It was long past morning tea, and I was preparing for supper with my sisters. The day went by fast, and I couldn't help but feel drowsy. Ever since Mother called Garnet away, I hadn't seen her nor have I seen any of my other sisters.

I was quite busy as I worked on my studies and practiced the languages of foreign lands. It was a specialty of mine, and I had already mastered 4, not including my mother tongue. Learning styles of the tongue was a significant part of being an heir. It's critical when you're communicating with other kingdoms.

The clock beside me struck 7:30, and Beth announced that I should start making my way to the dining room. I nodded while staring deeply into the lines on the palm of my hand. I remembered the airy feeling I felt when I awoke from my heavy unconscious slumber. The air was still there, and I couldn't help but feel like I'd become someone else. Although I looked the same throughout, I felt mysterious and my inner aura unfamiliar.

I stood up, and Beth hastily opened the door for me to exit. Something felt wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it. My body stood, but it didn't move. My eyes glanced at the floor and then at my palms again. What was I doing? There was a strong perception of confusion and sadness that enveloped me and made me shiver.

"Princess?" the voice of Beth helped me regain control, and I looked at her. My consciousness was only for a second, and I lost myself again. Her face was unfamiliar, but I knew her. Beth. What was wrong with me? "Princess, are you alright?" Beth asked, closing the door and running to me. I stared at her. You're Beth.

Beth's golden optics looked straight into mine, and I didn't look away. They were golden, oh, so golden.

Beth blinked. "Princess? Princess?! Are you alright?" Her voice shook, and she grasped me by my hand.

My mind fell out of the strange daze, and I peered around. I shifted back to Beth, who had a countenance clouded with concern.

"Beth..." I muttered from my lips. What was wrong with me? What was wrong with me??

"Princess, tell me, are you feeling alright? You were just standing there looking so depressed and lost. You looked like you were going to collapse at any moment. Do you want to have supper here instead? I can inform the Empress that you need to rest." She let go of my hands and clutched my face.

Beth had been my maid ever since I was 10, and I was 21 now. I felt as close to Beth as I was to Garnet, though our relationship was never like those of equals. I was an heiress, and she was an unpretentious maid. She was always beside me, and I thought of her as my friend, but there was a soundless wall that stood high between our classes, and we never opened up.

I was feeling perfectly fine now. The emotions I felt before were just in the spur of the moment.

"Sorry for worrying you, Beth. I was just in a slight reverie. Nothing out of the ordinary." I smiled.

She sighed and nodded. "Alright, Princess, but if you ever don't feel well, please... take a rest."

"Of course, Beth," I replied, and we made our way to the dining hall.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

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"Why are you late?" Mother's booming voice asked from the head of the table when I walked in. All of my sister's heads turned and lowered when they noticed me. Behind me, Beth yielded towards them silently, waiting for me to speak.

I bowed towards the table. "Good evening, Mother, the great Empress of Hydrangea. And to my sisters, the Princesses of Hydrangea. "

"Rise all." My mother signaled, and everyone in the room raised their heads. "Beth, as the personal maid and aid of a princess, you should keep her reminded of her schedule."

"Sor-sorry.. great Empress! I-" Beth started, her voice quivering with fright.

I lifted my left hand to my chest. "Mother, I apologize on behalf of my maid Beth. She has done no wrong, and I take all the faults. I was being picky and wanted to wear a pretty dress as I wished to please you. Beth has done her best to have me arrive on time for any dinner at all."

I saw on my mother's face the look of doubt as she raised her brow. Nonetheless, she nodded and motioned for me to sit in the vacant seat beside her. On the opposite side of the chair, sat Garnet, her grin radiated as bright as ever.

She was alright, and my heart breathed a sigh of relief, although I knew she would be fine.

Everyone had continued to chat and eat, and their voices buzzed throughout the sumptuous room. My heels clicked over, and I sat down in the chair reserved for me. Garnet was about to say something when Mother beat her to the conversation.

She smiled. "My dear First Princess Azulia Bellerose, I congratulate you on your engagement. Your Father and I had spoken, and we have found you your perfect king."

My heart stopped. And when I say my heart stopped, it really stopped. I stared at my plate of masterful cuisine, and my mind scrambled through a cluttered abyss of thoughts.

Me? Married? Me? Engaged? Me? The ruler of Hydrangea? Why was my head so excited, but my heart ached with the words of, "I'm not ready"?

Everyone in the room caught Empress Victoria's words, and they stopped all movement. They awaited my response with a feeling of impatience flowing through their veins.

They were all ready for me, but why? Something I've prepared for all my life, and here I felt unready? I know I said I'd do anything, and I certainly will but, why? Why did I feel my body getting swallowed up by anxiety? I've always been confident and hardworking, but now that the time has come, I felt useless.

I looked earnestly into my mother's pale blue eyes. "Mother, I-"

The doors of the dining room opened suddenly, and a tall, broad figure entered. Empress Victoria stood and beamed when she caught sight of the man. All the girls at the table gulped. To many of them, this was the first time Father had made an appearance when dining.

Alstro darted up to him and hugged him. She gazed up at his face with a smile. "HeLlO papA, are you hungwee?"

His dark hair was tied in a ponytail along his back. His eyes were the color of the dark substrata of the ocean. His lips remained straight as he stared down at his little daughter, while hers grinned radiantly at him. He was handsome, so handsome that many didn't even believe he was real. There was a light dash of aging on his face that gave him a rough look, but you wouldn't be able to notice unless you analyzed him carefully.

He, the great Emperor of Hydrangea, King Laxsander Azriel Bellerose, a tyrant known for destruction, he..was my Father. And what he did next was surprising. He lifted Alstro high in his arms and embraced her with all his might. Planting a kiss on her head, he said, "Why Alstro, you've gotten quite big."

There was a stillness that hung in the room. Everyone watched Father's warm greeting towards his little daughter. The young Nineteenth Princess kissed her Father on the cheek, and a maid in the room let out a small gasp. The corners of Father's eyes glanced at the maid. The maid froze, frightened, clutching the skirt of her uniform. Father stared back at Alstro, disregarding the discourteous servant. He carries Alstro back to her chair and places her down.

Immediately all the Princesses' heads fall ninety degrees, and in unison, we articulate a greeting, "Good evening Father, the great Emperor of Hydrangea."

A chuckle escapes from his lips. "A little late, ladies, don't you think?"

"We apologize, Father. We were caught off guard by your unexpected appearance in this gathering." Twelfth Princess Anabel managed to spit out.

"Anabel, I didn't realize I bestowed you permission to speak?"

I could see Anabel try to conceal her dismay. Her countenance looked vacant, but her left hand was white from the firm fist she held. She remained silent.

"Azulia!" My Father's voice was proud as he turned towards me. "You have done a noble deed. You may rise."

I lifted my head, and my eyes met his. There was an expression of acknowledgment in them, and happiness rushed through me. He walked towards Mother and stood beside her at the head of the table. He gave Mother a quick kiss on the cheek, and she blushed.

He turned towards the array of Princesses that yielded their heads toward him. "You may all rise, I have an important announcement to make in the imperial house of Bellerose."

All my sisters released from their yield and gave him their full attention.

"I assume you've all heard of our First Princess, Azulia Bellerose, and her lead in the alliance with the Kingdom of Lefort. As her family and blood, we congratulate her engagement with the crown prince of Lefort."

I was afraid. I was unready. But with the exultant aura I saw in my Father, I felt ready. I wanted to take control.

Now... it's official.

I, Crown Princess Azulia Bellerose, am going to marry a man I've never met.