royal duties book. She checked in “R” , she checked in “D”,she also checked in the unsorted pile.

“Someone must’ve taken it” she thought to herself.

Running down the staircase, she went towards a dusty unused shelf. Running her finger across the old books she tried to grab one but it would budge.

“what the-,” she said and yanked it out making herself fall back.

Grunting, she pulled herself up and rubbed her dress. A light flickered on and off on the bookshelf.

Peering, over the shelf she saw it was a button flickering red and green. Curiously, she pressed it the bookcase started to rumble. The glasses broke on the library desks and the lamps that illuminated the room vanished.