The Rynad kingdom.
A small yet cosy place where everyone feels welcome. No one would complain. It was a kingdom that seemed to always be in the sun. The beams of god were always shining brightly on it.
Swimming in money, the kingdom was an important place of trade and set up the world's largest auction. Every year, one of a kind items show up at this place. People from far and wide travel. The strongest rulers all show their might and wealth. As once the auction ends, it was time to fight and bet. However, the greatest flaw was this auction house. Every hour, people attempted to break in, as such crime skyrocketed. Criminal syndicates lived and were at war with each other every day, waiting for the auction in hopes of stealing the prized item.
No other country helped, as they quickly joined in, hiring thieves to do their dirty work.
But, this was a story for another time. As the kingdom had a new day that they were looking forward to, the paranoid population of Rynad was about to celebrate the wedding of a royale.
"You look really pretty." Sitting inside the large white holy cathedral, Clara had her hair done up for the occasion. Her usual unkempt hair was tied up into a bun and washed with the finest shampoo and conditioner. A gentle layer of makeup covered her surprisingly smooth skin, all while wearing a large white dress that she could hardly move in.
"Thanks…" Clara replied to the woman who was in charge of everything. A young girl who looked no older than Clara was put in charge of making sure Clara was ready.
This person was Rachel.
Rachel made sure to serve Clara when she arrived in the kingdom over a week ago. Everything Clara asked of her she did. Of course, this was too unnatural for her, so she never asked anything she wouldn't ask herself.
"You don't think so?" Rachel asked as Clara stared at her reflection in the large spotless mirror she sat in front of.
"I don't know. I've never worn anything like this before. I've never seen the appeal."
Clara was a tomboy.
She grew up in extreme poverty, on the verge of starvation. Her tomboyish attitude came from her struggles of trying to save her village. They hardly had clothes back then, but even now, when she does have access to these things she never felt the need. Thinking that the compliments she was given now are nothing but empty.
"Well, I wish I was as pretty as you. Pretty skin, lovely pink hair. Young face. You have it all."
"What about yourself?" Clara said, looking at Rachel's reflection in the mirror, passed herself. "You have lovely black hair and a slim figure, you are pretty enough to be a queen."
"I'm not fit to be royalty. I wouldn't want to be. Too much work."
*Knock knock.
A quiet and shy knocking on the door appeared to interrupt their talk. The timid voice of Prince Sebastian called out from the other side.
"Clara?" he called.
"It's bad for the groom to see the bride before the wedding starts," she replied.
"I know, I just wish to talk. I wanted to thank you for accepting. I was really worried you'd reject me. I know it may feel like I have no feelings and that this is purely political. But I want you to know that I do think you are really beautiful. Even if it is rather awkward between us, I wanted to know that my eyes have always looked to you. Wherever you are they always look for you. But, I want your happiness to be first."
"What a nice guy," Rachel whispered.
"I want you to be happy, Clara. My father organised this wedding and forced me to find a partner, but I don't want you to be unhappy. So, I have to ask, is there anyone you currently like?"
Clara thought about the question and thought greatly about all the people in her life, but to say her mind didn't keep thinking back to Fishy was a lie.
"No, there isn't." She said, bluntly.
"I see… well, I shall leave you two to it."
The prince walked away with Clara and Rachel listening as his footsteps got quieter and quieter.
"What kind of person is the prince?" Clara asked once she was certain he had left the area.
"He's a nice person. Very thoughtful. Nothing like the king. But, he fears the throne won't be his unless he marries. The king may seem insane but I think it's an act. He always looks like he's planning something."
"I think I understand that feeling…" Clara spoke to Rachel's surprise.
"You've been in an arranged marriage before?"
"No, the feeling of failing. All the pressure that has been placed on him. I was the same, doing everything I could just to keep going, he's just doing what he has to. We all would have died if we didn't accept the help of a random stranger. I was frustrated at first, I didn't want some random stranger's help. What could he do that I couldn't? But my granddad forced me to help. I was against it and hated supporting him, but as I spoke to him and understood him, I saw what my grandad saw that I couldn't. He was amazing. He saved us. But if I was in charge, I would have not asked for his help. I would have kicked him out and our village would have been eaten alive, or starved; whichever came first."
"I'm not sure I get the similarities between saving a village and marrying a girl for a father's love but I'll let your logic be yours." Rachel smiled as she finished up brushing Clara's hair.
"You know what I think?" Rachel continued speaking. "I think you should live your life, you are young. Doing what's best for other's can only get you so far, don't forget about yourself. Oh, and it's fine to be a little childish, who doesn't want a prince to come and rescue them?"
Rachel and Clara smiled at each other but Clara's eventually faded at the thought of her old friends.
Sadly, she couldn't worry about it for long, as the wedding was about to begin.