The young princess glowered at her father. He was sitting on his throne in the throne room, the Queen beside her. "Papa, it just isn't right how you keep taking from the poor!" She exclaimed, her arms crossed against her chest. She was ignoring the pleading looks from her mother to stop, but the princess was shaking it off. "That is enough, Annabelle. Go to your room and do your studies." He bellowed, clearly losing his temper. Annabelle huffed before storming off and heading to her room. It was big, about the size of a small house. She dismissed her chambermaid and good friend, Alison. She just wanted some alone time right now. After making an attempt to show her anger by slamming the heavy wooden door, Annabelle fell on her bed and took her pillow, screaming inside it. She might have been acting like a child, but her father frustrated her sometimes! He was the reason that led her to learning archery and fencing, being extremely skilled with a sword and crossbow.
He was the reason she became a maiden of the night, stealing from ships that came to bay and giving back to the poor. It was still midday. Annabelle walked out on her balcony, her light lavender dress following behind her. The sleeves fell off her shoulders and her auburn hair fell in ringlets around her face. She looked out across the village. Her room as at the top of the castle, so she could look out and see the whole village, including the sea. A particularly large ship caught her eye as it pulled to port. Annabelle leaned forward slightly and smiled. "Perfect..." She whispered. It looked like the pirate who controlled it could be wealthy, and she made it her goal that night to raid that ship. Just about every time a ship came to port, the crew would always be at the pub drinking and finding some wench to get lucky with for the night, giving her the perfect chance to raid for gold, silver, or anything else of value she could find.
Annabelle stood outside for a few more minutes before turning to go back inside. She opened her dresser and pulled up a string that led to a secret compartment, where her brown satchel was waiting. She took it out and reached in, drawing out a wooden crossbow she had made especially for her. A knock on the wooden door startled Annabelle, she quickly stashed her stuff back, being careful with the bow, and stood up, shutting the doors. "Come in." She called out. The door opened and her mother, Queen Miranda, came inside. She was wearing a dark red dress that was simple, but somehow it looked extravagant on her. "Hey, mom." Annabelle said, casually walking over to her queen-sized four poster bed and sitting down, placing her hands in her lap. "Sweetie, we really need to talk." Miranda said as she went to sit beside her daughter. The pair favored each other a lot, Annabelle had her same dark auburn hair.
Annabelle sighed and looked away. "I know.. I lost my temper, it was completely stupid, but I'm just so sick, Mother." Annabelle said, exasperated. "I know, I am too." She said putting a reassuring arm around her daughter. "What father is doing is just wrong. He can't keep doing this. There are people out there who has families, children that are suffering." Annabelle said, looking at her mother. "All you have to do is marry, Bella, the kingdom will be yours in no time. We've set up several compatible suitors." Miranda said. Annabelle groaned and stood up. "No, Mother. When I marry it will be for love, not because it's an arrangement." Annabelle said, not looking at her mother. "Very well.. just hold your tongue." Miranda said as she left the young princess alone.
That night, Annabelle went outside for fresh air. It was still early into the night, she usually did her thing when it was later. She walked out of the castle, dressed in the same light dress as before. She picked up her dress and walked down the path to her garden and sat down on the bench, picking a rose up from her rose bush. "When will father understand?" She whispered to herself. Annabelle started humming a soft song to herself, and soon added words on. It was a romantic ballad she heard several times when the men would sing to the women, most commonly when proposing. Her voice was soft and beautiful, almost angelic.