Prologue/Marketing Research

A lady glided down the white marble steps. She was dressed in vivid blues, greens, and teals with flashing trim of gold. On her head, now, was a silver circlet with several spikes rising out of it, and affixed to each of these was a plume that matched her costume. The crowd murmured and rustled, awed by her magnificence. This was the first queen from the House of Peacock in centuries, and no-one knew how well she would do.
But the queen herself, what of her? Did anyone think of the fourteen-year-old girl under all that finery, of how scared she was she'd mess everything up? No. All the peasants and nobles and craftsmen cared about was her graceful stride, dignity, and poise. Surely that meant a good queen?
Else tried her hardest to look and feel like a swan gliding across a still lake at dawn. She waved and smiled graciously at familiar faces, noting the Duke of Somethingorother and the Earl of Thingamajig, and waving at them especially. When she reached the balcony, she stopped, holding her hands up for silence. It fell uncannily quickly.
"Good people of Cyann," she began, trying to make her voice sound deeper and more mature. "I am most pleased and honored that the Prophets have chosen me Queen. I will do my best to serve the interests of the people, and do whatever is necessary to protect my country and its welfare."
Applause broke out. Many agreed that it was one of the best and most concise speeches ever made in the centuries-long history of crownings at Cyann Palace.
Else smiled one last time in pure relief, then swept back up the stairs, back up to the shade and safety of the minor upstairs hall that no-one but her really appreciated. She settled into one of the poufy armchairs in which she had sought comfort since childhood, breathing in the varnish-y smell of the staircase and its polished railings that she had so loved to slide down when she was a small girl.
"My lady!" Else looked around to see Kara, the Head Housekeeper, striding into the room. "What ever would all the noblemen think to see you like this, sprawled in an armchair in a most unseemly manner, especially for the newly crowned Queen!"
Else sighed and stood, regretting that she could not just sit there forever. "Can I at least get this corset off? During the crowning I was sure someone would hear every time one of my ribs snapped in half."
"Very funny," said Kara coldly, bustling over to Else's side. "If you're to be Queen, you will wear a corset! Now come up to your chamber."
It never fails, thought Else. Whenever I want something, she always manages to find a reason why it's bad for me. So she had no choice but to let Kara lead her up the thickly carpeted stairs and into the upper hall.

Please tell me what you think of this story, suggestions to make it better, whether you want to hear more of it, and what the heck it should be about.