Our letters were published today, and the public was rapturous. Men and women gathered around the gates of the castle and cheered, holding flags of both nations. Was the Kingdom of Lefort's response just as ecstatic?

The Hydrangeans view this marriage as a reassurance to them that Hydrangea will have a king. But only I know that all this happened because of the war declaration from Ragnar. My Father had told them that the crown prince and I fell in love to keep the kingdom from panic and chaos. That is not the case at all, I've never even met him, let alone seen him. He could be a fat ugly thug for all I know.

I took a deep breath, breathing in the lovely rose scent of my bath. I sunk lower into the bathwater, feeling the warmth envelope me. Picking up a flower petal in my fingers and bringing it in my palm to my lips. I blew the petal, and it fell, dancing slowly till it hit the water.

Today was a monotonous blur. After I visited Garnet for her dress fitting, I left to see baby Delphine, the twentieth princess of Hydrangea. She's the youngest, being only 5 months old. I looked into her dark blue eyes as they twinkled like a beautiful ocean in the night. I admired her short pale golden hair, the same as mother's, which made her look like her tiny copy of the empress. She was giggly and happy and visiting her always made my days better. I didn't do much else today besides reading and walking around the castle, so visiting Delphine was the highlight. A winding day is filled with despondence.

A thunder boomed, indicating that the windy day had evolved into a storm. Storms always worry me, I only hope that the garden of hydrangeas is okay. I clasp my wet hands together, lowering my head till the tip of my nose touched my hands, and I prayed. I prayed to the divine gods to protect my flowers. I do this every time it rains, and the hydrangeas are always safe. I believe that it's luck, but maybe… maybe… after what I've seen… there is someone, or something protecting them. After the rain though, I'm always excited to visit the garden. The raindrops on the hydrangea petals glimmer like diamonds in the bright sunlight, like walking into heaven.

Bringing my hands down into the water, I sigh.

"What's wrong, Princess?"

I looked up with some surprise. I had forgotten Beth was there. It is a part of her job to help me bathe, though I can do it myself. I usually decline her requests to help me wash, so she would sit in a chair reading. It was one of the only times she is ever free. Like today, she was reading.

Beth closes her book and looks up. "Why the sigh Princess?"

"Oh, it's nothing, I'm just relaxed," I respond, closing my eyes and smiling.

"That's good. I heard about Garnet's situation, it must have been hard."

"She wasn't much of a bother. It could have been worse," I explain. It's especially bad when Garnet and Rosali get in arguments.

"Well, I'm going to get another book. Do you need me to get anything for you, Princess?" Beth askes, getting up from where she sat. She brushes her maid's dress, fixing the wrinkles from sitting. I smile at her, and she bows. Her short brown hair that lay on her shoulders lower diagonal to the floor. She walks out and closes the door.

I sink back into the water and play with the bubbles. Is it safe to be left alone with your mind and thoughts like this? Well, whatever. I've been wondering, though. Why did Lefort accept this engagement? Hm. Lefort is a small but wealthy nation, I don't think there are any benefits from having Hydrangea by their side. An ulterior motive?

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I shake my head. No! I shouldn't be thinking about this. No matter what, I'm still getting married. I hope at least he's not dumb? His letters show he isn't, but who is to know that someone else wrote it for him? Stuck up, stupid people are the worst.

A knock sounds from the bathroom door. "This is Beth, Princess!"

I sit up. "Come in!"

The door opens, and Beth comes in with a new larger book and a golden envelope in her hand. Already another letter? The last one just got published today. Did he already receive the letter I sent?

"I return with another letter from Lefort! Gosh, the prince must really like you! He sends letters fast. He's definitely interested," Beth says.

I blush and splash some of the water on her. She squeaks in surprise.

"Princess!" She yells.

I giggle. "You deserve it. He's probably just a ladies' woman. I'm not getting my hopes up on him. It's an arranged marriage anyway."

"But Azulia! Think about it. You mother picked him," she says jumping, excitedly adding, "So… he must be handsome~"

"That's nice logic," I say sarcastically. "Open the letter."

Beth carefully tears open the golden paper, sliding the paper out. I notice from the back of the page that some of the red ink had leaked to the end. He had written in red again…

"To my dearest betrothed,

I know it's been barely two sunsets since I had last written but, I am far too entranced with the thought of you, Azulia. Your letter was unprecedented, it seems you have a talent for words.

Do you like dancing, Azulia? I will be attending your sister's vassal coronation. I believe that we can be each other's first and last dance.

Awaiting our meeting,

Prince Reynaldus Maverick Lior Launselot - Of Lefort"

Beth read with a loud, composed voice, and each word rang clear in my ears. He's attending Garnet's birthday party. I'll meet him there. My mind panicked for a few, then calmed when Beth spoke again. She understood from the silence that I wasn't prepared for our meeting to come so fast. I suppose that war may be approaching so we must rush the wedding…

"He's really charming, isn't he Azulia? Beth asked.

"Mhm," I mumble in response. "Beth, I'd like to get dressed now." Beth nods and rushes out to grab my nightgown.

My life is running out of its small circle now. There is something new I can explore. The day the prince will arrive, I'll have to get dressed as nicely as Garnet. It may be her coronation, but for me, it's the day I meet the man I'm going to marry. Garnet never was one for the spotlight anyways. It will be a calmer day for her if no one bothers her and congratulates her. Yeah... This is good for us. For all of us. And for the kingdom.

Beth enters again with one of my nightgowns. The one she held was pale lavender color with long flowy sleeves, decorated with lace. She must have picked one with sleeves to accommodate the cold weather recently. It was still storming outside.

Beth helped dry my body and brush my hair. I walked out back into my room, to my vanity. I pulled out my creams from the drawer. I applied the creams, staring at myself in the mirror. Beth was still in the washroom cleaning up from my bath. I blinked, and my reflection changed. I wasn't in my nightgown but a beautiful dress.

The dress was like something I've never seen before. It had golden sleeves and blue gems. She wore earrings that matched her dress like a pair, and her face was powered to perfection. She was me...but beautiful.

I blinked again and rubbed my eyes. The reflection vanished. This was the second time that I've seen my reflection change today. But still, like earlier, I'll just choose to brush it off. I just hope the person I'm seeing is a better me, and not... something else.

I look out the window at the storm. My flowers were fine, and thankfully, the storm was shrinking. Thunder still erupted from other areas. The storm is moving on to cause destruction in a new place.

I stare at my reflection again, putting my arms on the table. I lower my head down and rest. My eyes close slowly. My body was sluggish, and the feeling of drowsiness overcame me. After the warm bath, I'm ready to drift away once again.

"Azulia?" I heard Beth call, but I am too tired to reply. The world around me disappears, and I dream.