The maids meticulously arranged the grand hall, ensuring every detail was perfect. Pots brimming with vibrant, fragrant flowers were strategically placed along both sides of the palace hall, their colors adding a lively contrast to the surroundings. Elegant, sheer curtains danced gracefully with the gentle breeze, creating a soft, ethereal effect. The delightful aroma of freshly uncorked wine and the mouthwatering scent of newly baked delicacies permeated the air, enticing the senses. The entire hall was thoughtfully designed and exquisitely decorated, radiating an atmosphere of refined elegance and warmth.
----
Princess Alexandra sat in front of her dressing mirror, dressed in an elegant black gown. Her hair was styled beautifully. But those glittering eyes of hers expressed sadness.
She sighed and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
"What could be wrong?" She rhetorically asked, gently placing her hands on her face.
Her Mother, the Queen came in not quite long ago. She stood by the corner and admired her daughter.
She smiled and majestically walked to Alexandra.
"There's nothing wrong, darling!" Her mother, the Queen placed both hands on Alexandra's shoulders and they both stared at their reflection in the mirror.
"Mother!" She calmly called. "Why don't I feel happy on such a day?" She asked.
The Queen smiled warmly. "You can only feel it with your heart!" She said.
"My heart?" She turned to face her mother. "Mother, I don't want to get married to those young lords!" Princess Alexandra said. Her eyes were hopeful.
"Darling!" Her mother patted her hair. "This is destiny, you can't change it!" she said with a calm smile.
Princess Alexandra held her mother's hand. "But this is my life, I should be the one to make these changes!"
"You're a princess– The Princess of Narva, the only child of Gavin Velaryon the II. You deserve someone willing to worship the ground you walk on!" Her mother reminds her.
"What I need is a man who loves me and not a slave!" Princess Alexandra let go of her mother's hand, turning back to the mirror.
"What do you know about Love?" Her mother moved forward and leaned against the dressing table.
"I may not know anything about it, but there are great stories about it, I also want the have that feeling of love!" She said, her eyes filled with emotions.
"You don't need that, darling! You have I and your father to love you. Maids and servants offer their loyalty, the entire City of Narva worships you! What else do you want?" Her mother stared at her gracefully.
"Mother, I want my happiness! I don't want to be with someone I don't love for the rest of my life!" Princess Alexandra retorted.
"That's nonsense young lady!" Her mother said, her voice higher than usual.
"No, it's not! I want to find my happiness!" Princess Alexandra stood up staring at her mother.
Her mother, the Queen stood upright and held Alexandra's hand. "What more can give you happiness? if not seeing your people living a peaceful life free from war under your reign!"
"Mother, don't you understand? I can't do this, I don't want those young lords!" Princess Alexandra held tightly her mother's hand. "You can convince father, right? You're his wife, his sunshine and hope! You can surely convince him, right?" She stared at her mother hopefully.
Her mother sighed and let go of Alexandra's hand. She turned her back to her. "We are Royals, our lives are not controlled by us: we live and do everything according to fate!" She takes in a deep breath. "If your father, the king has made this decision, you should get ready and come to the palace hall. You're the main focus of today's event, don't keep the noble guests waiting!" The Queen without taking a second glance at Princess Alexandra walked out of the room.
Alexandra stood there, her eyes tearing up. She took steps backward and she sank to the floor, her back against the wall, her heart heavy with despair.
-----
Back at the palace hall, the clinking of glasses was heard. The chatter of guests filled the hall. Servers moved around with trays of fine wine.
At the entrance of the palace hall, King Gavin Velaryon the II stood there patiently waiting for his daughter. Sebastian stood beside him and the guards stood behind the king. A few moments later, Princess Alexandra arrived. She stood beside her father.
"Father!" She gave a slight bow.
The King smiled, "what kept you so long?" He asked as he held her hand raising her from the bow.
"Sorry father! I didn't mean to delay!" She apologized with a warm smile.
The King, her father smiled and stared at the entrance to the palace hall. "What a great day!" He said.
"Yeah, what a great day!" She murmurs, her smile slowly fading.
The King turned to her. "I'm sure the young lords must be eager to meet you!" He said.
"Hmm!" She nodded with a smile.
"Don't be too confused later! All you have to do is pick the one you feel comfortable with," He advised with a smile.
"Yes, father!" She gave a slight bow.
"Let's Go in! As Royals, it's wrong to keep guests waiting," The King said.
"Oh!" Princess Alexandra smiled.
Princess Alexandra took her father's arm, and they walked into the palace hall.
"Welcome King Gavin Velaryon the II and Princess Alexandra of Narva!!" Sebastian announced with a loud voice. Immediately, the guests parted to create a path for the King, bowing their heads "Long Live Your Highness!!" They greeted in unison.
King Gavin and Princess Alexandra walked through the path, smiling gently as they made their way to the throne ahead of them.
Arriving at the throne which was positioned a few steps above the ground, King Gavin ascended the stairs with regal grace and took his seat on the throne. Two luxurious seats were placed on either side of the King's throne, one for the Queen and the other for the Princess. Princess Alexandra sat down in her designated seat.
"Please raise, everyone!" The King instructed the guests. "Today is a very special day for all of us, as my princess, your princess of Narva chooses a young lord. Let's all enjoy this moment and look forward to more moments like this!"
Sebastian carried a tray of wine, and King Gavin took the glass filled with red wine.
"We are family and family always support one another!" He raised the glass of wine to the audience and took a sip. "Enjoy yourselves!" He said.
The guests applauded, and the chatter resumed, with the clinking of glasses spreading throughout the hall.
----
The Queen walked majestically through the palace, with Eve, the Queen's lady-in-waiting, accompanying her. By the hallway, a pot of lilies caught her attention. She approached the pot of lilies.
She smiled warmly at the flowers. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," she said softly, her gaze lingering on the delicate blooms.
"Your Highness, are you okay?" Eve asked, bowing respectfully.
The Queen sighed as she gently touched the flowers. "Do you think something is wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"Your Highness, I dare not share my thoughts," Eve replied calmly.
"Then why ask?" The Queen turned to her, her eyes reflecting the unspoken weight of her responsibilities.
"It's a joyous day, but your smile seems less... pure," Eve ventured cautiously, her words echoing the subtle imperfection she perceived.
The Queen began to walk away from the lilies, their fragile beauty a stark contrast to her inner turmoil. "Is that how it seems?" she asked, her voice softening as she took in the ever-moving clouds above.
Memories flooded her mind, brought on by the sight of the lilies. She recalled her mother's words from years ago, her voice laden with the same pressures and expectations she now faced.
"You are betrothed to a prince, that's a blessing!" her mother had said.
"Mom! I don't want to be part of the Royal family!" Young Ilithyia had retorted, her voice trembling with youthful defiance.
"And why is that?" Her mother had asked, placing her hands on her waist, and staring at her with a mix of frustration and concern.
"Mom, I don't want to be part of the Royal family. Please respect my decision!" Young Ilithyia had pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears.
"This is how we repay the Royal family's favor!" Her mother had insisted, placing a comforting hand on Ilithyia's shoulder.
"Favors can be repaid in other ways, like showing gratitude!" Young Ilithyia had argued, her voice cracking.
"This is how we, the Duskthorn family, repay with gratitude!" Her mother had said firmly.
"This isn't gratitude! This is an alliance, right?" Young Ilithyia had asked, her voice breaking.
Her mother had exhaled heavily. "Listen to me, you are going to get married to Prince Gavin and take care of your sister, okay?" her mother had said.
Young Ilithyia had cried, unable to hold back her tears. "Mom..."
"Why does sister have to marry him?" Young Moriah had stepped forward, her eyes wide with confusion.
"Darling, what are you doing here?" Her mother had knelt beside her.
"Mom! Where is sister going to?" Young Moriah had asked, her voice trembling.
"Darling, all you need to know is that from now on, your sister Ilithyia will be taking care of you!" Her mother had said, her tone firm but gentle.
"What about you and Dad?" Young Moriah had asked.
"You have Ilithyia here; don't worry about us!" Her mother had said, holding both their hands, her smile reassuring but tinged with sadness.
The Queen returned to the present, her expression somber. The lilies, symbols of both purity and transience, reflected the duality of her past—a life marked by beauty and duty, yet overshadowed by the weight of responsibility and personal sacrifice.
"Your Highness!" A woman in an elegant ballgown approached.
"You are?" Queen Ilithyia asked, masking her emotions with a polite smile.
The woman smiled warmly. "Your Highness!" The woman bowed gracefully. "I am Mrs. Ella from the Roosevelt family!"
Queen Ilithyia replied with a smile. "It's a pleasure to see you!"
"Forgive me if I interrupted anything. You seemed lost in thought when I arrived," Mrs. Ella remarked.
"Not at all!" Queen Ilithyia chuckled softly. "I was just taking in the fresh air."
"Ah, I see. It seems like the Queen of Narva isn't much of a party person!" Mrs. Ella commented with a smile.
"You could say that," Queen Ilithyia replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"I must say that I am captivated by your beauty. Now I know where the princess gets hers from!" Mrs. Ella complimented.
Queen Ilithyia smiled. "Thanks for the kind words!"
"It's my pleasure!" Mrs. Ella responded.
"You said you're from the Roosevelt family?" Queen Ilithyia inquired.
"Hmm! Yes, I am!" Mrs. Ella replied.
"You mean, Roosevelt family, one of the three top families?" Queen Ilithyia asked, her curiosity piqued.
Mrs. Ella smiled. "Yes, Your Highness!"
"I had no idea!" Queen Ilithyia said warmly.
"It's okay, Your Highness!" Mrs. Ella said.
"So I guess you're here for the banquet, right?" Queen Ilithyia said.
"Yes, I'm here for the banquet. The Princess of Narva choosing a young lord is an event not to be missed."
"That's true!" Queen Ilithyia agreed with a nod.
"Your Highness, it's been an honor to meet you," Mrs. Ella bowed again.
"The pleasure is mine," Queen Ilithyia replied.
"I should return to the banquet!" Mrs. Ella said, preparing to leave.
"Enjoy yourself," Queen Ilithyia said with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Mrs. Ella bowed once more before leaving.
As the Queen watched her go, her smile faded, like a blossom caught in the wind, the fleeting beauty of the lilies a poignant reminder of her complicated legacy.
------
At the palace hall, Princess Alexandra danced with several lords but none caught her attention. She sighed heavily, her forced smile wearing away.
"Your Highness!" A young lord gracefully bowed to her.
Princess Alexandra returned the bow.
"I am–" he pauses as he lifts his head to see her. His eyes couldn't stop staring at her.
"You are?" Princess Alexandra asked awkwardly.
"Oh! Forgive my negligence." He apologized with a slight bow. "I am Lord Alan Tittensor, from the Tittensor Family," he introduced himself.
"Princess Alexandra, "Alexandra." She gave a slight bow as she introduced herself.
Lord Alan smiled at her. "If I may Your Highness, would you care for a dance?" He bowed elegantly, extending his hand to her.
Princess Alexandra sighed, "The day's festivities have been rather demanding." She murmured. "How about doing something else?" She asked him.
Lord Alan stood upright to her. "Anything you want Your Highness!' He said with a warm smile.
"We....could go for a walk!" Princess Alexandra suggested.
"If you suggest Your Highness!" Lord Alan smiled at her.
"Hmm!" Princess Alexandra walked away with Lord Alan by her.
King Gavin watched the interaction between Princess Alexandra and Lord Alan. He let out a soft chuckle.
"She's got good eyes!" He smiled.
------
Princess Alexandra went for a walk with Lord Alan. They walked around the beautiful garden filled with the fragrance of flowers.
"The palace is such a big place, if you hadn't accompanied me, I might have missed my way," Lord Alan said calmly.
"So tell me about yourself?" She asked.
Lord Alan smiled upon hearing Princess Alexandra's question. "There's nothing much about me," He replied with a hint of modesty.
"Nothing much? The young earl of the Tittensor Family should have quite a lot to say!" She said.
Lord Alan chuckled softly. "Is that so?" He asked.
"I guess!" She nodded.
Lord Alan takes in a deep breath. "Well...aside from my duties as a young earl, there's nothing more." He turned to her with a calm smile.
Princess Alexandra lowered her head, letting out a deep sigh.
Lord Alan looked at her. He knew that being a Royal was no different than being among the aristocratic families. The only difference was the duties and status involved.
"Have you ever been to the City's market?" He asked calmly.
She turned to him, confused. "The City's market?" She asked curiously.
"You haven't been to the City's market, have you?" Lord Alan asked.
"Well–" she stared at him. "I barely leave the palace." She said.
Lord Alan chuckled softly. "I don't mind taking you there some other time." He turned to her.
Princess Alexandra smiled warmly immediately when she heard himself so. "Really?" She calmly asked.
"Hmm!" He nodded. "That's if you don't mind."
"Of course I don't!" Princess Alexandra smiled gracefully. "Thank you!"
"It's my pleasure, Your Highness!" Lord Alan slightly bowed.
"It's fine!" She said calmly.
"We've been out for quite some time. Why don't we return to the banquet?" Lord Alan asked.
"Oh right!" She exclaimed.
"Your Highness!" Lord Alan called her. She looked at him.
"Yes? Do you need anything?" She asked.
"To be sincere, Your Highness! You are far different from what people say about you." He said.
"Different? And how?" Princess Alexandra questioned.
"You are calm and nice." Lord Alan commented with a smile.
Princess Alexandra smiled suddenly. "Thanks for the compliment! Why don't you leave first?" She said.
"Aren't you coming along?" Lord Alan asked.
"I'm right behind you!" She said.
"If you say so, your Highness!" Lord Alan bowed again and walked away.
Princess Alexandra sighed seeing Lord Alan leave. Her perfect smile once more was no longer seen. She closed her eyes and felt relieved as she smelled the flowers and the quiet surroundings.
'Why can't wishes fall from the sky?' Tears ran down her cheeks.