"I have great news; I am to be married!" She squealed a very unladylike sound, her excitement getting the best of her.
"Sister," Amethyst said, not conveying any interest in the conversation. "you have always been bound to marriage."
"Yes, but Father feels that we are both old enough, and it is to happen soon. Father is going to hold a great ball, bringing in all the nearest royals and the land's regents. There, he will announce the date of the wedding."
"Oh, joy! More strangers traipsing into our home are throwing themselves at a royal's feet. I will be out in the gardens if you need me during the party."
"Don't be foolish!" Meghan snapped, showing an irritation that only Amethyst can bring about. "Father wills that this is not only a celebration of my good fortune but also an opportunity for Malicart to search for a bride. Perhaps we may even find a suiter for you, Amethyst." Malicart lit up a bit at this idea.
"Do you know if Lady Grace will be in attendance? She is a noble in the region by the ports?" He asked
"She was invited. Is she not the lady who stayed in the castle some months ago? Her father was away on business with his two sons." both Amethyst and Meghan were not fooled by their brother's attempt to convince them his inquiries were idol curiosity. When Lady Grace was living in the palace, Malicart escorted her everywhere. After she left, he started to write letters to her daily. He was already in love with this girl, and she loved him very much.
"Sister, I thought we already decided there was no advantage to me marrying another lord of the realm, and no princes in our company were appropriate for me. All in all, I thought it was decided I was to die a maid." Amethyst stated, reaching to retrieve her discarded sword.
"Because your union would give the nation no advantage does not mean that we wish for you to become a maid. If you showed more interest in the church, we could have made you a nun, but there we are."
"I have met most men at court and find them wanting. So, thank you for your concern, but no, I don't see love or marriage coming from your party."
"It would mean much to me to see you happy, and mother wills it. Whether you like it or not, you will attend the party in your best dress and speak to anyone she or I direct you to." Meghan worked herself up, but before Amethyst could argue, she left. Malicart was about to say something to his sister when she tossed his sword to him.
"Don't speak. Take your sword and leave." Amethyst threw her sword at the ground so that it stood upright out of the earth. Malicart gathered his things, taking many not-so-subtle glances at Amethyst. She settled herself down on the ground next to her sword. She contemplated her options while watching the sun move across the heavens. She could make a wrong impression on the lords; it shouldn't be hard. Most of them already know of her and her antics. She could do as her mother wished. Of course, she could find herself engaged and married to an all but stranger, which cannot be undone. Both options held her mother's wrath. 
After the fact, she needed an option that preserved her freedom. She could run to the nunnery not to join but to hide away. Amethyst had heard stories that the nuns had hidden girls from troubles in the past. The question was, would they shield her, knowing that she was the princess? She could wear a disguise, and that would also make it easier to leave the castle. According to some, her following thoughts went to her chambermaid, practically her twin. The girls could share clothes. So, Amethyst settled on asking her chambermaid, Cerci, for help.When Cerci came in that night, Amethyst was already ready for bed.
"Did you hear the dreadful awful news?" Amethyst left space on the bed for Cerci to join her in gossip as they have done for years.
"It is only dreadful and awful for you. Your sister has been waiting her whole life to be married. You have been spending your whole life avoiding it." Amethyst smiled at Cerci and her being right.