Royal Message

“Sir, there is a messenger here from the palace here for everyone.” Dale the butler said as we were in the middle of breakfast. “Thank you, Dale. Can you show him to the sitting room.” My father then looked at all of us and said, “Straighten your clothes and let's go.” We all stood up and checked how we looked as we all walked to the sitting room. Our mother stopped us before she checked us again, even our father. When she was sure that we looked presentable we walked in the room. My mother and father first, then my brother and sister with me being last. The messenger was standing in the middle of the room and turned toward us.

“Is the whole Ambrose family present?” He looked us over as he spoke. It was like he was judging us.

“Yes, we are all here.” My father did a small bow and we all followed. “May I ask what brings you here so early in the morning? "My father stood straight as he asked. The messenger only gestured for us to sit as he pulled a paper out. My father walked over to a loveseat and we all followed. My mother sat down next to him as me and my siblings went and stood behind them. The messenger handed my father the paper as he said

“The emperor has decided that two weeks from now he will hold a ball for every lady of age that is not married from each household to attend. He is looking for wives for his sons and may also take a wife if he so wishes. They are to wear a dress of white. They may have a ribbon of any color on their waist, across their chest, or in their hair. No other color but the ribbon. Also, they must have no jewelry other than a simple necklace with no gems. The dress can have any length of sleeves and neckline. You as the parents may join but no one else. If one of your daughters is chosen, they are to be courted for four months and then wed. If your daughter is chosen but in those four months, they don’t wish to marry them, the wedding will be canceled and they may not attend the next ball even if they are not married. Are there any questions?” The room was silent as we all were shocked by the news. The messenger just stood there staring at us. My father was the first to speak.

“My youngest daughter just debuted into society five days ago and has only been to one ball. She is exempt from this right because the law states that she has to wait at least eight months after debut before she can even think about having someone court, her much less marry.” My father stood as he spoke and my mother grabbed his arm and pulled him back down. She squeezed his hand while my brother and sister both held my hands.

I was shaking at the thought of having to go when I just had my first ball a day ago. The messenger looked at me and then looked back at my father.

“Yes, your daughter must go even when she just debuted, as will the other girls just like her. You have a week and a half to prepare. The ball will start at seven o’clock and will end at two o’clock.” A small gasp came from my mother but she showed no expression on her face. “May I ask which princes will be looking for wives at the ball and will they be picking official wives or concubines?” My mother spoke with a soft voice and smile but her eyes went hard as she said, concubine. Everyone knows that to be a concubine was a downgrade and that the emperor loved to have many of them.

The messenger turned to my mother and was silent for a moment before he spoke, “The princes present will be the first, third, fourth, and fifth. The matter of whether they will be the official wife or not is up to them, but if the emperor picks one, they will immediately be a concubine.” The messenger held my mother's eyes as he spoke. We all watch our mother's reaction as he spoke. She did not show any reaction as he finished. When he finished, she just smiled and thanked him.

“May I ask one last question?” My father spoke and the messenger turned his head to face him and nodded. He said, “Does the price of the dress matter, and may our son come as well to the ball?”

“The price does not matter. We have made sure there is extra white fabric at every clothes shop in the capital. As for your son he cannot come. The emperor only wants the young ladies and their parents to go as they don’t want the men to distract the ladies from the princes. Is that all the questions you have for me?”

“No, that is all. Thank you for coming so early in the morning. I’m sure you are busy so we will let you be on your way. Let me show you out myself.” My father and mother stood, I and my siblings walked out from behind the loveseat. My mother and me and my siblings all gave a small bow to the messenger. Father led him to the front door while we waited for him. None of us spoke until he can back.

“Dale, can you bring Rosa and Lily to the room, please? Also, can you bring in our breakfast as well?” My father turned to Dale asked. My father also lifted his hand up and with his pointer finger made a circular motion in the air.

“Yes sir.” Dale bowed and left the room to get them. My father turned to us. My sister opened her mouth to speak but my mother stopped her. My sister looked confused.

“Let’s sit down while we wait for them to come back.” My mother gave her a stern look while she motioned to the chairs. Our parents took the loveseat while my sister took a chair and I and my brother sat on the couch. It was quiet while we waited for them to come. My mother and father were talking about how they will visit our uncle and his family. A few minutes passed and the door opened and Dale came in with a cart of breakfast with Rosa and Lily behind him.