The Carmarthen household was one of the grandest mansions in the East, befitting the status of Duke Carmarthen. The exterior of the mansion was painted a warm cream, accentuated by elegant brown outlines that emphasized its architectural beauty. The vast compound was lush with greenery, and to the left of the estate lay a magnificent garden, where flowers of every kind and species bloomed in vibrant colors, as if the very earth beneath was enchanted. To the right, horse sheds and a small farm added a rustic charm to the otherwise regal estate.
Inside, the mansion was no less magnificent. The opulent interiors were adorned with golden furnishings and lavish decorations, casting a soft glow over the halls. The grand main hall stood empty, save for the exquisitely arranged flower vases placed in each corner, their fragrant blossoms filling the air. At the heart of the hall was an imposing staircase, spiraling gracefully toward the upper floors as though leading to realms unknown.
"Papa!" Alexandra cried out with joy as she ran into her father's embrace.
"Oh, my little angel," Duke Carmarthen greeted her with a warm smile, kissing her forehead. His gaze then shifted to his beloved wife, Brione, who stood just behind their daughter, radiating elegance.
Alexandra stepped aside, allowing her parents to share their moment. They embraced tenderly, the love between them so evident it could almost be seen, like a shimmering aura around them.
"Welcome back, my love," Brione said softly, kissing her husband gently on the lips, her smile serene and filled with warmth.
"Thank you, my sweet wife," Duke Carmarthen replied, returning her kiss and tenderly running his fingers through her ginger hair. "I trust you've prepared something for dinner? I'm absolutely famished," he teased with a chuckle as they made their way toward the kitchen, arm in arm.
Alexandra lingered, watching her parents with a soft smile, her heart full. Their love was like something out of a storybook, the kind she longed for herself. "Wow..." she whispered to herself before returning to her knitting, though her mind wandered back to thoughts of love.
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Morning broke over the Kingdom of Caestria, casting golden light across its four lands. In the East, where the Carmarthen estate lay, the day began in earnest.
At the stroke of eleven, as Alexandra had expected, her best friends Cleo and Cloe arrived. The identical twins were a striking pair, their long, straight black hair glinting in the morning sun as they entered the tea room where Alexandra awaited them. The three ladies sat together, each sipping tea of their preferred blend.
"The fact that he actually thought I was the one in love with him first! Ha! He's the one obsessed with me!" Cleo, ever the talkative one, launched into a spirited recount of her recent romantic escapades. "He's handsome, yes, but goodness! What a narcissist!" She scoffed dramatically, though her companions burst into laughter.
"Wait, but didn't you say you liked him?" Alexandra asked with a sly grin, watching as Cleo's indignation flared.
"Oh, I like him, alright. But he's trying to twist things around, as if he's not the one completely smitten!" Cleo flipped her hair in mock outrage. "Honestly, it happened just yesterday."
The laughter erupted again. Cleo had a gift for storytelling, always the optimistic, energetic soul of their trio. Cloe, by contrast, was quieter, more introspective, though her clever eyes took in everything. The twins were like day and night—complementary and inseparable.
Though identical in appearance, with their long black hair and blue eyes, they each bore a distinctive mark. Cleo's birthmark rested just below her left eye, while Cloe's was above her lips—a subtle sign of their individuality.
"So… are you two officially seeing each other now?" Alexandra pressed, noticing the playful smile that tugged at Cleo's lips.
"Mhm. He asked me out properly," Cleo admitted with a soft blush, her dimples deepening as her cheeks flushed. "Of course, I said yes."
Cloe smiled knowingly while Alexandra couldn't help but admire her friend's delight. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you. It's what you've always wanted," Alexandra said warmly before turning to Cloe with a mischievous look. "What about you, Cloe? When are you going to find your prince charming?"
Cloe chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm not interested," she said simply, her smile faint but sincere.
Alexandra and Cleo both rolled their eyes in unison. "If you keep saying that, you'll never get married at all!" Alexandra teased, taking another sip of her tea.
"I'm fine with that," Cloe replied with a soft laugh, her calm demeanor unfazed by their banter.
"Well, now onto you, Alex," Cloe began, shifting the conversation. "We've all heard the news."
Alexandra sighed, rolling her eyes—another habit she'd picked up from her mother. "What news? It's not like the prince has chosen me," she replied with a shrug.
"You never know," Cleo chimed in. "He might pick you. Anything is possible."
"Not while Kiara is still in the running," Alexandra muttered. "And guess what? Kiara and the crown prince are childhood friends." She revealed the secret with a resigned tone, watching as her friends' eyes widened in disbelief.
"Seriously?!" Cleo's interest piqued immediately. "How do you know? And why didn't anyone else hear about this?"
"Calm down, Cleo. Give her a moment to breathe," Cloe interjected, though her curiosity mirrored her sister's.
"It only started spreading after the king's messengers announced the bride-picking event," Alexandra explained, leaning back in her chair as she watched Cleo lean forward, almost cat-like in her curiosity. "Everyone's been talking about it. Kiara has been a family friend of the royal family since she was little."