Yavia was getting ready with the help of her mother. It was the last day she would have to deal with this political absurdity, and she just wanted it to be over.
She lifted her chin as her mother clasped the family's heirloom necklace, called the Light of Sermere, around her neck. The necklace was a rope of gold as thick as two of her fingers put together, and connected to a diamond as big as her hand. To say it was priceless was an understatement.
The legend behind the necklace said it was found by the first King of Sermere, and carried a powerful enchantment with it. It was said to cast away illusions and increase ones perceptiveness, ultimately helping him to defeat the dragon army. Though nobody knew if the story was true, it was still a beautiful thing to be passed down her this morning. An early coming of age gift to increase her elegance at tomorrow's ceremony. It would be her sixteenth year, and a very special occasion for all of Sermere, tomorrow marked the day she was to be married and become acting Queen of Sermere.
"Did you make your decision Yavia?" asked the Queen quietly.
"I did mother, but it's not one of the suitors that came to our halls from afar. I chose someone who is already here," she said flatly, standing her ground.
"And I'm sure our young Lord would never say no to you my dear, but your father will never allow it, it is against the ways of the Ancient Kings to allow you to marry lesser nobility, and a seventh son is cursed by the gods."
Yavia rolled her eyes.
"My father and the gods be damned, I will marry whom I see fit, and you cannot stop me!" she said, voice rising.
"It is not I who will try to stop you my dear," said the queen with a soft sigh as she brushed her daughter's hair.
"Then father will just have to accept it, or I will not marry."
"You have to marry dear Yavia, for love or for politics, you have no choice. We cannot allow the Kingdom of Sermere to look weak over you and your father's petty differences."
Yavia sighed heavily, her mother was right and she knew it in her heart. Not marrying on the morrow would be disastrous for the entire kingdom, not just her father. She had made up her mind, she would tell her father later today whom she intended to marry, and that he could not stop her.
Standing to look in the mirror she marveled at herself. She had never thought she could look so beautiful. She smiled and curtsied with a giggle. I hope Nobaru enjoys this sight as much as I do. She blushed and looked down.
"Keep him from your mind for but a moment my dear," her mother said secretively as she eyed her daughter up and down with a smile. "We must hurry you off to the balcony, the crowd awaits your decision," she said with a wink.
An hour later the Princess was standing on the open balcony facing the crowd, sparkling in the late morning sunlight. The crowd roared, her suitors among them. Yavia, herself, was filled to the brim with anxiety. The backlash she would receive from her father for what she was about to do would be never ending. All she wanted was for this to be over and to hide in her room for the night under Nobaru's protection. With a deep breath to compose herself, and putting on a brave face, she waved and smiled brightly to the crowd. The crowed roared with excitement once again, and she had to wait until it died down to speak.
"Thank you all for coming," she shouted. "I am here to announce my choice as to whom I shall marry on the morrow."
The crowd went wild, whistles and clapping were mixed with screams of excitement. Fidgeting a little she began to speak again.
"The choice I am making..." her voice caught in her throat for a moment and she began to sweat profusely. Stay strong she thought to herself. "Is none of you, I apologize for your time being wasted."
With that Yavia took off into the castle, disappearing into a hidden passage in the walls, and making to her room where she locked herself up tightly. Her only comforting thought was the Nobaru might make it to her room before her father did.