I'm in my room, sitting in front of a large mirror while my handmaiden, Myra, gently combs my long, wavy blonde hair. I can see admiration shining in her eyes as she speaks in a dreamy tone, "I've never grown tired of serving you, my princess. Your striking beauty always dazzles my poor eyes. I heard that the Crown Prince of Aetheria has sent a marriage proposal for you today. Is that true, my lady?"
I chuckle softly, "Gossip spreads quite quickly among you all. Yes, it's true. The Aetherian envoy will be staying here for a few days. Then we will attend the festival in the kingdom of Aetheria and meet the royal family."
Myra's eyes widen with excitement as she exclaims, "The Crown Prince sends a proposal for you without even knowing about your beauty! When he finally sees you, he'll surely faint!"
I laugh heartily, "Myra, you jest! He is the Crown Prince of the most powerful kingdom in our realm. What kind of beauty has he not seen before?"
With enthusiasm, she replies, "I can swear he has never seen anyone as beautiful as you. If he is not as handsome as the rumors suggest, he will never be your match."
I chuckle again, "We shall see."
Just then, my head maid, Aunt Helen, chides Myra, "Is arranging the hair of my princess a cumbersome task, Myra? Why are you taking so long? Or are you simply gossiping with my lady again?"
"I'm sorry for the delay, Head Maid Helen. Please pardon me for today," Myra begs cutely, her eyes wide with innocence.
"Keep your cute act to yourself. Now you must go to the west wing; Madam Queen has arranged a session for you," Aunt Helen is stern.
"A session! For me?! What kind of session at this age?!" Myra exclaims.
"If Princess Alexandra is to marry Crown Prince Robert, you will need to accompany her to Aetheria. You must learn how to behave, what difficulties you might face in serving the princess there, and how to overcome them all," Aunt Helen tells her.
I see. My mother is as meticulous as always.
Myra's excitement returns. "Of course, I want to learn! I want to serve my princess better. I'm going now, my lady!" She scurries away, her enthusiasm palpable.
As I watch her leave, I can't help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety about the upcoming events. The prospect of meeting the Crown Prince and attending the festival fills me with both excitement and trepidation. What will my future hold?
"Aunt Helen, will you come with me if I have to go to Aetheria?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
"I'm your head maid, my princess. I will surely accompany you," she replied, her tone reassuring.
I sigh, feeling the weight of fate's unpredictability. I never imagined that one incident could so abruptly alter the course of my life.
"What are you doing, my lovely Alexandra?" My royal brother, Albart, entered my room, his presence a welcome distraction.
"I was just speaking with Aunt Helen. I'm sorry, brother, but the Aetherian envoy has disrupted your engagement party today. Is Princess Laura upset?"
"What are you saying, dear? She isn't that petty. Why are you apologizing? It's not as if you were aware of his visit. I'm more concerned about you, sister. You've always seemed disinterested in marriage, yet this time you seem willing to accept it. Are you worried about the implications for our kingdom? If that's the case, just tell me. I'll speak to Father. If the Aetherian royal family is displeased with our refusal, we can simply confront them. I won't allow you to sacrifice your happiness for our kingdom."
"You should relax, brother. I haven't even met Prince Robert yet. If he turns out to be a bad person, I will obviously reject him. But if he proves to be a good man, then why create unnecessary conflict? Father will never allow me to remain unmarried forever."
"If you don't like Prince Robert, just tell me," Albart says with a sigh. His concern warms my heart. I know Father cares for me as well, but he always approaches matters with a rational mind.
If fate challenges me, I will gladly accept it. I am not just a mere 19-year-old girl; I am an angel capable of wielding magic. I can protect myself in this world.
In the days leading up to our visit to Aetheria, our entire family became engrossed in preparations. My father decided to temporarily hand over his duties to my uncle, Arold Campbell, who is a capable ruler in his own right, serving as a governor-general under my father.
Uncle Arold has a son, my cousin Arian Campbell, who is both a talented mage and a formidable warrior. As a mage, he stands on par with my brother and specializes in rare dark, illusion, and shadow magic. He has already made a name for himself as one of the generals in our army at such a young age. His accomplishments are impressive.
However, there's a peculiar tension between Arian and me. He once saw me without any mask or veil at a family dinner. Ever since that day, he has avoided my presence. Whenever I visit the army, he always seems to be preoccupied with something else. I can't help but wonder what's going on in his mind.
As the time for my meeting with Crown Prince Robert approaches, both my father and mother sit down with me to discuss the proposal. They express their concerns, assuming that I accepted this marriage proposal just for the sake of our kingdom, just as my brother did. I reassure them that my decision will not be made lightly and that my own happiness is paramount to me.
My father's tone is both persuasive and tinged with guilt, as he feels the weight of the kingdom's expectations on his shoulders. To ease his discomfort, I promise him that if I find Crown Prince Robert unsuitable for me, I will firmly refuse the proposal. At that time, he will have to support me. My father bursts into laughter, relieved, and assures me that he will support my decision, whatever it may be.
My mother, on the other hand, adds her own condition: if Crown Prince Robert falls short in any way compared to me, I should feel free to refuse this proposal outright. I nod in agreement, reassuring her that I will certainly reject it if he falls short.
With our family's support, I feel a sense of empowerment as I, too, prepare for this journey.
The journey to Aetheria is exciting, each mile filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. As our royal carriage glides through the lush landscapes of our kingdom, I can't help but gaze out at the great sea, towering hills, and vibrant fields—a bittersweet reminder of the freedom I cherish. The thought of leaving my home behind weighs heavily on my heart.
As we approach the borders of Aetheria, the air begins to change. A gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers and the faint sound of laughter. The sky above transforms into a canvas of brilliant blues and whites, dotted with floating islands that seem to dance in the sunlight. My heart races as we enter the kingdom known for its ethereal beauty and magical wonders.
Upon our arrival in Celestia, I am mesmerized by the sight before me. The capital city is a marvel of shimmering spires that reach toward the heavens, their surfaces glistening like diamonds in the sunlight.
Bridges made of light connect the islands, creating a breathtaking network that seems to defy gravity. The architecture is top-notch, with delicate arches and intricate designs that reflect the artistry of the Aetherians.
As we make our way to the grand palace, the streets are alive with the sounds of the festival. Colorful banners flutter in the breeze, and the air is filled with the sweet melodies of musicians playing enchanting tunes.
Aetherians, dressed in flowing garments, move gracefully through the crowds, their laughter ringing like music. As they are proficient in air magic, many of them are flying at amazing speeds.
The palace itself is a sight to behold, a magnificent structure that seems to float above the ground, surrounded by gardens filled with luminescent flowers. What a breathtaking view!
Suddenly, I sense a gaze fixed on me—intense and unwavering. It lacks any malice, yet it carries a predatory quality, reminiscent of a hungry beast eyeing its prey. I scan my surroundings, searching for any clue that might explain this unsettling feeling, but I find nothing.
Is this just my imagination running wild? Am I succumbing to paranoia? The uncertainty gnaws at me, leaving me on edge as I try to decipher the source of this intense scrutiny, but to no avail… 😓