1 - The Visit

"I choose her." Lucas declared.

The entire room halted, absolutely astounded by the sudden declaration of the young heir.

"You choose who?" Mrs Camilla Rogers stood from her chair, eyes wide with fury and disbelief.

"I choose the servant." He declared again, his eyes unwavering and fixated upon the girl.

Hazel squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze, her hands shaking, almost rattling the silver tray in her hands. It was clear she too was baffled, if not outraged by his declaration. But all she did was quiver timidly.

Mr Rogers stood abruptly from his seat, almost tumbling with anger. "What do you mean you choose her? She is a servant! This is not what we agreed to! You are supposed to be engaged to our daughter!"

Lucas turned to him, his face devoid of any emotion and his dark eyes stern yet calm. "I have changed my mind, Mr. Rogers, call off the engagement."

"But... But she is just a mere servant." Alva cried out, "how can you choose her?"

Lucas gave no answer as he rose from his seat, his escort following hastily behind him. "I do not owe you a reason or explanation for my change in mind Miss Rogers, but you have heard my decision. Let her pack her things, the next time I return, she shall be leaving with me."

***

The day of the engagement had come, the entire Rossi house was in a state of jittery excitement and vigor, and everyone ran from corner to corner, lips whistling, feet scurrying and hands busy to ensure everything was perfect for this special day. The preparation for this day had lasted three days already, purple ribbons had been strung along all the corners and pillars of the great palace, shiny with speckles of gold and giving off the desired royal aura so you could feel the vibrance and importance of this occasion just by starring at these bright colors.

Luca Rossi was a very intimidating man in the world of politics, rarely seen but frequently spoken of. His power and influence went far and wide, in all dimensions of the country. It was beyond understand how one man could hold so much power and affluence that even the Governor himself was intimidated by the mere thought of being in his presence. And his daughter had been arranged to marry him. It was a great honor, but beyond that, it was a door to great riches and affluence to be joined by marriage to this man.

Princess Alva, the most beautiful heiress in the state, and a renown model was the most important focus on this day. At the age of twenty-three, her father had finally found the most perfect suitor for her. Everything would be perfect in her life alas.

Effort was being made to make her look her glorious best, yet everyone knew it only required too little effort, she was already a very beautiful woman. Her nose perfectly pointed, not too sharp, not too flat, her eyes a bright colored green and her blonde hair a very light, almost white color that only made her bright lips seem even more red. She was a sight to behold.

Up in the room, Hazel was helping Alva get ready for her special day. The quiet maid was the heiress's favorite, taking into account her friendly nature and the bond they have formed since Hazel served in their mansion since they were both seventeen. Alva had quickly attached herself to Hazel, as they were the same age, although her mother would ensure they spent no time together as Hazel was kept ever busy, she was still always the one Alva chose to serve her on special occasions till date.

"I am so nervous." Alva murmured, rubbing her cheeks with her perfectly slender and we'll manicured hands.

"Don't be." Hazel smiled, "he is only human."

"Do you not hear about how intimidating he is? Even my father is afraid to look him in the eyes."

"But you are soon to be married to him, you will spared the exception of being intimidated."

"Right? I can't believe it. I am about to be engaged to the most handsome, most eligible bachelor in the whole of the state."

"Right? It is only proper that the most eligible bachelor is paired with the most eligible spinster, you!"

"Indeed."

"Come on now, we must pick you the perfect dress already." Hazel led her by hand towards the huge dresser in the corner of the room, one the princess rarely had to open herself as the maids were responsible for dressing her up.

She slid her hands past many dresses, coming to rest on a beautiful golden white and colored robe, she pulled it out carefully.

A look of awe appeared upon the face of the heiress, the gown was astonishing to say the least. Long, flowing and adorned beautifully.

"Look at it, is it not really pretty?" Hazel asked, excitement dancing in her eyes.

"It is most astonishing indeed." Alva nodded in bedazzlement.

"Yes, with this dress, you will be the centre of attention in the room, no one would be able to look away." Hazel affirmed confidently.

"Perfect." Alva smiled, twirling around with the dress upon her body.

"Step out of the robe, let me put it on you." Hazel instructed.

The door slammed open, and both the ladies jumped, slightly frightened. "Alva! Are you ready yet?"

Alva's mother strut into the room with her head high, and a wide grin upon her face that only faltered seeing her daughter was yet to be ready.

"Almost, mother." Alva breathed, rolling her eyes slightly.

"What do you mean almost?" Her mother exclaimed. "Can this useless maid not move her hands fast enough? You are yet to be dressed!"

Hazel bowed her head immediately, mumbling an apology immediately.

"Pardon me my queen, I am going as fast I can."

She only rolled her eyes and swatted her hand in her direction.

"Shut up! Five years working here and you still haven't learned to only speak when spoken to!"

"I am sorry madame." Hazel breathed.

The madame was known to be very strict, but she only grew worse under the pressure of any special ceremony. Her anger will simply not quench until everything is perfect to her taste.

She rolled her eyes in response to the apology. "Sorry for yourself, shut up alright? Just make sure is she fully ready by the time I walk in." She warned, heading for the door.

Both girls nodded silently as the door slammed shut again.

"We must hurry and get you ready now, please step out of the robe." Hazel said to Alva.

Alva smiled. "Do not mind mother, she is acting as if she is the one who is getting engaged today."

Hazel chuckled, unzipping the dress. "It is understandable that she wants everything perfect, Lucas Rossi is a very important man afterall. Anybody would be stressed by the mere prospect of not meeting his expectations."

Alva chuckled, standing nude before her mirror. "Of course, I do hope I meet every of his expectations, and even exceed them." She smiled to herself, cupping her breasts in her palms.

"I am sure you will." Hazel mumbled, "step into the dress now.

Alva twirled around with her arms around herself. Stepping delicately into the dress. "All my friends must be jealous of me even more now. Lucas is every girls dream, and I get to have him."

"Indeed they must be." Hazel agreed quietly, pulling the dress up.

"Right? I really hope he at least agrees for us to take a photo today, I would so love to flaunt him on my social media pages." Alva grinned, her eyes fluttering with many imaginations.

"I hear he hates photographs." Hazel mumbled.

"I am sure I would change him." Alva smiled to herself, "we are to be married afterall, and I am a model! He would simply have to compromise on my behalf."

"Or maybe you would have to compromise on his. He might want you to quit posting so many pictures after the marriage." Hazel mumbled.

"Never!" Alva exclaimed. "I am a celebrity, I could never stop taking or posting pictures."

"Not even if he demands it?" Hazel whispered quietly.

"He can't make such decisions on his own. The moment I become his wife, he would simply have to adjust to life with me, he would definitely take more pictures with me." She declared defiantly.

"Indeed." Hazel mumbled, "seat down, I must do your hair now."

"There is no need for that." Alva smiled, "my hair and make up crew must be here already. It's only right they are the ones to make me beautiful on this special occasion."

"Of course." Hazel bowed.

"Go fetch them for me." Alva mumbled.

Few minutes after Hazel left the room, she was sent back again with a message. She came running into the room of the young heiress.

Alva sat on her bed, admiring herself with a smile on her face. Indeed she was very beautiful, nothing could compare to her shine today.

"Princess... Your suitor is here." She announced.