Note: This story uses British English.

(Kingdom of Aldaria)

(Princess Sunniva)

Who doesn't love being lost in the pages of a fantasy book?

Sitting under the shade of the copper beech tree, the holiest tree in our kingdom, I was lost in the pages of a book telling the stories of faes, elves, vampires, and magic. In books, I adored these creatures—in real life, not so much.

Still, I loved to escape my rule-filled world for a little while, especially here, my secret safe space. Serenity and calm surrounded me; the stream, like a blue ribbon, gushed a few feet away from me. Golden rods and blue mist flowers covered its banks, forming clusters and thickets. The September sun shone down on it with all its glory, giving a sparkly tinge to the sapphire-shaded water.

The water churned over smooth stones, creating a soothing music which mingled with birds chirping in the trees, singing their own melodies.

Nature at its finest.

If only I could just sit there and read, day and night. I turned the thick page of the heavy tome in my lap as a shadow loomed over it, blocking some of my light. Lifting my head, I found my chambermaid standing in front with her hands clasped and her head bowed.

I scowled, so she apologetically began.

“Princess Sunniva, I apologise for intruding on your reading time but your mother wishes for your immediate return to the palace.”

I shut the book with a loud thud. “Why?” I asked with my scowl widening and irritation climbing.

But I knew exactly why I was being summoned. Knowing my mother and her obsessiveness with control and perfection I could only assume the way the conversation was going to go.

My chambermaid, Eveera, seemed slightly unsettled at my question and cleared her throat before speaking.

“We have entered the matching season, my lady. And we are expecting guests from another Kingdom.”

Her tone was almost pleading now and I pitied her. Sighing, I extended my thinly gloved hand, and she quickly accepted it, helping me up. I scrambled to my feet and she adjusted my heavy dress.

The bone-crushing corset squeezed against my chest, making it even more difficult to breathe properly. If I hated something more than my mother's summons, it was these torture devices I had to wear all day long.

If only I could be a fish in that stream, living freely, swimming where the flow of water took me.

Sigh!

Daydreams, daydreams.

“Smile, my lady,” Eveera reminded me, spreading her own lips and pointing with her index finger and thumb.

The pains of being the youngest princess of Aldaria. One had to smile even if one was dying inside.

You had cramps from monthly bleeding, and no one cared.

All they cared about was, why weren't you carrying a smile?

You didn't get to eat properly because of that vice-like cage around you, and now your stomach was growling.

Still, none of anyone's concern.

But a smile was missing? That could cause a scandal.

The gossip, the back talk.

Taking her advice, I let my lips spread in a fake smile.

Eveera took my heavy book from my hands. A princess was not supposed to carry anything; she was too precious for that.

My personal bodyguard, Gariath, followed behind at a respectable distance. I admired the big man as he tried to keep himself invisible unless he was required to show himself. He knew how to respect my privacy.

The clinking of his heavy armour was like a reminder of his vow to be my protector.

We arrived at the heavy wooden gates of our castle and guards in their dull uniforms with spears in their hands bowed to me.

I offered a nod as they pushed the doors open so we could enter. Glancing around the royal gardens I found them even more immaculate than they appeared daily.

The topiaries had been trimmed to perfection, creating unique shapes. Fountains had been scrubbed clean, churning out crystal clear water, making my heart relax with their soft rhythm.

Passing through the covered pentice we entered the central courtyard where a hustle of servants were being ordered around by my frantic mother.

The ‘Queen’ of the castle—Queen Elsaria Claminte.

Perfectionist. Controlling. Picky. Partisan.

The four words that best described her.

Clad in her royal burgundy and royal blue attire with her crown nestled above her fancy hairdo she cast me a distasteful glance.

Ah! Here came the speech.

3…

2…

1.

“Sunniva, there you are. Why aren't you ready? Don't you know we are expecting the most important royal guests? It's such a big day for your sister, and all of us too. This is no time for tardiness. Go become presentable,” she ordered me away with the wave of her hand.

Her seething glare extended to Eveera. The poor girl lowered her head as if trying to disappear into the floor.

“Mother! It's good to see you too,” I said, lying between my teeth.

“Take her away. She should have been ready by now. Why am I surrounded by imbeciles?” My mother continued to fret and I revelled in that fleeting moment of her frenzied state.

Eveera quickly curtsied. “Right away, Your Highness. My apologies for the delay.”

I politely smiled at my mother. Any other reaction and I would never hear the end of it, and my meals could end up getting cut off too.

I couldn't afford that.

“Come, Princess Sunniva.” Eveera removed me from the situation and our little procession began to move towards my chamber.

The candles were being replaced in the candelabras, lining the corridors leading to my chamber.

I was least interested in the special guest arriving today. It was some distinctive Elf Prince from the Western Kingdom of Arakia. My father was looking to secure an alliance with them.

And what better way to form an alliance than through a marriage of convenience?

That's what women were subjected to—reduced to—here in Aldaria. Made to think this was their only purpose and goal in the world.

I had zero interest in these political alliances and marriages. Although I loved war strategies and learning new information about the creatures that roamed our world. Plus, it was important to keep the kingdom safe.

But my sister was going to be the perfect fit for this prince.

She loved attention.

She loved glamorous dresses.

And most importantly it was her life’s mission to marry a handsome prince who would whisk her away.

But someone had already crushed my heart once before.

The broken pieces of his promise still pierced my heart deeply, making it bleed…Maybe we were too young then, and I was holding on to a hope which should have died with time.

But what if he returns one day?

“Princess Sunniva, your bath is ready,” Eveera announced, bringing my attention back to reality.

She and my other maid helped me get rid of the dress and I lowered myself into the bathtub with hot water and violet petals floating on the surface. Relaxing oils and fresh petals created a concoction which soothed my senses and expunged the worries from my body.

Closing my eyes I let them scrub my body clean, wash my hair, and prepare me for the arrival of the Royal Convoy of Arakia.

As the youngest daughter, I needed to be there with my family to welcome them, even if I wasn’t the one to be betrothed.

Once the maids were satisfied—and my body red enough to be deemed clean—they pulled me out of the water. The beds of my nails had no dirt, and I smelled nice enough.

Drying me up, they began to dress me in what I affectionately called the ‘organ rearranger,’ aka a corset.

How I hated this air oppressor…

I filled my lungs with free air, one last time before my waist and chest were choked and I could no longer breathe freely.

The cost of being a woman…

The dress my mother chose for me was a stunning example of regal high couture, and yet my heart didn't feel anything as my eyes trailed down and observed it completely.

The gown had a voluminous long skirt that kissed the ground and a fitted bodice that accentuated my waist, flaring out into a skirt with a royal train effect. The base colour was a deep, rich burgundy velvet, giving the dress a luxurious, aristocratic appearance.

Intricate gold embroidery covered the front panel of the skirt, bodice, sleeves, and shoulders. The embroidery consisted of swirling baroque-style floral motifs. Golden appliqués and beadwork further enhanced the ornate feel, giving it a majestic texture, especially around the shoulders and high neckline.

It was a perfect dress for a princess and yet I felt like a foreigner in it. Someone who didn't belong.

Eveera styled my hair and decorated it with small flowers I loved while she instructed me to keep my posture straight. They carried out the last touches when someone knocked on our door and I heard trumpets blowing.

Gariath’s heavy voice came. “Princess Sunniva, guests are arriving, we need to be outside to receive them.”

“Hurry!” I told Eveera as she adjusted the last pin in my hair.

Off we went. Opening the door and scrambling through the corridors until we arrived in the Royal Gardens.

All set and ready to receive these guests whom I knew nothing about, nor did I care in the slightest.

Because the prince was here to choose his bride, and it would absolutely not be me.