The proposal letter

In the kingdom of Credia, it was an unspoken rule that women were restricted from enlisting under the royal academy to become knights. It almost felt as though it were a taboo.

Of certain, if a woman dared to go against society and enroll, not only would she be given extra difficult treatment. But none of her family would dare to lend any financial support.

Which was why in order to fulfil my dream of becoming a regal knight, I needed to do two things. Earn money and become a man!

"You haven't really explained why you're so invested in all this knight business. I mean, it's never been done before." Gisela voiced out her thoughts, as she placed the swords into the nearest cabinet.

"I could ask you a few questions of my own, but I'd prefer if we kept our intentions a secret from each other." I responded in a satisfactory tone as I rose from my stool to take my leave.

"Fine then, good luck on the ball tonight, Sir Rue of the guard house, I hope you catch the eye of the prince." She said as she took a curtsey, bidding me a teasing farewell.

I in turn took a Curt bow, lowering my head, "I hope not, if anything I'd prefer if he not lay eyes on me all throughout the evening." I returned, taking my eventful exit from the trade shop.

Waiting outside for me, was my trusty driver, who knew nothing but my alias and the location he was to pick me up from each day. I in turn barely knew a thing about him, if not for his deep blue eyes and golden blonde hair, I would mistake him for another street boy.

"Punctual as ever, Moran." I greeted him, taking a seat inside the old commerical carriage, looking into my sachel at the money I was fortunate to rack up.

Moran was a farm boy with only this carriage to his name, I collided with him two winters ago and enlisted his transportation services. With a rather generous pay, one that this sly youngster wouldn't refuse.

"The usual." I announced, stretching my legs out as I crossed my arms and placed them underneath my head. My entire body was aching with cramps and blisters.

Moran didn't respond, but knew exactly where I was referring to. He made a left turn almost immediately and headed straight for the small bookshop, far from the bustle of the kingdom.

"I'll be off then, here my good man for troubles, be sure to buy yourself something to eat." I pressed four copper coins into his palms as I skipped happily towards the lonely bookshop, with a shabby looking exterior.

**********

The owners of the bookshop were an old couple with little to no funds to keep the place alive. Right from the creeking door, down to the leaking roof, and cracks splattered across the room. This place was certainly standing on it's last legs.

Which made it the perfect place for me to carry out the switch!

I pulled out a silver key from my sachel and unlocked the door. I walked into the old shop, relieved that no one was inside. My eyes swiftly darted across to the almost broken door that led into the inner room.

"Curse you prince Roland." I said under my breath, as I made for the door to have my change of clothes and change of identities.

I let my long ginger hair fall down to my waist length and rubbed off the makeup I had applied on my face to disguise my smooth clear skin. Next, I slapped on some Jewelry and slipped into my long blue dress, with silver embroidery, coupled with my glass slippers. Not forgetting the white gloves which was mandatory to wear in my family.

To the outside world, I was Rue, the slick and rough knight in training, famous for his wits and intelligence. But to only a select few, I was the sheltered wallflower of the Primrose house, with no sway in society.

I only left the bookshop when I was certain that no one had their eye on me and rode in a commercial carriage, all the way to my family mansion, which was not so far from here.

In my possession were five books which I took with me, to fully convince my family that I had spent my entire day reading novels. As though that was any form of entertainment for someone as wild as I was.

I rested my elbow on one of the books, allowing my chin sit on my palm as my mind wandered to the banquet which would be held tonight.

"If I can speak with one or two influential women there, I could stage a motion for equality of rights." I muttered to myself, pondering over the endless possibilities of what could become of this banquet.

**********

I alighted the carriage with the help of a footman, who was so chivalrous to aid a fragile maiden walk down a few steps. I mouthed a thank you to him, making certain that my eyes were pointed to the ground while I spoke.

"It's not a problem." He told me, removing his hat to reveal his shiny bald head.

"You're too kind." And with that, we had bade one another a farewell and went our separate ways. I gripped unto my gown, which I was not allowed to let kiss the dirt and slowly waltzed towards the large mansion, inhabited by the Primrose Family.

On my entrance, two maids rushed up to me to take the books off my hands and change my gloves for me. I greeted them with a warm smile and changed into the new pair of white gloves they had for me.

"Her lady's parents are awaiting your arrival, have been for a while now. All three of your sisters have been sent to the best beauty parlour in preparations for tonight's ball." The timid maid filled me in, I did not fail to notice the suspicious gaze she casted on the cut I had acquired while fighting those two criminals from earlier.

"I fell from a ladder and hurt myself, it is nothing of concern." I sheepishly told her, counting my words while I spoke.

It was part of the rules of society, that young women were not allowed to make conversation with more than twenty words in a sentence.

A rather stupid rule if one were to ask me for my opinion. Thank my stars no even noticed my existence.

"I shall have it looked at immediately after you return from the ball."

I walked past her, with a maid leading me through my own house, which I had grown up in since childhood. The mansion was somewhat quiet today, more than usual, something that scared me.

My dark brown eyes landed on my parents who were busy sitting and having tea, anticipating my return. I braced myself for the most scrutinizing interrogation I would have to face, for there was no excuse I could produce.

"Father, Mama..." I announced, alerting them of my arrival, I shooed the maid away from my side, too tempted to hand her my pinchy shoes.

"Ah! There you are Ruelle!" Father exclaimed, standing to his feet to greet me with a pat on the shoulder.

This was odd, would he not be scowling at me today? Where was that spunk the old timer usually gave me whenever I returned late.

"My dear, you look rather tired, I'll have the maids draw you a bath this instant! Come sit beside your mama." The woman told me, refraining from raining threats and insults at me.

Hath she not the same woman who threatened to chain me to my bed if I ever were to set foot inside that shabby looking bookshop?

What had suddenly changed over the course of a couple of hours?

I obediently sat down beside my mother, who even went as far as to pour me a cup of Earl grey tea, with her own two hands. Though they were wearing gloves of course!

As I sipped from my tasteless cup of tea, my parents cleared their throats and let out quite an alarming declaration!

"You shan't be attending the banquet tonight!" Father announced with too much excitement on his face. And before I could even ask for the reason why, mama graciously took over.

"Tonight you shall be entertaining a suitor with the intention to marry you! The proposal letter was sent to us, only moments after you left!" Mama cried out, as she pulled out a white envelope with a broken red seal on it from underneath her.

Subsequently, the tea spilled out of my mouth, and unto her dull lilac gown, soiling it's delicate fabric.

"I shall what?!"

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