The sun filtered through the silk curtains of the royal suite, casting a golden glow across the white marble floors. Princess Zaria of House Valandria stood by the balcony, her arms folded tightly across her chest. She wasn't admiring the view. Not today. She had just heard the words. And she was still trying to believe them.
"You're to be married to Kelvin Prescott."
The words kept echoing in her head like a chant she couldn't run from. She turned slowly, her eyes sharp as she looked at her mother and father, seated calmly in the parlor of her father's chambers.
Zaria: You can't be serious,You didn't even ask me.
Queen Alondra, graceful as always in her royal robe, didn't flinch.
Alondra: This isn't a matter for asking, Zaria. It's for the good of the kingdom.
Aldric: And for the future, ~King Aldric added, his voice deep and final.
Zaria: I can't believe you guys, especially you mom….you really want your only daughter to get married to a divorcee? Really??
Alondra: Zar…
Zaria: Oh and not just that, he has Two kids already
Alondra: Zaria I understand but you see…..
Zaria: Not one? Two kids mom, Two kids!!
Alondra: I know how you feel but you have to calm down and think about….
Zaria: They are Teenagers, they aren't even toddlers, Ughhhhhhhh!!!
Alondra: You have to calm down and listen to me, you have to see it from our own point of view, you…..
Zaria let out a sharp breath.
Zaria: to see what? Huh? to see I'm just… a pawn?
Aldric: Watch your tone.
Zaria: Why not marry Lucan off, then? He's the heir, not me. Why not have him strengthen the alliance?
Alondra: Your brother already carries the weight of the crown. This is your duty, Zaria.
She shook her head, laughing bitterly.
Zaria: "This is your duty Zaria"~ she said in a mimicking tone, It's always my duty, it's always me, Always me!!!. why is it always me??
Neither of them answered right away.Because they knew. She was beautiful. Smart. The perfect piece for a perfect picture.
Zaria: TELL ME!!!!!, Kelvin Prescott,~ she muttered, pacing slowly. The cold prince. The one who lost his wife and built walls no one can break through.
King Aldric: He is powerful,And his empire is vast. This union will benefit both kingdoms and not just here but also in the modern world. We would expand our empire to the modern world, Arrrrgh, think about it....Look pumpkin, Sometimes the crown weighs more on some than others. But you wear it for the ones who can't.
Zaria: Ugh spare me the speech father!
Alondra: ZARIA!!!, You will not speak to your father in such manner
Zaria: I HATE YOU BOTH!!!
~ Zaria runs to her room crying….her mom Queen Alondra tries to follow but is stopped by her husband King Malik…
Aldric: Let her be, she'll come around.
......…..
Velandria is a kingdom known for its beauty and power. Nestled between tall silver mountains and deep blue rivers, the land was as breathtaking as it was strong. Everything about Velandria spoke of old money, elegance, and quiet control.
The people respected the royal family deeply. They were known not just for their wealth, but also for how they carried themselves….with grace, pride, and a little mystery. The streets of the capital sparkled at night, with lanterns that lined every corner, and carriages that moved through with quiet luxury.
The kingdom was rich in trade,fine silks, rare spices, and precious stones. Their fashion industry was one of the best, and their royal events always drew attention from other lands. But beyond the glamor, politics ran deep. Alliances were carefully built, and every move was calculated.
And now, with an arranged marriage set to tie Velandria to the mighty Prescott Empire, the kingdom's future was about to shift. The Velandrian royal house wasn't large in number, but they were strong in presence.
King Aldric was the head of the family. He was a man of quiet strength, not one for many words, but when he spoke, everyone listened. His presence filled any room he walked into. He had ruled Velandria for years with a steady hand. People admired him, some even feared him but no one ever questioned his loyalty to the crown. Duty always came first for Aldric. That's why he was ready to marry off his only daughter if it meant strengthening the kingdom.
Queen Alondra, his wife, was the softer one. Where the king ruled with logic, she ruled with her heart. She had a calming voice and kind eyes, the kind that made you feel safe. But she wasn't weak. She knew what the royal life demanded and carried her role with quiet grace. Still, deep inside, she always wished Zaria had more freedom than she herself was given.
Then there was Prince Lucan, the firstborn and crown prince. He was everything a kingdom could ask for; disciplined, respectful, and completely focused on his duties. He had spent his life learning how to lead, how to rule, and how to carry the weight of a nation. Lucan rarely smiled, but when he did, it was genuine. He loved his sister, but he didn't always understand her need to rebel.
And then there was Zaria.
Beautiful, fiery, and full of life. She didn't want to be locked in a golden cage. She wanted to laugh loudly, ride horses without guards, and fall in love without permission. She loved her family deeply, but she also hated the way her life had already been planned for her. Unlike Lucan, she didn't want duty to define her. She wanted choice.
Even though they were all so different, the bond between them remained strong, unspoken, and full of royal expectations.
......….
Zaria sat still on the cushioned stool, eyes distant as her long black curls were gently pulled into a loose braid. The wide windows let in the soft golden light of the afternoon sun, but it brought her no warmth today. Her maid and best friend Lyra, worked quietly, her fingers gentle and precise. But she could feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy.
Lyra: You've been too quiet my princess and when you're quiet, it's never good.
Zaria blinked slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. Zaria: They've already set the date.
Lyra paused
Lyra: For the meeting?
Zaria nodded.
Lyra met her eyes in the mirror, brows pulling together.
Lyra: You're really going to marry him… the Prescott heir?
Zaria looked away.
Zaria:I'm not. Not if I can help it.
Lyra's hands slowed as she reached for another pin.
Lyra: Does he even know?
Zaria: I don't know and I don't care. Kelvin Prescott doesn't know me and I don't care to know him either.
Lyra bit her lip before asking the question that had been on her mind.
Lyr: And… what about him?
Zaria froze. Her heart skipped. She turned her head slightly. You mean Kael?
Lyra nodded carefully, eyes gentle.
Tears welled up in Zaria's eyes before she could stop them.
Zaria: He doesn't have a crown. He doesn't have an empire. But he has me.
Lyra quickly set the comb aside and came around to hug her from behind, wrapping her arms gently around Zaria's shoulders.
Zaria: I hate this, Why do we always have to do things just because of our last names?
Before Lyra could answer, a knock echoed through the door.
A maid peeked in. "Your Highness, Prince Lucan is on his way up."
Zaria quickly blinked away the rest of her tears, standing to compose herself. Lyra handed her a silk handkerchief as the door opened fully.
Prince Lucan stepped in, tall and poised as always. He gave Lyra a nod, then turned to his sister with a rare softness in his expression.
Lucan: So it's true, They want to marry you off to Prescott.
Zaria: Want is a kind word.
He stepped further into the room.
Lucan: Zee, why didn't you tell me? I had to hear it from Father's council.
Zaria: I figured you already knew and didn't care.
Lucan: That's not fair, You're my sister.
Zaria: What do you want me to say, Lucan? That I'm excited to be used like a bargaining chip? That I'm thrilled to be shipped off like a letter?
Lucan: No!! but I wanted to hear how you feel. From you.
Zaria: I feel like I'm drowning and everyone's watching but no one's reaching out.
Lucan didn't respond right away. He simply reached out and squeezed her hand.
Zaria: I don't want to get married to the Prescott family Lucan, and besides I'm not even gonna be the first wife and to top it all he has kids, Teenagers
Lucan: If there was a way for me to marry in your place I would Zee. I already spoke to father and theirs is no other way and to be honest this isn't as bad as you've made it seem, especially if this deal could shift power.
Zaria gave a bitter smile.
Zaria: Then maybe I'll shift it my way.
Lucan raised an eyebrow!!
Lucan: Zaria???
Zaria: What??
Lucan: I hope you're not up to something crazy?
Zaria: Can you even listen to yourself??? Lucan Your sister is getting married to a jerk and you're in support?? Ugh I can't believe my ears, you know, I would have had your back if the reverse was the case
Lucan: Stop Zee, can you just stop? ~Sigh! I can only imagine how you feel but please don't do anything Crazy.
He kissed her forehead before heading toward the door.
Lucan: We don't always get to choose how the story starts, Zaria. But sometimes, we get to decide how it ends.
When he left, the silence returned.
Zaria sat back down slowly. Lyra leaned against the vanity, watching her.
Zaria: So, what's the plan?
Zaria's lips slowly curled into a smile.
Zaria: We ruin it.
Lyra blinked.
Lyra: Ruin it?
Zaria nodded.
Zaria: The meeting with the Prescotts. We make sure they go back home thinking I'm a spoiled, impossible brat. No alliance. No wedding.
Lyra: Zaria, i don't think we should do this….
Zaria: Don't tell me you don't have my back.
Lyra: Sigh! Fine, I've always wanted to play the villain anyways!
Zaria smirked, the fire in her chest beginning to burn again.
Zaria: Then let's give them a show they won't forget.