The sun is setting, casting golden beams across the marble floors. Elina paced in her room, her fingers tracing the spines of the books stacked high on her desk.
"Not today," she muttered to herself, shaking her head as the echoes of laughter from the courtyard below reminded her of the life she was meant to embrace.
A sharp knock on the door broke her reverie. "Elina! Are you in there?" The voice belonged to her mother, Queen Maria.
With a sigh, Elina called back, "Yes, Mother. What is it?"
The door swung open, and Maria stepped inside, her presence commanding yet warm. "We need to talk, dear."
Elina crossed her arms, her heart racing. "About the wedding, I presume?"
"Yes," Maria replied, her voice steady. "You must understand, this is for the good of the kingdom."
"What good? My life is not a political pawn!" Elina's voice rose, echoing off the stone walls.
Maria's expression hardened, the softness of her features replaced by the weight of royal duty. "You will marry Duke Barco's son. It is not just a marriage; it is a strategic alliance."
"Strategic!" Elina scoffed, her frustration bubbling over. "You mean to say it's a cage! A means to control me."
Maria stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "This is about the future of Britannia. You have a responsibility, Elina. You are the princess."
"Princess or not, I am still a person!" Elina shouted, her voice ringing with indignation. "I want to study philosophy, to learn about the world, not be some trophy wife for a family I barely know!"
"Enough!" Maria's voice thundered, and Elina flinched at the intensity.
"You are being selfish. I have sacrificed everything for this kingdom, and you-"
"-and I am supposed to throw away my dreams for your ambitions?" Elina interrupted, her heart racing. "What about my happiness?"
The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. Maria's gaze softened, but her resolve remained unyielding. "Happiness comes from fulfilling one's duty. You will learn this."
Elina turned away, feeling the sting of tears. "I refuse to be a pawn in your game, Mother. I want to think, to question, to explore the truths of life."
Maria sighed, her shoulders slumping. "You think philosophy will bring you happiness? The world is cruel, Elina. Knowledge does not shield you from the harshness of reality."
"But it can illuminate it!" Elina pleaded, spinning to face her mother again. "Isn't that worth something?"
They stood in a tense standoff, both unwilling to back down. Finally, Maria spoke, her voice low and firm. "You will marry Duke Barco's son. This is not up for debate."
Elina felt her heart drop. "You can't just decide my fate like this! I am not a child!"
"Then act like an adult," Maria retorted, her frustration evident. "Your childish dreams will not protect you from the responsibilities that lay ahead."
A bitter laugh escaped Elina's lips. "You think I'm being childish? I think it's childish to ignore my desires for the sake of tradition."
"Tradition is what keeps us strong!" Maria shot back, her voice rising once more. "What do you think will happen if you reject this marriage? The Barco family will lose faith in us."
"Maybe it's time for a change!" Elina cried, her voice raw with emotion. "Maybe the kingdom needs a philosopher, not just a princess."
"Elina, there are many philosophers in the kingdom. You don't need to be a philosopher. You are a princess. You have a role to play," Maria replied, her tone softening slightly as she reached for Elina's arm. "Trust me, Elina. This is for the best."
Elina shrugged off her mother's touch, stepping back. "You don't understand me at all. You see me as a means to an end."
"No!" Maria exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You are my Daughter . I see you as the future of this kingdom. I want you to be happy."
Elina shook her head. "You want me to sacrifice my dreams for a crown that feels like a noose."
The tension in the room was palpable, heavy with the weight of unfulfilled dreams and unyielding duty. Maria's eyes glistened, but she held her ground. "One day, you will understand."
"Maybe," Elina muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "But that day is not today."
"Then we are at an impasse," Maria said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I will not force you, but I will not let this marriage slip through our fingers either."
"I won't marry him," Elina declared, her voice stronger now. "Not unless you can convince me that my happiness matters."
Maria's expression hardened once more, the regal mask slipping back into place. "Then prepare yourself for the consequences of your choice."
"Consequences?" Elina echoed, her heart pounding. "You think I'm afraid of consequences? I've spent my whole life preparing for this moment."
"Then you should know that it comes with great sacrifice," Maria said, her tone final. "I will not let you harm this kingdom, Elina."
Elina turned away, her heart heavy. "You don't see the harm you're doing to me."
With that, Maria exited, her footsteps echoing down the hall, leaving Elina alone in the silence of her room. She sat on her bed, her thoughts swirling in a tempest of frustration and despair.
"Why can't she see?" Elina whispered to the empty room. "Why can't she understand that I want to be more than just a pawn?"
As night fell, Elina gazed out the window at the stars twinkling above. "Maybe I'm meant to be a philosopher," she murmured.
"But how can I fight for my dreams when the world wants to cage me?"
The sound of soft footsteps drew her attention.
"Elina?" It was Rehana, The Head maid.
Elina turned, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill. " Aunt Rehana, I-"
"I heard the argument," Rehana said gently, concern etched on her face.
"I'm sorry."
Elina sighed, leaning back against the wall. "It's just... I don't want to be married off like some bargaining chip."
Rehana stepped closer, her voice a soothing balm. "You have every right to your dreams, princess. But your mother is under immense pressure."
"I know," Elina conceded, her heart aching.
"But I can't let her decisions dictate my life."
"Then you must find a way to change her mind," Rehana urged, her eyes bright with determination.
"You have a powerful voice. Use it."
"Easier said than done," Elina replied, a hint of a smile breaking through her gloom. "You know how stubborn she can be."
"Stubbornness is an inherited trait, my lady," Rehana teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood. "Perhaps you've inherited it from her?"
Elina chuckled softly, the tension easing slightly. "True. But I want to channel that stubbornness into something greater-something that allows me to make my own choices."
"Then you must start by speaking your truth," Rehana advised. "You have to show her that your dreams matter just as much as the kingdom's traditions."
Elina nodded, determination flooding her veins. "I will speak to her again. I'll make her understand."
"Good," Rehana said, her smile brightening the room. "Your voice is powerful, Elina. Don't let anyone silence it."
As the moon bathed the palace in silver light, Elina felt a flicker of hope igniting within her. "Thank you, Rehana. I won't give up."
"Never give up," Rehana echoed, her voice a soft promise.
With newfound resolve, Elina stared out into the night, the stars shining brightly above her. She would fight for her dreams, for her voice, and for the right to choose her own destiny.
And she would make her mother see that a princess could be both a ruler and a philosopher-a force of change in a world that desperately needed it.
★
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Queen Maria continued to walk anxiously.
"Your majesty"
She sees an old man. who looks worried
"Prime Minister, what are you doing here?"
His name is Winston, and he had been chosen by the Queen herself.
Winston was a man of great integrity and wisdom, with a deep sense of duty to his people and his Queen. He had risen through the ranks of government through sheer hard work and determination, earning the respect and admiration of all who knew him.
As Prime Minister, Winston faced many challenges and obstacles, from political rivals to foreign threats. But he never wavered in his commitment to serving his country and his Queen with honor and dignity.
"Your Majesty, I received an urgent message from the governor of Gorontalo province."
Maria said a little worried.
"What happened?"
"Your majesty, several large steel ships have appeared near Gorontalo port. "
"Steel ships? Do these belong to the Dwarven Council state?"
"No Your Highness, they claim to be from a country called the Empire. But the most surprising thing is that their country is located in the monster sea. Which is the area of Serpent Goddess. The one who destroyed Alka's entire fleet two hundred years ago. Also the place is full of terrible sea monsters. Till date no one has been able to cross that sea."
Queen Maria was worried. She was already worried about her daughter. Now comes another problem.
"Are you sure they are not monsters or Twisters."
"Governor Pakaya himself verified this. They are human Also no presence of evil energy was detected from them. They want to establish diplomatic relations with us. "
"Diplomatic Relations?!"
"Yes, Your Highness. Their diplomatic team wishes to meet You."